Our Backyard Escape – the recipe!

I’m a firm believer that sometimes it’s all in the recipe! Our recipe for a backyard escape called for

4 yards of Mulch
1 Ton of Rock
1.5 cubic yards of Top Soil
6 Outdoor pillows
1 9ft umbrella
2 stacking resin wicker patio chairs
1 can of American Traditions Stone Effect Spray Paint
1 Black Wire 12 inch round table
1 Large Adventurer Play set
Plants, herbs, flowers and more plants, herbs and flowers
And more sweat and back breaking work than I can tabulate in hours (mostly on the part of my amazing husband who really is the one to thank most for this amazing space!  I hope you enjoy the before and after's below!!

The yard was in serious disarray...but I will just add in the disclaimer that our dog is a digger and this space once belonged only to her.  So much of this was left as an eye sore to be dealt with later.  Later happened to be this summer :)

Holes compliments of Deci

A nice little path that Deci wore into the yard...and inspired us to turn into a rock path.

More dog destruction

The beginning of the tarping...so we decided that landscaping fabric was mighty expensive. And since we were not planting but in a few locations, we used tarps from Big Lots ($3 a piece!!!) to cover the largest parts of the space.  I'll let you know how that worked out in the coming years.

All finished tarping...

Swing set assembly!  Thank you Uncle B, Grandpa Dave and Uncle Jonnie for all the extra efforts you gave in helping O have the most awesome swing set!!!

O helping out with the sorting...

We have a clubhouse...or well the frame for one!

The finished product...many, many, many steps later!

Our rock path...before rocks

and after rocks

The new home for our patio table and chairs...eventually we'd like to put a small 12x12 deck here and place the table and fire ring on it.  But that's a project for another summer!

Since we moved our patio table and chairs to a new home...I had to get creative to try and replace them on the cheap.  For about $50 I got the two chairs, table and stone effects spray paint to make the black table match. A little chocolate mint and some cute pillows and we're in business!

Our hydranges hide the table and chair. You would never know when we planted those they weren't even touching and barely 12 inches tall!!

The end result? A location that makes me feel at home. Where I can sip on a glass of wine. Push Owen in a swing and enjoy watching the fireflies put on their awesome summer display when the sun takes it’s final daily dip!! Perfection and bliss!

The only thing missing? A nice big in-ground pool with attached cabana...oh did I mention fully staffed?!? In another life right?