Officially the monsoons are not here yet, but look at this rain cloud from yesterday. Most of it missed us but it was a torrent just a mile south of us. 

The back gate. Obviously we still have some grading to do--this will keep out javalinas but not rabbits. 

Our barbeque unit. We still have to paint it but it works great!!!! 

The front walls are complete, all the caps are on!! 

Another Visitor!

At 6 pm today, we were sitting in the library reading when we heard a thump and then a clang. I asked if perhaps the gate man had arrived to install the remaining gates. But no, it wasn't him, though we sure wished it was him! Instead, a lone javelina was on the back patio with the birdseed bin which I had left out after the last refill of the feeders. He got the lid opened, pulled out the bag of peanuts, and began biting holes in the plastic bag. I don't think he actually ate very much of the peanuts but there are about 5 holes in the bag now. I am a bit concerned about whether he is just a loner or sick. When we came back from the library a few hours earlier, I noticed some dirt on the patio next to my herb planter. I thought perhaps some bird had been in it. Now I realize that was the corner of the planter that had had the cilantro in it and that was the one plant the javelinas had eaten before. So he had probably left and come back. I guess I will take the peanut feeder inside tonight.

Stealing the birds' peanuts!! 

Very Nearly Through

As the pictures below show, we got alot done this week. The landscaping on the front of the house is essentially finished. We are waiting for 3 more gates in the back. We have a bit more grading to do in the back enclosed area and then we'll have to put gravel down in there too. We have to order a few more tons of the decomposed granite for the area right next to the road, but we think we want a slightly bigger size rock for that. Then we will sprinkle more of those rocks all over what we've already done so it has a more "natural" look. But as far as the homeowners' association's rule that landscaping has to be finished in 180 days we were close. We got our final December 9th and finished this today, June 9th.

The front terraces, with all the decomposed granite on them. This view is to the south. We had a wonderful crew working in 100 degree weather for the last 2 days. We are thankful we didn't have to do it all ourselves. 

Front view from the driveway, looking southeast. 

The front landscaping, looking north. We will plant some more once the rains start. 

One of our new gates. Hopefully the bunnies won't sneak in under the gate! 

The monsoons are not here yet but we've had lovely clouds and some rain anyway.