Here is my beautiful new-to-me gazebo from some friends of ours. Seems they live in a communist compound five miles north of us and can’t have shade in their backyard. So my 13-year-old son and I put it together today… without instructions…. and only put four pieces on backwards. Of course they had to be removed and turned the correct direction for the cover to fit. It was only 85* in the SHADE this morning. So we were a bit glisteny and shiny. I have always wanted one of these gazebos, but it was never high enough on the priority list. Thank you, dear friends!
While Aus and I were holding our arms straight up screwing nuts on bolts for what seemed like 27 hours in the hot sun, my other two children were leveling a corner of the yard which had been cleared of river rock and prepared for two 6’x6′ garden boxes. It was the logical place for gardening boxes…. but it was the ONLY place for a 10’x10′ gazebo. So my rototilled dirt was compacted and the river rocks were put back into place. The mosquito netting was hung and the gazebo was placed in the NW corner of the backyard. We promptly moved the patio swing in there and it is oh, so inviting! SHADE! The number one commodity in Arizona in the summer!
We are approaching summer temperatures, so my petunias, lobelia, alyssum and marigolds need to be yanked out and tossed and Vinca needs to be purchased and planted. I plan to move some big pots in the gazebo and then it will be complete. Ahhhhhhhh.
After watching Food, Inc. last night, I’ve decided to DEFINITELY plant some veggies! I pulled all my carrots this morning and there is enough for dinner! Yahoo! So no more 6’x6′ square gardening boxes. The only two places in the yard now are two 10’x3′ areas along both side walls. I’ve grown zucchini during the summer before and I plan to again… and pumpkins. I’ll keep you posted.
My Sister's Jar 