As I think back to the home we left behind in Ireland when I was younger I remember my bedroom where my friend Kim and I used to play video games and listen to music. I remember my brother's bedroom which was covered with Liverpool Football Club memorabilia from the wallpaper to the comforter and pillows. These are all really great memories. I also remember the back yard.
The back yard was where I played with our dog Max. It was where I played on my swing set with my brother Alan when we were younger. It's where we barbequed with family friends when the unpredictable Irish weather would allow. It's where my cousin Gary and I would tape made-up commercials & skits that my family still laughs at today (thanks Mom). In the summers my friends and I would set up blankets on the lawn and play board games and at night we would pitch tents and camp out at night.
So you see the back yard was a retreat in my childish eyes and still holds a very special place in my heart. When my husband and I were looking at houses last year I must admit the back yard was not what sold me on our final selection! It was overgrown, uneven, and needed a lot of work. My husband however saw potential written all over it (thanks honey)! We began work last fall which began with topsoil being dumped in by the truckload. After a lot of truckloads we realized it wasn't going to be even and we were going to have to level it out. When you live on rock ledge apparently that's not the easiest thing to do! We had to have machines come in with jack hammers attached to them to chip out all of the rock ledge sticking out. It took a lot longer than expected and when the ground began to freeze we had to cease operations until the Spring. With Spring right around the corner I can't help but get excited again about picking up where we left off! Next on the agenda is to add the final top soil, lay hay, and plant grass seed. If all goes well we should have an actual lawn by this summer!! Slowly but surely the fruits of our labors will begin to pay off. Once the yard is straightened out we will begin to do some pretty landscaping and hopefully lay a patio down. Here are a few items on my list for when we finally get the yard leveled out:
These bluestone patios with round-edged walls would fit really nice in our yard since we live near the woods and the natural stone gives it a more organic look
Me, a book, 80 degree weather with a breeze, and this hammock sounds like a good time to me!
In case you don't know me by now hydrangeas are my favorite flowers. This hydrangea-lined landscape is beautiful. It would make a nice place to have a picnic. If you don't remember why I love hydrangeas so much click
here.
This is so sweet! It's like a raft floating right in the middle of the grass! The shade from the trees in the summer would be great for keeping cool.
We have some random areas on the outskirts that will need some TLC and I think plantings like these would look really great and finish everything off nicely.
Here is a picture of our yard at the end of last summer (go easy on us now)!
I will be sure to post some more "during" photos when we plant the grass seed and then some "after" photos when everything is finished off but those probably won't be until next year :( Patience is a virtue! What are your favorite childhood backyard memories?
