Backyard Improvements

The hardest part about deciding to move was the idea of leaving the tree house I have. Since the house is built up a bit, from the living room you can't see the bottom of the trees- the normal view from houses- and instead when you walk out on to the deck you feel like you're in a, well, tree house.

Here are the befores:
Why in the world they had this vinyl fencing and the landscaping blocks placed in the middle of the green area I'll never know.

As part of the contract for us to buy the house they had to tear down the shed that was hanging over the second level.

The future dining area

Oh, and of course the deck that was just absolutely falling apart with a railing that in no way kept people from falling off the level.

And a 360 of the finished product (okay I know, you don't have to tell me.  It's not the best 360 you've seen.  And in hindsight I should have taken it standing at the back door so you'd see more of the tree house look, but go with me on this.  I tried)

And a few more afters:

The dining area complete with a old candelabra that I wired up with low-voltage lighting to make it an actual working chandelier (see night pictures below)

With the landscaping blocks backed up to a sensible location, we were able to create an actual usable green space.  We also took out the vinyl fencing and put in a black iron fencing instead.

The second tier was leveled and flagstones laid.  We also had a custom fence built to complete the look.

Here are a few shots of how A-Mazing this place looks at night:

And yes, that is an outdoor pool table, and yes, we're willing to sell that to the potential buyers- after all, the deck was specially reinforced to hold the weight of the pool table.

Plums!

If you're one of my followers on Twitter then you're aware in recent months I've had the craving for a garden.  Well, to be transparent, I want the produce of a garden without the work and space required to actually have a garden.  So, needless to say, I haven't had a garden.

Or so I thought.

Because look! Plums!

Plums that grew from a tree in my yard that I have, for the last two years, pretty well ignored.  It was there when we moved in and all I've done is keep the suckers from overtaking the place.

So, I don't know if it's that I haven't been home in the middle June since we bought the house or that the tree has not produced fruit before, but I'm going to lean to the latter because my west-neighbors (those whose property line is by the tree and are always working in their yard) never knew we had plums.

And the picture really doesn't do it justice because for the last three days I've collected a bowl twice this size full of plums.  And yes, I'm open to any suggestions for plum jam recipes.

The best part of the plums?  Well, yes, their tangy sweet flavor; but moreover, I finally met and spoke with my east-neighbors.  The neighbors who previously denied our existence.  Apparently they're big fans of garden-grown fruit.  Who knew a basket of plums would be all it would take to finally learn her first name.