Sunday, September 6, 2009

Blue Water and Latest Yard Project

I was trying not to show the pool again but I just love the way the urn with yellow mums looks there against the blue water that I just had to share it with you.
Blue Monday is hosted by Sally of http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Please visit her and then see all her participants' entries too. I promise you won't be disappointed.Blue and yellow just look so pretty together.
Now, it's time for Met Monday, which is hosted by Susan of http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/. Go to her blog and see lots of amazing transformations.
I want to show you how my latest project in our yard is going. It's not all done yet but it's getting there and it is looking a lot better, I think. My granddaughter calls this our secret garden because you cannot see it unless you go all the way to the end of the yard and look down.

This is how it was after the pool was built. See all the shrubs and all that mess under the trees?
We added these railroad ties even before we decided to build a pool and I have started working on it but when they dug out the dirt for the pool, most of the dirt and some cement fell here and buried a lot of my plants and killed them.
We hired a gardener to help me clean and trim the shrubs. I have never stepped in there before it was cleaned up because I am terrified of snakes and we have them around. Do you see how much more yard we have now?
We laid some bricks on the ground and put an iron swing there and a bench seat. Then I added this tall table and stools. The stools came with outdoor cushions but I did not put them on cause I am not done working here. I want to add some brick flooring under the table set too.
This is pretty much how it looks now. It's livable and I can actually go down there and sit on the swing without being nervous about snakes.
I had put some mulch in the beginning but everytime I water the plants (I water from above), the mulch just all get washed down so I decided to lay red rocks. It blends well with the brick of the house too. I think it looks good, what do you think? Just for the top part, we used up 14 bags so we still have a long way to go.
I had the gardener plant some hosta and bananas under the big oak trees. We still need to add mulch around and probably more plants.

This very heavy stone bunny was dug out from behind the bushes. We moved it here. I think
the smaller grandkids will enjoy rocking it. I think I will just add mulch underneath instead of planting grass because it will be hard to bring a mower down there.


I planted a calamondin citrus tree near the bunny.
Hope you enjoyed seeing the yard progress.
One more thing, can anybody tell me what type of snake this is and if it is venomous? The gardener just killed it. It was on the flower beds. Ugh!
Thanks, Sally and Susan for another fun week!
And thank you all for visiting and commenting!

27 comments:

Salmagundi said...

You're making progress, but so much work!!!! No, my husband isn't for rent - I need him for lots of things beside the outside work. Check out my new post - it's our 51st wedding anniversary. He's very special to me. Sally

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, everything is just so pretty. You guys have done so much work and the urn is gorgeous. I don't like snakes either, and I wouldn't care if it was poisionus or not. They just scare me to death. Your lower area is turning out just beautiful. Love it. Hugs, Marty

susan said...

Christine--You are moving right along! The hostas look great. Autumn fern will stay green there all year long too (you had asked before). EEEEK--on the snake-doesn't matter if it is poisonous or not :)! Looking good! Have a great Labor Day!

Signing Out said...

Everything looks fabulous (except the snake - eeww)!

Jane

Melissa Miller said...

Christine your secret garden is looking GORGEOUS! Love your pool and the pretty yellow flowers.

The snake made me jump! Yikes!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OMG Christine!
That snake is huge and ugly and I don't know what it is but I don't blame you for not wanting to go near it. Your landscaping and pool area is gorgeous, I love all the details and have enjoyed seeing your progress so much! Hugs, cindy

Tara said...

That snake is gross! I hate those critters! Don't know what kind it is though. You've sure put a lot of effort into your yard this summer, but it is looking so beautiful. I hope you really enjoy it!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

That snake has a lovely pattern but the only good snake around the house is a dead one! I love what you're doing - when you finish up - come to my house----please!

bj said...

Everything looks really nice...just the THOUGHT of a snake would also keep me out of there!
I hate those things and am scared to death of them.

Cindy said...

All the work you have done!! Looks beautiful. The pool with the flowers is spectacular. I love the bunny, too!
Cindy

Unknown said...

