Welcome to the 908th Metamorphosis Monday! Things are hopping around here this morning, but before we get into that, look at these two escape artists! A few days ago, late in the evening while I was upstairs working in my office, this was taking place in the sunroom. For the past two weeks, I’ve been opening a window in the sunroom after having reinstalled one of the screens I removed many months back. I’ve been checking the screen every few days, from both inside and out, to make sure it felt secure. Well, apparently one of the kitties—my bet’s on Agatha—pushed against it hard enough to push the whole thing out, probably trying to go after a chipmunk or squirrel running around under the birdfeeders nearby.
By the time I realized they had made their escape, they had been out about 25 minutes. After calling and searching for them for a minute or so, I left to run over to my son’s home to ask for help in finding them. I knew five people searching would be better than one, especially since it would be dark in about half an hour. I was only gone about 45 seconds to a minute to get additional help, and by the time I returned to the backyard, they had apparently heard me calling them and were in the garage and driveway. I’m so glad they know their names and always come if they hear me calling them. The screen has now been removed, stored back in the basement, and all the windows will remain closed from here out.
On one of my recent stroller walks around the neighborhood with the cats, I caught this view of the back of the house. That room over the garage is my office. It has three windows down this side and three more down the other side that faces the driveway area in back.
So interesting to think that when this house was built in 1938, those windows didn’t exist and that area was just attic space. Thirteen years later, in 1951, the attic above the garage was converted into a sewing room for the lady of the house. It’s my favorite room in the house with windows down both sides, 1951 wainscoting, built-in bookcases, and storage cabinets tucked into the eaves.
On one of our recent walks, I came across something I’ve seen before and really, really like! One of the neighbors on my street has the most charming driveway. Actually, her whole house is charming! I’m not sure if these are concrete blocks turned on their side or how this driveway was made, but when the monkey grass (or whatever grass is planted in the little holes) is growing, you almost can’t tell that there’s a driveway here at all. It’s a bit more sparse this year, maybe due to our severe winter, but I love how it almost camouflages the driveway. Such a cool idea!
They’re Back Again! So remember when I had all these weeds removed shortly after moving in? (Note the large tree on the left…more on that in a sec.)
This is how the back patio area looked after the weed removal. Mulch was added to this area after this photo was taken.
This is how the side yard looked when I moved in.
Here’s how it looked after that area was cleared. All this weeding costs a small fortune, as you might imagine. There’s the big tree again—there at the end.
When I left in March to head to Georgia, weeds were just starting to make an appearance in this area where the large tree had to be removed when it split last year, dropping a large limb into my neighbor’s yard. Once the tree was gone, the weeds, now getting full sun, went nuts while I was in Georgia.
So discouraging after I paid so much to have everything weeded not that long ago.
My landcaper is here this morning (along with a helper) removing all the weeds that grew back where the tree used to be and in other areas where they have reappeared. I still need to have the old tree stump removed. So this is how this area is looking so far. My landscaper is not done; he will be here for another 3-4 hours.
The roots on some of the weeds are incredibly long! So we will need to watch these areas for a while to keep them from returning.
Here’s how this area is starting to look.
The area on the side of the house is a mess again, too!
They will be here working for 4-5 hours today and are expecting to clear all these areas.
My goal is to sod this area this fall and then enlist my landscaper’s help in keeping it weed-free. I would love to plant some perennials around the circular patio this summer/autumn. We’ll see how it goes; we may have to spend the coming months working on the weeds. Before I purchased the Dollhouse, the weeds in the backyard were allowed to grow completely free with no intervention for over three years, so it’s been a constant battle to get rid of them and keep them gone since the roots run deep. Hopefully, I’ll have some beautiful photos to share this autumn when the sod goes in.
I can’t close this post looking at ugly weeds, so I’ll leave you with this photo of the kitties as we headed out on a recent walk around the neighborhood. They love their stroller walks and stand at the back door, meowing and vocally asking for them every day now. Hopefully we’ll get to take one today. Looking forward to the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday!
