Ellie and I have decided that this summer is going to be all about getting our house and garden into tip top shape. We've felt now that we've been here a couple of years, it is time to start making improvements. Drawing inspiration from one of the greatest shows of all time, Big Dreams Small Spaces, we've gone full tilt into gardening.

Obligatory before picture!

The first step of our process has been to reclaim a huge amount of the back yard from english ivy. Unfortunately I don't have a great picture of the before ivy ripping, but let me tell you, it was extensive. It was actually climbing over the shed. We've already removed probably 20 or so lawn bags of ivy. Good times, let me tell you.

Phase two of our project is to spruce up the front yard curb appeal. We had two huge yew bushes, one of which was on its way out. This past friday, Ellie helped it along and we spent the better part of an hour ripping it out. To say it came out easy would be an outright lie. Fortunately a friend of ours let us borrow a yew-slaying implement, which proved effective.

Slowly but surely we are making progress, though it is a little bit overwhelming with all of the things we want to get done, including raised vegetable beds, a new patio off the deck, and removal of our busted shed. We are having fun with it though, and we are excited to share progress photos as spring seems to be finally here. Stay tuned!