Spring has Sprung – A Look Around at What is to Come

Today is one of those days where even a pasty-white Euro-heritage redhead like me has a hard time staying indoors. Bright, a little breezy, and comfortably warm in the mid-70s, with just the right level of humidity. Trees rustle in the breeze, birds are chirping and it’s the weekend so the normal din of nearby freeway traffic is negligible. Ahhh. Time for some yardwork!

I decided to get a couple of things to make it possible to enjoy the yard from more than just a standing position:

A bench for the back yard

A hammock!

A trampoline! (Or, as Ivy says, a "boing-boing")

When I was a kid I always wanted a trampoline,a hammock and bench in the yard, but Mom and Dad didn’t quite see eye-to-eye with me on that. As an adult, prior to this house, I had always lived in an apartment. But now – finally – I have my own house and yard, and now I’m a grownup with a trampoline, hammock and bench in the yard – childhood wish fulfilled! I can mark those off my bucket list.

We still have quite a bit of pavers left over from the front yard walkway project, and so they are being given duties elsewhere around the yard. In addition to a foundation under the new bench, they are going to be used in a driveway, eventually. I’m pulling for a Hollywood-style driveway. Joey’s not quite sold on that idea yet, so I laid some bricks out to show kind of what it would look like. The ensuing conversation went something like this:

Joey: “Hollywood? Style? It reminds me more of a Florida RV park pad.”
Holly: “You have no style… it’s throwback-chic! Plus, it has my name in it, so that’s cool.”
Joey: “It’s a boat ramp. Please don’t tell me you bought a boat.”
Holly: “Ummm. Oh, look, shiny object!” *buys a hammock*

Anyhow, the Hollywood drive looks more like a landing strip for the cars, at this point:

Driveway of the future

With the weather being so nice lately, last year’s perennials are back blooming or revitalizing, and this year’s annuals are strutting their stuff! I went around the yard and took a few photos, including the sunflower seedlings that Ivy planted with me outside our gate. Every time we come or go, I point them out and remind her that they are “Ivy’s baby flowers!” 🙂

Ivy’s sunflower seedlings, and the solar gazing ball in the front flower bed.

A wind charm, bougainvillea and purple petunias (all new)

Rhythm & Blues Petunias (new), Lantana (returning), Vinca (returning)

Moss rose (returning), tomato plant (new) and tiny clementine buds (new tree)

Blooming Madame Emile Mouillere Hydrangea, Nikko Blue hydrangea, Masja Hydrangea (all returns)

Little coral bark japanese maple and its foliage, fig tree in front yard (compare to last September!)

So, there’s a preview of what’s to come in our yard. Stay tuned, as we tackle replacing the grass, installing a driveway and adding to the back yard (plants, maybe a patio and vegetable garden, etc.) Anyone who finds themselves in Houston or near downtown is welcome to drop in – we love visitors!