Outdoor Projects Besides Septic

On Memorial Day weekend, my dad came up and helped us with some of the yard work that included removing the hedge stumps along the west side of the house, pruning lilac bushes, and placing weed barrier where the stumps used to be.

The West Side

On Independence Day weekend, Jim's parents came up and helped us with a couple outdoor projects as well.  While Jim and his Dad worked on the upstairs hallway, Jim's mom and I worked outside in the flower bed.  We first spread mulch on the weed barrier. We then ended up going to a local nursery, Lowe's, Home Depot, then back to the local nursery before we had everything we wanted.  The cement urns were way too heavy for me to handle, so the guys helped us out with that.  Here are the end results of our afternoon hard labor.

My New Planters

 These look so much better than the over-grown hedges that were there when we first moved in.

 The planters really bring out the side door entry.  Too bad we don't really use it yet.  We'll see if I end up having to put a sign on the door directing people to the back door.  :)

A close-up of one of the planters.

The plants inside are Coleus, Confetti Purple Cleopatra Petunias, and Potato Plants

We also created a little oasis in the small bed by the back door.

Unfortunately, I've already had to move the 2 planters since it was too much sun for the Coleus to handle.  I have since placed them on the front door stoop where they will get more shade.

My father-in-law replaced our old back door entry light with this more appropriate one.

I didn't like the old one since the bulb stuck out the bottom.  This one is a little small for the space, but it will due for now.  We originally had bought it to use as a second light outside on the upstairs balcony, but have since changed our minds.

This chipmunk looks guilty already of destroying my flowers.

Welcome to Amanda's Botanical Gardens!

The first set of spring flowers are starting to fade, but no fear, the encore is about to begin!

My peacock is swimming in a sea of Forget Me Nots.

 (Try not to notice the weeds.)  ^_^*

The late blooming purple tulips

 I love the blue in there!

Summer Snowflakes

I'm not sure why they are called this since they are no longer blooming in summer. 

Some kind of white flower.

More Daffodils

Hot Pink Azaleas

 Hmmm....Azalea would make an interesting name for a girl.  ^_^*

Blooms from a tree in the front yard

Blooms from a tree in the backyard

I've saved the best for last...my purple lilacs.

 Purple lilacs are my favorite flower.

 They are so pretty

 and smell so good.

 I wish they bloomed for longer than a week.

Now for the adorable.  I was in Jim's office when I heard a peeping from outside.  I looked out the window to see this!

 A fat fluffy baby robin sitting on our air conditioner

 I hope it didn't poop while it was on there.  LOL!

 This baby robin does not look amused.

The only pic I've been able to take of the goldfinch.

They are very chipper birds.

Flower Power Part 2

Vibrant Violets

Primrose Party

Forever Forget-Me-Nots

Dandy Dandelion

Posing Purple Vine

Plush Pussy Willow

My Bleeding Hearts

Bouquets

Yard Decor That Came With The House

Rusty Star

Jabba the Frog

Gregarious Grasshopper

Various Pics of Us

I'm not fat, I'm pregnant!

Better mow the lawn before it rains again!

Jim installing a new flagpole.  He broke the previous one when he was beating a dusty cot mattress outside.

That's all the photos!

Flower Power Part 1

In order to help me take my mind off our septic woes, I've taken lots of pics of flowers and birds in our yard.  You'll have to bear with me here, there are a lot of photos.  :)

Tripping Through The Tulips

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Multi-Colored

Hyacinth Hijinks

Grape

Purple/Blue

Dapper Daffodils

Yellow

Orange

Scrambed Eggs (not sure if all are considered this type)

Animal Antics

Woodpecker

Mating Pair of Cardinals

Common Grackle

Chipmunk Chatting with the Duck

I think I will divide this post up.  There are more pics to come!