Before proceeding, I would have your neighbor have a septic guy come out and mark the system. His leech field should not be on your property, and I see a lot of trees back there that are far more likely to be the problem. Since it is already shady, a shade structure doesn't make sense, but if you like to watch the rain, a roofed rain structure might? Kind of a remote porch. Or to replace the veggie garden, you could install a small potager garden with raised beds. You could grow herbs (many of which are shade tolerant) as well as edible flowers and leafy greens, which can tolerate shade as well. Or skip the edibles altogether and just plant begonias, impatiens and other shade-loving flowers. A water feature in the middle could work, maybe with some turtle-safe greenery so they can get a snack. And of course a place for you to sit and enjoy it!

Well I'm still smiling, Glenda. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Parke today and it was a real hoot. (I admit that I did "play" with him a bit.) First of all, I want you to know that I think Parke is a charming young man and a son for a Mom to be proud about. I'd seen him several times over the past month or so as he whizzed past my office and I knew that he looked familiar to me. Today was actually the first chance that I had to stop him and we had a long talk. I thought I recognized him from photos that you posted but decided today that I wanted to confirm it. So...I had a very pleasant break in my day and a visit with a very nice and polite young man. That was a treat for me too and I hope you pass that along to Parke. And honestly Glenda, I thought you 'd mentioned here or either told me at some point that Parke used to post at the KT. In any case, when he kept blushing (Parke blushes!) and asking today how I knew him and you...I did tell him to ask him Mom to explain. So I dont think I divulged any "secrets" and you can breath easy. LOL

Just wanted to return to this thread and thank you all for your suggestions! My team met recently and we continued to discuss the potential name change of our event. I'm new to this, so am still learning and now I know that the missions supported are more varied than I realized. I was aware of our work in Panama and Africa, as well as local efforts that we share with other organizations in our community that provide for the needy, but there are also quite a few other "lesser known" missions that we help to support. And by the way to those of you who so generously donated to my Go Fund Me page for our medical mission to Panama this summer - the check for those funds is going to be presented to our team leaders this coming Sunday. We had put that off due to spring break, conflicting schedules, etc., but we now have the opportunity to get together and get those funds into their hands. THANK YOU SO MUCH! So ... still pondering the name change. I really love that the other women with whom I'm working are so open and real. One of the ladies suggested the name "Ultimate Connection" (as part of what we hope to accomplish is to deepen personal connections among our congregation, and we want to focus on bringing in younger people as well) - and then she thought it would be cool to think of a word beginning with the letter 'F' that could be placed between "Ultimate" and "Connection", and then create a logo similar to that used by the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). She said she couldn't quite come up with anything workable though, and didn't really see how we could call it the "Ultimate 'F'in'' Connection." LOL! Cheeky church lady!

I may be misunderstanding your dilemma, and I don't know what that recess in the primary bedroom is (maybe a closet.) However, I think you could incorporate some of that footprint and the hallway to enlarge the area where you greet and send off guests. Allow more light into the area with a new set of doors that have more glass. As for the courtyard, have you considered simplifying it with fine pea gravel, stepping stones and pots for plants and dwarf trees, including espaliered fruit trees on the side walls of the long entry? Perhaps you could go ahead and eliminate the two flanking walls where the arch was, and give guests a less foreboding welcome by spanning that opening with a pergola.