06/24/2020 Wednesday

Thanks Cec xxx

I too get nervous at how much other family members consume though they think they are fine. And I also am most happy feeling good physically and mentally after an evening of not drinking anything.

I love that new pool! That might be good for Ferg. He used to get in the fountain, but he's too old for that now.

I think I have a plan for my beds developing...

This one is under my kitchen window to the right of the french doors to the backyard. It has one remaining ailing azalea that needs to go...

I was thinking a succulent fountain with some low plants (TBD maybe some low grasses and/or lavender) surrounding it similar to this:

Maybe also one of those teak fence things to hide the ugly a/c unit too.

This bed is on the other side of the french doors under the family room windows and has an unbalanced mix of calla lilies that only look nice in the early spring and clivias that I could transplant into the side yard. I was thinking a combination of purple salvias and pink knockout roses?

Both beds get shade until about 1pm now and full blazing afternoon sun until 6. Opinions and counter ideas welcome! Bonus fact, in the lower left of the last pic, you can see where puppy Ferg gnawed the stucco off the corner of the house. No wonder his teeth are worn to nubs.

On the subject of my eating, it has been better with the exception of impulse sugary snack buys. If I can stop those things coming in, I'd be in a good spot. So sugar cutback is my goal for the next week.

Love your thought process and spirit ! Atlas says Fergs needs the pool !!???

Oh that fountain!!!! How stunning. Do it!!!!!

Love the succulent idea Cec - I did a bowl similar to this for my mums christmas 2 years ago. It looks very effective. Succulents are super easy to propogate too :) Im attempting a bunch from leaves at the moment for the first time

I think salvias would also look lovely in the other bed

You have such a beautiful outdoor area - would be bliss to sit out there and soak in all the beauty

They are so forgiving, for sure! I may have to be patient on finding a fountain. They are expensive new! Yikes, I've been looking today. Given I will have to drill holes in it, spending around $1000 seems nuts. I saw one on Craigslist that was only $100, but it was more orangey terracotta and all my hardscape is more beige/brown. I want it to look like it fits...

I think our climates are pretty similar. We sure have a lot of plants we use here that are native to Australia. Wish you were closer, you could hang out here!

If the craigslist one is an appealing shape, size, I would buy it and try to spray paint it to match the rest of the yard. $100 would be worth the risk that painting might not work.

I snoozed and lost. It's sold...

Oh I would be there in a flash having a cuppa and playing with Ferg :) Would only come with a few things to eat n some preserves :) I can dream cant I

Another thing I have seen that may work out is a concrete style bird bath - or a similar Urn type ? You could drape the hanging succulents off it - looks quite effective. Will post some pics in TT for you

Yes our climates are very similar