The original design did not call for that weird angle of the walk popping out of the patio, it was rounded. But that's because the whole middle of the yard was going to be brick, with plant beds around it. The grass area in front of the garage was what I had to do to get it "finished" and under control to get ready to sell. I had posted about that part. I've tried to keep my landscape designer out of this discussion, but really she did not design a true phased plan that looks good at each phase, so when I had to scale back, there really wasn't anyplace to go with her plan. I wanted it in chunks of 5K, but her first phase ended up being 7K just for the hardscaping. At that point it was the middle of the summer and she had kept me waiting so long I went ahead with something cobbled instead of finding someone else to do another plan. My yard was all torn up because I had removed the deck thinking I was ready to go. All that had to happen was my LD had to get back to me with a revised, scaled-down plan. Well, six weeks later after numerous calls and e-mails, at which point I was actually searching for someone else to do my patio at the beginning of June, she got back to me with the same plan, same cost. Obviously a communication problem. I really don't want to get into that part because people are very sensitive about discssions about LDs. I am not dissing the profession or dissing my LD, it was just not a good "fit." But then I have also posted about the fact that there is a certain type of LD that is very difficult to find, small jobs, well phased, inexpensive, working with a lot of constraints instead of a "blank slate." I would say since folks like me in this working class town rarely have the money to hire LDs, LDs are not trained to design for row houses, rather they know how to design yards for new subdivisions. The really spectacularly talented folks here do not do small job$. We discussed that here. Some folks disagreed, but I think my generalization holds true. I'm not saying there wouldn't have been someone out there, I'm just saying it's not that easy to find them. I met the husband of a colleague at work who is a professional LD who only does big jobs and he offered to help me with some ideas for free but I didn't want to take advantage of him, based on the complaints I hear so often here. Looking back I should have taken him up on his offer. Here's and example of what I'm talking about, obviously the chainlink is not attractive, and in a small area, you notice every element. However, I only own one of the chainlinks there. So I could replace one side but not the other. Or I could put my other side of the fence in front of my neighbors fence, thus loosing scarce garden space. Also, to avoid the "bowling alley" look I would have had to invest in a really nice fence, which would have added to the cost even more. So priority wise, I opted to do the patio and shade elements first. Also, you can minimize the negative effects of chainlink by landscaping in front of it. Chainlink can somewhat "disappear" with vegetation in front of it. That's another solution. I've also seen some on these forums some ingenious ways of dressing up chainlink with plants, ornaments, beads, etc. I mean it's one thing to say, "That chainlink is ugly, that's your problem, get rid of it," and quite another to take a sow's ear and turn it into something maybe not resembling a silk purse but a really cool purse made out of a sow's ear so that you suddenly don't dis the idea of using a pig's ear for a purse, since that's what you have, pigs, not a silkworm farm. I don't know if they teach that kind of creativity in professional schools. Also, you're not necessarily going to be able to hire a contractor to give you that kind of creativity since that takes time for craftmanship. I think the best solutions for tiny working-class yards come from the creativity of the owners. Up the road from me there is a house with a stone wall built up against a chainlink. So from the inside of the yard you see a dry laid stone wall. A working class person cannot pay someone to do a dry laid stone wall in their back yard. And being myself extremely limited in the creativity and skill department, it was a challenge to "design" a good plan for my yard. Ironically, that's the kid of unique, creative solution that folks here could share. On the PA Gardening forum I saw someone's yard landscaped with broken concrete used like flagstone, who would have thunk it. And who was it who posted the picture of the wood patio and pergola her dad built--totally creative! I just don't have those abilities or access to them. Sorry I didn't keep track of my advisors, it is a very hectic time with a job change and move on the horizon. Without wanting to offend, and yet being perfectly honest about "what I learned," I have to say that the touchiness, concerns about "appropriate postings" and strong taste ideas on this forum inhibits some of the kind of creative discussion that a forum like this could foster. Seems to me that a free public forum is where non-professionals who are trying to pinch pennies can go to share and help each other out--for free and for the sheer fun of it. I'm a professional too, and I participate in these forums for the fun of sharing and creative community. This is not directed at anyone, most certainly not at the professionals who post here. I don't mind blunt and prickly or strong. It's the $$ issue that I wonder about. I've seen people shut down who attempt to discuss lower end options, and yet realistically that's why someone would want to post here. If they could afford high end they'd be sitting in an air-conditioned office with their LA. That's a huge issue for most of us, how to do something lower end but not tacky. I saw an adorable waterfront cottage the other day on a drive, then realized as I was leaving that it was a housetrailer with a screened in porch added, sided and roofed to match and landscaped all cottagey. Yes, it was a trailer and would never be mistaken for a high end beach cottage, but the owner had made the best of what they could afford, made something tasteful out of something inexpensive. That's true elegance in my book. I have learned that this type of creativity is very hard to come by and usually comes from the "idiot savants" of the masses! :-) On the flip side, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and call in a professional. This forum often helps people sort that out, when is it time to call in the guy with the backhoe.

Certainly does look very nice. I particularly like the second last photo, the Alocasia with the tall Banana in the background. I'm working on a rainforest at my place. Bit hard to put a date on it. There were already a number of large established trees providing a canopy. October last year brought in a lot of soil. Started planting out into the new soil last December. And still continue adding plants to it all the time. On the edges there's colourful sun loving plants, with tropicals in under the shade of the tree. canopy.

Thank you all so much! It's nice to get to share with others even though it would get done the same way even if it were only the 5 sets of eyes living in this house who saw it. The family tree tree has been really fun to put together and can't wait until the nieces and nephews get to see it. As far as how long it takes, I would estimate probably a good 4 weeks (not constantly, still have to work and then have 3 kids at home) depending on what needs reworked, re-lit or just added to. I love all of it (with the exception of pulling lights that don't work off pre-lit trees), so I just take my time, tweak and add to until it's time to start taking it all down. It all gets stored next door in the little house we bought a few years ago to control the "rental situations". We also have our office over there so it works out great for me while waiting on customers to fluff and re-light garlands and trees. Electrical tape and paint is a good idea on those cords....that may be my project next year. I've also thought about whipping up some of those fabric cord covers in a solid color to match the walls. It gets ridiculous with the strategic planning of the extension cords and then not really being 100% sure of what is on what breaker. We've been at this house for about 10 yrs now also, and we are now starting "Phase II." It was so bad when we first bought it that are goal was to make it livable and then to go back and really start adding the features we want. By the time we get this darn thing done, we may very well be dead! LOL Again, thank you all so much for your kind comments and I'm so glad you all enjoyed! Alex

Thank you thank you thank you! But I have to say, these projects are soooo much easier than they look - I don't feel right taking so much credit, lol! Crocheting, for me, is a great stress reliever and mood elevator. I get satisfaction of doing something with my hands other than throttling DH (kidding) and I get satisfaction from seeing a completed project and saying to myself "I don't believe I actually FINISHED this!" The bonnet, sweater, and booties came from a pattern book I bought at JoAnne's, and the Onesie is from the current issue of Crochet Today (I'll put a link at the bottom). And I *really* think I'm going to ask for a row-counter for my b'day - as silly as it sounds I never even knew such a thing exists, lol! Thanks again for your praise, and thanks for lifting my spirits tonight :-> april Here is a link that might be useful: crochet today project