The finished Patio!!!!

Here are some images of the completed Patio!!!! Its done! There is still a lot left to do in the backyard...it will have to wait!

There has been a lot of work in the yard!

Our yard is coming along! Here is what has been happening..sorry no pics from last weekend..but it was really nothing!

3 weeks ago we rented the Bobcat to level and tear up the ground
2 weeks ago the sand, gravel and pavers were dropped off and we spent the day moving the gravel fromt he front to the back and moving the pavers from the driveway into the garage
This weekend....we rented a plate compactor and compacted the gravel...

Next steps....
Put the sand down and make it level
Put the Pavers in place
Compact the pavers
ENJOY ICE COLD BEVERAGE ON NEW PATIO!!!!!

GIT ER DONE!

Even Megs drove it....not really..just posing for the photo!

Ryan in his Urban Sombrero compacting the gravel....Notice the wood forms???? I put those in!

Getting done!!!!

yummy things to eat in the backyard!!!!

This is our garden..it will be bigger next yea..but for now it works!
There is never a shortage of lemons at our house....we are going to making our own Lemonchello here soon!!!!! Cant wait!

These beauties will be ready in October....there arent as many this year as there were last year...good news for us..we ate these for months on end around here!

yummy Tomatoes....my other garden didnt do so well..I think it is the soil here...so we opted to try containers and see what we could do!!!! I think it worked

That is a tiny little crookneck yellow squash!!!! Yummy keep growing little guy!!!

Humminbirds

Everynight during the summer around 7pm or so we get lots and lots of Hummingbirds in our backyard! Not only do they visit us because I feed them, but because they LOVE our lemon trees!!!! Its fun to watch them swoop in and play and chase each other....Bozley has now discovered them and loves to wait and watch and then try to chase them!

backyard remodel

So we are currently in the process of re-doing the backyard! I am allergic to grass and when the puppy plays on it...I scratch! So in an attempt to stay out of the doctors office we have decided to get rid of the majority of the grass! We were planning on doing all of this even before the puppy came. There are great and wonderful plans that we have for the backyard, incuding..but not limited to:
1. Outdoor kitchen
2. Less grass more patio area
3. Pergola of some sort
4. Wood deck to look out on the hills
5. Hot tub

So this morning we decided to start at it and went out to remove the grass...we have a lot of grass! After about 45 minutes and getting nowhere...I suggested that we go rent a rototiller from the Home Depot. Ryan agreed and off he went! That thing was amazing! We (meaning Ryan...someone had to entertain the pup) got all of the grass removed in 4 hours!!!! AMAZING! I am sad that I didnt take any real "before" pictures....but there will be plenty as the project continues! For now enjoy the shots working in the heat...and yes, we chose one of the hottest days this year to do all of this! We are NUTS!

The evolution of the front garden

When we first moved in to the house there was garden in front that I wasnt to wild about..but I let it go knowing that there were other things that were more important. As time went on my distaste for the garden grew..eventually I ended up ripping everything out and tilling the ground. I was ready to plant, but then we had week after week of rain and I could not get out there to do anything. Finally, this weekend that ended and I finished my project! There is still much more that I need to do, but for now it looks good....now onto the back yard..time to get my veggie garden ready!

Before...all of the weeds....need to get those out!

After....allt he pretty flowers are planted!!

I love a little yard work

So I should have taken some pictures to go with this post....oh well!
Imagine if you will a yard with grass that is getting taller and taller..and everytime you think about going out to mow it starts raining! That has been us the past few weekends or even weekdays when I have had time to go out and work in the yard. This morning I had had it with our overgrown lawn and decided it was time. So I got out the edger and and edged the lawn (front and back), I then mowed both the front and back yard, then fertilized the lawn...because it was time and then took the leaf blower and cleaned everything up! Done! Tomorrow....I am going to work on the flower beds...because I need to make a run to the nursery...and I also need to pick lemons. Anyone need any? We only have about 300 on the trees right now!

I do truly enjoy being in the yard...the sun on my face and the warmth in the air. Hearing the birds and just enjoying God's creation!!!! What a joy it is!

I fixed it!

A few weeks back we had some terrible wind storms " Santa Ana Winds". These winds were so strong that they blew our gate open the wrong way causing it to break the lock. For a week or so now I have had the trash barrel in front of the gate..but yesterday I took care of it. I bought a new gate handle and installed it all by myself! I am feeling quite handy...now what can I fix?

Replaced the handle

Replaced the latch

completed...

and locked!