Friday, December 29, 2006

Arches with Lights


We have been slowly getting into the outdoor lighting for Christmas.


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Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Super Arch

Now this one I think is a beaut. You have to think 'recycle'.
I picked up a old trampoline from our city spring clean up. The metal was to good to just throw away. I thought about it for a while playing with arrangement of the pieces. If you have ever looked at a trampoline it is made of sections that fit inside of each other.
My wife had mentioned years ago it would be cool to have a arch across the entrance to our patio.
It was a serendipitous moment when I folded and reversed the the pieces. They fit together beautifully. I never had to cut anything and only had four short pieces left over.
There are holes drilled in the bottom of the pipes, long anchor bolts attached and embeded in cement. The next step was to buy some heavy duty cedar lattice, cut it the correct width. It is wired to the frame through holes that were used to hold the springs for the trampoline. We are going to plant some vines, a Minnesota hearty grape is my choice, next spring.
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Monday, December 25, 2006

Wedding Arch

This arch I built 4 years ago. My wife wanted a new arch for our youngest son's wedding. His was the third wedding we have had in our gardens. Being half Dane and half Norwegian, I couldn't resist carving something that showed our heritage.
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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

North Dakota Arch


My wife had gone to North Dakota and on the way back she stoped in a little garden shop for a break. Sure enough she found a arch 'she had to have' t wouldn't fit in the small car with everything else. So they were going to send it to her. We get a call one day it can not be shipped for some reason. But it turns out the lady was going to Minneapolis on a trip. She brough it with her and we meet at a Dairy Queen just off the interstate.
It turned out well don't you think.
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Sunday, December 17, 2006

The first arch

We have gotten to like arches over the years. This arch is made from our son's recycled skate board ramp. Plus a little additional wood. There are benches built in on both sides, that open to store, whatever. it is placed as a divider to the vegetable garden
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Saturday, December 16, 2006

The not so helpful earthworm

This is effecting northern Minnesota also
Scientists are concerned that people, from fishermen to landscapers, are inadvertently accelerating a 350-year-old earthworm invasion in the forests of New England and the northern United States. It may be good for your backyard garden but they are helping destroy the forests.
source: The Boston Globe

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Monday, December 04, 2006

Digging The Garden

I thought this was good, I couldn't resist
Digging the Garden
An old man lived alone in Minnesota. He wanted to spade his potato garden,but it was very hard work.His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation:
Dear Son,

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I hate to miss doing the garden, because your mother always loved planting time. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over.I know you would dig the plot for me, if you weren't in prison.

Love, Dad

Shortly, the old man received this telegram:

For Heaven's sake, Dad,don't dig up the garden!! That's where I buried the GUNS!!

At 4a.m the next morning, a dozen police officers showed up and dug up the entire garden without finding any guns. Confused,the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what happened, and asked him what to do next.

His son's reply was: "Go ahead and plant your potatoes, Dad.. It's the best I could do for you from here."
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