HI!
I'm so happy you stopped by my blog and we could meet. Your blog is so interesting! I hate to say that snake looks like a rattlesmake wannabe, but it doesn't look like the right tail. I really don't have a problem with snakes,,much to my Mom's horror.... this one looks like it's trying for the Arts and Craft look. Maybe someones exotic pet got loose? Love your garden and the poolside mum. What a striking color combo. I hope you'll visit again soon!

Keetha Broyles said...

I'm going to google to see if I can find what kind of snake it is - - - but what I noticed right away is that it DOESN'T have the spade shaped head that indicates a poisonous variety. I've never seen a snake of that pattern before - - -

BTW - - - I think ALL snakes are GOOD snakes - - - they eat mice and other pests. But, then again, I'm a crazy science teacher so my view is different - - -

SmilingSally said...

I wouldn't feel comfortable with snakes either, but you've done a huge job of making your area for people instead of snakes.

I'll never get tired of seeing your pool; it's enough to turn anyone GREEN. Happy Labor Day! Happy Blue Monday.

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine!

Everything is coming along just so beautifully.I am amazed at the progress you have made- you should be so darn proud of this utopia that you have created. It looks like a harmless rat snake that was probably just trying to keep down the rodent population in your yard. I am a snake admirer, so I am a bit biased..but most of them are as afraid of you as you are of them. I do understand people's fear though. I always appreciate you stopping by. I know I have said this before, but the way your family cares for your mom is so admirable. I guess that is really hitting home to me this week in a big way..

I send you a big hug,
Sue.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Everything looks wonderful and I, too, love the way the yellow mums look against the backdrop of the pool. It is a lovely photo. I hope you are having a great day.

ellen b. said...

Can't help with the snake. Your outdoor space is really shaping up nicely Christine. Love the view of the pool behind the urn and flowers. Beautiful...

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

The yard looks wonderful! Great job your gardner did.
Yikes! No idea what kind of snake it is. No matter now. It is very dead! I hope it wasn't poisenous!
Better to safe than sorry? :)

Your urns look beautiful! Just beautiful all planted with the lovely yellow flowers. :) What a wonderful yard you have!!
Have a wonderful Labor Day!
Mona

Carla said...

Best kind of snake, dead:)
Love your yellow and blue-beautiful! And what a wonderful reclaimed 'secret'!

Anonymous said...

I am also a science teacher. I have never seen a rat snake with this coloration and pattern. I really can't see the shape of the head. If the snake is venomous, it should have a triangular head and a pit on each side of the head. The only venomous snake species in the South that is not a pit viper is the coral snake. Your deceased friend is not a rattlesnake; wrong coloration and pattern. At least not one I have seen. Could perhaps be a copperhead (venomous) or a Eastern hognose (non-venomous).
Sylvia

Connie said...

Hi Christine,
Your backyard is looking lovely. it;s like a
wonderland. i love the addition of the bricks.

I have to be honest and say I really don't like snakes. Do you see many of them or do they go away once you stake your territory. Yuk!

You whole home is gorgeous. Hope you had a great weekend.

Sharlotte said...

Your yard is really taking shape! I love what you've done so far...and please watch out for more snakes. I have no idea what the snake is, and my husband can't tell either...just be careful. I know they have their purpose but they really scare me!

Sarah said...

I see lots of progress. Thanks for sharing. If you have time stop by the QCI blog for a late Blue Monday post. Happy Blue Monday! ~ Sarah

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, that urn that the mum is in is gorgeous, and your "secret" garden looks so good. I LOVE that rocking bunny! laurie

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! What a transformatoin, you guys have done a great job. It doesn't look like you have a lot more to do out there. I think it is just beautiful.

As for the snake....I have no idea what it is. Kinda pretty if you like snakes, I steer as far away from them as possible.

nannykim at spindle cottage said...

It is shaping up!! A lot of work , but it pays off. I love the rabbit thingy you found--it is always so much fun to find stuff on your property--coooccccoool.

At first I thought the snake was a copperhead or corn snake (rat snake)--but its markings look different....let us know if you figure it out!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Christine, that snake is scary as all get-out! It looks like a Copperhead, but I'm not sure. It could be a harmless snake, but I would have killed it, too.

Love what I saw of the pool and the yard in progress...

XO,

Sheila :-)

JJ said...

Loved it all until I saw that snake. LOL!

JJ

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