before photos: aka, what the f#@k was I thinking?

Note: These photos were taken in the middle of May.

Region 1: Garden Zone

This is a wide swath of grass behind our garage where the sun shines for a great portion of the day. Yes, the grass is long in this photo. Don't get me started. Stay tuned for a potential future post entitled, "Is Grass a Weed? How Grass Got to Hang With the Cool Kids". As its title implies, this was the intended location of the vegetable/herbs/etc. garden.

Region 2: Pseudo-Mint & Vine Monsters

West side of the yard, runs along the fence. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of anything that was growing here, so I shall try my best to describe it. Rocks line the garden by the fence all the way to the back of our yard. Years of neglect has led to grass growing up between these, in the garden, and everywhere. GRASS. The tall green stuff had a mint smell to it, but I wouldn't put it in my lemonade. Late in the summer, it would grow purple puffy, itchy flowers. Also mired in this space were two prickly vine plants with thick roots. These plants shots vines in all directions - beautifully up the fence, but also along the ground, where they tripped my children and strangled the soil. All of it had to go.

Region 3: Rock Beds

There are two of these little rock islands, and both are in serious need of grooming. Grass again. Blast its persistence!

Region 4: The Mountain


Along the back of the yard lies a lovely berm lined with ivy and evergreens, (the branches of which I always dream of stringing with colourful lights whenever the holidays roll around, but then realize I would need a REALLY big ladder - anybody know any firefighters?). The big maple tree in this shot I have named the King of Trees, after the Cat Stevens' song, naturally. This area is merely in need of some tidying up. (Also of note in this photo: in the distance, one of my little gardening elves.)

Region 5: Some Say Love, It is a River

In order: cherry blossom tree, lilac tree, JFK rose bush. We planted the trees to celebrate the birth of our children. Abi's tree, the lilac, was first, followed by Sebastian's in 2009. They are flourishing. The rose bush was a concern initially, as it did not seem to do well with the winter chill, but, as you can see, we have green! The new growth is comforting, as I have always wanted a rose bush, but the area around it could use some clean-up.