The Hacienda: Phase III

 ....or is it Phase IV? or V?

We have completed a number of improvements on our property. We feel that we are almost "finished" and, we both know that's a joke!  We will always be adding, changing, remaking....

Today I arrived home from an errand and noticed a trailer parked on the side of the road near our gate to the barn. I pulled into the drive and lo and behold, Al was here with his excavator. He was beginning to prepare the area next to our home for our new garage (since my sewing/craft room took over the former garage!)

We wanted a place where the truck would actually fit and wanted enough space so we could easily get in or out of the vehicles. We also wanted an enclosed space at the back of the building for lawn mowers and other garden equipment, and for those sort of things that end up in garages. We've been planning the new structure for months, and we're finally ready to move ahead. The plans were submitted to our HOA for approval last week, and were submitted to the County for approval a few weeks ago. Both entities approved the plans and our builder is ready to get started. 

The tall tree trunks were left when we removed some trees that were overhanging the house earlier this year. We knew the garage was going there and the arborist knew it would be easier to have the rootballs removed if he cut them high. 

Al dug around the base of the trees, and he dug some more. 

He used the bucket to try to pull each tree over. 

The trees' roots were so ensnarled that it took a lot more digging, tugging, pushing and pulling until he could get them down. The massive root network firmly anchored them in the ground and finally the last two trees came down together. 

It's interesting to watch Al work with the excavator. (This is his "small" one!) He is so deft with the claw that he can delicately (if you can call the motion of a large steel bucket and claw "delicate"!) separates roots, pipes and pieces of concrete from the dirt. 

Towards the end of the day we had piles of remains carefully sorted for later removal,

and a drop of almost three feet at the end of the concrete.

The Corgis were a little surprised when they first ran around the corner!

That was fast work!

This morning we had trucks parked all over our yard...

none of which belonged to us.

They cut out most of the concrete in front of what once was the garage.

We will plant shrubs there to make it look like there never had

been a garage there at all!

Al continued to sculpt our back yard for drainage,

and brought in fresh dirt where they will pour the footings and 

foundation for the new building.

More amazing work by Al, who picked up the 

piece of concrete they cut out...

And placed it in the bucket of the tractor. 

It is my understanding that the next step will be placing rebar and wire.

Then we will have our first inspection before they can pour the concrete pad.

I have been so impressed with our builder/contractor. Kevin is juggling 4 or 5 garage conversions, additions and new garages. I think that he had a few contracts for houses, but people backed out the project because of too many unknowns about how the tariffs will impact prices during the span of time needed to build a home. 

Regardless, I find him to be very responsive to our concerns and jumps in to get things done. How refreshing!

Fountain of Youth??

I was doing my housewifely chore of making dinner when the Mister stuck his head in the front door and shouted that he needed a towel, and he needed it quick. He was freezing. 

I grabbed a towel and handed it to my somewhat drowned hubby. From head, almost to toe, he was soaked. His glasses were peppered with drops of water. His shorts were soaked. 

He grabbed the towel, and ran back out into the yard saying he had to find his pipe wrench and turn off the water to the house at the street. 

Evidently, he decided to tackle and replace, a non-functional spigot on the end of a PVC pipe in our side yard. The handle/knob of the faucet was missing, and he thought that this pipe was not functional. So he'd replace the spigot and then determine where to turn the water on to this specific pipe. 

WRONG! He began to remove the spigot and discovered there WAS water there. Perhaps 90 lbs of pressure! 

Luckily he was not standing in front of the spigot when it "blew"!

The water spewed out, quickly soaking the ground. I'm sure the grass weeds loved it! 

Once the water was turned off, the decrepit faucet (seen on the right) was replaced with a shiny new model.

The main water valve to the property was turned back on and we had water at the spigot that could now be turned on or off! 

Tibouchina albo ’Elsa’

I was on my way out of Grumbles House with my wagon containing a few plants I had picked out for our yard when I spotted a beautiful lady across the way. Cue: romantic music!  It was love at first sight!

