FOREST THROUGH THE TREES: Hostas and heat

It's Friday! It's been a short week supriseingly enough though I'm sure that's due to the holiday on Monday and having that extra time with Patrick. So, despite the short week and the horrible horrible heat and humidity I've been quite productive in our yard of all places. This is a huge sacrifice for me as everyone knows that yard works is the mans job. But despite that fact, I've planted 4 hostas under a tree that before just had years old mulch under it and then I added new mulch and even a little circle of rocks to finish the look! It now looks GREAT! Thanks to my mom though for the rocks and hostas and to my little helpers for all their fine fine help.

Another of my goals this summer is to get grass to grow in our backyard. Now this doesn't sound all that hard I'm sure, but after 7 years of trying multiple things, ie. sod, expensive grass seed and fertilizers, even a professional opinion on how to fix it etc... It's been harder then it should be. One of the main problems has been our whole back yard is shade shade and more shade. I know this doesn't sound like a bad problem to have in a backyard for all those family bbq's but alas... shade doesn't grow grass. So we've cut down some tree limbs in the hopes of getting more sun and this year I've finally ask my dad for help and he's thought of an answer... the answer being manure, ok, compost. We need to save our soil that can barely even grow weeds. So one afternoon just my dad and the girls and me covered our whole backyard in composted materials. It was a LOT of work, but I am set on achieving this goal! We will have grass! The next day or two after that I planted grass seed.... all by myself and then every day since it's just been a matter of watering 30 minutes a day and I'm proud to show you my results as of today! Of course... check back at the end of summer with me to see if It's still going as well after the heat. It's the most beautiful thing ever and despite the fact that's its a little spotty in places its wonderful! Now as you can see the last picture of the yard though still needs some work so I think I'm just going to buy some of those pavers and kinda make it a proper entryway. We'll see if more grass grows but it's not looking so hot right now is it?

Just as an added bonus I thought I'd brag on my attempt at a garden... ok, a container garden, but hopefully we'll have tomatoes and strawberries before we know it!

Also this week I've let Zoe do a lot of cutting with her new safety knife from Pampered Chef... best $3 I've ever spent with them. I've just cut down my kitchen time at least by 1/3rd with all her help now!