Friday, April 30, 2010

a labor of love (or) backyard magic

Our backyard has a long way to go, but it’s come a long way too. While looking at old photos, I realized how much it has evolved over the seven years we lived in our current home.

I think I’ve told you before, Cigar Man loves to work in his garden so a barren yard was a real playground for him. We had somewhat of a plan. I say somewhat since the plan was and is altered often. I think a garden like a home will lead you in the direction it wants and if you follow, the result will always be desirable.

Here’s a few of the original photos and those changes made.

previous yard 4 w words

The patio and evergreen trees were the only originals to the yard.

Here our neighbors have built a fence and we’ve built our pergola, but no more improvements have been made.

Cigar Man created a berm beside the evergreen trees and a walkway from the front driveway to the patio. Later Cigar Man constructed a dry creek bed to remedy the standing water you can see at the left corner of the photo.

After

Our dry creek bed not only adds a little character to the yard, but it also serves to drain water off our yard during rains. Some time in the near future, I’m going to sweet talk Cigar Man into writing a tutorial on creating a dry creek bed.

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Later we added the fountain surrounded by a rock path and perenials along the fence row.

DSC_0008

At the back of the yard along one portion of the fence, we’ve made several changes along the way from wild flowers to perenials…

from water fountain black eyed susans

…to leyland pines. We’re still working to perfect that area.

deck - may - best

This was the patio and pergola as it looked last April. We had just restained the pergola from all grey to a taupe floor with white walls.

looking glass globe

In the seven years we’ve been in our present home, we’ve worked played in the yard and made many changes.

chairs and roses

I’m sure we will continue to as long the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.

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I’m sharing with others at Fertilizer Friday and Met. Monday

30 comments:

Paula said...

Wow! Amazing - you have done a great job...Paula from Idaho

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I love your yard.

Troy said...

Somehow, I think the evolution of the yard is more fun than the final product. Of course, when a yard is constantly eveolving, who's to say that anything is final?

I'm looking forward to learning how to build a creek bed.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I am so amazed by the fabulous job you have done in your yard. You have created a beautiful backyard sanctuary. It's really a fun tour, thanks for sharing it with us.
Cindy

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Gorgeous! A beautiful place to be! You must spend all your free time enjoying this area!

Kindly, ldh

Darla said...

Jaw dropping gorgeous! It sure doesn't come together overnight does it?

Beth said...

What a fabulous garden! I love, love, love it!
Beth

Debby said...

You look like you live in a beautiful park.

erin's art and gardens said...

oh honey...you have created a paradise!! wonderful job! isn't it fun to have before and after pictures.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty yard/gardens!

Dolores said...

Oh my gosh, what a transformation. Your yard is so beautiful....it looks like a park.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Marsha.. I love it.... It's amazing when seeing the before and after pictures of your yard. You and Cigar Man have worked very hard for all of these seven years.

We moved into our current home in 2003---and we have made alot of improvements also. I need to go back and find some old pictures also --and show the 'before and after' pictures. It is amazing how much can change from one year to the next....

Thanks SO much for sharing.... LOVE it...
Hugs,
Betsy

Alea Milham said...

It is nice to look back on pictures of where you started, to really appreciate where you are at! Thanks for sharing your beautiful back yard!

Bonnie said...

What a gorgeous place!!! WOW!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Your yard looks fabulous.Thanks for joining Jake and me on our travels as we explore the beauty of God's creation.There is always something lovely to photograph.
Blessings,Ruth

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Wow!! Cigar Man does Good work!! Everything looks Amazing!! Great Job !! A post on how to do a dry creek bed would be great! You both have done a Beautiful job!!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Your cigar man sure knows his stuff.
Your garden and the water feature is amazingly beautiful. How wonderful it must be to go out there and relax.

hugs
Sissie

Maureen said...

It's fun to look back and see whee it all started. Your yard looks awesome. A little slice of paradise.

Laura said...

Everything looks great, and I know what hard work that took.
It is so satisfying isn't it?

Enjoyed visiting-
I linked to the same party-
Come by if you can,

Laura
White Spray Paint

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Marsha,
I love your backyard! It has evolved into a beautiful place. I hope you enjoy it and have a lot of happy times in it with family and friends!

Allison Shops said...

How pretty! You've worked hard and it has paid off. Dropping by from BNOTP.

Allison
Atticmag

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your backyard looks fantastic. It is just gorgeous. Love the pergola and the fence and all the pretty plants. Hugs, Marty

Pam said...

Very well done! Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia@ITLLDO said...

What a beautiful transformation. I love your yard! The trellises by the fountain have just given me an idea for my garden by my garage. Thanks so much!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Beautiful! I love your pergola and patio area. Beautiful plants too!

Andrea said...

Hello, i am new here just followed your post at Tootsie's. That was a great job, i can't imagine the long hours of labor you put in there, but the result is awesome. I second Troy's comment, that the joy is in the journey! thanks.

Connie said...

Marsha, what an inspiration to look at your beautiful garden and you are blessed with a good cigar man too.
Where oh where did you come by that big,green pot by the fence? It is great and I'd love to track one down.
Thanks,
Connie

Connie said...

I'm leaving my email in case you have time to respond. Thanks, Connie

Melody said...

What a great garden, which is just a word for "work in progress". I love the dry creek and the fountain area. both of you have done a beautiful job!

Katy Noelle said...

Absolutely, positively amazing!!! you give me hope. We don't even really have dirt for a garden yet. BUT, we have a GORGEOUS stone wall. Dirt, apparently is coming this next week!I've been holding my breath with excitement for so long, that, I'm turning blue! No joke, this really, really encourages me!

Love, Katy Noelle