Backyard Redo

It actually started about 5 years ago with a picture that I drew for HWNSNBP of what I wanted the back to look like as you walked up the hill near where the bird tree was.  He decided this May to go and get a load of rocks to start working on building the short wall that would be behind the sitting area.  These are the rocks that GS2 was having so much fun climbing on in May of this year.  It didn't take long for HWNSNBP to realize (as I kept trying to diplomatically point out to him) that this was not the work for a 70-yr-old.  So, thankfully, we started looking for a landscaper to work with. 

We had one guy in mind and while getting an estimate for the removal of some trees (including the bird tree) our tree guy recommended someone else who turned out to be just what we needed.  It did take a couple of weeks to get the project in motion, and there were a few changes (additions) along the way, but we are totally pleased with the results.

After removing the stone and macadam from the part of the driveway and walkway in the back, pavers were laid.  They pitched the whole area right up to the back doors, eliminating the stoops that were there.  HWNSNBP insisted on drains at both of the doorways (you'll see why soon), and we wanted to have a light for the path part, so we worked with the mason to make sure that the width of the path was wide enough for a walker or wheel chair in case of future need.  We made it a triangle.  You can also see that the cement pad that covers our water tank adjacent to the basement had to remain for the present until we can have the tank moved into the actual basement below and not in this little closet type room.  

Everything that we had planted, and some of it that was still waiting to be potted up, was moved to the farthest part of this area where we used to have a partial basketball court when our kids were still at home while the project was being worked on.  Since they have moved out, we added the fences to make it more secluded as it was open to our neighbors "parking" area and we really didn't have any privacy on that side.  We are still using that part for our raised bed planter and the tomato cages that HWNSNBP has constructed, along with barrels that have dahlias, zinnias, and our moonflower vine in them.  Oh, and the outdoor grill and table with it's umbrella and bug netting.

This is the view of the finished project looking from the back of the house up the hill.  HWNSNBP made those chairs which are similar but not as deep as adirondack chairs.  I have to get cushions for them next spring.  I had originally bought one set when we only had one chair, but of course, now I need two and would prefer that they matched.  This isn't exactly as the picture I had drawn (which he still can't put his hands on), but it's close.  The plant/feeder pole will have matching pots next year also and there will be more flowers along that lower wall in and amongst the hellebores that we were able to save.  (I lost a beautiful snapdragon plant that had become somewhat perennial that was at the base of the tree we removed, but it might just show up in grass behind the chair wall like the cleomes did because they moved the soil from around the tree to that area while they were working.

We replaced the old wooden steps with these and had a wrought iron railing installed because this old person needs to hold onto something going up and down the stairs.  

A more recent view of the chair area - you can see the volunteer cleome that came up in the grass behind the chairs.  And the frog planter that got knocked over is in its place next to the chair on the right.

You can just barely see the birdbath with the solar fountain behind the tall zinnias.  Those zinnias look a little scraggly this year (not as full as in previous years).  We bought that pot of zinnias on the wall in front of the tall ones last weekend and I noticed this morning that something ate all the flowers overnight.  Not happy about that.

The grill and table off to the side.  The netting is supposed to keep the bugs away, however, this one that I got to replace our older one that had disintegrated with age didn't come with the inflatable ring at the bottom to hold the net in place from the wind.  We didn't open the package within the 30-day return period as it was bought late winter, so we couldn't return it.  I need to add washers or something to the bottom to make it more usable in the future.  You might be able to see the fishing line that HWNSNBP added to the top of the moonflower cage that goes to the worm feeder giving the moonflower more area to climb.  It doesn't seem to want to flower until it gets to a certain height we had noticed in the past.  And it's still not flowering.

Looking out the back door to the left - the tomato cages and the raised bed planted against the fence.  The other birdbatch and my lemon tree just outside the sliding glass doors in our dining room.  (I painted that flowerpot with the sunflowers ages ago and have asked him not to use it, but he insists.)

Looking out from the back door area - see the drain in the lower right corner.  And some more fishing line tied to the light fixture for the plant to trail up.

We covered the well covering with potted plants as we have done every summer for the past decade or more.  They are filled with vinca (periwinkle) and the taller angelonia - both are deer resistant and we have multiple pots all over with them in various shades of pink and white.  The chair in the lower right corner is one of two with a table to match that we have in that area (I forgot to get a picture).  The nights have been cool this last week and I've been able to spend a little time outside reading in the early evening.  The birds usually come to the feeders around that time so I've found myself using this sitting area so I watch them and they are more comfortable without me in their space above.

