Exterior - backyard, adding bulbs

Later Shanna and I added hundreds of bulbs to the last garden strip in our backyard.

Hope

Reality

Unfortunately, I did not plan for the level of weeds that were so excited to spring up in the flower bed. Shrubs that were removed came back, and a volunteer tree or two. Oh and of course the tiny arbor vitae we planted didn't survive. So now this bed needs to be reworked but overall the back yard is amazingly lovely.

Exterior - backyard, leveling the yard

So excited to make this next step. Leveling the back yard, adding sod, therby removing the trench path and the pile of dirt. Oh, and just before we did this the city contacted me asking if I had a manhole cover in my back yard. What the heck? No. But they came out, found it, and raised it so that it would be less likely to become buried in my flower bed. Apparently the sewer line for the neighborhood starts in my back yard. It was also an opportunity to remove the hot tub, the wood pile, and scrubby bushes.

Before

During

After

Exterior - backyard, replacing concrete

Finally, I had the money to replace the back patio. I took the opportunity to replace and automate my sprinkler system. Taking advantage of the project scope we filled the old underground oil tank that was used for heating back in the day. This made it possible to add a driveway on the side of the house. Other work included enlarging the gate, and extending the side driveway to connect to the patio.

Exterior - backyard, replacing the sewer line

This was a major endeavor and caused backyard problems while solving plumbing problems. It required a 70 ft trench diagonally across the back yard. I ended up with a pile of excess dirt, a packed trench path that grass didn't want to grow on, and a gash in the back patio. I didn't have the funding available to fix the concrete.

Upstairs Fireplace Remodel

I know this isn't bad, but we didn't dare use it as a fireplace without having it checked out professionally.

The Idaho Chimney Life guys are amazing, creative, and hard working. During our talks we (Shanna and I) made the decision that it would be most cost effective and be easier to maintain if we swapped to gas fireplaces. Chimney dudes came and fixed chimneys and cleaned everything, then came back and put in two gas fireplaces.

Upstairs, the fireplace was changed out before the flooring so this is the original tile hearth.

We chose the same tile that we used for the front entry

While working on the gas line hook up they uncovered a void space behind the right side paneling. Such a surprise to find built-ins, though they were minus doors and drawers. Those came in later with the larger work on the remodel.

I loved how excited my remodel guys were when I said I wanted the built in painted black.

Here I am enjoying my mortage, the new fireplace, the new hearth, and the new old built-in

Fiber Art Show at the Brigham City Museum

8/24/2024
Brigham City Museum

• https://brighamcitymuseum.org/
• 24 North 300 West
• Brigham City, UT 84302
• Tu-Fr 10:00-5:00, Sa 1:00-5:00

Please remember that the art pieces shown here are under copyright by the artist. Do not copy. However, I find them so very inspiring so let their beauty and creativity light your own passion to create.

Jenny’s Favorite Utah Food Road Trip

8/24/2024
This is a listing of food/art stops on a loop from Pocatello through Logan UT, Brigham City UT, and back to Pocatello. We (Bill, John, Helen & I) took this trip on the 24th of August. We came home inspired to make art and lots of yummy treats.

Gossner Foods (cheese maker and outlet)

• https://gossner.com/
• 1051 N 1000 W, Logan, UT
• M-Sa 8:00 - 6:00

Cox Honeyland And Gifts

• https://coxhoney.com/
• 1780 S US-89 Logan, UT
• M-Sa 10:00 - 6:00

Apple Creek (Amish store)

• https://www.applecreek.biz/
• 875 N. Main Willard UT
• M-Sa 10:00 - 6:00
• On the left side of the road heading north

Pettingill Fruit Farm (produce stand)

• https://www.facebook.com/p/Pettingills-Fruit-Farm-100057257177834/
• 8815 US-89, Willard, UT
• M-Sa 8:30-6:30
• On the right side of the road heading north

Since we added a trip to the museum for an art show, we skipped going to the following which are sometimes added into the food loop.

Pepperidge Farm Outlet

• 901 N Highway 91 Richmond, UT
• M-F 9:30 - 6:00, Sa 10:00 - 4:00
• On the left side of the road heading north

Casper’s Ice Cream (outlet and shop)

• https://caspersicecream.com/
• 11805 N 200 E Richmond, UT
• M-Sa 11:00 - 10:00

Bluebird Candy Co. Factory Store

• https://www.bluebirdcandy.com/
• 75 W. Center St. in Logan UT
• M-Th 10:00 - 7:00, F-Sa 10:00 - 8:00

Front Entry Remodel

I never hated this

But I definitely wanted to improve it

Shanna and I chose this tile, a porcelain that looks like a rock, but will outlast and not flake into dust.

Here's how it looked when the Tile Lady was finished.

And how it looks now that the rest of the flooring in the living room has been changed.

I found these adhesive backed acrylic mirrors online and had to have them.