Steve's Landscaping and a special gift

(Click on any of these images to enlarge!)
This summer Steve has been landscaping. It all started about a month ago after a storm nearly sent a neighborhood tree smashing to the ground. The city discovered that the tree was almost dead. It was, in fact, hollow. They cut it down and piled the circular sections alongside the street. Steve dragged back one of these parts before it was all hauled away. Steve, aka "Andy Goldsworthy", considers this a biodegradable lawn ornament and his new project was underway. He removed the ugly fence that had been attached to the garage front. It took two days of digging and breaking concrete to remove the poles. Most of the pavers were from other projects. Several were broken...so Steve broke them all and added little, white pebbles. He's been hauling in top soil and mulch and wants some flowering plants next. I've stayed as far away from all this as possible...lest he want my help! It does look beautiful. Oh, another thing....the bullfrog in the pond is quite enormous now and almost unafraid of Steve!

Last week was my birthday. As normal, we don't celebrate with fanfare, gifts, or other ways to mark the occasion....but a special gift arrived in the mail. I've been rather speechless since opening it. Charlene used to work here at Mouse House. We've exchanged a few emails, and she's read my blog...but never commented. I had no idea that she remembered when my birthday is and no idea that such a beautiful piece of jewelry would make the day special. The card, however, is as treasured...and will soon be in its own frame. I have the perfect chain for the cross and the perfect shelf on which to set the framed note. Thank you Charlene...from the bottom of my heart!