Landscape

 So, if you've been wondering what I've been spending 60 hours on in the last 2 or so weeks, here's proof I wasn't just drinking beer and playing video games.  So I got a grant from my Watershed District to do 2 rain gardens, 3 native pollinator (bees & butterflies) plantings, and to build 2 bee boxes.  So, without further adieu, here's the before & afters:

South Shade Rain Garden

Northeast Pollinator Planting

North Sun Rain Garden

Northwest Pollinator Planting

 I know, I know, nothing spectacular when looking at the photos, but I'll be posting pics throughout the summer when different plants are blooming.

Oh, and I also put in 3 rain barrels.  If you want to learn more about rain barrels, click here.

landscaping

earlier this year the hubs applied for a grant to do some landscaping/install some rain gardens. and we found out a few weeks ago that he was approved. he was PUMPED. so he started immediately. and he is focused. very very very focused. which is a good thing (or so i keep telling myself) he enjoys doing landscaping, being outdoors and is having fun with this. (something i have to keep telling myself too)

now when i say focused i mean FOCUSED. he works during the day. comes home, quick eats supper and changes and then is busy outside until 8:30 or 9. but wait kelsey, we have had some rainy days recently you are thinking...yes well not even that stops this guy.  heres a (blurry-sorry) picture of him saturday, after the rain (ie everything is mud) taking a quick meal break. dont even get me started on washing all these clothes either.

here are some before/in progress pictures of his hard work:





our backyard




in between the house and the garage




rain garden #1 plus extra rock & top soil stuff and some much on the right




our side yard




view from the driveway





view from our front yard onto the area where some bushes/plants will be




rain garden #2, front of the house

 so there you have it. what the hubs has been doing lately. if you are coming to visit, please excuse the mess both outside and inside. with the hubs busy outside that leaves me to handle the inside. not as easy as one would think. between growing a baby and working i havent had much ambition to do much else. oh well. it will all get done. eventually.

the hubs is happy...

dare i say its finally spring? the weather (for the most part) was beautiful this past weekend. the hubs and his friend rhode decided saturday was the perfect day to start projects out in our yard. (im just thankful he didnt have to force me out to help)

im not going to even pretend that i know exactly what they did and why. but from my understanding they de-thatched the yard and then re-seeded and fertilized it.

unfortunately rhode will be moving this upcoming week so he wont be around to help the hubs in the yard anymore. any other volunteers out there so i dont have to?!?!