Time to Get Outside

Last spring I was 9 months pregnant and couldn't even bend down to tie my own shoes (hello ballet flats). 

 {37 weeks}

After I had Gavin, came the sleepless nights, crazy feeding schedules, getting to know this new little person that joined our family, all while making meals, doing laundry and keeping trying to keep my house in some kind of normality. 

So, although I had great dreams and plans to transform my backyard and front yard into a beautiful array of flowers and plant a vegetable garden (laugh here) that didn't happen. 

We did weed the front garden and throw down black mulch to make it look like we had accomplished great and wonderful things. 

This year I'm not pregnant and I am excited to get my yard whipped into shape. I have a lot of raking and digging and transplanting to do. Not to mention the scooping of dog doodoo. Great. 

To keep me on track and focused on my goal, I have been gathering pictures of gorgeous gardens and backyards. Realistically, my yard won't look like these pictures because I don't have the never ending budget that these yards require, but I am excited to see what I can do with seeds, the dollar store, my grandma's garden (she likes to give clippings of her plants to help our gardens grow), and a little sweat. Or a lot of sweat. 

{Please remember that if you want to pin any of these pictures, to click the picture to go directly to the source. We don't want to take any credit of these pictures. Thanks!} 

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Raised beds? I'll take a couple. These are great to keep our dog from thinking gardens are her play land. I used to have beautiful tulips in the backyard. Key words: "Used to". Thanks Reese (our dog). 

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 First of all, I love this stonework. Gorgeous. But my eye went to the garden that wraps around the tree lined with stone. We have a few trees in the back who would love this attention. 

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Okay, I know I'm really dreaming now. But can we just agree that this is so beautiful? I don't think I would ever go inside again. Maybe just to get a refill of my lemonade. And a little food. And another book.

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We actually received a very similar set like this one (minus the umbrella) from my in-laws this past summer for our anniversary. We didn't have a chance to set it up last summer, but I am looking forward to dining al fresco this summer. I love the lights hanging down from the umbrella. Very Martha Stewart. 

So that is a little inspiration. Now I need to go and dust off my rake and shovel. Dog poop is calling my name. :) 

Happy weekend!