I was attracted to her large, fuzzy leaves. I learned that the plant that caught my eye is called is a Princess Flower, or "Tibouchina Albo 'Elsa'".  She was only $10, so I went inside, payed for my new Princess, and trucked her out to my car to travel home with the other plants.

I violated my Master Gardener training (El Paso County, CO 2006)! Oh no! As Master Gardener trainees we were inculcated with the edict that one does not "plunk and plant". Instead, one has a landscape plan, and acquires plants according to that plan. Well, it seems my nature goes counter to the training I received, and I rarely purchase a plant because I have a specific spot in mind for where the plant should reside. Instead, I buy plants I think look really cool and then, try to figure out where I should put them! Alas, I have about 10 shrubs lined up near our driveway waiting to figure out their new space!

Because I didn't have a plan (as I should have) I tried to decide where to put my lovely Elsa. First, I went online to learn more about her. I cracked up that one description called my lady a "Medium growing shrub" growing to 2.5 M in height. In my ming that isn't exactly "medium"!!!

I auditioned a few spots in my back yard garden. First I tried her at the bottom of the bank on the west side of my garden. This spot gets a lot of sun, until very late in the afternoon. 

I next thought she might like a spot on the north side of the garden area. This area gets morning scorching sun for only a few hours, but is shady in the early morning and late afternoon. 

Finally I decided that I would plant the Princess in a pot! She could live anywhere she is happiest! So, that's what I did. For now, she's on the north side of the garden. If she seems like she wants more light...I can easily move her (with a little help from my hubby!)

My "Princess" is also called a Glory bush. At some point in the future she might look like this: 

But wait....there's more: Sweeties'

There is another building on the Grumble House property that is operated as Sweeties' Cafe. 

The café is rather small. It probably seats about 30 people at the most. 

Like the Grumble House, its decor and offerings are varied. 

The tables and chairs are all different. 

I was by myself, and chose to sit here:

The light fixtures are all unique:

The plates and glasses are all different, 

and harken back to another era.

The café has a selection of dining partners. 

This girl's brother had earlier been eating with the teddy bear,

and dressing Teddy in different hats. 

He was visiting with his parents at the adult table when I took the picture.

His sister had taken a selfie and was using it to make a self portrait.

Hats? You say? 

Yes! 

Sweeties' offers high tea in the afternoons. 

Lest guests feel underdressed in their Florida shorts and sandals, 

they can slip on a fancy dress for the occasion.

There are a few racks of fine gowns to choose from. 

And now...

about the hats:

Don't you agree that every formal, high tea wardrobe wouldn't be complete without a hat?

Sweeties' has hat racks with all manner of head gear. 

One such rack was situated behind my chair. 

Being all by myself, with no one to talk to,

and being only slightly ADHD, 

I decided to try on the hats that were so conveniently,

and temptingly right there!

All great fun....

And no one looked askance at me while I donned 

one hat after another and had my own

private photo shoot!

 

Grumbles House

Grumbles House is found in the small town of Dunellon, Fl. The two-story Victorian home was constructed in 1908 by John Allen Grumbles for his family. It is now an historic site housing an antique, gift and plant shop....and so much more!

They have fountains, and statuary...

Pottery in all sizes, shapes and colors....

Fantastical garden sculptures....

and landscape plants.

But wait,

there's more! 

Inside the house, in every room and hallway, nook and cranny,

upstairs and downstairs you can find all manner of stuff.....

books and stationery.... 

lamps, jewelry and antiques....

candles,  glassware and china....

bird houses, metal decor, new and old stuff....

and even the kitchen sink! 

(or perhaps it is a bath sink!)

This amazing shop, one that is also featured as a place to see on

Trip Advisor (with a 4.7 rating), 

has such an eclectic mix of wares, much of which is provided by local artists. 

But wait....

there's more!

As I was leaving Grumbles House, with a half dozen plants to refresh my garden, I noticed a sign just behind Grumbles House. 

