Sharing the great outdoors ...

I'm taking a break from my mulching (almost done!) and wanted to share some of my backyard beauty with you.

These first photos are taken of what I like to call "Pavlick's Park". This was all wooded and brush when we moved in 6 years ago and we enjoyed turning it into a more relazing, manicured area where we can have picnics and little campfires to make smore's when the grandkids are here. Besides the perannials of Hosta, Flocks, Foam Flower & Bleeding Heart ... I plant impatients to add a little more color and by the end of summer there is just a blanket of pinks & white among the greens ... absolutely beautiful and satisfying when I look out across the back yard!! In the heat of summer, this area is at least 10 degrees cooler than sitting on the deck. It fun to watch the birds, squirrels, bunnies and other little critters play in this area from my kitchen window!! (You can click on any photo for a larger look).

This is a view of the back of our home taken from up in "Pavlick's Park". As you will see in the photos below, most of my flowers are of pinks & purples. My sweet husband designed the deck and was sure to include 2 planter boxes on the sides where I can plant my wave petunias. By the end of summer they are draped half the way down to the ground and I just love their sweet smell. They take a bit of work but they are certainly worth the effort!!

Here is a little better view of my planter boxes & deck area. I guess it would have been nice if I had at least put out the cushions and put up the umbrella! Sorry!!

There are lights at the ends of each post as well as in the backing panel of each step which makes it look really cool out there in the evenings. After putting the deck on, of course I had to put planting beds the whole way around the house ... WHAT WAS I THINKING??? They are a bit of work but look so nice when in bloom and freshly mulched.

It appears most of the perannials I have planted turn out to also be shades of purple as you can see in this last photo of the Lupin & Spiderwort which I planted behind the garage.

Hope you have enjoyed the little tour around our backyard! It's a lot to take care of (I do ALL the outside work with the exception of carpentry) but it is certainly worth it at the end of the day! In fact, I think I'll do dinner on the grill tonight ... hmmm, I can smell those steaks cooking now!! Thanks for stopping by and if you are ever in the Akron, Ohio area .... PLEASE STOP BY IN PERSON!! Your are always welcome in our home!!!