After seeing your neighbor's overview of your yard my first inclination would be to plant some tough, fairly fast-growing trees along your wall. This might also decrease the heat coming off that wall. Most nurseries would be able to advise you if you state your needs. As for the sod area, I've noticed that most people never really use that area, and it will take a lot of water and care. Just my opinion, you know your needs better. Rather than having a gazebo, why not develop the deck area more fully to make it really comfortable and inviting and use the area where the gazebo would be for some pretty but carefree plantings? Again, the nursery can advise you. That way you can enjoy all the different areas of your garden from the deck without any obstruction to your sight lines. I'm sorry if I've repeated what others may have already said. It's great that you have walls instead of some rickety fence around your property. That gives you a good basis. Another thought, would the vegetable garden be better in a more hidden area in a further corner of the property? So often that area doesn't always look terribly attractive. I'd plant some easy-care roses (some of the antique roses are great or modern shrub roses, not hybrid teas) so you can enjoy color and fragrance there. The best of luck with your plans. I'm sure it will be beautiful. Ingrid

Edie...Funny story...last summer, Sean had some buddies over for a swim. His friends know where Sean's plant collection is--grouped together near the house by the pool. One of the guys decided to be a smart a--, and grabbed one of the smaller cacti in a pot and yelled to another guy in the pool, "let's play keep away from Sean...". Now mind you, these were all baseball players with pretty good arms... One of the other 'new' guys said "hey..throw it here" (he was in the pool-not knowing what kind of plant it was). Sean just stood there shaking his head and told them I don't think you want to do that...the kid threw the plant to the other kid, and he caught it mid-air about 30 feet away---along with a handful of thorns!!! OUCH!!!! I'll never forget the scream! Sean said "they'll never touch my plants again!!!" Yes, boys will be boys...

All delightful, but I also particularly like the wren - looking like a ballet dancer wearing a tutu. Claire

Me, too! Your post reminded me that this was the year I wanted to clear the hill and plant climbing hydrangea on our chain link to hide the neighbor's spite fence. :) Sigh, my yard will never be as lovely as yours, so keep the photos coming! I will live vicariously!