The summer of 2007 was a big year for landscaping projects at the Dreher's. Our first project of the season (which started the first weekend in May) was our hammock area. Pictured above is one of the Asiatic/perennial lilies that bloomed in August. To view a slide show of the project from start to finish, click here. (There are over 50 photos so sit back and enjoy). Actually, now that I think about, the slide show actually isn't from start to finish. We forgot to take a photo of the area before we hand-dug out all of the grass. Actually, Roger dug most of it out as he began the project the weekend of the mini marathon I ran and I was in no shape to help dig after the race. Actually, I did keep him company and bag the grass while he used his muscles to dig up the grass. :-)
Anyway, this lounging hammock area is still my favorite area of the yard. Although I would love to say that we used this area almost nightly, truth be told we did not. I was still too afraid to leave the hammock out in the yard as I didn't want it faded within the first year so most nights it just seemed too much of chore to drag it out of the garage, hang it and then take it back down. This year perhaps I'll be a little less worried about ruining it and actually leave it hanging out so that it will get more use. But, the few times we used it last year, I loved it - especially at dusk and just after dark. This area is positioned in a darker/shaded corner of our yard which is hidden from street lights, etc. The copper solar lights on the hammock posts seemed to provide just the perfect amount of ambient lighting to lounge and talk and listen to the birds and crickets.
As you can see from most of the photos in the slideshow, near the end of the summer most of the flowers were just beginning to get to a good size. Since we did so many landscaping projects last summer, we had to purchase smaller and more budget friendly flowers. We decided to purchase them through Springhill nurseries - an online and catalog nursery. They ship the flowers right to your door - which is convenient, but like I said they are small. Most start out as either bulbs or roots, but even though they were small, we found the lower prices well worth it. By the end of the summer, most were about the size you buy at Lowes, etc. And although a few plants did not sprout or survive, Springhill has a great policy. If at any time a plant does not come-up or dies midway through the season, they will mail you out another. We took full advantage of this on all our plants that didn't do so well. They mailed us replacements in the fall and some additional replacements this spring. And they don't even charge shipping for the replacements. (This made us happy customers and thus we've ordered some more plants from them this spring. )
Anyway, this lounging hammock area is still my favorite area of the yard. Although I would love to say that we used this area almost nightly, truth be told we did not. I was still too afraid to leave the hammock out in the yard as I didn't want it faded within the first year so most nights it just seemed too much of chore to drag it out of the garage, hang it and then take it back down. This year perhaps I'll be a little less worried about ruining it and actually leave it hanging out so that it will get more use. But, the few times we used it last year, I loved it - especially at dusk and just after dark. This area is positioned in a darker/shaded corner of our yard which is hidden from street lights, etc. The copper solar lights on the hammock posts seemed to provide just the perfect amount of ambient lighting to lounge and talk and listen to the birds and crickets.
As you can see from most of the photos in the slideshow, near the end of the summer most of the flowers were just beginning to get to a good size. Since we did so many landscaping projects last summer, we had to purchase smaller and more budget friendly flowers. We decided to purchase them through Springhill nurseries - an online and catalog nursery. They ship the flowers right to your door - which is convenient, but like I said they are small. Most start out as either bulbs or roots, but even though they were small, we found the lower prices well worth it. By the end of the summer, most were about the size you buy at Lowes, etc. And although a few plants did not sprout or survive, Springhill has a great policy. If at any time a plant does not come-up or dies midway through the season, they will mail you out another. We took full advantage of this on all our plants that didn't do so well. They mailed us replacements in the fall and some additional replacements this spring. And they don't even charge shipping for the replacements. (This made us happy customers and thus we've ordered some more plants from them this spring. )
Speaking of warmer weather - have I mentioned that I'm extremely ecstatic that spring is finally hear? (Yes, I know that I have!) It was 74 degrees here in Indy so Roger and I went for our third walk of the season tonight. I even brought my camera along with intentions of sharing photos of some of my favorite houses/gardens in my neighborhood. (We live in an older revitalized neighborhood just north of downtown Indianapolis. With this being said, there are many homes with awesome architecture that I just can't wait to share.) I took out my camera to snap a photo of one of our tree-lined streets (not sure what types of trees were planted but they are all blooming beautiful white flowers) and guess what, my camera immediately went dead. Darn batteries! We are expecting rain tomorrow afternoon, but if it holds off, I'll certainly be making my way back to this street to snap a photo before the blossoms go away again until next spring. :-) Oh yeah, Roger and I also had a wonderful picnic (of friend chicken and other wonderfully fattening sides) in our neighborhood park just half a block down the street. It's great to be able to eat outside again and spring is the best time - especially since it's not too warm. :-)
Well, I must be moving right along.
1 comment:
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that I will do my tag over the weekend after my sale is over. Thanks for thinking of me sweetie.
Hugs,
LeAnn :)
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