Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Back Yard Update!

Whew...it feels good to sit down with a nice glass of white wine and just chill.

We spent the day in the back yard...pea gravel, boulders, mulch, blood, sweat, tears , Mickey D's sweet tea...

I guess I should let the pictures speak for themselves~


Bed filled with hydrangea (back corner-hard to see), flox, peonies, and daylilies.  Will most likely have to divide next spring, and move to another bed.  Product of all the rain last summer!


Bar area.  We built the bar a few years back after seeing something similar in Better Homes and Garden magazine.  It is made from cinderblocks and 2x4s.  Top is stained with deck stain, and the columns were painted with Rustoleum Renew.


A closer look...


Our knock out roses are blooming like crazy, especially now that they get more sun.  Our neighbors had to take out their leland cypress trees due to disease that were along the fence, so the roses are now in full sun.  My hydrangeas close by are NOT happy however!! They plan to replant trees, so for now I will leave them and see what happens.



Our pond.  My brother contracted someone he knew to build the pond (bare bones), and he landscaped it for us.  We finished up the project literally the day before our oldest's graduation party in 2008!  I think I still had some dirt under my fingernails.


The waterfall...


Hostas underneath our deck steps.  Cannot wait for them to fill out.  That is if the darn squirrels would quit digging around them!!!


We have a stepping stone pathway close to the pond.  The boulders in the bottom left corner will be a part of a rock garden I am building to help with a drainage issue next to the steps.


Hostas and ferns near the pond.  Again, cannot wait til they are all this big!!



New pea gravel patio area. The boulders were added for a border as well as to allow rain water to drain.  We plan to put a fire pit in the middle and surround it with some chairs.


Our veggie and herb garden is taking off nicely, after it was toast due to a late frost crazy Atlanta weather.  Even our rosemary is coming back (bottom left).


The hydrangeas on the hill are just starting to bloom.  I love these, petite blue blooms.


Our blueberry bushes.  This is after we cut them way back last fall!  We can't eat them fast enough.  Lucky for us, #2s beau LOVES them and will waste no time eating his share!


Looking back from our new pea gravel patio toward the pond.  A little better look at our pathway.


Arial views are always fun!  Here is the bar area...

Pond...


View from the side of our deck.  We hope to replant several trees soon.  We lost 20 leland cypress last year to disease.  Just beyond the tree line you see is still a lot of property, currently covered in just pine straw.

New porch pillows.  This is where I plan to park my rear for the rest of the summer once all these yard/house projects are done.  Windows go in tomorrow and then paint is next!

We could not have done this without childlabor our sweet girls, and #1s "the keeper".  They worked their tails, arms, legs, whatever moves off!!!  We did feed them lunch afterward ;-)

Hope you enjoyed the back yard tour!  

I am linking back to  the Best of the Nest

29 comments:

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Lauren, your backyard looks great! Everything looks so dense and lush. Love all of the different areas. Your bar area is awesome; and I love the pond, too! Enjoy it all this summer!

Kris @ Driven by Décor said...

Your backyard is amazing! Love your bar, vegetable garden, and pond. And I can't imagine how beautiful everything looks when it's in full bloom. Wish I had your green thumb!

NanaDiana said...

OHMYGOODNESS, Lauren! Your backyard is just spectacular. You have put a lot of love, time, energy and $ into it and it shows! It looks like a showplace. You have earned a summer of rest now. I didn't realize blueberries would even grow in Atlanta! Crazy---- Have a great night- xo Diana

pam {simple details} said...

This is just GORGEOUS Lauren!! They always say you should have 'little rooms' in your yard that make people want to see what's around the corner, yours is the perfect example!!! Thanks so much for sharing it, I loved the tour!

Blondie's Journal said...

This is all astonishing beautiful, L! I have a lot of ideas just looking! :)

Great job!

XO,
Jane

Anne said...

Your yard looks fabulous Lauren....well worth the hard work:) Hope you get lots of sunny days to enjoy it there!
~Anne

Ron said...

Your backyard is absolutely gorgeous! Breathtaking! I want to sip a cocktail at that bar! LOL! xo

SHERRY HART said...

OK....now I want a pond:) Dang your backyard is unbelievable! I can't believe you did it all....I admit that I did not do any of the big planting or the pathway......sounds like you are doing all of the things we did this year with new windows, siding and paint!

Preppy Empty Nester said...

What a gorgeous backyard escape!! If I had that backyard, I would never go on vacation during the summer. Love the bar and the couch and pillows are darling. Get out there and enjoy it, you lucky duck!!!!

Nancy said...

SOOOOO beautiful! I would never leave. my favorite part though is the pond. yep. put me a chair right there and that's where you'd always find me :)

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

You have such a pretty place to relax now! It is hard work, but so worth it. Have a nice glass of iced tea, sit against those pretty pillows and put your feet up the rest of the summer :-)

Brandi said...

Lauren, seriously, like OMG, your yard is gorgeous. You've been holding out on us. Your hard work has paid off beautifully! Now you need to submit this to the BHG- I DID IT page to be featured!

Dixie Delights said...

Your yard is just gorgeous!!!! Thanks so much for the tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! xo

Leslie said...

I love all the little spaces you've created in your yard Lauren! The stone path, bar area, comfy pillows to snuggle up with.. it's all perfect. Your garden is amazing and I hope you have one designed into the landscape of our new place. It's so much fun to start a garden in the spring! The pond is another item on the wish list. My mom has one and enjoys it so much. She has Koi in there and they sometimes get eaten by large birds! Enjoy the weekend ahead:) xxleslie

Unknown said...

I am absolutely in love with your yard!!! it looks like an oasis. Great landscaping and the bar is perfect. I would love to join you for that wine! :)

http://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com said...

What a gorgeous yard you have. I like that you sectioned it off with little vignettes of different things. Very nice!

Stacey said...

Your back yard is beautiful! We had a pond at our last house and I really miss it. I love the way your yard has different pretty areas. :)

Allison said...

Your yard looks gorgeous Lauren! Everything is so green and lush! You've done a beautiful job. What a nice spot to sit, relax, read a book and lots of outdoor entertaining!

bj said...

Your yard is as lovely as any park...just beautiful and I just sent a photo of your outdoor bar to my daughter...they might add this later to their pretty yard.
Love everything and ya'll did an awesome job.

the cape on the corner said...

wonderful! i love the gravel area and your veggies. enjoy!

Mike @TheIronYou said...

The pond looks fantastic Lauren and I' very jealous of your veggie and herb garden; it looks awesome!

Lauren and Eddie said...

This is gorgeous! I wish I didn't have a black thumb. I am NO good at landscaping.

Jen (House of Ruby Jean) said...

Hi there, I'm new to your blog...found it on Best of the Nest. I love your backyard, its so beautiful! We are in the process of redoing ours, its so much hard work. Great job!

Becky {This Is Happiness} said...

Amazing Lauren! Everything looks so healthy! A perfect place to relax!

Tara {The Silver Lining} said...

What a lovely backyard!!! It looks so calming and peaceful. Do you entertain back there often? I mean I could come for some wine. ;)

henning love said...

wow lauren your backyard is stunning absolutely stunning!! i definitely can get why there was plenty of sweat put into it. The results are just beautiful

Laura@Elegant Nest said...

Your yard looks like a resort! What a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the summer with your girls! Happy Friday!

Organized Island said...

Oh your yard is so pretty and I just love those porch pillows - beautiful!

Stacey said...

Oh I remember your pond!! Thanks for reminding me. Yours is beautiful in the setting and the size.

Pinning. :)