As I vaguely hinted at, I had a few surprises for Lach’s return. Not only did I try to stock up on her favorite soups and drinks, I also did some major damage on some house-related projects that we’d long discussed. I didn’t get around to painting but I did get the blinds installed over the kitchen door. With some help, I also got our kayaks hung up and organized a small studio space in the basement. All of this I was very proud of.

For the biggest project of all, I called in serious back up from a couple of our best friends, Texass and Teach. Without their work “on the plantation” (as it came to be known) I never would have been able to accomplish all that we did. For the last two weekends before Lach got home, you may have noticed that posting got a little quiet. That would be because I was either shoveling, moving rocks, or moaning on the couch with the chiropractor on speed dial.

The fruits of our labor (literally) will hopefully be arriving soon…

What was once an overgrown hill covered in a variety of weeds and wild (read EVIL) blackberry thorns, is now home to our terraced garden of herbs, tomatoes, squash and peppers. I don’t know if the peppers will make it in our climate, but I’ve also toyed with the idea of making the bottom terrace a small greenhouse. Otherwise, if they don’t produce, they will be replaced with lettuce or maybe a potato box!

Click here for more in progress photos.