This is our Raven. She is a two year old black labrador mix that we adopted from the Franklin County Animal Shelter here in Columbus, Ohio. She has been an unbelievable companion for the two of us and we do almost everything together, like going out for ice cream. Raven gets ice water though.
Amanda and I also sponsor a crate at a local shelter called Pets Without Parents where $50 a year will help the animals that stay there get medical treatment, food, and shelter. We try to visit the shelter at least once a month and bring along a bag of puppy chow and kitty food.
On July 4th weekend, my folks came out to visit from Baltimore, MD. My father, pictured here, is finishing up the storm door that he and I installed. When I was younger I didn't really care for carpentry and electrical projects, but now that I am a homeowner I cannot get enough of my father's time. I really enjoy the time he and I get to spend together and I am learning a lot.
The stormdoor is made by Andersen and it has a screen that rolls up into the top of the door for easy storage. With the temperature not being all that hot this summer, we have been able to shutdown our AC and open the door and windows for cheaper cooling. The door also has two glass panels to help bring sunlight into the house as well as bring warmth in from the sun's rays.
Here is the SnapDragon Garden that Amanda and my mother worked on while my Dad and I were installing the door. Did you know that by planting more in your yard, you can decrease how much more you mow thus having a smaller carbon footprint?
The flowers you see came from three plants that were originally planted last year. Also, can you see the boxwoods? They're in there somewhere. The flowers are beautiful!
This is Amanda and I after we just ate with my folks and hers at the Stockport Mill in Stockport, Ohio. In case you're curious, I am the hairer of the two. I am also wearing the yellowish tan shirt.
The mill sits right on a dam that houses twin turbines that are powered by the churning water. The water that flows through that dam is an obscene amount and at the time of this post, I have forgotten. But by having this dam, Stockport is able to provide power for itsself at a much smaller carbon footprint.
Here I am putting edging around a maple in our front yard. The tree grew very well last year, but this year I felt it needed more love. Also the edging helps protect it from the mower. Currently we have six trees on our property. Four in the front and two Autumn Blaze Maples in our backyard that we got for our 2nd Anniversary. Pics of the Autumn Blazes should be up soon as I am finishing up the landscaping around them.
