Our very talented neighbor built his custom home. It is GORGEOUS, but it was lacking plants. I asked if he had drip in his front flower beds and he did, so I knew it would be an easy curb appeal job.
Read MoreIn June of 2017 we took out an equity loan and hired a contractor to help us install a large paver patio, path and decomposed granite around the pool. We cleaned the pool up in 2013, resurfaced it in 2015 and 2017 was the year we finally stopped mowing the grass around the pool! Hurrah!
Read MoreThe side of our yard closest to the shed was filled with privets and berry bushes and had a terribly short chain link fence. Last year we took the fence down. The year before we removed the privets and the dead tree.
Read MoreIt is strange moving into a new home and not knowing where things should live. For a while, you just sit things somewhere until you finally have time to feel out where it belongs. I am still just deciding where I want things to live.
Read MoreInspiration. You just never know where it will come from, right? Several years back I saw a picture of Ina Garten's garden with all white hydrangeas. I had a wall of hot pink hydrangeas at our old house, but I loved the idea of a moonlight garden.
Read MoreI started experimenting with gardening, also known as killing plants, over 15 years ago. I would question the people at the nursery and read a bit about our zone and what plants survive in Sacramento. I also just started noticing what survives around town and the same plants kept turning up. If a plant can live in a parking lot in Sacramento, after 12 days of over 100-degree weather, that plant is a keeper. Buy that one!
Read MoreOur little sister Dagny celebrated a big birthday last week. This year I knew exactly what to get her for her birthday and was excited to make it happen. Last year, after their new pool was completed, she asked me for help choosing plants.
Read MoreYesterday we finally had the Walnut and Sycamore tree in our backyard trimmed. The crew arrived bright and early. We were so excited to finally have this team remove the dead branches and let in some light. We peaked out the dining room window and watched as a huge sycamore branch fell right on the foreman's knee. It was crazy. I ran out with an ice pack. He said he was OK. Pedar and I were worried about him, but we had to go to work. We got a call around 12:30 that the project was done. Unfortunately though, one of the crew had put their foot through the deck, where it had dry-rot. He was OK, but the deck was not.
Read MoreIn between work and school and a weekend trip to the snow, Pedar deconstructed a section of fence he made years ago to hide our garbages, and created a gorgeous new mail box stand. We love it!
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