A Little Effort Goes a Long Way

well...maybe it's more than a little effort...but you know that project that's been needin' doin and been on your list forever and it never seems to get done. Well some weekend I highly recomend you just say DARN IT I'M DOIN IT! and clear your agenda of everything else besides eating and drinking a congratulatory glass of wine when it's done.

For instance our front yard had been on my list forever, as it was an eyesore, and is the first thing people see when they come in our heavily walled front yard, it was always a let down and sometimes a source of embarrassment.
Now add the fact that it was all dust, that the entirety of Spring here seems one big long dust storm, and all year long we have two dogs and a hairy cat coming in and out through a 12 x 24" pet door, oh yes and that let's just say I am not world's most thorough or frequent housecleaner, the house as well as the yard it seemed was full wall to wall with DIRT.


I had tried to plant grass to reduce this problem twice before, with no lasting results. It was not until my husband single handedly took on our defunct sprinkler and drip system that it actually was in range to grow anything resembling a lawn.
Now before I go on, let me say, I realize it may seem to those of you environmentalists out there a little irresponsible to grow a lawn in the middle of the desert that is Albuquerque. To this I say, well, you're right, but in our defense, as we do have the tall wall and tree of heaven providing some shade, and we did plant drought tolerant fescue grass, as opposed to say, Kentucky bluegrass, we are supposedly using 30% less water...
anyway what can I say, I'm from Seattle for crying out loud and I can't tell you what BALM it is to my soul to see this patch of green out there...

gah! what a difference!

and when you add those little pots I planted, (which Ryan's drip system conveniently waters)and the palm tree I got for THREE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS on clearance at Lowe's the other day...it actually starting to look more like the funky oasis I envisioned...


now if I planted some herbs along the wall and made some more garden art like this...
or put in a mad array more pots
I think it will really be something more like this and the rest of the pictures on my pinterest board "The Unsecret Garden"

any way, the point is, DREAM BIG, START SMALL...a little effort goes a long way to making those dreams reality.
I'm still working it...and the process is part of the pleasure.
all right folks. that's enough motivational crap from me.
stay tuned for this summer's backyard makeover in process now...
xx
jess