Tag: backyard

Let There Be Lights!

Frosted Globe Lights

I finally have these suckers strung up on my patio! At our previous apartment, there was no way it was going to happen since the balcony was fairly small and it just didn’t make sense to, but with the size of our current ground-level patio, the extra lighting is definitely a plus. Not to mention I’ve wanted these kind of lights since I saw similar ones strung up in Olive Garden for the first time many years ago. While the fence around our patio is made of wood, I didn’t really want to hammer in nails. Thankfully my smart place did me some good and since there’s railing at the top, I came up with the brilliant plan of using zip ties! Secure but impermanent! Brilliant!

I bought a 100 pack of 14″ zip ties and came home to find out that they were just an inch or so too short! AUGH! Now I had to go back to Home Depot and get the huge ass 24″ ones that I contemplated on but figured they’d just be way too long. After driving a few blocks, it dawns on the me that I have more than enough zip ties currently to just link TWO together and that’s solves the problem! Doy! That saved me from spending another $5-$10 since the 24″ packs carried only 10, I believe. Huzzah!

That patio is definitely on its way to look presentable for friends when they come and visit. There are also two more chairs and a little metal table now. No more using an upside-down tub to put our ashtray and drinks on! We’re moving up, y’all!

Unfortunately the border stuff I bought to go along the base of the patio fence is too short to actually prevent Gunny from possibly squeezing through if she really wanted to. I’ll need to try and return those to Home Depot and get taller ones. I even bought a cheap-o rubber mallet to pound those bastards into the ground! Bah. Measure twice, cut once… Always. *sweat*

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The Leisurely Outdoors

One thing that’s always been fairly important to me in regards to living arrangements is the place has to have a homey yard, particularly when it comes to the back. I grew up lucky enough with a pool, but the rest of our yard is relatively small and covered in cement with planters around the perimeter of hap-hazardly planted shrubbery that feral cats loved to give birth to their litters in. It’s a decent backyard, but it always left a lot to be desired in my eyes.

My desire is to have a yard that has a decent sized cement area where grilling can be done. Nearby, the rest of the yard would be grassy and set-up nicely with pretty, yet durable outdoor furniture. I want a place where I can invite friends over during seasonable days and evenings and entertain. Shooting the breeze outside while cooking up some easy food to enjoy and have a great time. I’m a sociable person and I like to entertain, but it’s been difficult to do so since the husband and I haven’t been able to properly set-up shop in our homes yet.

What’s keeping us? Currently we don’t have our furniture from storage. It’s something we’re working on right now and a long story, but we’re essentially living in a bachelor pad. Before, we were shacking up in my parents’ home and while it was homey and filled out, it wasn’t ours. We’d have to ask my parents before being able to invite others over. Prior to moving back to CA, we lived in South Carolina and our home’s backyard was a mess with spiders and bugs and needless to say, I never opened the windows in the back of the house OR the backyard door unless absolutely necessary. It wasn’t landscaped at all and faced a wooded lot, so little desire to be out there was present. Once again, before that we lived on base and we were still acquiring furniture so a lot of space went to waste. We seem to have that problem quite a bit.

I am very determined and convinced I will have my backyard, complete with even a hammock (thanks to my Marinara friends who finally introduced me to the joys of one!), and nobody can stop me! B)

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Adding Greenery

If my current balcony actually had a ledge, I might be willing to put some small, decorative planters up. We’re about 3 stories up, however, so unless they were secured like a hanging planter is, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable just having them sit there, lest they get knocked over while the husband and I are out there. Some tenants have a hanging plant or two on their balconies. Those are probably best if you have a pet in the household, to keep them from digging it up, eating the plant or using the planter as a toilet.

I think having an indoor planter for small herbs would be real nice for now. I’m no absolute green thumb, but I know enough on horticulture to be able to have plants sprout and actually stay alive! I managed to successfully grow Morning Glories back in South Carolina at our house on base! The husband wanted fresh herbs, but he never took care of them, so we never got past the seedling stage for those.

When it comes to the backyard, once I have on again that is, I’d love to have outdoor planters all around, sporting some lovely flowers and plants and framing a nice hang out spot for friends & family. I want a pretty (but not totally forest-y) backyard that’s perfect for grilling and spending time together. A hot tub would cap it off perfectly ;) I’ve always wanted one! Technically the pool in my parents’ backyard has a jacuzzi, but it has only a few jets and isn’t very comfortable to sit in, especially if more than two people want in. I’ll manage a decent dream backyard in the future, I’m sure of it! :D

What are your favorite kinds of plants to have around? Do you keep a garden? What about and herb or vegetable garden?

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