we have trees!

When we bought this house we had zero trees on our property.  That's right zero.  We didn't count the off-shoot magnolia in the backyard as a tree because it just always looked weird/awkward....

When we bought the house we knew the backyard had potential, but needed lots of TLC.  First step was demo-ing the rotten cover thingy that was over the patio.  T and his dad and uncle knocked that out one of the first weekends we were here... oh back in 2009.  The next step was getting rid of the azaleas along the back fence (they were overgrown with bamboo.. eeks!), and then our last step would be trees, plants, beds, flowers, grill etc.

Last summer we did full on front yard re-do.  Thanks to Adsit Landscape and our landscape designer (happy to share his name with you!), we got a full design drawn up for the future backyard and would do it in phases.

We completed phase 1 on Monday and it is already looking like a backyard!  We love to do yard work and be outside, but we wanted Adsit to plant our trees because they get awesome plants (come see our grass if you need proof).

Here's the backyard... the clean slate... No trees... No plants... No more bamboo...

Trees arrived Monday morning!

"Hey, what are you guys doing in my backyard??"

 

And here it is with all the new trees (and a ghost-doggie thanks to auto-stitch)!

 

Some crepe myrtles, magnolias, hollies, an oak and a beautiful cherry!  Eventually there will be a barrier/block/privacy line of trees along the fence.  Oh, and back in the right corner, a nice little pocket among the hollies for T's bow target to sit.

Oh and check out that trough.  That was the purchase over the weekend that we were excited about finding...at the tractor supply store!  Can't wait to put some flowers in there very soon.  It's already spring here and we are loving every second of it.

makeshift hammock/loungechair

Our backyard will be a work in progress for years, which is fine! But I really love sitting or napping outside in the shade and I wish I had a hammock or loungechair to do so. I had come to grips with maybe just buying a hammock that goes on a stand instead of between trees (because there are no trees). Last week I was saying how I would just go to Garden Ridge and find a cheap lounge chair I could sit and relax in the back yard.

Well... there was a turn of events. My parents brought over their stuff to sell in our garage sale, and lo and behold I have found my makeshift lounge chair until I have a real one. I spotted this beauty.

What is it you ask? Well, it's a folded up cot. It's been in my parents attic for years, apparently. I brought that sucker out of the pile and decided this is what I could lounge on in the backyard. It was such a pretty day last Sunday, and while T was watching the Masters (go Phil, T's work buddy), I wanted to take a nap, but wanted to be outside.

It unfolded so nicely, who cares that it doesn't recline!

[I think I have the cutest dog]

[He wanted to join me up on the comfy cot. :)]

It will work for the time being. Nice pale feet, eh? At least some pretty azaleas bloomed that I can look at from my new spot.

Hilarious, no?