One Thing Leads to Another

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One thing we never thought of, when renovating our backyard, was replacing the limestone retainer wall that runs at the back of the patio. But little did we know that it would start imploding last summer! Honestly we probably did not help the situation by having several junipers removed that were quite old and planted in the top part of the wall. This was probably part of the reason as the root system was likely holding things together. Yeah, we saw signs of that happening but still...

I guess, looking back at old photos, it was in a lot
worse shape than we realized. But in it's own way
it had its charm with all the aged layered limestone.
All the hostas in this photo (and much more on other side)
was thrown in a pile that sat in the hot summer weather
for 6 weeks. After the new wall was finished, I replanted
 them and they all lived.

After removing the limestone.

Boy, did we have limestone!
Every bit of it was used in other parts of the yard. 

This is along the length of the north half.

Lining up the new retainer wall block after
a load of gravel was put down as a base.
That black 'pole' is actually the gas line to an original
gas grill. It didn't work and we had the gas line disconnected
but no way to tear it out.

Progress!

After many weeks of part time work, it was finally finished. Well the wall was finished anyone. Next was my turn in replanting all the hostas and new plants and landscaping the top. I love how it turned out and so happy that our old wall imploded after all!

This is a view along the top of the wall as it runs to the
north side of the patio. Replanted the hosta from previous
wall that was torn out, bought some new hostas and perennials.
Used limestone to edge the planted area.

This view is the patio side of he wall and how it
seamlessly rolls into the pond area as well
as the patio area.

What to do with old wine bottles? An Upcycled Wine Bottle Project

At the start of our second summer at our #1951renovation found me removing wine/liquor bottles from a rock wall the surrounded the pond. Although I didn't dislike them, I was finding so much broken glass that I knew I had to take them out as I was worried about my dog cutting her paws.

Securing the posts and frame with quick set foam.

I had no idea how many bottles were buried in the wall, it was crazy! I kept pulling more and more out!

Built and installed the frame.

After I rebuilt the rock wall surrounding the pond I pondered what to do with all the bottles. What I really wanted was one of those cool bottle walls but I knew I didn't have the time or resources to build one. As I was researching other ideas I had no idea my husband was planning the bottle wall. So, while it took a couple months to get completed, my husband built me a beautiful bottle wall!

Adding the bottles one row at a time.

My husband built the frame (didn't take pictures) and after we installed the frame he started adding the bottles one row at a time. This was quite time consuming. First he power washed the bottles as they were full of mold and dirt from being in the ground. Then he used a glass drill bit and drilled hole in the bottom. Added hooks to the top and bottom of frame where he wanted the rows of bottles then ran cable thru the bottles and hung on hooks. He used a kind of clamping thing in between each bottle so they won't slide around.

Added pavers and secured with Paver Set from Lowes

Added some landscaping. Since it was end of September, choices were limited for perennials.

Plants and mulch added. Reusing limestone from an old retainer wall for behind the bottle wall.

Upon completion, I decided to lay some patio stones and landscape the area better. While not 100% finished as I have a couple of stumps behind the wall to remove and will then landscape that area.

Patio area and bottle wall finished. 

The dirt area in back needs a couple stumps removed. 
Will then add more limestones and mulch.

After I remove the two stumps behind the bottle wall, I will finish with more lime stones and mulch. Additionally I have a large mirror that I will hang on the fence in back to reflect the bottles and light.

Linking up to:

Home Style Saturday 263

New Upcycled Projects at Funky Junk

Grace at Home No. 440

Can't Let Summer Go

Yup, it's November here in Michigan and the temps are going to drop into the single digits next week. My gardens are being put to bed for the winter and the leaves are all falling and being raked up and everything tucked away for another winter season. But, I just can't let go of summer. I am already longing for next summer, watching my gardens comes to life, opening the pool, and enjoying the long summer days.

So today, I'm taking one last look at summer and then it's time to say goodbye.

Love this cute potting shed!

Cute way to use an old box.

This house was gorgeous!

Beautiful shade garden

Great way to hang bird feeders and can stay up all year!

This house was my absolute favorite!

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Love ponds

 Well, the reminiscing is over and it's time to embrace the holidays and pull out Christmas decorations.

Happy Fall!

Linking up to:
Inspire Me Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Amaze Me Monday

Raised Vegetable Planter and Poison Ivy

For several years I have been trying to find a good spot to plant vegetables. Unfortunately most of the sun that our property gets is where someone put the pool. So, other than a small area near the pool house, there is nowhere that really gets enough sun for a good vegetable garden.

The base (legs) are made with pine and the box is cedar.

The last two years I have planted this small area with tomatoes and peppers. The plants do great but they never grow many vegetables and they never get really big. 

