The Future So Bright We Have to Wear Random Shades That We Found In the Shed

Maybe not that bright but we have been enjoying our new patio! Here is a little look at what we have been up to for the last three weekends.

Before: The back gate that was taken over by lilacs.

After: Now, a sweet new path so our gas meter reader does not have to wallow in the mud anymore!

Before: Two random herbs beds that were overgrown with catmint.

After: Even more herbs than before and tons of perennials that I got out of LJ's grandma's yard.


Before: I was so apprehensive about removing the deck.


After: But I love this space now! Jack has so much to play with and I don't have to worry about him falling off deck. Now if I could only curb his enthusiasm for rock eating, life would be great.

We still have a bar to build (the cement pillar-looking things in the distance), chairs to stain, a bench that will go against the outside of the house (any ideas on a design?), and basically the rest of the yard to work on since it looks like this:

But for now we are happy with our little retreat. More pics to come as I get all the flowers out (these shots were taken in between thunderstorms). By the way, coleus are no bueno in heavy rains. Mine now look like a very hungry caterpillar got to them.