Christmas presents of sorts

Bought this Madaga Gazebo (assembly required) from Target - sturdy posts look like big bamboo... has curtains and mosquito netting, with the umbrella top... can get an outdoor chandelier, hang plants from the archways, room for lots of seating
Protective Qualities: Weather Resistant, Rust Resistant
Finish: Powder-Coated
Features: Free Standing
Includes: Mosquito Netting
Frame Material: Steel
Textile Material: 100 % Terylene
Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With a Damp Cloth
Warranty Description: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty
Dimension:Height: 120.0 "; Length: 120.0 "; Width: 120.0 "
DPCI: 009-05-0180
ASIN: B000VYLBB2
Catalog #: 10688914
Floor model, deep end of season discount (75% off)

Comments on site RECOMMEND assembling top first, says it take about an hour an a half to assemble... Sunjoy Industries in Steubenville, Ohio for new canopy - phone number is 740-283-2815. Or try Gardenwinds.com... spray the material when new with a UV canvas protectant that you can purchase at your local Marine Supply store. Got that tip from a local canvas awning company. They say it will more than double the life of your canopy material.... i went to sunjoy industries website as instructed by some reviewers. they are available now and actually on sale for $ but please read the descriptions. target has sold TWO different models in since 2005. one is from 2005-2007. and the other is from 2008 to present. the canopies fiT differently. home depot also sells one. so read!...put up curtains and fairy lights and turned the gazebo into a second living room...One hint is to put the top small canvas to the small roof before you connect the small roof to the big one!!

Question now is, where to put it - on the deck? Over the firepit? In theory the canopy makes the deck usable on rainy days, and extends the living area.

Good Pond Link

◼ skippysstuff

working art

Geta's watercolor Iris'

Little Jerry the Betta Fish

This is our new pet, Little Jerry. He seems really happy in his big bowl and we like having him around. Not the most affection pet to have but it's a good starting place. They come in all kinds of colors and they're all really vibrant. The pictures don't really do him justice. We picked Jerry because of the pretty hint of red in his coloring.
Colin is thinking about getting out for his classroom so the kids can have a pet and help take care of it.

Wabbits

We don't have the dog anymore, and the fence is secure, so I let them out of the hutch. They're living on their own in the backyard, resting in the sun, stretching their legs, digging like crazy, eating grass... they're glad to see us and come running over for treats. I was worried about the cats, but the rabbits chase the cats out of the yard (one downside, actually).

They've really reverted - marking their territory, digging those burrows, and not only chasing but attacking the cats, driving them out of the yard. They're grubby, but they are happy.

The white one died, don't know why, so we have added a big old cinammon colored flop ear.

Tip of the day: Copper to prevent moss

◼ Cleaning moss off your roof - A better roof cleaner, non-toxic oxygen bleach. This widely available powder is mixed with water and applied to a cool roof surface, preferably on an overcast day. If you keep the roof surface wet with the solution for just 20 minutes, and then lightly scrub the roof surface, the algae almost always comes off. Severely stained roofs may require multiple applications of the oxygen bleach solution. The solution also helps to loosen the grip of the shallow moss roots.

THEN: Here is an easy way to keep your roof shingles free from moss, algae and mildew. Once the roof is clean you can hinder moss and algae growth by introducing COPPER onto the roof surface.Visit a roofing supply company that sells tin, copper and galvanized metal products to residential roofers. Often these companies sell rolls of copper that can be cut into long strips. I like to cut strips that are 5 or 6 inches wide and are ten feet long. Using a metal brake tool, I put a 20 degree bend one-half inch in from the edge on one of the long sides of the copper strip. This bend eliminates unsightly waviness that often develops as you cut the copper with a tin snips.

Place these strips of copper near the top of the roof. Slide the unbent edge up under a row of shingles so that the bent edge and 4 inches of copper is exposed to the weather. Each time it rains some copper molecules wash down onto the roof and create a poisoned environment that both the moss and algae dislike. Be patient as the copper eventually will turn a distinctive dark brown and then the classic green color. If you getting ready to install a new asphalt shingle roof, be sure to buy shingles that have copper hidden in the colored ceramic granules.

...The copper material works far better to poison roofs than zinc. Zinc is indeed effective, but copper tends to do a better job for a longer period of time. The copper strips are easy to install and they tend to blend into the roof once the shiny copper begins to oxidize and turn the distinctive dark brown.

Problems and Solutions

The Problem: (My Friend's House) What can be done with the exposed propane tank/wood storage and potting area off the garage. It has to stay, but it is an eyesore, and this is a place that hosts alot of outdoor parties and weddings. The garage remains as part of the house before the remodel and needs updating. Solution: Disguise it with a pergola, with lattice panels to allow airflow, a big winery style door to allow access, nice big beefy beams, with a butterfly garden in front. Pick up the eyebrow details from the rest of the house. Color sketch.
Side view (Lakeside) Other side view. Pergola rises above the existing shed roof, disguises it and works with it. (This project was completed, they chose not to paint the pergola and lattice white, but kept it rustic.)
The inspiration.

(I'll add names. locations and details at some point in the future. For now I am just keeping things generic.) click images to enlarge

Finished pics:

More to come.