Mid July heat wave

Happy Sunday everyone! It's 6:45 am, we're on the deck enjoying a quiet Sunday morning. It's very peaceful, a little background music and the sound of the birds. Our boys are side by side, pretending to sleep but they are keeping their eyes out for either squirrels or birds. 

This past week was very productive. The stone work was completed on Friday. Tomorrow, Bronson (the boss) will come by and we will do a walkthrough to finalize details that need attention... river stones/mulch here and there, weeding the flower beds, some planting and sodding. Then the finishing crew will show up. It is expected that they will be here for 2-3 days.  The excavator will be brought back to remove most of the grass at the base of the patio. There is lots of levelling that needs to be done before sodding. It's all coming together very nicely.

We ordered a large cantilever umbrella along with a matching BBQ umbrella, which were delivered on Friday. We got them from Midtown Umbrellas, 100% Canadian company from Mount-Royal. We are still thinking about what patio furniture we will need. We are also rethinking whether we will use the VegTrug again. A more refined herb planter might look nicer. So much to think about LOL!

Despite the care taken to minimize the dust, we hosed down everything once the stone crew left on Friday. Yesterday, Russell washed all the windows, including the deck glass panels, which were due for a wash anyway. They are spotless. Russell is the best window washer going! 

Merlot and Sherlock are doing well. They will soon regain full access to their backyard. We still don't let them out loose in the patio area as there is a lot of debris and crushed stones.  We take them out on a leash until they reach the safe zone.  Both have baptized the new patio, well done boys 😍 

Last week brought some very sad news. Our friend Roland lost his son at the young age of 49. He died of a heart attack. He leaves behind a wife and two twin daughters. Roland was our next door neighbour in Mississauga. He lost his wife seven years ago. We have stayed in touch with him ever since we moved away and do a video chat every few weeks. Terribly sad.

This coming week should bring the end of our backyard project. It's good to have it all done by mid July. We still have many months of enjoyment until the snow flies.

That's my blog for today. It will be another hot one. We just had a brief sun shower.  Have a great week everyone!

Merlot and Sherlock on deck doing backyard
surveillance...nothing escapes their attention.

Aerial view of the completed stone work, the 
patio is now about 20 wide by 24 feet in
depth.

The little nook where the VegTrug
or planter will reside...

This photos shows the nice dry
laid stone border, the new deck
skirt and a few weeds (they will 
soon be gone).

Russell like his 'new' BBQ station, 
it is very secluded.

Nothing better than chilling with me
inside when it is 34C outside.

We are considering changing Merlot's name to
"Flopper", he loves to flop on his back.

Sherlock has his routines and here
he is in post breakfast lounge mode.

It is the stand-off with the boys and
the carrot is the tug toy. No one
gave in.

BFFs, they shared almost everything including 
this chair...Cooper and Spicy, August 1, 2021.