Memorial Day Weekend / Backyard Projects

What a beautiful long weekend! It really started on Thursday, when Layla and I took a trip down to Avon-By-The-Sea with my sister and parents.  It was our first beach trip of the year, and although it was foggy and a bit chilly on the beach, we had a fun day!

                                       

 

After Monte came home on Friday afternoon, we went and bought our pool! We got a pretty good deal on a 16' x 48'' Intex Metal Frame Pool.  Monte said it only took an hour to put together, which he did on Saturday afternoon.  Layla and I knew better than to be home when Monte had a project to do (haha), so we spent the day in Cranford. 

On Sunday, we got a LOT of yardwork done (pictures below!) and then went to a friend's BBQ.  Another gorgeous night!  On Memorial Day, we went to the parade and to a diner for breakfast.  In the afternoon, my mom, dad and sister came over for an impromptu BBQ / pool party.  Then Monte and I did another 3 or 4 hours of yardwork! 

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I am so happy that we've made enough progress in the yard to actually post some pictures.  We have a lot of work left to do, but I am satisfied with the projects that we have completed.  Although we have been living in our house for almost four years, we have made so many changes to the outside (removed concrete patio, replaced with pavers, cut down four HUGE trees, removed 150 ft of english ivy landscaping, removed hedges, etc., fenced backyard) and it's finally starting to look how we envisioned it.

  

Our House

In the front of our house, we have planted hydrangeas, day lilies, lavender, hostas, morning glory and verbena (impatiens, petunias, blue lobelia, coleus and snap dragons in pots)

Front Entrance

Moss "N" that I made this spring for our front door

  
                                                     Hanging Baskets

  

Here is a before and after picture of our backyard from March of this year to May of this year:

View from side entrance (after we put up the fence) - BEFORE

AFTER

Monte and I created this garden for our rose bushes in the back corner of our yard.  We added a solar fountain feature to our bird bath.

Monte made this adorable table and stools from the tree trunks of the trees we had taken down.  I sanded them and we still need to stain them.  Layla loves eating here or coloring!

 Monte added this edger to the side of our patio and I planted purple coneflowers and black eyed susans. I also planted hyacinth bean seeds near the shephard's hook. 

                       
                                                    Pots near back door

                                                            Sitting Area

                                                      Perennial Garden

                                                      Tea Cup Bird Feeder

Monte is going to build another vegetable garden in this area for pumpkins and watermelons.  I also planted wildflowers here.

                      The beautiful raised vegetable garden beds that Monte built!

 

That's it for now! The next big project is the side of our house (ugh!!), so I hope to have some before and after photos by the weekend.  Happy Summer!