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects, like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects, and even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “URL” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Those rascals! I’m so glad they know their names and respond. What a relief it must have been to find them back at home! They look so cute in their stroller.
So sorry about your weed issues. They are a bane to society!
Weeds! Then there is the major cleanup after the big freeze. Plus, leaves everywhere is the price to pay for shade. Are they pulling the weeds? I found this great weed killer at Walmart. I think its called Eliminator. I buy the concentrate. I had an area I just couldn’t reach years ago. The first time I used it, I didn’t think it worked, but two weeds later the weeds and grass were gone. Best brand I have used so far.
I don’t want to think about the cost of removing tree roots. It might be easier now that it has dried out some. In hindsight, I should have planted crape myrtles everywhere- shorter and easier to trim.. One of my friends planted Japanese Maples to line her long driveway. Beautiful.
Two of the cutest escapees ever! I love their stroller.
I’m always very worried about my cat pushing out the screen when something catches her eye. I am on the 6th floor of a condo and in my search to figure out something so that I could enjoy fresh air, but feel that she is safe, I found these on Amazon. Fenestrelle Expandable Window Screen – 10″ H × 19″–36″ W Horizontal, 2‑Way Adjustable Window Screen with Flame Resistant Fiberglass Mesh, Pack of 2 They expand and secure in the side tracks and I can open the window and bring it down on the top of them and at least enjoy some fresh air. It makes a double screen and is quite secure. When I put them in I push will all my strength and they do not budge. Good luck with those precious little furbabies.
What a way to end an article with these two cutie pies! That was so cool your camera picked up the action. I imagine the Mission Impossible theme song!
Also, glad to hear they came back when you called them.
Yeah, it was the ring camera that’s over the garage. My son laughed when he saw the video, joking that they really took advantage of their newfound freedom. They stayed right there on the driveway sniffing EVERYTHING for about 5 minutes before they finally ambled their way off into the weedy backyard. lol They were probably still in the yard when I was calling them, but too short for me to see through the weeds.
Happy Monday, Susan.
I’m laughing at your naughty kitties! Cats are definitely curious escape artists, and they can find the most amazing places to hide. Good thing you found them as quickly as you did, or they may have been lost forever. I don’t know how old they are, but I do know you have to keep newly adopted cats inside for a period of time until they know this is their home, lest they run away.
Your house and neighborhood are charming. Despite your weed problem, you are fortunate to have so many trees and so much vegetation. Here in California, because of homeowners insurance issues and fire danger, we’ve had to remove much of that. Very sad. Consequently, many have had the same problem with weeds that are just flourishing. I wanted to redo my driveway similar to your neighbor’s with a grid pattern of concrete pavers mixed with grass, but cannot because I will violate fire department mandates and I will be fined. Lots of insurance companies are just leaving CA, so the only option is California’s Fair Plan. Otherwise known as “California’s Unfair Plan” – ha ha!
Can’t wait to see your garden after the cleanup and new landscaping, and I always love reading about your homeowner’s adventures!
Oh my – aren’t they clever!? So glad they came back on their own, and you had a camera to capture the deed. I love Barbara’s idea of the Mission Impossible theme – now I can’t get that out of my head! I love that kind of grow-thru-brick driveway! We have a little strip of lawn in our side yard that our neighbors have to step on to get out of their cars. We’ve thought about putting that brick in so it doesn’t get so muddy – it’s a really great and pretty solution. Good luck with your weeds. Too bad they just keep growing! Thanks for hosting this week, too!
WEEDS…O, MY!! We are 19 inches low on rain…yet, the weeds still come…they are NOT going to get me…but, it sometimes feels a losing battle *sigh* franki
Once you get rid of the weeds, I’ve found here in Georgia at least, that Preen extended control used every spring works really well preventing new weeds from germinating. Kittens are too adorable!
