4/18/16

It Isn't All Cacti

Hey everyone, and happy Monday!  I thought it was about time I strolled around the yard and shared with you what  grows here in the Arizona desert.....and, no, it isn't all cacti!  As a matter-of-fact, you won't find any cacti in our yard at all.  It isn't that we don't find cacti pretty, it's just that we prefer its beauty out in the natural desert where it belongs.  That's our opinion....just sayin'.  Do you ever stop and think about the many transitions your home and landscape go through?  I think about the changes we've made inside and the changes we still want to tackle.  But the outside.....not so much.  Sometimes you just need to look back at what you've done before you can see how far you've come.

This is the only picture I could find of the front of our house just before moving in.  There were too many bushy-spikey things going on out here.  It was very unkempt.

Absolutely nothing about this was inviting.....I seriously doubt even a robber would have found it interesting enough to break in!


We immediately began to "friendly" things up!

Someone had her "snoop" on and was chatting with me as I took some pics!

Since The Man does most of the yard work, he has spent a lot of time getting rid of things he does not like.....trying to make it more maintenance-free.
You can see he has gotten rid of several shrubs and replaced them with a nice planter for......

Queen Palms and some splashes of color.


Bottle Brush Bush....trying saying that 3 times in a row!

This is probably my favorite planter, because I love how the alyssum cascades over the side.  The alyssum and chrysanthemums have been in this planter for 2+ years.....can you see the buds on the mums?

Another planter of mums getting ready to bloom.  These are from Fall 2013, I believe.  They usually bloom again in the Fall.

Bougainvillea! 

Mums in the backyard, too.

Desert Flowering Willow

Beautiful flowers!

My herb planter just off the back patio.

This fence line was completely barren until The Man started his Citrus Grove.

Farmer-Man surveying what 4 years has produced. 

This Corkscrew Acacia was nothing more than a stick when The Man planted it 3 years ago.

A new raised garden bed.....again, The Man's handiwork.

Several zucchinis will be ready soon.

Yellow Crookneck....this is on the cutting board right now!

Cannot wait for some of these!

Baby peppers....yum!

The previous owner thought it would be a good idea to have this pad poured.  Well, The Man took one look at this and visualized this......

Now this is a "garden shed," otherwise known as the Garden Casita!

Perfect location for this Lady Banks Rose....just wish the blooms lasted a bit longer.

The shiny silver tape on this peach tree is to keep the birds away from......

These little beauties!

These last two photos were taken a couple of years ago and the canopy of the neighbor's trees provides some wonderful shade on our patio now.

Our patio is quite large and is well shaded from about 4 o'clock on.....such a great place to relax for awhile before dinner with a glass of somethin'-somethin'!

Thanks for taking this tour with me.  It is fun to occasionally look back at what you've done so you can see how far you've come.

 
I often party with these lovely bloggers:

Monday
Dee at Meatloaf and Melodrama for Merry Monday
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Tuesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Thursday
Jemma at  At Home With Jemma for Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

14 comments:

  1. A great tour of the whole yard and it's ever changing beauty! I love bottle brush, have three and they are crazy in bloom this year. I am slowly adding plants, I have 3 vincas that are doing very well and 3 new sweet pea bushes that I've only had about a month. So far, I haven't killed them. One small lemon tree has finally come to life and a few red yucca by the pool. Little by little I'm trying to beautiful the outside! Enjoy the week ahead! Praying for your relaxing trip! Blessings, Cindy xo

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  2. You guys have done a beautiful job with your home. The gardens look beautiful. I love your entrance porch and all the Queen Palms. So pretty! xxx Maria

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  3. Y'all have made it so pretty! As you've seen on FB we've been working a ton on our yard. We redid everything when we moved in the house & then added more when we put the pool in but after 11 years I was ready for some changes. We're almost finished! Don't you just love being in the yard? It's one of my favorite things to do this time of year (when it's not so hot & humid).

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  4. That is the prettiest garden shed I've ever seen!!! Wow! It's really beautiful! My hubby will be so jealous when I show him. Lol! Your citrus grove has grown so nicely too. I like how you have splashes of color throughout your yard and those mums are impressive! You have such a nice, relaxing seating area too. Pretty, pretty!

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  5. You certainly have a lovely outdoor space and the changes over the years are just wonderful! Your hubby is quite the talented landscaper! Aren't zucchini blooms beautiful? I cannot wait for some great summer produce. I'm craving me some friend green tomatoes as we speak!

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  6. You and your husband made some fantastic and attractive changes. I love the plants you chose and the Garden Casita is so cool! Maintenance free is the way to go. I use a lot of mulch to keep weeds at bay and so I don't have to run up our water bill watering.

    Your home is so pretty inside and out.

    JANE

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  7. You have a big space out there, Carol. That garden shed is awesome! Did y'all stack the stone yourselves? I love the way you have things growing all around and your porch is pretty too. :)

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  8. Carol,
    You and I are on the same wave length today. I just saw an email come in from you:)

    I just checked on the garden and now sipping on some sparkling water and just enjoying my time here with you.
    I absolutely love what you have all done with your gardens! What a makeover and what fun to see the before/afters.
    Such pretty white alyssum and mums and the palm trees and oh the the squash.
    yummy:)
    Your hubby built a mighty fine garden shed-love the stone work too.
    I see some green thumbs thriving in your home:)
    Happy Wednesday Hugs!
    Jemma

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  9. It's always interesting to see the varied terrain and vegetation in other parts of the country. Your hubby has done a great job with all his plantings and the fabulous garden shed.
    Mary Alice

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  10. I am so happy to see you here with us this morning:)
    This would also be a perfect post for Monday Morning and the garden party.
    Have a lovely weekend, dear friend.
    Warm Hugs,
    Jemma

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  11. Who knew you could have zucchinis in April.....AMAZING!! What a beautiful yard you have Carol. I love that garden shed. I think I need to get me one of those "The Man"...lol Can you buy them on E-Bay??

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  12. Wow -- I am seriously impressed! I love the size of your yard and all that you've got growing in it. We only have room for some veggies in planters, and our mums never last beyond one season. Love it! :)

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  13. Love your sweet kitty. What an absolute delight this post is!!! Thank you so very much for joining the gathering at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

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  14. Your man has made the outside of your home a wonderful oasis! Love the potting shed! WOW! All the trees etc. are beautiful. SO happy that YOU are thriving as well!!!!!!!!!!

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol

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