Welcoming Spring!

Spring came early in south Texas! We literally had no winter.  Dreading mosquito season with no freeze to kill them off!  (And I bite my tounge as I say it seems in years past that when we had no winter, we had higher than normal hurricane activity.). We are 22 miles from the Galveston coast, but only 6 miles from Galveston Bay. 

With the onset of Spring, comes lots of yard work!  We've spent three weekends pressure washing, cutting shrubs, weeding flower beds, mulching and laying sod. Our efforts last spring were slim to none as I was in bed much of the time with my back issues. This made the work this spring extra hard. But, it looks great! I was amazed that I was able to hang after having back surgery! I'm sore, but a good sore!  Now the dime size blister on my finger is another story! Everything, including blisters, is bigger in Texas! 

  

There once was a rock bed here where the new grass has been layed. Years of dealing with weeds became too much of a headache. We removed all the rocks and planted sod. (Marlee helped by keeping the lizards at bay!)

We left rocks around the pool equipment and layed flagstone in the sod to create a path way to the equipment for an easy, no mess, access.  The last thing a pool owner wants is grass in the pool. We also dug a trench to help the water drain from the pool deck. The kids thought the "bridge" was cool!

I designed this bed after we put the pool in to help disguise the a/c units and to help muffle the noise. At one time, you couldn't see the units, but my dear hubby went a little, or a lot, crazy with the hedge trimmers. The lantana pretty much bloomed all winter and has grown up into the variegated privet. All of these rocks had to be picked up, washed and moved out to compensate for the growth. 

This bed behind the pool also had to be moved out to compensate for the greenery growth. 

We cut back the wax leaf ligustrum, removed the high society garlic that I hated, weeded and mulched the front flower beds. 

I even painted the two entry lanterns that had faded over the years. 

The house number also got a little paint as the sun had faded the numbers. 

Instead of buying new patio furniture, I decided a few cans of spray paint, a little work, a new rug and some new pillows would do for another year!

New chairs for the table as ours were worn out!

My lemon tree is full of baby lemons! So excited!

My newest Crepe Myrtle is sprouting out nicely. 

The Hibiscus bloomed all winter and is in full bloom now!

Even the Geraniums, which are not perienials made it through the mild winter. 

Now, just a little annual color in a few pots and it will be done! Just in time to enjoy the pool, patio and family and friends!

I love Spring! I love the sense of "a new beginning" it brings! 

Spring is God's way of saying he's not totally discouraged with us yet!