Before and After

We've been pondering how to fix our patio and yard for a couple of years.  No one seemed to know exactly how to fix it, they just all agreed it was done wrong in the first place (yes, that is really helpful).  This year we put all our info together and embarked on a plan.  It took 5 months.  We are so glad its done.  Final pics are taken.  Here are before and after shots of the "Summer of the Yard" project. We had hoped to have a big party with a patio movie theme, but now that its done its pretty cold in the evenings.  Perhaps we'll get some more warm days, if not there will be fun in the yard next spring for one and all.

Before:

no slope patio, higher than the basement floor (not good), yard slopes toward patio

wall steps down, front yard water flows directly to wall and house, steep grade to walk to side yard

After:

front yard grade is leveled off

water flows to side yard via a berm created in front of flower bed

fire ring (or oval depending on who you ask) made from pieces of the old patio and extended side yard - it used to end at the tree line, now extends to our property line.

wall is now level at approx. 6.5 ft height and we have stairs from the front to the side yard- waiting on plants on backorder at Rolling Hills to landscape beside the stairs...

new lowered and sloped patio

Fall Family Pic

The construction is done, more pictures to come- just waiting for our grass to grow a few more days before taking the "finished" shots.  Family pic on the new stairs:

We enjoyed cooking out in our fire pit made from pieces of the old patio on Friday night - our ode to recycling.  Looking forward to what is left of fall in our new outdoor spaces.

Apple Orchard

Made a trip to Mathis Orchard with the homeschool group.  Bought a bushel and a half of apples and some yummy cider.  Here's the crew by a huge tree in front of the barn.

Go Racers

First home football game for the MSU Racers.   After missing all the games last fall while in Germany the kids were excited to attend.  After years of bleeding orange even from a distance, over the last few years our focus has been on "our" team.   These are kids Tim teaches in class, its a program led by a friend, and sports we can enjoy as a family.  No one spilled coke laced with their friend "Jack" on any of us.  People in the stands were nice to our children.  It may not be the SEC, and I will always have memories of chanting that its "great to be a Tennessee Vol", but the Racers and other small schools deserve their due.  Frankly Racer One going around the track is more impressive than Smokey any day.  Can't imagine buying tickets for a family of 6 in Knoxville.  We are Racers! and we had a fun night.

Carter eats!!!!

Since Carter's birthday last month we have a new rule:  He must eat one bite of the main dinner meal every night.  For his picky eating nature this has been a big challenge.  However, he is learning that he does like a few things.  To most foods he says "Its okay but I don't want any more" but at least its a start.  Tonight was our first Wednesday meal at church since the new rule went into effect.  He took a yogurt to eat expecting not to like the meal that was offered.  I took a small piece of Laurel's fried chicken and had him eat it as his "main" course for the night.  He liked it and asked for his own piece.  The kid ate an entire serving of chicken.  Any of you who have picky eaters can join me in doing my happy dance that I have another source of protein for my growing boy.  Cantaloupe was also tolerated, though he still doesn't always want to eat it.  It has been a month and he is coping and taking his bite each night without too much resistance.  We are very excited for him!

Berkeley salad- still delicious 20 years later.


I had time to shop at a local market while Tim worked. It was fun to see all the local crafts and taste some yummy food.


The ferry building is the site of the farmers market


Lots of people everywhere


It was a sunny warm day


When Tim finished work today we took a bus to Golden Gate Park and visited the Conservatory


Many beautiful things




A quick stop by the chilly Pacific Ocean, but I had to see it!

We enjoyed watching the kite boarding

Fun in San Francisco

By the Bay- Windy and Cool


Cheese dessert plate at Benu- followed a yummy and equally attractive meal- I was too worried about being a tourist to photograph an entire meal, but I had to preserve something.


The fountain in Sausalito- nearing the end of our city tour


Coming back to the dock after touring Alcatraz, San Francisco in the distance

Alcatraz from Pier 39


On the Cable car- public transport is crowded, my German transportation assertiveness once again is paying off.

Stopping for a view at Alamo Square park and to see some of the "Painted Ladies" on our city tour