Warm Days Around the Corner?

For an assignment in my class, I had to take a picture of a local plant and geotag it.  I went to my backyard and tried to figure out what I could possibly take a picture of that was not dead-looking or sad and bare.  Upon closer look, I saw signs of life and spring on its way!  We've had a very mild winter and I'm looking forward to getting out there soon to clean, weed, trim, feed, replant, and finish the one last project.  Really??  A garden is never finished....we'll find more things to do out there.

 I love my backyard.  We've worked very hard to transform a small 20' x 36' yard that had 4 foot high weeds, torn astroturf, loads of trash, a dying rose bush, and 3 palms of a variety that I do not like into a very tranquil haven with a pond, koi, fruit trees, herbs, jasmine, and the MAN grill!  

When my husband (not at the time), first came up to meet me and see my house, he said he saw so much work for me and wanted to help.  We spent a weekend cleaning it up.  Another weekend was spent on planning a layout of brickwork, planters, and plants.  We also went to a home show and I did something impulsive for the first time in my life....I ordered a custom-built BBQ grill with a counter and mini refrigerator. They also threw in stools, an umbrella and cover, and stucco siding.  I have never regretted this purchase.  An electrician ran some wire so I could have outlets for the refrigerator and lights.  We then spent a full week schlepping bricks, plants, soil, sand, and more bricks, plants, soil, and sand.  This was when I fell in love with Don.  We worked so hard every day but enjoyed each minute.  We learned that we not only could play together, but more importantly, we WORKED well together.  Little did we know at that time that we were building OUR backyard.  The following year we built a pond.  We've extended the patio pavers a little more and have one small area to fill in with a few plants and our arch.  Don built the arch for our wedding last October and we'll grow grapes on it.