Speaking of Blooming Where We Are Planted...

OK...so admittedly, this posting is mostly for Cliff who is so far from his home...so unless you really like looking at pictures of other people's plants, you can just skim over this one.



Some of you (the 8 people who follow this blog) may remember this picture of our cement bunker, taken right after we moved in. It seems that the yard maintenance people (or "lawn ninjas" as they are so affectionately referred to around these parts) have a tradition of hacking everything down between tenants. I suppose it's easier...but I still don't get it. We were left with a blank, uninspiring slate.

We were also still a little shell-shocked from putting in SO much expense and labor into the landscaping of our former home (Ahh...nothing like sodding by the glow of worklights at midnight because you have to return the equipment by morning...and the 130 degree heat has been killing the sod rolls as you sweat. Good times!) so we were not really wanting to dive into another landscape project just yet. Enter Andrew. Andrew is a landscaping genius, complete with horticulture degree. He is the grown son of friends of ours, living the single life in Okinawa while his parents are stationed here. I told him what I wanted (in my limited knowledge, using lots of hand gestures and such technical terms as "hard to kill", "pretty", "flowery" and "not orange") and he made it unfold effortlessly before my eyes. Now my yard makes my heart smile. I'm so excited to watch these plants actually grow and bloom. He was worth every penny...and a bargain, at that. You are welcome to join me as I take Cliff on a tour.

So, sweetie, without further adieu...here's what your per diem money bought you:



I know the colors are very chick-like...but you like chicks...right?



This is the front stoop. These dragon pots are gorgeous. I hope we get to take them with us, but they are pretty heavy...so maybe not.



Remember that view of the A/C spewing moldy fungus? Out of sight, out of mind.



Heading up the front walk to the door. These geraniums are blooming today, but these pics are almost a week old.



Turning the corner to the side door.



Can I tell you how much I love this rubber tree, with all it's wisdom and crawling vines? I've never considered myself a tree-hugger...but I just might start with this one. Maybe not...there'd probably be a snake with my luck.



Along the back windows (and wishful thinking!).
He put in a soaker hose under the mulch, too...but we haven't needed it yet because there is plenty of rain.



LOVE these colors!



This is on the back patio under the big window. It was all overgrown with ivy. This is much neater looking, don't you think?



This is the side door step. It's an herb garden. I LOVE it and I'm using it already. Can't wait to make you something with fresh basil...or maybe some of those edible flowers...