The Way it Used to Look

Twenty five years of never raking or pruning left almost the entire backyard in underbrush. We had a lot of clean up to do before we could even think about creating a restful escape!

Back Deck, Before and During Renovation

Hi Opie - We miss you!!

Fire Pit Before, During and After Renovations

Rototiller Time on the Newest Flower Bed

I can't wait for spring!









That first pass with the 'muscle machine' really defines the space.

Newest Flower Bed 2008

Jim staked this out and got the shape just the way we wanted it.


Now it's ready for RoundUp.

Constant Improvements

Jim's gift to me from the Tallman Arts Festival 2007

2007 Improvements on the Homestead!

Jim built two new raised bed gardens: one for potatoes and the other for mates & peppers. One corner also holds rhubarb and chives.

A new course of gravel went down on the entire drive from the road to almost our back lot line. Lots of muscle work, moving and raking the gravel, getting it pitched just right and then 'tamping' it down with the ol' brown truck! Eight, 5 ton loads, equal 40 tons of gravel moved with shovels and wheelbarrow. No Skidsteer for us, no sirree!

Hamilton's Wharf

Here are the Deck Boys with their screw guns. Before and After shots show the results but makes it look easy. A lot of engineering took place that day to attach two existing wharfs, at different levels, without putting any structures into the water. Good Going Boys!!

Riviera Maya with Sue and Bill Beschorner