Winterizing the Playhouse

It turned cold and rainy, so my thoughts turned to the playhouse in winter. I knew I needed to make winter thick drapes, and I am so glad I did all the other things to make the playhouse better, and more cozy.
  I did get the screens made and even a screen door for the big door. Of course now I won't need it, but come next spring I will, and it will be waiting tucked away in the garage.

  Here are pictures of the playhouse, now.
A view of the pond from the front little door, and the new alcove.

Scrap memories

Is a scrapbook made up of memories or scraps of one's life?
  I have been working on my scrapbooks at long last, and in so doing a lot has come to mind. One thing, was if anyone would care about the scrapbooks themselves? Would anyone  morn my passing? Then I realized something..... I didn't want anyone to morn. Isn't ones life a personal thing? Made up of individual moments, happenings both good and bad? Private except where it was lived in the public eye. Personal, except where it was shared. For me it was up close and very personal. I have survived where others would have failed, and choose to live as I do. Alone isn't a bad word, when it comes to being hurt. Alone, one can't be hurt. It is in the sharing that it happens. More often than not unasked for. I was raised to expect certain things from others, both friends and family. It seems they always fell short of what little I wanted and needed. I always said I wouldn't become like them, as it were "falling to their level". And so I haven't.
  I have passed thought this life as I am, being made by what I have endured, shared, and lost. No part of it can be can be changed without effecting the rest.
 The truth is I have lived, and been and created more then the average person. That is not for nothing. Touched to many lives, changed others for the better, and cried over what I hurt. Remorse is good for the soul. It helps you to grow.
  So I will pass out of this life as I lived though it. With courage, determination and somehow I'll make it creative. And best of all... I will carry no burdens of any others designs. Like the water in the pond..... a few faint ripples created by someone or thing else, then the quiet stillness. A peacefulness born from the stillness of one soul alone. No fireworks, no fanfare, no great announcement! The sound of the clock ticking away, moving on.
  Do I feel a loss? No ,not at all. I'm not sorry for anything, and I am glad for all I have gotten to do. It is the way it was.
  The few in my life, are there because they want to be and for no other reason, or profitable gain. {Well, the cats may want to be fed, but that's a given.} The rest isn't even missed.
 Here is hoping you can say the same when your time comes.
I took the road less travel by......

The Alcove

At long last I have finished creating {except for the roof} the alcove that will protect my sea horse from the weather. It was two long days of work and playing in cement. The 22 lb. retaining wall bricks got very heavy trying to lift them to the top layers of the wall. I was able to also use some of my glass "bricks" to add interest and a touch of whimsy. All in all it turned out very well, and promises to 'be there' for some time to come. Now I just have to figure out how to make the roof, and get that done. For the most part another big job done, and the more done this year the less to do next year.
  Now I have to decide if I will paint a shed or pour dolls. Both need to be done if I can do it. I want to be able to enjoy what I have created next year. The main job for spring will be working on my garden railroad. At long last I can play, and hope to get that train running on time. lol.
  Remaking the main waterfall {3 times}, and creating the second waterfall {three times} as well as digging the pond deeper, was the first and biggest job. Then I had to replace the liner, because of a leak I couldn't find. At least now I know there are no leaks anywhere, waterfalls or pond.
  I went through all the sheds and the old addition three times, and managed to dump quite a bit, and yet there is still more that needs to go. I think I can find my way through all of them now, at least.
  Building and finishing my playhouse {refinishing the inside so it looked really nice} was another big project that got done. Now I have a place to 'get away from it all' and I don't even have to leave home to do it. It will be fun to get to enjoy it now{with a heater of course}. Last of course, is building the alcove. I didn't get the flower bed next to the house dug this year, so that will have to wait till next year, again.
  Need to mow the lawn one more time, then start looking for the time to put everything to bed for the winter. Winter is almost here, and I am still wondering where summer is. At least I have something to show for this year's projects. Glad I got the pavement sealed, it was time. And then there was that much needed gate. Now to celebrate my 65th birthday and start on the inside of the house, at long last. Still a lot of sorting to do.
Well here's the alcove.....

OH oh.... where did that come from? Looks like someone moved in when I wasn't looking.

The birds found a use!

I walked out to see a whole flock of birds taking a bath, drinking, and playing in the waterfall. So now it has found it's usefulness, and life will go on.
  Here they are.... {and I don't know what kind of birds these are.}

Finished....at last!!

At long last, after two years of frustration, setbacks, rebuilds, and replacements {not to mention digging the hole deeper} the pond is finished. Well, except for the green rock that will line the top of the pond, I have gotten the pond to a place where there are no leaks, no problems, and it's deep enough for wintering the fish. And then there is the bonus of the 30 or so baby fish.

You will have to look close, but they are in there.
  I dreamed of having a pond, and some Koi, but that dream grew into what you can now see. Two waterfalls, two pools with a channel between, and a bridge over top, and a fairy village. I have found toads, snails, dragonflies and a grass snake around the pond, not to mention all the birds that drink and take a bath.
  I have worked so hard to complete this project, that at times I didn't want to even get out of bed for the back pain from over doing it.
  Now at least, I can sit back and enjoy what I have made. That is if the biting bugs will let me. So here it is.... the pond!

Ad then there were Cherries!

Nature has been good to me this year, with enough gooseberries to make a pie, and now enough cherries to make 2 pies, or like the red queen... cherry tarts.
  Don't they look yummy!

I wish the apples were doing as well.

Adding More Detail and Moving IN!!

After finishing the caulking {and letting it dry}and filling the open spaces with a deep Styrofoam cut to shape, the playhouse was ready for painting inside. I first spray painted the ceiling a cream color, and painted the walls a pretty color called "Spring Stream" {a blue green tone}.
  After it dried I laid down a piece of tarp {for moisture barrier on the slatted wood floor} and cut some laminate wood floor pieces to fit. The floor is a blond color, and really finishes it off.
  Here is what it now looks like after moving the furniture in and putting up drapes etc.

Around the outside I have added other little details here and there, the most notable is the little wicker picket fence to outline the playhouses yard.

I still have a little clean up to do and to hang the hammock between the two trees. For the most part as of now, the playhouse is finished. I will be adding things inside as I feel the need, but it's ready to play in. I will be getting screens for the windows and the large door, that pull down into position, and lock. That way I can keep the kittens inside and still be able to have more air blowing through, I also plan on getting a heater for the inside to warm it up on the chilly fall and spring days.
  My home aways from home where I can go and play, write, paint, even sew as I have run a electrical cord out to the playhouse for light etc. I can take my laptop, Ipod, Ipad etc. out for easy access out there.
  So on to the next and last outside project for this year. The rock alcove around the seahorse. And of course the never ending sorting in the sheds.
  Your never to old to play.

Magic Details

This is just a touch of whimsy, and a bit of magical delight.
The two tall mushrooms to the left, are actually wind chimes.

The big one is a birdbath, and holds water. What better way to add delight for the eye and lightheartedness for the mind?