Hi! We’ve been using this non toxic weed killer for a couple of seasons now. It’s all natural and works fast. The main ingredient is vinegar so it has a faint barbecue sauce odor for a short time after spraying, but it works really fast and only kills the weeds you directly apply it to. https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Armor-All-Natural-Concentrated-Glyphosate/dp/B086HTWKRY
Those 2 kitties: A and B are so naughty but just adorable! I love seeing them in their stroller. Thank God you got them back so easily….I once lost Mandy, a pure bred Persian cat, for a whole night! I was hysterical but we did find her the next morning….Kudos to you for all that weed removal; your yard will be beautiful someday!
Susan, have you tried Preen to control the weeds? My husband uses this after weeding our flower garden. Works for us. Just a suggestion.
The escape artists are getting so big! And they’ve always been so cute.
Hi Susan, I want to share this YouTube site. Kill weeds fast & stop them for good. By Elias Yoder. He is Amish and offers 6 ways to eliminate weeds. Check it out. I have a friend in my Smoky Mountain neighborhood who used the newspaper method with hay/straw. Worked great and he planted grass the next year. Looks great and no weeds. Good luck.
I had specific screens that they look out from secured with bolts. They thrive on fresh air and hearing their natural environment.
Also they are more inclined to try and get out if you are taking them outside.
All of my cats are microchipped. They are very satisfied and happy remaining inside as long as they can get some fresh air.
Your kitties are very beautiful!
Thanks, Doreen! The place I adopted these girls chipped them when they were being spayed. They do love their stoller rides—we saw so many bunnies and robins today. I think the two birdfeeders that are a few feet away from the sunroom are a big temptation to jump/push at the screens. Where did you get your screens that secure with bolts?
Oh those mischievous kitties – I love how the camera caught them in the act! I’m so glad they came back when you called them – phew! Sorry for all your weeds and I hope your lawn people do a great job of getting rid of them. They are a never ending chore no matter where you live lol. Love the picture of the kitties in the stroller. Happy Monday!
My two escape artists are a Pom-Chi and a Shih Tzu. If I don’t notice the escape, they always return fairly quickly on their own. They always stick to routes that I have taken them on walks so I like to think that the walks help train them.
I had my cat on my back porch and she tore threw the screen door! How scary (gut punching actually) they were out on their own but didn’t go far and stayed together. Bad little kittens! Weeds. I am dealing with them also, but not as thick and tall as yours are growing. Hopefully there’s a way to keep them at bay. I’m still dealing with leaves and foxtails. You just can’t give them a vacation or they take over! I was noticing A & B’s tails in the stroller…huge!
Amazing! She must have seen a squirrel or chipmunk or something and that chase instinct kicked in. I’m so glad they didn’t go far! I think these two stayed together too, since they reappeared together. I need to get out early every morning and do weed patrol, it’s the only way to stay on top of it. You’re so right! I think I have a great lawn guy now. He’s going to keep watch so it doesn’t get terrible again. It only takes a couple of months in the spring for everything to go crazy again.
I know, both of them have huge, fluffy tails! My grandsons can’t get over their super fuffy tails. lol It will be interesting to see how long their fur gets this winter.
We had a huge weed infestation of mugwort, miserable weed that runs underground so you have to dig up the runners. Never happening. Instead we cut out the growth then put down tarps that blocked out the rain and sun. Very successful but I think we had to do some follow up the next year. Grass growing over area and no return of the mugwort. It looks awful with the tarps but would save you a lot of money on landscapers and no need for chemicals if that is a concern. I agree with Doreen that the stroller walks are encouraging A&B to escape. Once they taste the outdoors, a struggle to keep them indoors, I can’t open the doors without a plan to keep them in. We remodeled which included a hallway to the garage with doors at each end to secure them in or out. Good luck with the weeds.
A late February or early March application of Preen would have prevented all those weeds. It stops the weeds from germinating, it’s easy to apply, non-toxic to pets. I used it for years every spring in my large perennial garden.