Backyard Patio Reveal...

We have finally finished the back patio, and I wanted to share it with you. This has been another project that has seemed to drag on.and on. and on, BUT alas it is finished. If you remember, I started working on the patio in April. The patio part came together pretty quickly. Here is a before and after of that space in case you missed it.
With a little help from my father in law, my first tile project was pretty easy, but very messy.
Next I put in the flowerbed. I just put vinca vine and a few sweet potato plants there. They have gone crazy in the shade and I have to trim it back constantly.
I ended up having to paint the entire wall because there was just no way around it. After painting, I wanted to do something to "decorate" the wall and went back and forth on several ideas. Ultimately, I decided to go with what I had, and hang some of the old tools Papa (Lon's grandpa) had given me. He has since given me a couple more, but I don't want to make it too busy.

Before:

After:

As a surprise, Lon did the first set of pavers for me in May. I LOVED them, so we decided to extend the patio with the same pavers from Lowe's. While the pavers were a little pricey, the cost was still a fraction of what we would have paid to have someone else do it. The most difficult part was definitely leveling the sand. Lonnie is much more patient than I am. He is a true perfectionist, and you need to be for a project like this.

Last but not least, I added the plants. Plants add so much to a space. I am growing quite a green thumb. My Dad keeps a beautiful yard, but since I moved to SC I have had to depend more heavily on Lon's Mom and grandma to teach me what will grow here and what won't. I am finally finding my footing in this sandy SC soil.

This has become a space that we use on a daily basis. The boys play on thier trampoline and I am able to sit in the shade and watch them. The tile counter has also become my "potting shed". I do so much with the outdoor sink.

So there you have it. One more item checked off the to-do list that is my home. What do you think?