Our garden

Yesterday was spent getting our yard ready for summer. With my "fragile" emotional state right now, I was bound and determined to work outside and get it looking beautiful. It was more than a chore it was something I needed. I don't know if that makes sense but for someone like me who suffers from mental illness and who is in the throws of what my doctor calls a mental breakdown, the need to create something beautiful and calming was very important. We were able to create this on a shoestring budget (as like everyone else, that's all we have).

Mom and dad hauled this cream separator across the country 5 years ago and it had never received a makeover so I bought some spray paint, Craig cleared out the garage, and spray painted it for me. I love red. It makes my heart sing. What a nice change. I should have taken a before picture but forgot to. Sorry. The flowers were ones I found on a wonderful deal at Costco and the sign was on sale at WalMart. I think it is a cheery entrance to the front of our house. Craig just hopes the weight of the separator doesn't go through the deck!

This sits on the front deck as well. Sometimes it is nice to sit outside and listen to the boys playing and it is a nice inviting space if someone drops by. (not that anyone ever drops by :)) We have had the chairs for 6 years and they are part of a patio set but because we have a built in bench seat on the back lower deck, we don't need all the chairs so we put them here.

Gnomee found a new home overseeing the back garden.

We bought the plastic fencing from Dollarama for $1 a section and found the mulch on sale for $3 a bag at Lowes. We only needed 5 bags, so that was great. Our neighbor gave us the ground cover fabric last year and so it was finally put to good use.

Many of the plants back here are perennials and so we just cut them down at the end of the season and they pop back up the next year. I have to thank my Aunt Roseline who came here on my birthday 7 years ago and planted everything with me. She generously donated the clippings from her own garden.

Craig bought me the swing for my birthday about 5 years ago and last year all the cushions were ruined. We had to throw them out as they were unrepairable. I searched high and low for new cushions as it is unusable without them and my swing has really been my sanctuary over the last few years. I finally after searching everywhere found them at WalMart. I was so happy I did a dance in the aisle. While I would love a new swing with a canopy (ours was ruined in a wind storm), I am happy that I am able to use this one again.

We also have a table and chairs for the lower deck that haven't been put together yet that we have had for many years. Our furniture is a little rusty and we hope that maybe next year we will be able to replace it but for now we have a a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the weather. Special thanks to Craig who worked his ass off with me while I was in full manic mode wanting to get this done. He was a dream.

Had to show these pictures now as soon the trampoline and pool will go up blocking all view of my beautiful garden. That's OK - the boys love it and that's what matters. Now if only I can convince them that putting up the trampoline is truly a "blue job".