Summer Project #5: The Garage

There are really three projects going on here and it took me the better part of three days to do everything.  I built a workbench; I built a bike rack (the idea was inspired by Scott); I organzied tools (ladder, toolbox, wall organizer).

Here's the finished product.

The bike rack on the left now stores all of the camping gear and random bike parts and pumps on the pine shelf.  It can hang 5 - 6 bikes on its hooks which are connected to the pine shelf by a 2" x 6" x 4' pine board underneath the 16" x 10" brackets.

Gets everything off the floor, but keeps everything readily accessible.  The bikes are locked to the brackets to discourage theft.

The workbench was built with the help of "Ask the Builder".  The legs are 4x4.  The bottom 3/4" plywood shelf is supported with 2x4 and the work surface is supported with 2x6.  The top is 72 x 32 and is 34" off the ground which seems perfect for my height.

A good view of the sunflowers.

The yard tools are now lined up and off the floor.  Plenty of room for two cars now.  I'm glad I don't have a "before" picture.

Summer Project #4: Grandpa Niehaus' Pasta Sauce

I thought it would be a good idea to write this down somewhere.
2 lbs of tomatoes - peeled and seeded (I used a mix of the five varieties that I'm growing in garden)
1 med onion - chopped fine
24 oz. tomato paste
46 oz. tomato juice
12 oz. hot water
1/2 cup sugar
5-6 "toes" of garlic
A handful of oregano (dried from the garden)
A handful of basil (also dried from the garden)
2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp celery flakes
2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 bottle red wine (I used Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Chile)
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I added some bay leaves, a minced seeded jalapeno, and fine chopped green pepper.

All the ingredients in the pot (yes, that's Grandpa's pasta sauce pot). 

Raise to a boil and then reduce to low (a constant simmer).

Six hours later.  Don't underestimate the importance of the wooden spoon.

Mangia, mangia.

Summer Project #3: The Front Yard

I haven't done much to the front yard this year.  Everything seems to be doing well.  I added two types of Phlox and some violas.  Most things have come and gone already.  The daisies (from my sister's wedding) were over two feet tall and will be moved to the backyard and replaced by columbines.  The rose of sharon is blooming nicely and will need a severe trimming in February.  The lilac on the left probably doesn't get enough sun for its location; the burning bush in the middle has done nicely and will add some nice color at the end of the season.

The crazy Russian Sage makes the yard look like mess from this angle.

The Rose of Sharon

 

I thought this was going to be the last daisy of the year, but it looks like there is another one that will be ready in a couple of days.

Summer Project #2: The Mailbox

This is our old mailbox.

It is rusty and sad.

And this is our new mailbox.  It came from Water Glass Studios in Canada. It is handmade and copper. 

 

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Summer Project #1: The Garden

Here's the far garden.  New raised beds this year.  The cucumbers are taking over the yard on the left, the squash (acorn and butternut) are wandering in the yard to the right.  The tomatoes (celebrity and beef) are about six feet tall and producing like mad.  The okra and sweet peppers are a bit small, but the sunflowers are going gangbusters and are over eight feet tall.  The green onions are done for the season and the eggplant are still getting started.

A closer shot of the back garden.

Side view.

And this is the near garden.  Over head shot from the deck.  I got plenty of radishes, lettuce, and kohlrabi earlier in the season but never got around to taking a picture.  This is tomatoes (juliet and roma), hot peppers, okra, brussel sprouts, and zucchini.

Another shot of the near garden.

View of Brussel Sprouts and Roma tomatoes.