More work on our yard

I'm never going to want to garden again after all this! We spent another weekend of labor in out the back yard. Things are starting to look better. Finally the progress seems more measurable. We've got a couple more weekends of hard work before it becomes  maintenance work rather than complete overhaul work. So here are a couple more pictures (this time I got a few before pics!).

Kindly left by the previous tenants: a pile of rotten wood, a carpet, some buried garbage and lots of loose leaves/yard debris.

Northwest corner Before picture

We're not done yet but we're getting there. We found a ton of bulbs growing back there that we replanted once we cleared the area. We'll see how they turn out. We also planted some leafy shade growing plants (I can't remember their name), which will help cover  the fence damage and we'll plant some more grass later too.

 Here comes the big part!! We took out part of the "useless" fence and it completely changed the whole look of our backyard. It feels bigger (which is a bit overwhelming) but way more open and less dumpy.

Martin Posing for the before picture

Another Ugly before pic

 

 When we began digging over there we discovered the railroad tie went under the fence and made the perfect shape and size for our garden! Martin rototilled the crap out of it and once we sift a bit more and get that weird bush out of the corner (lol) it will be perfect for tomatoes and lettuce and sunflowers...can't wait! Can you even tell it is the same backyard?

We're going to have a yardwork party/bbq pretty soon - we'll need a bit of help with the last few parts. I'll be sending out an invite soon!

Yard work!

We have taken advantage of every minute of sunshine to work out in our yard. There is so much to do but I think it will all come together just fine in the end. I want to start on the inside too but when it is sunny out, what is better than pulling weeds and getting dirty? Even Lily was outside most of the afternoon- helping here and there and playing. We'll make an outdoor girl out of her yet!

Before this section was edged with rock and covered in old bark and weeds. Bleh! Now we just need a little more dirt and some plants and it will be all better!

This garden area was basically used as a yard waste pile- now it is mostly cleared and started a rock creek.

Front Yard

This was a two week project- one weekend we did the gravel and rock wall, the next weekend we laid the sod. Before it was just dirt and weeds.

Now we're just getting settled for another busy week. Martin started overtime last week and it will continue for the next couple months and I've got a bunch of work to do for the girls' school plus lots going on with my job. Kendra and Lily are doing Cheer Class on Mondays this trimester and starting Wednesday they are both going to take a series of after school classes on different countries- learning about different cultures and languages.

I bought my wedding dress last weekend. Well, I ordered it. It won't come in until May.This weekend I got the invitations mostly sorted out (a huge thanks to Briana's dad for making it happen for me!). So I'm feeling productive on that front : )

Doing good in most areas all except the housework which just didn't get done at all really. Meh. I'll get to it eventually.