Project: Phase I

Since we were able to get bricks Friday afternoon, we were able to begin phase I of our backyard project. Below are photos of our progress thus far.


Step 1: Start with a sketch drawn in the dirt.


Step 2: Very carefully measure said sketch.


Step 3: Begin digging out beds with 2 shovels. Note to self: Next time rent a gas powered tiller because our yard is dry, clay filled, and hard as a rock. We spent about 4 hours digging out these four beds and mixing in peat moss, potting soil, and manure based compost.


Step 4: Begin moving 1000 bricks from spot (up the hill) where they were originally dumped to spot (down the hill) where we actually need them to be. It was too dark after this step to do anything more than shower and eat and sleep.


Step 5: Very carefully lay bricks using a tape measured anchored in center of circle to insure alignment is exact. This part went relatively fast compared to previously mentioned steps.


Step 6: Realize that you bought 1000 bricks, but you really needed 1015 bricks. Seriously consider stealing bricks from neighbor...


Step 7: Ignore unseemly gap for the time being and begin planting. I found candytufts and azalea plants for about $2.50 a piece. I also, finally, got my poor roses planted.


Step 8: Marvel at how much 2 people accomplished in 2 days and how fabulous your yard is going to look when all phases are complete.


FYI: Future phases include paving inside of ring for firepit/seating area, adding large vegetable bed in the back of current flower bed circle, adding addition beds in various places around yard, and whatever other crazy ideas we decide to do. We are having so much fun doing whatever we want with our yard! Cause it's OURS!!!!

Garden Update

Some of you may find this blog very boring. Our lives currently revolve around our yard. This weekend we 'plan' to brick some flower beds and pave a firepit. We have planted so much recently and I want to track our progress. So, here goes...

Below is a picture of the numerous veggies and flowers that we planted in starter trays. We planted these a week and a half ago...I am amazed at their progress! They are about ready to go in the ground, so we have to get our beds all fixed up this weekend. These trays have: cucumbers, squash, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, okra, corn, spinach, lettuce and various flowers. Obviously, I have grand plans for a 'salad garden'.


Below is my less impressive herb garden. I started these a week before the seeds in the tray. Lesson learned...those trays kick butt. Regardless, I have cilantro, chives, and rosemary??? I'm not sure which is why there are pieces of paper stuck in the pot to remind me. I very fancily labeled the veggie trays with sticker labels.


This next picture is probably a sin to any rose gardener. I bought these roses from wal-mart several weeks ago and Daniel stuck them in a garbage can with a little water until we get our bed done. Amazingly, they have grown and leafed out! Can't wait to see what they do when we actually take care of them. There is a white rose bush and a coral colored rose bush (can't remember their actual names...once again a sin, I'm sure).


This is a picture of one of the first blooms on our sweet olive bush. I may be crazy, but I think the bush smelled sweeter before the blooms? Anyways, I love them and get so excited every time a new sweet little cluster blooms.


These are the red azaleas that we planted in the front of the house. I was late taking a picture and some of the blooms are a little droopy, but I'm crazy about them anyway! Home depot has azaleas on sale 2 for $3 this weekend, so I'm going to get more and put them every place i can!


These are my pink azaleas planted under our breakfast window. I thought I wasn't going to be crazy about the color, but, once again, I love them. They are the one bright spot in the backyard at the moment and make me smile!


I hope you have enjoyed your journey through our half-assed gardening extravaganza! I pray that I have pictures on Monday of a beautiful, formal backyard with a bricked 'firepit' area, brick raised flower beds, and lots of new plants. That being said, I pay yard workers with food and beer if you are interested...

Off the subject, cause I'm a girl, I just want to say that I really love my husband. Our one year wedding anniversary is just a month away and I can honestly say I love Daniel now more than ever. Lately we have been spending our Friday nights having a nice dinner at home together, drinking, dancing, singing, being silly...and it has been fabulous. How wonderful is that I love to spend time with my husband? Ok, I'm done now. Thanks for letting me velveeta all over you.

Umm....bake cookies?

For those of you who don't know, I've been working on the never-ending, stressful as heck, pain in my rear, project from you know where... This project, from the place that never freezes over, causes me sleepless nights, constant worry, health problems, and yes....even tears. I'm not a big crier. Daniel can probably count on one hand the number of times I have cried in front of him. But this project has made me cry more than once.

Ok, so now that you have an understanding of how I feel about said project, let me tell you what happened today. While discussing this 'project', my boss asked if there was anything he could do to help. I replied, "Give me a new job." He replied, "What job would you like?". I replied, "Umm...to bake cookies all day...". I'm not even sure where this response came from. But it was the only thing that came to mind as to what I would rather be doing. I have a feeling he was expecting me to request a different department, but no, I want to bake cookies. Do you think perhaps my subconscious was voicing what would really be my dream job? If so, does anyone know how I can pay the mortgage by baking cookies all day? On that note, does anyone have an unbelievably, make someone rich good, cookie recipe?

DON'T DRINK THE WATER....

The water in Oxford is apparently been doctored with fertility drugs in the last couple of months. There are at least 6 employees (or employees' wives) from my company that are expecting. I know of 3 people outside of the company who just found out (or just announced) that they are expecting too. Most of these babies are due in October, so there must have been alot of New Year's celebrations! I'm very happy for everyone, and equally happy it's not me! We do get asked frequently when it will be our turn, but I am enjoying having free time with Daniel, a clean house (well, not at the moment), and sleep! I do feel the tick of the biological clock (or gong as it may be), but Daniel does a pretty good job of silencing that in short order. But really, is there anything better than a nap with a baby?

PS- Happy Birthday to Rachel!

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