Draining the Pool and looking at the yard from a new perspective

We had to drain the pool and I couldn't resist getting in.  I decided to take some pics of the yard from my view inside the pool. 

I LOVE my Orca wall.  I had it painted blue for years with this intention but, I'm not the best artist so I kept putting it off.  One day, Maddy got out there and spray painted the outlines and filled it in outdoor house paint.  

The backyard decor is beachy/nautical.  I buy most of the stuff at Marshall's, Ross and TJ Maxx.  Great prices for things that are just going to be out in the elements.  There are a few things from Hobby Lobby as well. 

I love this plant.  I don't know it's name but I love the color and how it looks like claws.

A beautiful view of the sky along with milkweed and other plants. 

One of my favorite views.  The back corner where the pergola/arbor once stood. 

A view of the Orca between the plants.  

This is behind the garage.  Maddy has some composting bins but this clipping of the Mexican sage has really grown A LOT!

There were several artichoke seeds blowing about.  I caught this one. It is one interesting seed!

Gardening is a work of heart

My daughter Madison is a self taught gardener extraordinaire.  I love how dedicated she is and how she makes our front and back yards look beautiful.  There was a time that I hated our backyard because it was such a bore.  Now, I love to take tours every now and again because each time I make a turn around the yard, there is something different to marvel at.  I've started this blog so I can post pics of the beauty that I see whenever I go outside and to showcase her talent.  :)

These are all very old pics of the yard before the gardening bug hit Madison. 

This pergola was so nice when it was first built but, alas, the termites gnawed it to death and we had to take it down last summer. 

In the next post, I'll add some updated pics.