Apparently the cedar will not rot from the moisture or dirt. We did not even stain it!

Last year, I saw this cool wood planter at one of the local home improvement stores and my husband bought the wood to build one for Mother's Day. Well life happened and the wood sat in the garage for that year. But this year? Yup, this year my husband spent the weekend of Mother's Day building my planter. It turned out great and I am so excited!

Tomatoes, green peppers, and beans oh my!

Oh but, yeah, I have poison ivy and it's only May. Sigh.

Linking up at:

Amaze Me Monday  
Feathered Nest Friday
Grace at Home 

Knee Deep in the Weeds

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Happy summer! It's sure been awhile since I've peeked my head around here but it has been crazy busy in my part of the world. I hope you are all doing well. In my area of Michigan we are in a serious drought and I am spending all. my. time. watering and watering and watering. Yet after awhile it is barely helping my plants survive.

Usually I go out once a week and weed and dead head in my flower beds. The past two weeks I have had so many thoughts about the enemy and the daily battle that we as Christians face. Even in the drought where all of the neighbors grass is brown the weeds still grow. The good plants? They take lots of tender loving care, especially in this brutal environment. Lots of water and still they are struggling but the weeds are thriving.

This is my view across the street from my house and all around our area. Dry and parched.

Really, it is a good lesson about life. The Bible says that the enemy has come to 'steal, kill and destroy' and that lesson is truly evident in the battle of the weeds. All the time it takes to care for the good flowers yet the weeds just keep on peeking their ugly selves into my beautiful landscaping. I pull and pull. I rake and rake. It reminds me that leading living a life for Christ takes careful time and effort to remain focused on 'that which is good.'

Joining in this week to:
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspire Me Monday
Amaze Me Monday

And More Garden Tours...

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Can you ever see too many beautiful gardens? I say no. After all, in Michigan, we are lucky to get 4-5 good months of gardening so I say enjoy them while you can!

The first house we went to on the garden tour had a beautiful waterfall landscaped backyard, with a big patio, a 60" screen tv and a sectional couch. To. die. for. That is until I saw his sign and realized he was a professional landscaper that owned his own business. Then I felt much better.

Had to catch this butterfly!

Great use of sculpture in this garden!

Loved, loved, loved this pool. Waterfall into the end of the pool a small log cabin to change clothes in and use the bathroom, or just hang out. Very sweet!

I don't usually go in for the cutesy type stuff but I seriously thought this was a great drain for eavestroughing.

Very cool sculpture from cut tree stumps. Great way to use them!

I love anything unique and this totally caught my eye. Great way to use rocks! Now I'm not sure exactly how they did it but from what we could tell, they drilled a hole up the center of the rocks and put a rod through. Probably glued them as well. May have to try this.

This home was amazing and had so many cool sculptures mixed into her garden. Like the homeowner said "I decorated all I could on the inside and I love it so I had to come outside." I totally get that.

Finally is this cute wine bottle sculpture. Not sure if the wrought iron base was something put together by the homeowner as I've never seen anything like it. But regardless, very cool!

That's all for now. Check in soon for my summer project updates.

Linking up this week to:

Feathered Nest Friday

Ducks'n a Row Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Idea Box Thursday

Garden Tours Galore!

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My favorite time of summer, by far, is garden tour time. Always beautiful, always inspirational, our area garden tours are fabulous and really get your mind going.

I love snapping pictures of the things that inspire me most to take home and keep only my favorites as an idea file for 'some day'.

Enjoy.

This was a garage that was gorgeous and beautifully landscaped!.

Loved these iron figures standing guard over this homeowners garden.

What a cool stepping stone that wasn't a stepping stone. Instead it was mounted on the top of a fence post as a sort of 'pillar'. Can't wait to make some of these and use up all the stained glass pieces I have.

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this gorgeous pool area. Jealous for sure!

This homeowner had these cute and simple little plant boxes. Why didn't I think of that? Great way to use up that extra wood!

The inside of this 'tool shed' was simple yet elegant.

Beautiful hardscaping around this house.

Beautiful window boxes. Add this to my list for sure.

Loved the statue and sun dial here.

This house used lots of pots and planters out of just about anything that could hold a plant!

Beautiful waterfall. Definitely on my list!

Simple yet makes a statement. Great way to use an old wine bottle and candle holder!

Loved this little squirty fountain! Okay, I love any kind of water feature.

This beautiful wall surrounded a tennis court.

 Hope you enjoyed this week's garden tour. Next week: garden tour number 2. I can't wait!

Linking up this week to:
Idea Box Thursday
Sunday's Best Link Up
Sunday's Down Under