This is how the rock has looked since we put in the patio last summer.  Our general idea is to have an outdoor transition zone from inside to patio to grass to wild nature.

We laid some sod around the rock so that it connects to the patio.

The side yard was a bit dusty and did not connect the front and side.

So we also sodded it.  We put in some irrigation, and then Mizuho carried 900 lbs of sod to where I placed it.  And we got 1,000 lbs of compost in the back of the truck to spread in the three gardens.  Still need to get and place about 8 tons of river rock around the house and garage/shop – likely next year – but it all feels a lot more finished.

Hosted a cocktail party for the Kelowna Roundtable then met the Mild Hogs the next day in New Denver in the Kootenays (the next valley over) and stayed at the beehive – a truly great place with great hosts.  Weather was fine and came back the next day after 800kms on the new bike.  Pure joy, except I ran out of gas 20kms from home.  I now know how far I can go on reserve.  Picked up some good friends a few hours later at the airport (former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and delightful spouse) and spent a most enjoyable four days sipping scotch, smoking cigars and catching up.

Moved some rocks and dirt to improve the landscaping as one approaches the house. M is sowing wildflowers here.

Moved some more rocks, rip/rap and dirt to build up another terrace, again as one approaches the house. Not yet sure how we will use this new flat space.

And in honour of the summer solstice, this is a photo just before sunset as the sun streams through the length of the house.  Next projects are placing rocks behind the shop/garage,  building a door for our bathroom, building drawers and doors for the workshop work bench, and splitting firewood, and working in a few golf games and lots of visitors over the next two months.