Our Backyard Project IV

Oh the progress we have made! We now have our firepit and patio complete!!! Only final tree trimming, bed prep, and planting to go!!! The patios really look amazing! We have the one around the fire pit that is perfect for a bench and/or some chairs. The main one by the conservatory really is suited for a bistro table and chairs.

It is definitely a retreat in our backyard!

Backyard Project III

Since we have been away for a week a lot has been done in the backyard!! The wall is virtually done and it is amazing the transformation in the backyard. I actually feel like the backyard is bigger now. I didn't think that was possible.

Next up...more wall, fire pit, and planting beds! Oh boy!

Our Backyard Project II

We arrived home today to find that the second phase of our backyard project has begun!! The wall that will be in front of our conservatory and create the levels for our patios is beginning to take shape!

We also got furniture for our Conservatory over the weekend! We spent time Sunday night hanging out on our new furniture with Mike and Nancy. It was really amazing to spend time in there. It felt like we were far away from our house even though we were sitting in the backyard.

Hopefully we'll see even more progress this week!!!

Our Backyard Project

This spring, we decided to have some landscaping done in our backyard. What started as a small retaining wall eventually turned into multiple levels and natural stone and a conservatory!!

The project began back in June, and it is still going on. This is the start of the project with the digging into our slope!

Next, we added the boulder retaining wall. Each of these boulders could weigh 3-4 tons!! After seeing this, it was hard to imagine the conservatory in front. Absolutely love the boulders, and can just see sitting on them and climbing on them!

Next came the conservatory, which is essentially a 3 season porch with windows! It is 10x12, and we think it will be a great bug-free area to hang out in with friends and family. It is tucked back into the woods, so you really feel away from things in there. The best thing is that you can see the boulder wall behind it while you are sitting inside! That makes it such a great spot!

Today, the mini-boulders were delivered to start the stone wall that will create our patio levels! The stones are beautiful, and the wall is supposed to be started on Tuesday or Wednesday!!!! Hopefully the entire project will be completed by the fall so we can enjoy it!

Cupcakes!

It is freezing outside, and I'm sitting in my craft room (which is also cold) trying to stay out of Rick's way as he studies. I was going to do something productive, but then I went to visit The Spetch Family blog and thought I would comment on it. That then led to this...the creation of my own blog. I have enjoyed watching the videos and seeing the pictures from LeAnne's site so much that I thought I would try it out. I make no claims that I will update this site with the frequency that I should, but I hope that I can share more about what is going on in our lives than just with Facebook. So...here we go:

Tonight, Rick and I are heading over to Mike & Lisa's house for some pasta making! I'm told by Rick that I should bring the camera since someday he wants to make another cookbook, and include tonight's event. Hopefully, the pasta will be a success! As is customary, we are bringing dessert. I was told that Sugarbelle had some of the best cupcakes ever, so I bought a dozen to bring tonight. Yup. 4 of us, and I bought a dozen cupcakes. I think Rick's Italian customs must be rubbing off on me. There is no way the 4 of us are going to eat a dozen cupcakes. The problem was, I couldn't decide on what flavors to get, so I got two of almost every kind they had today. So, we are bringing 2 double chocolate, 2 birthday cake, 2 coconut, 2 red velvet, 2 snowball, and 2 carrot cake. Here's hoping they live up to the "best cupcake in CT 2009" award!