What Ana Does

I don't remember us using the the backyard as much as we have in this house, so far this summer. Sure, it's mainly due to the pool, but it's still a good excuse to update what's there. There is definite room for improvement.  Number one on my list was adding chaise lounges next to the pool. BUT ... what is the DEAL with these chaise loungers being so dang expensive!? Who knew?!  After months digging through shopping sites, I've just given up. I simply won't pay over $400 for one, let alone nearly $1000 for two. And not for something that will only last one season. I'll wait for the winter sales and it will be part of next year's upgrade to the deck. In the meantime, I still need some pool-side seating, so I bought two club chairs (on super sale). When the kids are swimming, there's a comfy spot to the deck to hang out and watch. Chairs from Overstock Then, there's the dining set. Remember I was going to update that summer 2020 ( plans here ) ... ...

Yes, it's the middle of winter ... really just the beginning if you consider the three months we still have yet to go!... and I'm daydreaming of patio furniture. I made a proclamation: This spring we will sell off our current smallish patio sets (we have a few) and replace it with exactly what we want and will use. "It Shall Be Done!" Years ago we built a deck (read that post) off our patio door and we love it. It's so useful, especially with the puppy. But I don't think we get a lot of great use out of it the 3-4 months each year we comfortably get to use it. And the main issue is ... it doesn't have the right furniture on it. Let's consider: my favorite thing to do is read outside in the sun; smoothie and dog by my side. However, my seating choices were limited to an iron chair with cushions, legs up on another chair, and propped-up rather uncomfortably. My reading session don't last long. Also consider that metal dining set (which is tw...

I've been waking up early for work and to get the puppy out before his bladder explodes. And you can't beat the view some mornings of a new sky and frost that won't last too much longer. Please excuse the dog urinating in the middle there. ;)

It's not often in Illinois that we get snow in October. Usually Mother Nature has the good grace to wait for the leaves to turn and fall from the trees before dumping the white stuff all over the place. This year, it seems She was too excited to get to snow ... October 31, on Halloween, and we get a few inches! Not that anyone here was complaining.  They couldn't wait to get home from school and play in the snow.  Still all here the next morning! And look at that sky!  I think Bruce loves the snow more than anyone on the house. He spent the day playing and jumping and slipping in the backyard. So, I guess this week, at least, it's winter! Related posts: More Winter posts

Weekend warrior was in full effect this Sunday ... We got the ladder and the Sawzall out and took the low hanging branches off this very-overgrown tree near our deck.  Love this Comic Book Filter I even got a branch that was just touching our house. Score! And we piled up the logs for future fireplace fires. Ok Fall, I'm almost ready for you. Related links: More backyard posts

When we talked about adopting a dog while in Paris, I kept repeating  "we have to fix the fence first before we get a puppy."  I was adamant. This was a prerequisite. Then, we got home and had to wait for the weather to improve, and we redid the bathroom and suddenly we didn't have the budget, time or inspiration to deal with our fence. And our desire to get a new little buddy grew. It had been years since we've been in this house without a dog, so it felt like a piece of the house was missing without a dog. You know the rest of the story ... puppies and ... Bruce ! Always On a Leash In The Yard But it's torture for him, and us, not to be able to run around in the backyard off leash. We've tried it a few times and he almost always makes a run for the hole in the fence and explores the neighborhood -- giving us a heart attack in the process. At the beginning of the summer I started looking at fence prices. I started with vinyl, which was about $8,...

We caved and got the girls a trampoline this summer. I was reluctant because of injury. Dave was reluctant because of the cost.  But the neighbors all seem to have one. And Alice promised she's never be "bored" for the rest of her life. So, we ordered one off Amazon.  It took Dave and his friend just over a day to assemble it. And it seems really sturdy. The netting around the tramp makes it "safer" -- or so I'm told.  And ever since, the girls move from the tramp to the basement (where it's freezing) and come up with all kinds of games and activities.  It's a WIN. 

Let's overthink my lawn for a post, shall we? Leah Mowing Like a Pro While we were in Paris, my Mother moved into my house (temporarily, as it turns out), fired my lawn guy, bought a gas-powered mower and was planning to take care of the landscaping herself. She enjoys it. But circumstances took her to Florida and now I'm left with no lawn guys and long grass. No big deal, really. But it started me thinking about lawns. Then I read this article  that summed up the environmental issues of our lawn obsession. We, as a nation, over-water, over-fertilize and over-mow our lawns. And it's having a negative effect on our environment. While, yes, there are absolute positives for having a lawn and taking care of it, we're often doing way too much . Sure, grass is a plant and pulls a little carbon from the air, and is way better than paving or anything else, BUT it's doesn't need to look perfect all the time. I live in the midwest, so I only need to worry a...

I do love the change of seasons. And the beginning of winter always feels a little magical, as does the start of all the seasons, I guess. There's a part of me that welcomes the white snow and frigid temperatures. I like layering up to walk outside and pulling a throw blanket around me when I sit down for a movie. Sipping tea and eating toast on a Sunday morning as the snow falls outside. Cozy. Warm. All those lovely feelings. Exploring the Bus Stop After the First Big Snow Calling the Kids in at Dark From Sledding For Hours A Shimmery, Frost-Covered Leaf My Backyard on a Snowy Night But the romance with winter doesn't last. Oh no. By January I'm done with it. And by February I'm so over winter I get bitter and angry, the hashtag #ihatewinter used in all my photo captions. But until then, I'll just enjoy the magic of new beginnings and silvery-white scenery.

