Last but not least, I would like to share with your are plans for landscaping the yard. We don't have a very firm plan for timing on this, but we have started on the lower front yard already (more later)!
This is the lower front yard I am referring to. It is lower because the daylight basement opens out onto it.
1. We have purchased a swing set and are slowing working on putting it together in our limited spare time. We are going to edge it and lay rubber mulch under it.
2. The slopes to each side will be edged and covered with gravel. They are difficult to mow and the grass is unhealthy there anyway. I will plant low water plants there and add some decorative rocks.
3. The bird bath is going to have to find a new home.
4. Eventually, we want to replant all the grass. It is Kentucky Blue Grass, which eventually grows into clumps when not watered regularly. When we do that (down the road) we may consider irrigation as well.
5. On the right slope (which you can barely see) there are terraced concrete flower beds that were massively overgrown. We have dug out all the old bushes and plan to amend the soil and start fresh.
6. The desk needs TLC. We were considering TREX, but at $35+ a board, we may look elsewhere. We have a new idea up our sleeve that I'll cover another time. We also thought about expanding the desk size, but I think we have ruled that idea out also. Once we repair the decking, we need to install a new rail. For now I pretty much have to forbid my kids to play on it.
In the upper front yard, to the left of the front entrance, we have another small area of grass.
7. I would like to tear out this wedge of grass and install a paver patio (and have patio doors installed from the dining area). I also want to built a pergola over the patio. When I say I want to build a pergola I mean I want my dad and husband to build me a pergola. In their spare time. I might be waiting awhile.
To the right of the entry and garage we have another patch of yard between the house and the shop.
Right now you can't see much beyond the overgrown shrubbery. What you can't see is an outdoor fireplace built by my uncle Raymond and a tall wooden fence separating the front from the back yard.
8. Cut back pine tree so you can see fireplace and gate. (Will a pine tree look funny if all the lower branches are pruned off? I don't really want to have to cut this tree down.)
9. Remove the overgrown juniper bushes.
10. Paint the fence.
11. Fix the fireplace??? From what I understand, the chimney is too short to work properly so the smoke all spews out the front. I don't know if it can be fixed, but it would be cool to try someday.
12. Reduce grass and add gravel, concrete pavers, and low water plantings.
13. New adjustable basketball hoop? My girls just can't shoot that high yet.
14. In the back yard its more of the same: reduce grass by adding edging and gravel areas with low water plants.
15. Prune back the one bush and tree in the yard.
15. Build raised beds for gardening. (It's hard to tell in the bright photo, but there is a chain link fence around the back yard which may help in keeping some garden pests out. (i.e. bunnies, deer)
16. Maybe a sand pit for volleyball? It is a big yard. Why not?
That wraps up the tour of our house projects upstairs and outside. I'm sure we will add more to it as we go, but I think for now we have enough to keep us busy for the next 5 or 20 years.