Blank Canvas

I almost called this post "Leveling", however the Witty One believes "Blank Canvas" is a better choice. As you can see in the photos below, Mike-the-Wonder-Landscaper's talented team has provided a blank canvas from which we can paint the masterpiece which will become our garden.

Front Garden Canvas:

Back Garden Canvas:

In the next week, the irrigation contractor will install our inground sprinkler system. With xeriscaping as a goal, we had decided to install a drip irrigation system throughout. However, Mike advised us to use the inground system since he has experienced many, many, many challenges with drip irrigation systems clogging and malfunctioning. Apparently, the maintenance required to manage the drip irrigation system completely outweighs the advantages of such a system.

Once the irrigation system is in place, Mike and his Wonder Team will install some plants. Since we are entering the hottest time of the year in Atlanta, we will delay many of the plantings until after the heat wave breaks.

In other news, the Witty One and I will be joining the Diva's Fairy Godfathers on an Alaskan cruise in August. This Georgia girl has an odd affinity for all things Pacific Northwest (hence the reason I married an Oregon boy?), so I'm absolutely giddy at the prospect of experiencing a teeny-tiny bit of Alaska. If you have recommendations on sites to see or yarn shops to browse, please leave a comment.

Until next time, Happy Weekend!

Cheers,
Deb in Atlanta

Hardscape Complete!

Before: The patio could not accommodate all of the Diva's guests.

After: We may comfortably resume entertaining al fresco.

Mike, the Wonder-Landscaper, plans to start planting this week. Wahoo!

Hardscape

Step 1. Build hardscape. Check!

Wahoo! We love our new walkway and porch! The Diva has been diligently sweeping the porch everyday. I am curious how long her passion for porch-sweeping will last. Any guesses?

Plants will begin arriving after Memorial Day.

Have a great week!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

Slowly, but Surely

The hardscape crew has worked diligently over the last two weeks to create lovely, and structurally sound, walls and steps for our front yard. They have been able to use quite a bit of the stone from the previous wall, too!

As you can see, we still cannot walk up our driveway or enter/exit our house from the front. That created a dangerous situation for me on Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. (in the dark) when I was headed to the airport wearing high heels and carrying my suitcase and computer bag! Luckily, I successfully manuevered myself without getting a run in my hose or a chip in my shoes, but I wasn't very graceful. (Thank goodness, I was the only person out at that time of the morning!)

Unfortunately, I've not had much time for knitting. I have several works in progress, but I haven't yet snapped any photos of them. I'll try to do that tomorrow when we celebrate Mother's Day.

Have a lovely weekend!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

Upheaval

The view from my front door:



Last week, our hardscape contractor started the garden renovation project that the Witty One and I have been planning for two years now. We are thrilled that we will one day have a lovely garden in which to dally, however we are struggling now with the logistics of entering our home. Can you see the obstacles?

Until the obstacles are removed, we are forced go cross-country to enter through our back door. Thankfully, we can walk up our neighbors' driveways to access our back yard!

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Returning to that fabulous meal we had at Roy's on Sunday night. Here is a photo of Roy introducing his talented team of chefs.

They are all very talented, and I look forward to many more meals imagined and executed by these masters.

Bon appétit!