Exhibit A: The Tomato Plants I am a very lazy gardener. I've said it before and I'll say it again. But here's the thing ... you don't have to be in your garden every day pulling out weeds and looking for slugs for it to work. It's so friggin' easy to grow food in your backyard, it's not even a joke. A friend came over the other day as I was pulling peppers to eat with our dinner and she made a big deal about it, "where do you find the time?!" What time? Sure, if you're a farmer and your livelihood depends on how much you grow, you're going to work your butt off to make sure each plant yields the most fruit/veg. This is not my full-time job. And barely a hobby. Here's my time commitment: I spend a Spring afternoon getting the beds ready. Another morning tossing whatever I find/have/want into those beds. Not even a full day. Then, when I notice it hasn't rained in a while, I walk outside and turn on the hose for 15 minutes...

Super deck and the new grill got a lot of use this weekend. There was a soccer tournament, a birthday party and get-together at a friend's house -- but it was all about spending time in the beautiful backyard. And all the chores therein, of course. Our First Meal on the Super Deck! Water Games

There's nothing that tells me it's Spring more than the scent of lilacs in my house.  Growing up, we had a large lilac bush in our backyard and every year my Mom cut an enormous bouquet of flowers for the dining room table that you could smell in every corner of the house.  Don't you love how some scents remind you of childhood memories?  These days I cut lilacs from a house up the street with a long row of lilacs -- as my attempts to grow them in our yard have been unsuccessful. (I swear the owner doesn't mind.)  Happy Spring -- despite the frost warnings this week.  Spring Lilacs Silly Alice At the Bus Stop Related links: More BACKYARD posts

We're now calling it SUPER DECK because it's so much grander than we thought it would be. Though, it's exactly how we plotted it out. The pergola came out perfectly and we were just so delighted to walk out this this morning to call in the dogs for breakfast. Of course, it's going to be chilly, rainy and overcast through the weekend, so we're not sure how soon we'll be able to enjoy it! Still, it's there. Waiting for the summer days. It is slightly HIGHER than I envisioned, so there's some discussion about adding a step down the to backyard in the near future. We're having a bunch of people over to the house this weekend, so we'll take an informal poll. Super Deck is Super Awesome! This is our largest construction job that we've done so far, so we learned a bit about inspections and being patient and how weather can change a schedule. But, it's all worth it in the end. PS. The contractor we worked with is going to submit an e...

This weekend, Dave and I spent Sunday morning trimming everything that was out of control in the backyard. Even after three hours, we only just made a dent in the madness -- but we created a HUGE pile of twigs and roots. Accomplished!  Despite a bruised knuckle, it was well worth it to see this back landscaped area cleaned up. Related posts: More "backyard" news

First, I know from past experience (and HGTV) that a contractor will tell you "three days" in an estimate and go well past that once he gets started. It's the same thing when you tell a potential employer your current salary and add 10%. We all KNOW you do it. Keeping that in mind, we're about half-way there. We had some holdups with the city and permitting, then weather, and then turkey hunting season. Yes, my deck builder left yesterday to hunt wild turkeys -- because I live in the midwest!! Regardless, the stairs were demoed and the holes have been planned. It all comes together next week. Holes on Monday (which need to be inspected by my town), supports are built (also need to be inspected) then, finally, the decking can get into place. With any luck, we'll be done by Saturday!!

As you stare at this BEFORE picture, let's remember it's early spring and it's been raining for the last six days. Also, please notice the crumbling brick stairs and sinking pavers.

Trying to get pumped up about working in my backyard this weekend. I'm viewing the chore with the usual resignation. During the winter months, we hardly trek into the wilds of our backyard, but it's finally time to get out there and make some much-needed maintenance. 1. Prep deck area for the new deck ... coming soon! Meaning, if I want to keep the bulbs or blossoming bush, I have to move them or they'll be covered/killed by the weed guard going underneath the deck. 2. Clean up the sand toys that were blown around the yard a few months ago. Let's not discuss the fact that the sand box was sold off last summer. (Why do I still have sand toys?) 3. Prep the veggie bed and plant some radish/spinach seeds. I've read they are hardy enough to withstand some frost. 4. Trim down the hedges. I've been researching cordless trimmers and they aren't that expensive. Just $60 and a few hours of my time and the wildness of the yard will be tamed. 5. Start adding...

For the last week we've been meeting with contractors -- pulled from various sources -- to talk about the deck project. I work with vendors (albeit code and design vendors) at work, so I'm pretty comfortable with this part of the process. Here's the secret to hiring out work: Be clear about your project and then LISTEN when they explain it back to you. If they are picking up on what you're going for, that's your guy. If they are way off or pushing you into a directions that you're not comfortable with, they're not worth working with. You'll spend way too much time explaining your point of view and won't be happy with what you get. Sure, hearing their recommendations as the experts is important. But, I'm the type of person who generally knows exactly what I want. Especially on this deck that I've been envisioning for the last three years. Overall, the deck design is super simple: A large rectangle that's low enough to the ground that...

Gathering contractors and quotes for the deck -- which we decided was the next BIG project we absolutely needed to tackle in this house. The crumbling back staircase is now officially a health hazard -- I've seen two guests nearly bite it trying to access our backyard. Not to mention our paver patio is likely a decade or more old. I've made attempts at repair and maintenance, but it's too far gone. More to come on this ...

This is the time of year that the Black-Eyed Susans remind me what part of the yard belongs to them. And to prove it, they double in population each year. A few years ago, this patch was just a few plants I moved over from the other side of the yard. But it doesn't take long for this wildflower and spread out. (There's a little pine tree in there somewhere.) Being the generous/lazy gardner that I am, I'm going to allow this. Go to it, girls. The Black Eyed Susans Are Such Showoffs The best part about these little sunflowers: their long blooming season. They'll be around into the fall.