The sign reads: 

 

Grumbles House 

Cedar Street 

Boutique & Antiques 

Here's another amazing shop! No pictures, this time, I had to meet a friend and needed to skedaddle, but this shop has room after room with darling ladies' clothes, shoes, jewelry and antiques.  As I passed through I fingered a few blouses and dresses that looked like I just might need them - but knowing my time crunch I reluctantly turned the other way, told the shop keeper that I'd be back, and headed to my car.

But wait...

there's even more!

As I passed the drive between the boutique and Grumbles House I noticed yet another sign...

Apparently I had simply seen the tip of the iceberg at Grumbles House, and they had even more inventory of plants, pots and outdoor furniture tucked behind this tiny house. 

Amazing place!

Desert Rose - Adenium Obesum

In 2017 we ventured out to the plant sale at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Ft Myers, FL. We heard that the sale was a "Not to be Missed" event. There were more than 60 vendors of plants, as well as those plants being sold by the Ford/Edison greenhouse. 

One vendor was selling Desert Roses. I liked the way she personified her plants. We were told "She" would like a shallow bowl, and liked having tight shoes. However, "She" wants to occasionally be wrestled out of her pot to have her toenails trimmed before being returned to her bowl with fresh soil. 

We took her home.

We didn't always give her any extra care.

I think we have taken her out, trimmed her toenails and repotted her one time. 

The Desert Rose characteristically has a thick swollen trunk, and thick succulent stems with leaves growing at the tips. The five-petaled flowers are trumpet-shaped in vibrant pink to red. The Desert Rose is Bonsai-like with its bare branches reaching out and twisting from the main trunk. 

She drops most of her leaves in the winter, and we think that this time we've done it. 

We've killed our Desert Rose.

Every spring she bounces back.

We give her a little fertilizer.

We sometimes pat some new soil around her base.

And she thrives!

Well, at least I should say she survives! 

And, oh my, look! She is expecting! 

Our little lady has a seed pod growing at the tip of one of her branches. 

It turns out that Desert Roses are hermaphroditic, 

having both male and female flowers that are pollinated by insects. 

We have never seen this before, however, that stands to reason.

She lived on our screened lanai most of her life,

so didn't have the opportunity to be visited by any pollinators. 

From what I have read, the pod bursts open and seeds with fluff are blown about by the wind, similar to milk weed. Maybe we'll harvest a few seeds to create Desert Rose baby plants!

 

The Hat Comes Back!

I had this hat on my shelf at home. I don't even recall where or when I purchased it. It simply had a tag inside that said "Australia". I grabbed the hat before we went to Europe as it seemed like it was rather crushable and could withstand whatever might happen between here and there.

I find that I have to wear hats because the sunlight seems to reflect off the coatings of my glasses and the reflection makes it difficult to see. Or, maybe it's cataracts. Or maybe my hair is out of control (so what's new?!)

The orange coat (an LL Bean find with a zip in/out liner) was a staple of my wardrobe as well;

As were the flowered pants. They did get washed! As we travel with one carry-on each, our clothing options are somewhat limited! 

I received complements about the hat many, any times. It almost became laughable. I was often asked where I got it, and I could only shrug my shoulders, and repeat that the tag insider only says, "Australia". 

We boarded the plane in Dublin, direct to Orlando. We deplaned and returned home. At first I thought the hat was in the back of the car, where the suitcases had been. Then I thought I must have brought it inside and put it in my closet. Hmm, not there. Maybe it was in the back seat of the car. Nope. Maybe I put it down somewhere in the house. Nope. Oh no, I must have left my fabulous, world traveling hat on the plane. The overhead storage compartment is deep. I am short. I probably didn't see it pushed to the back. 

I was crushed. It was such a great hat. I loved the fit; it has a tie in it to make it tighter on windy days. I really like the color. Based solely on the pictures I've included in this post, you can see that blue is "my" color!

Thanks to the Internet, and a search for "Australian hats for women, crushable" I came across a Wallaroo hat that looked just like the one I had left on the plane. 

My hat arrived today. Yes! It's "MY" hat! It's back!