The details:

It took quite a bit of work-We had to ax and dig horrid bushes and I pulled my fingers to the bone trying to rid the area of all its' weeds and grasses.
Then, Matt cut the dead tree off at the top per my request. I wanted the area to look tidy and alive-and that couldn't happen with dead branches going every which way; yet I wanted to utilize the tree trunk for climbing vines and hanging things from. Once it was done, I noticed that four trees were in nearly a perfect square position. It was then that I decided I would hang outdoor light from one tree to another, giving the area a sense of enclosure and the 'feel' of an outdoor room.

My Mandevilla plant is already creeping up the dead tree and I hung this pretty mosaic gazebo from the top of it. It can hold a candle OR birdseed.

We had our churchs' annual perennial exchange where I was able to replace some of my lost perennials from last year. I put some in pots and most in the ground. Next week I am going to take photos of each plant to document them so I remember the names of them all, and the individual needs of the plant. These will go in my nature notebook. Information with photos for reference will come in handy if ever we move. Trust me, I WILL be taking them with me.

This is the view from the driveway. The large tree adds tremendous privacy so I don't even see the construction workers when I sit out here and I don't feel the least bit awkward myself. We eat lunch on it every dry day and often snack as well. Only a few times have we been able to eat on it at dinner though, the weather still gets pretty chilly at night.

It really has become a haven for me.

It is my happy place.