Regal Road Trip A project travel log

We had 13 yards of Missouri River Bottom top soil delivered yesterday.

Of which 3 yards will be moved to the Kitchen Garden below the window and tucked into the rock garden.

Have any plans tomorrow Al?

And look here – my chives did survive the long winter although I think they may be jealous of the new Kitchen Garden location..

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme are must haves for this sunny spot. What are your favorite herbs? I’d love to hear your suggestions – and hints for growing too!

Each spring a pair of Mallard Ducks delight us with their courtship on the banks of Fishpot Creek. Come early evening they usually waddle across our yard, go over to the neighbors and then waddle back through our yard and jump into the creek.

Yesterday the love birds encountered an interloper.  Another male Mallard – a Drake – was waiting at the edge of Fishpot Creek for his turn to court the hen.

There appeared to be a civil duck-to-duck talk as the hen waited patiently. (The hen has her back to the camera just right of center at the bottom of the pic.  Nice job on the camouflage Mother Nature.)

But not long into the conversation both Drakes started chasing the hen.

The Victor swam off following his conquest.

While the forelorn Drake, a bachelor still,  stayed behind on the banks of Fishpot Creek.

Well thank you all for your votes! What an amazing group of folks you are to contribute your ideas and opinions to our project. And many thanks to Bro for creating these visual options for us.

#2 Stoned Face was the favorite redux and #8 Brass Plus was 2nd choice. Many of you suggested we combine the two which is sorta, kinda what we’re doing. (Of course you know I use the term ‘we’ quite loosely. The Artist is, well, the artist and I am the mastermind. Ha!)

Once the dust has settled – literally – I’ll post the finished work of art; our new, old fireplace.

Thanks again for reading, looking and voting…

A~

P.S. Speaking of old, SARK recently said the opposite of old is not young; the opposite of old is new. I like that.

Audition Photos below. Please tell me which is YOUR favorite.

The Fireplace Face-lift is underway and we’re deciding which architectural artifact from the Artist’s collection to use in this project. My Bro (who is a very talented artist) offered to mock up a variety of ‘audition shots’.

Here’s your part in the design process. Please take a look at these images and tell me in the comment field which one is your favorite Fireplace Face-lift. You can click on each image for a larger view.

In some of the images you’ll see one of the Artist’s paintings depicted above the mantel. It isn’t a permanent fixture. And if you have your own suggestions I’d love to hear/see them.

Thanks so much for being a part of our design process!! ;~)

Just as a refresher -

WAS

IS

Face-lift in progress

GONNA’ BE

#1. Simply Stated

Simply Stated

#2. Stone Faced

Stone Faced

#3. Angelic Relic

Angelic Relic

#4. Grey Matter

Grey Matter

#5. 1800’s Brass Plate

1800's Brass Plate

#6. Blues Brother’s

Blues by Brother

#7. Rosetta Stones

Rosetta Stones

#8. Brass Plus

Brass PLus

The Fireplace Facelift is well under way.  The Artist is creating a new mantel with column supports. The old hearth was removed and replaced with stone to match the entry way. The new lower profile hearth will expand the available floor space. (OK, very little expansion but still, in such a small room every inch counts.)

Crown molding frames the ceiling and walls.

And new travertine windowsills ground our view to the outside world.