Yard Update

Last weekend we made some decisions about how to build a retaining wall up around what will eventually be a patio with a fire pit.  We're starting with cinder blocks and will get a bit more decorative on the finish.  :)   And, as with all projects, it seems that it ends up being a whole lot bigger than you think it's going to be!  This is going to be no exception - ha.

 

We ended the weekend last Sunday night by laying the 'cornerstone' to the retaining wall and cementing it in... we got one more cinderblock laid and leveled and then had to call it a night.  But at least it is started!!  :)

I think we determined that we hauled about 500 pounds of cinderblocks, cement, rebar and gravel around to the back of our house for the *start* of this project. ha.

So fastforward to today.   It was supposed to rain most of the day. 70% chance - that's what www.weather.com said. Well, I don't know what happened at your house, but there was no rain here today! But we didn't want to do anything that involved any more cement because you have to let that set for a couple of days without getting too wet - so we didn't make any progress on the patio and fire pit.

However, we DID get the garden planted and that makes me happy. :)

The big plants in the foreground are strawberry plants left over and coming back to life from last year.  If we can keep the birds away, we're going to have LOTS of strawberries this year! 

The one little plant to the right (above) by itself is a Stevia plant - it's an herb, but it's what they make the latest low-cal sweetener from and if you chew on one of the leaves, it's amazing how sweet it is - weird!  (in an unexpected kind-of way - ha)

I heard somewhere that if you plant marigolds in your garden, it keeps some of the bugs and insects away that like to eat your produce.  So, we planted marigolds all around and then a couple of tomato plants and a couple of pepper plants.  Last year we planted WAY TOO MANY plants and the whole garden was so overgrown.  This year we've probably scaled back too much, but someday we'll find balance.  :)

 

 And that's the latest on our backyard renovations.  Stay tuned for more.  You'll probably get tired of seeing these updates before it's all over!  :)

Around My Yard

It's been so nice as the weather gets warmer to be able to sit out on my back porch and read some in the mornings.  I've been sick this week, so I've had a little more time off of work than usual (a big thanks to my co-workers who covered for me!) and so, I was out this morning and just thought I'd take a few pictures of how pretty things are in the springtime.  :)

 

First, I just love the Kwanzan Cherry trees in the spring - wish they kept their blooms all season long!  So pretty...

 

Last Saturday, we were out at Bennett Nursery browsing around and found this beautiful hanging basket... I'm going to try really, really hard not to kill it!! ha...

That same Saturday, we got some rose bushes and made this bed in the back yard.  Jack finished the border and mulch last night and I think it came out great...

To say that Jack has been doing a lot of digging in the yard is an understatement... haha.  A couple of weeks ago, we finally tore down and got rid of the trampoline that has been in our yard for 9 years... wow.  Everything under it was dead and weedy... so our next project there is to put in a stone fire pit.  Pictures will be forthcoming on that -- it may take a little while...  :)

And this is our garden spot from last year, waiting for some new plants.  We learned not to try to put so much in one place from last year's garden, so I think these strawberries that have already started to take over will get one end and tomatoes will get the other, with maybe a few herbs in between...

 

And that is what I saw in my time outdoors today.  It was a good reminder that this was a week where I am supposed to have been trying to observe moments of silence and appreciate creation - I was able to do both for a little while this morning.  After several days of coughing, stuffy nose, and general misery, it really was good for the soul.  :)