All on a Saturday Morning

 BEFORE
The morning of the 4th of July seemed like a good time

to address this area--a disaster after the repair of our basement wall.
AFTER

 Fortunately, there were plenty of hosta and sedum in our flower beds

to divide and plant.

 By noon, we had basically planted the entire bed.

G. even made a trip to the big box store to purchase some mulch, but

 after pricing it by the bag, we decided to wait until next week and buy it in bulk.

 Once the mulch is spread, we'll place the stepping "stones"

and lay out a path through our newest creation!

All on a Saturday morning.

This and That

 I found this ceramic owl at a thrift store and placed it on the trunk of the tree

 where a family of owls perched statue-like on a branch for most of a day a few years ago.

On the way to attach the owl, I passed this rusty tray holding my

small collection of stone hearts.  The small white one is the latest.

I found it walking to the post office yesterday.

 (Had tree trunks on the mind for some reasons....)

 Our white rose bushes are as full as I've ever seen them.  They are about to explode with flowers!

Another tree trunk with a couple of sunflower heads (yard art) at its base.

My husband just fashioned a seat for this bench

from decking boards found free in a pile of wood on a curbside.

Much better...now all we need are cushions for the back.

New Month/New Path

 Cutting a new path!

 Not easy work....but the end product will be SO appreciated!

Next steps:  Laying weed barrier, ordering stones/rocks, hauling them into place...

Meanwhile, this lineup awaits a new stain or paint job. 

(I kind of like them here "as is"!)

Sweet!

Oh. My. Goodness.

I have no idea where to give proper credit except to say it was posted on by 

Jamie M. on a facebook page I subscribe to:  Gardeners around Van Wert.

Once I figure out how to "anchor" it and find suitable doors, 

you can be assured we'll find somewhere to erect something similar in OUR yard!

A Fine Tip and a Finishing Touch

One of our rosebushes stands behind the white, seatless chair..

"This is what I was told by a brilliant gardener and then seconded by another: When 'dead heading' roses throughout the season, go down the stem counting the clusters of leaves. Normally they are in threes (who knew?) when you reach a group of four (5) leaves, snip just above them. Supposedly the technique guarantees lush flowers for months."  So says Tish Jett here.  (I suppose most of you already knew that.  I didn't.)
.

The chairs have been moved to the newly created "tree-bed".

I'm going to enjoy this spot!

The "finishing touch"