This was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Well, not easy, but a lot faster than I thought it would be!
We began at 8 a.m. and finished by 3 p.m. The hardest part was digging up the grass and hauling two thousand pounds of gravel from the garage!
One thousand five hundred pounds of paver sand and one thousand five hundred pounds of pea gravel from Home Depot, just waiting for me to get motivated!
Are you ready?
Voila!
I honestly feel like I won something! This was a simple task, however. Labor intensive, but anyone can do it!
Handsome Husband hasn't even seen it yet! How do you like that? Exclusive sneak peek!
We replaced the builder grade outdoor lights two years ago. There are four more up front.
The statue and plinth are from Craigslist, of course! The cherub faces the door to the sunroom. The limestone finials are from stores in the area.
We also transplanted several arborvitae!
Here is what the yard looked like when we moved in. I don't have any other photos. This is a wreath Gracie and I made together. Happy memories.
Yes. It looked like the surface of Mars!
This is the yard last Spring before we had our fence installed.
Such a gratifying experience!
I can't wait for Handsome Husband to see it!
xo
Andie
Linking to The Dedicated House, Make It Pretty Monday!
Wow Andie, when I saw the first photo I thought I was looking at some place in Europe! You have done amazing things with your home!
ReplyDeleteYou should exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show - I've just been busily working on promoting it for this year (http://www.theatrebreaks.co.uk/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/) and I reckon your courtyard would fit right in.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We have been looking at houses in south Florida and it's all tropical, palms and things. I prefer a more traditional and manicured backyard, this is fabulous inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLindo! Amei o jardim. Ficou muito bonito.
ReplyDeleteÉ um trabalho gratificante cuidar do jardim. Depois que se vê o resultado tudo vale a pena.
Bjos
tenha uma ótima semana.
Absolutely stunning Andie. Professionals couldn't have done better. Less really is more. I just love it.
ReplyDeleteI love it! You got me motivated.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Love!
ReplyDeleteoh it looks fantastic! great job :-)
ReplyDeleteDear, Andie,
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to surprise us. How could you accomplish all that without Handsome Husband's knowing about it? It couldn't have been done in just one afternoon, could it?
At any rate I'll gladly take it as a sign that you are now fully recovered from whatever kept you down for such a long time. Please tell me I'm right. ;-)
FreeThinke
PS: I did get one very sweet email from you at the gMail address. Thank you very much. I'd stopped checking that address a long time ago since it is still connected to my now-defunct blog. I was denied access because Blogger won't support my browser, and I am NOT going to be forced to buy a new computer because of Blogger's arbitrary decisions. We're far too controlled by electronic media as it is. - FT
I thought of this song from the 1954 Broadway musical "The Girl in Pink Tights" the minute I saw this latest post. It might well have been written –– not about a girl –– but about YOUR HOUSE. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOST IN LOVELINESS
What a thrill you are,
What a sight to see,
Something the eyes of mortals
Have no right to see.
Am I on the earth or in the sky?
Lost in loveliness am I.
When I look at you,
I forget myself,
I could go mad about you if I let myself.
Should I let myself, or pass you by?
Lost in loveliness am I.
I know I'm reaching for a star,
What's more, I know how dangerous you are.
If I were wise
I'd close my eyes
Or walk away and worship from afar.
In the lonely night,
You would haunt my heart,
And I would pray that someday you might want my heart.
And I'd have to live my whole life through
Lost in loveliness, the loveliness of you.
It's a very pretty song –– the sort they just don't even think of writing anymore, Alas! –– but its spirit is kept alive by rare and wonderful individuals like you who dare to dream Big Dreams and have the Will and the Courage to make them come true. - FT
I think that this turned out beautifully! What a great feeling of accomplishment it must have given you! How did your husband like it? I am sure he was so surprised! Enjoy your lovely new outdoor space! Hugs, Leena
ReplyDeleteCome on now you are just showing off! Just kidding, it is amazing and you should be very proud. MB
ReplyDeleteIt was so worth all the hard work you put in. The fore court looks amazing. I cannot wait to get my hands dirty and make something similar. Hauling gravel and planting grass, I will have to do together with my husband. He has building experience so we should be ok. Great find with that statue as well.
ReplyDeleteEssie Reed @ Valley Home Improvement