Even if a turf lawn is small, it can add a great deal of beauty as a setting for other plantings. Keeping it "relatively" small can make it do-able. Confining it to a central location in the back yard is where it might give the most bang for the buck... being the "white space" for the plantings closer to the perimeter. (I can't speak to what greyhounds might do to it since I have no experience with them. Do they like to tear directly across open space, or use the perimeter like an oval track? The latter could be to your advantage insofar as turf goes.) An oval shape seems like it would fit the back yard nicely and if it was a pronounced, distinct, perfect shape, it could add a feeling of strength and organization to the overall design of the yard. Since the back lot line has low trees already, beefing them up with Palo Verde or Mesquite, so as not to see buildings beyond, seems like a good goal. I agree that neighbors could not expect that you wouldn't plant trees or that you would assume responsibility for their view. (When was the last time you thought about asking anyone to alter a tree on their private property to suit your needs? Where your trees cross the property line into neighboring yards, it's the case that they own the crossing portion and can do with it as they please. It might sound like be a harsh legal reality, but plantings at yard perimeters that provide some privacy or shade USUALLY work to the advantage of both parties. Usually it's not much of a problem.) Combining some views-below-canopies with privacy, where needed, seems like it would be easily workable. Along the cul-de-sac area, you might consider breaking up the run of wall with small groupings of small tree-form shrubs with open space between the groupings. Where I live, freestanding walls and fences are frequently treated by placing a lower hedge to run alongside them. To my thinking this is a complete waste of material and effort. It does nothing to interrupt the boredom of the wall length. Just like how periodic columns add interest to a plain brick wall, periodic plantings that exceed the height of the wall add visual interest. Large flowering shrubs make good small trees for this purpose. Grouped tightly in 3s, they also add depth to the planting. As pointed out, the TYPE of thorns that plants have make much difference. I would not think thorns on TREES would make much difference (in general) to people or pets as the thorns could easily be placed overhead and out of reach. Plants without thorns can be placed at lower levels. And in some cases with certain plants, thorns that are highly visible and obvious may be acceptable. The patio area is somewhat like a stage positioned to play to a 180* view. Of course, the actual viewing occurs in the opposite direction of what it would in a theater. Here, the audience sits on the stage and views the "theater seating" area, which is the back yard. After you determine the actual square footage of additional patio needed, you might consider making its distant edge to be arranged in a semi-circular, octagonal or similar, bay-window-ish shape so as to "play" to the rest of the back yard. It would need to fit with lawn shape. Setting small groups of trees to both sides (not between "stage" and "seating") could provide shade and maintain an unobstructed view to the lawn and remainder of back yard. Trees selected for what their canopy could become (as it relates to patio and house) would be important. The discussion of wall heights surrounding the back yard can be confusing. As you refine your ideas you might submit a revised plan for the wall that only indicates what portion of the wall is ABOVE your back yard grade... as that's what really matters from back yard viewpoint. Also, for discussion purposes, I suggest that it would be easier (especially since your house is set at a diagonal to cardinal directions) to refer to right/left/fore and aft--as one would view the yard from standing at the street facing the house--as opposed to NE/SW/SE/NW, as those require one to memorize the directions or to go back and look at a previous drawing. Right, left, fore and aft is easier.

Oh Beth--She has such a sweet face-and I'm sure she is so thankful to have a 'mommy' that will take good care of her-does she like to ride? Alli went everywhere with me- I am glad you have a companion--she will take care of you and be always on your side--and I won't have to think of you being alone!! Remy--I would like some rudbeckia--I manage a 30 year old 96 unit apartment complex that has been ignored for years--so I am planting things everywhere I can to 'perk' it up Carol has sent me some purple iris and Maureen sent dahlias and daylillies--Beth has been sending seeds every month-from a different swap-so it's starting to look up around here!! Let me know what I need to do! Debbya--Toby is such a handsome guy--I am torn between getting another bulldog--or a boston--my house is just too quiet! Better get to work Jeanette

I was thinking to take a bread basket, lined with a pretty napkin..place chicken in the center and a batch of biscuits surrounding him-piled so that just the top half of the chicken shows. Then a sign sticking up that says : "NO! WAIT!...EAT MEAT!!" Or affix the chicken wrapped around a bottle of wine along with a recipe card for "Coq A Vin" and a sign that says: "FINGER LICKEN' ( hic ) GOOD CHICKEN!" An easter basket filled w/white & brown plastic eggs with the chicken lying across the top (or tied to the handle, with a sign that says: "YOU DECIDE WHO CAME FIRST!!"

WoW! Thanks for the responses. Cyn: Yes we do talk talk talk to her and have her dancing to music and try bringing her to new and interesting places. This is such a fun age. workinprogress: we do try reading everyday. I am not sure if this is just normal for a 9 month old but she will not stay still for a book. She is very active and does not like to be held very much. So we do continue to try and read but am wondering if she is just too young to stay in our lap and enjoy a story or is she is just particularly antsy. Anele: Thank you so much for those on line sites and recommendations. I will take time to go thru them all and look at that book on amazon. Thanks for the time you took to write all the recommendations. Bumblebeez: That book sounds interesting even though she is done with the pregnancy part and infant stage. But never know there might be another one someday. My daughter does make all the babys food and is very up on all the nutrition as far as what she can and cannot eat. I am enjoying being a gramma for the first time and this little 9 month old is growing so fast. It seems like yesterday I was asking you all for color choices when we were planning her nursery. It is for this reason, that they grow so quickly that I do not want to miss the boat with things we can do to be the best we can.