We filled the light triangle with broken glass pieces in shades of blue that we ordered online and added the flattened glass marbles as filler.  The bigger pieces were quite expensive compared to the $1.25 bags of the smaller filler that I got at $Tree.  I just couldn't justify getting any more of the big stuff.

With the light on.

An early picture of the back with the new lighting (before we added the finishing touches).

A few days after they finished with the pavers, on June 30 we had a rainstorm when 2.5 inches of rain fell in 10 minutes.  Even with the drains at the top of the steps at both levels, the water cascaded over the steps, however, instead of coming up toward the house it was flowing down the driveway.  There are drain pipes that are in the ground on each of the levels buried in the ground to divert the flow of water from the hill in these instances.  Thankfully it worked, and thankfully they had installed the pavers and the basework of stone and sand was covered or that would have washed away.

This shows where the buried drains/perforated piping comes out and does not approach the house.  Even still, HWNSNBP was adamant to have the drains outside the back doors in case of a heavier rain.  We have had storms (hurricanes) that have dropped 5 or more inches of rain in a short amount of time and know how that back can become a waterfall and get very close to the house.

I said earlier that there were additions along the way.  Originally the driveway was supposed to remain between the back door and the wall in the back, but the mason suggested extending the pavers for the whole area so that we could get the pitch for the water and we decided to go for it, and we're glad that we did.  It took a little more work in the back than was first planned - the bottom two rows of siding had to be temporarily removed so a double water barrier could be installed under them so we could bring the pavers up to the bottom of the siding.  It took less that a day for that to happen.  

And HWNSNBP decided to have the pathway on the side of the house that goes to the front door paved along with the front stoop.  There is a temporary pole there for us to get a lamp post for that area.

(Not sure that the video I added is working.  I've tried to upload it several times.  Apologies if you're unable to see it.  I don't know what else to do as it has worked in the past - before this week.)

Frogs, Fish, Little Boys and More - Ending August and Beginning September

I had a really cute video of GS3 with this little tree frog he found on one of the toys at his daycare, but I can't seem to get it to upload.  So I did a screenshot.  He played with it back and forth for a while and did try to pick it up.  Then the frog jumped to the ground next to him and hopped under the equipment at which point GS3 lost interest.  We were all wondering if he had managed to keep in it his hand before it hopped away if he would have tried to eat it, but we'll never know.

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch" this is our "newish" frog planter that got knocked over by a hungry deer trying to munch on the plant.  You can see that there was some damage, but we were able to find the pieces and I was able to perform some repair to the lip. 

I was glad that I was able to fix it as it was an impulse purchase that cost a little more than I would have liked to have paid.  

I followed along with a YouTube video by etuko_works of this Cherry Blossom Blooming.

And here is another sketchbook page inspired by something I saw on IG and forgot to write down the source.  

After a recent trip to Costco, I put together a personal charcuterie platter of some summer treats.  A mediterranean pasta salad, some spinach artichoke dip with pretzel sticks (should have had the dipping sticks a size larger), a new to me apple I've been wanting to try - Honeybee which was sweet, and some Babybel cheese rounds which paired with the apple quite nicely.  I had this while sitting on the balcony at the condo and listening to the concert a couple of weeks ago.

This is the new post/bird station that I designed and HWNSNBP created for our backyard update.  It stands about 9-10' high.  Currently it has the planters at the top and on the next level down are the suet and seed feeders.   How many birds can you see waiting to take their turn at the suet cake?  BTW, next year the hanging planters will match.  We got the one on the left and put together the one on the right kind of later in the season.  We've already changed out the terra cotta pots to fall pansies also, and may add more.  I''ll post more pictures of the whole project soon.

Speaking of pictures, Rachel reminded us how cute this shirt has been for all three of our grandsons now.  All pictured a few months after their first birthday.

We had GS2 and GS3 and their parents with us this past weekend and had some fun in the pool and fishing on the dock.  GS2 will be starting Kindergarten this year and is very much looking forward to it.

Maverick at Meet The Teacher Night

Goofing around on the dock.

We let him reel in every fish that was caught (there were four).

I knew he couldn't fit between the bars, but just in case...........

Listening to "Miss Rachel" and doing the motions.

He doesn't sit still long, but when this show is on he is mesmerized.

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I've got some projects in the works and a few more to get started soon.  Fortunately, I'm getting more in the mood to return to card making.  HWNSNBP helped me clear up some space in the stamp cave and with a little more organization, I think I won't be as reluctant to go up there.  I've got some anniversaries coming up and of course, I'm very behind on Christmas cards.  So this month will hopefully be productive on that front.