Arriving back home in Helena in June of 2010 one of our first stops was to take a look at the home at 837 12th that had been posted for sale on the internet. I had studied the details online from Copenhagen and Minneapolis and was anxious to see what it looked like in person. Cynthia saw it for what it was and it was not a pretty sight. My sight must have been from a different perspective, however. I didn’t see what she saw. I’m surprised now when I look at last year’s photos because I really don’t remember seeing just how bad it looked. My guess is that I looked right over the mess and did my usual thing of seeing it as it could be one day. Well a year has come and gone and much work has gone into the home. And now it really is our home and we love it!

Nancy and Joe came to visit us and they were here on our one year anniversary of owning the home. Weather was beautiful and we enjoyed coffee and lunch in the back yard.

Generous rain has provide a nice lawn this year but lots of weeds as well.

Nancy liked the IKEA kitchen and how convenient it is to cook and serve.

While the girls were busy in the kitchen, Joe and I enjoyed sitting in the little sun room just off the kitchen. I think this space will be especially nice in the winter months as the patio door will pick up some of the winter sun as it faces due south.

With coaching from Nancy and Joe I finally got around to building a tomato cage.

And with the grape vines quickly putting on lots of new growth it was time to start working on the grape arbor and to begin training up the vines along the wire.

Lacey, Audry and Lucy (l to r) are grown just about full size and it is time for the egg production to commence.

Well will you look at that. Audry is the first to get in line for the nest and has started producing small pullet eggs, about 2 every 3 days, in a pleasant shade of green.