Boy! I can sure relate! My biggest fear ... having my A/C unit die on us. It is only 6 years old, but I can't live without it here in this heat and humidity. My health would definitely suffer if that happens. Seems every time we turn around, something else needs fixing or an expense arises. But I am like you ... I have achievable goals. It's just going to take time to see them come to pass...

So tell us what exactly your plans are for your backyard paradise... I'd love to see some drawings.

I've not done any drawings as yet, thought I'd save that for the dark winter evenings, every things in my head right now.
I need to think about putting my thoughts into words! And of course I'm working on the extension starting October.

I hope you share some work in process photos of the extension. I think that would be very educational for many of us! And please do share your garden area plans with all of us, too!

Will do Becky.

OH MY WORD! This thread looks like I'm looking through the better homes and gardens magazines! I'm drooling all over myself!

Jan -

That's why I enjoyed this topic so much! The possibilities are endless! And I plan to prove that!

Glad you came by to see this forum. Lots of great ideas and suggestions!

I just found it, but I sure love what I see. Those arbors are awsome! I wouldn't be able to move on from those beautiful flowers in bloom either. I do believe I would want to sleep outside in those gardens. Amazing!

I wanted to post the link to a brilliant idea that Gordon came up with: http://cubits.org/gardenrooms/...

I know you have seen a pic of my gazebo but I wanted to post more pics of the whole area. This is the upper back yard. I would call this area my Relaxing and Entertaining Room. The Gazebo & pool are right there with the horseshoe pits, grassy area for volleyball or boccie ball, fire pit and grill. The brick patio around the house is close with more seating and a chiminea for more quiet intimate evenings. There are two water features and the bird feeders. A wonderful spot to sit read, listen to the sounds of the water and watch the birds. I have been working on expanding the gardens in this area but haven't expanded too much as there are more plans for this area that will require some heavy equipment to possibly move thru.
So here is a pic of the gazebo. The Gazebo was recently replaced as the old one was damaged in a storm a few weeks ago.

There are Port Odora EE's planted in each corner bed. They will be much bigger by the end of summer.

Some of the house plants will spend their summer out on the shelves of the gazebo. There are passionflowers, blushing susie vine and mandivillia vine growing up the corner supports.

Matching pots of coleus

and two Tropical Hibiscus

I just picked up new curtains for the gazebo but I haven't had time to get them hung up and see how they look. I will post another pic after I get them hung if I like them.

Just a few steps from the gazebo is the pool decks and box pond. The pool is just an old above ground not fancy but great fun. This pic is from last year when the cannas were in bloom.

The deck boxes get changed every year. This year it is geraniums and verbena

I grow water lotus, water lilies and some other plants in the small box pond along with a few fish and frogs.


and there is a small flower bed beside the box pond with lilies, sedum, garden phlox, marigolds and the cannas behind the pond to hide the pool pump & filters.

I will be back later with more pics of this area.

Next you come to the back wall of the house. This is one of the areas that I haven't done much with but I just couldn't stand looking at it completely bare. Hopefully one of these years we will add a Conservatory to this wall but in the meantime I have mostly daylilies growing here. There is a good size patch of vinca ,major that gets used in hanging baskets and some annuals datura, marigolds and coleus.




I am headed out to do some gardening and will come back later to post pics of the raised brick patio.

Holly - I love everything you are doing in your yard! And I remember your pool deck with built-in pond very well! I remember being so impressed with the workmanship when I first saw it and I still am! Your yard is a playground for gardeners as well as a lovely place for family and friends to enjoy! What a wonderful outdoor space with lots of different rooms! I am so impressed with all your hard work and garden designs! Beautiful! Keep posting photos! I am really inspired by all that you've done!

Thanks Becky, I will post more pics when I can. Finish the tour of the back.

We've enjoyed many parties back in this part of our little yard. The Grill Bar is made from 2 x 4's and fence pickets. I did it with my own two hands! I also built the cooler cover in a simlar fashion. We used to have palm leaves on the roof of the cooler but Hurricane Ike took it away. DH finally gave me my own power tool set. Added lights twisting up the trunk of the trees and the PARTY's HERE!

Amazing, although all these images are looking so beautiful but the picture of your terrace space is one I liked the most. That looks much wonderful than other.

Cheryl, that is a super cool area you created. Love the cooler idea and the bar area too. Not good, you are giving me ideas and I have a half dozen projects that as on my summer to do list
Never get between a woman and her power tools That's my motto any way

This is a pretty new garden ,in fact I have only been working on it a couple of years ,this is where we eat....






Every year I swap things about ,one day the trumpet vine will be all over the house ,I think it will look pretty cool....

hope you like...

I have a before picture but it is very scarey....

Such a very nice spot to dine.