So we were sold on the house when we saw the blank canvas of a backyard. 
It is so incredible that our backyard is only limited by our imagination and not by space! Oh, well, yeah, it is also limited by time and money. But those are always limiting factors! What I am trying to say, is we have space a plenty and we have big dreams for it one day. Our first order of business was to get a decorative fence put in that would keep the dogs at bay (the ones we dogsit 6 months out of the year) but not cut off the yard or surrender the side yard to the neighbors. It took the bulk of Joe's time last summer, but it was worth it.
The progress from the kitchen steps looking left:
The progress from the kitchen steps looking right:
This year we are focusing on the landscaping and flower beds. At the end of the season last year, we filled all around the fence with plants that were generously given to us by our John and Sherry as they thinned out their garden.
Now we get the joy of seeing what actually survived the transplant and is coming back. Here is a look at what we are starting to see sprout up.
Ruby stem Echinacea is coming back!
The garden outside the dining room is rocking! With lilies everywhere, a butterfly bush, an old mum, and some other stuff I have yet to figure out...
Hostas and lilies are coming up over by the thinking bench.
And we have some very healthy iris, lily, and columbine specimens happening on the outside of the fence.
And finally, our pampas grass, butterfly bush, forsythia and salvia are looking good on the right side of the fence line.
