WHAT I BUILT ON MY SUMMER VACATION

Most of you are aware that Seymour and I have a large yard! Almost an acre. And that most of it is (was) basically untamed--with a redneck, ozark-y weedpatch and rusty vehicle ambience. This year I decided the time had come to start getting it beautified and I picked out the front leftish quandrant as my focus for the year.

I wish that I had taken before pictures so I could really show the difference but....

the project began small--lay down weed block cloth and mulch and plant shrubs along a 12 foot by 20 foot swath next to the driveway. then I decided I had always wanted an oriental bridge and after seeing what one would cost (!!!!!!) I built one myself for a fraction of the cost! feeling very accomplished and cool, I went on to dig and build a 40 foot stream for UNDER the bridge.

here is a picture after that phase--with some plants in as well and the paths laid out:

And another view of the steam:
Then I decided we really needed a gazebo or pergola or something--a destination over the bridge......so I built one!


This is the finished area with the groundcover grown up and all. ( we are experimenting with dutch white clover instead of grass. I don't have time to mow this much property every week!)

we really love the space!


it is rather magical to sit out here with the stream burbling and the birds chirping. I have added a statue and a fairy or two as well. LOL. (The tree just to the right of the picture is a pear tree--more fruit trees will be going into the area next spring.)

so there you have it--what I did with MY summer ...uh...vacation?