The Landscaping: Decomposed Granite Patio, check!

Remember when I posted a quick preview a few weeks ago? Well, we've been busy working on it and various other house projects. We're finally ready for the big, bloggity reveal.

BUT WAIT! I know you are as fond of "Before and Afters" as much as I am. And who am I to deny you this pleasure? And really, it's the most effective way to convey massive change.

BEFORE

This is from the day we got our keys to the house!

As time passed, we cultivated many weed plants.

Which we mowed like it was real lawn.

(Yes, he is wearing the exact same shirt in all three photos but rest assured, they were taken at three very different times over the course of two years.)



Drumroll please...!





AFTER






Granted, it's taken a couple years. Keep in mind, Sergio built it all himself, all by hand. And when I say "by hand," I mean this: He broke the concrete with a sledgehammer, cut each board with a handsaw, nailed with a hammer and put in nearly every screw with a screwdriver. Tools powered by Sergio. Literally.

It's not that he likes kickn' it old school in the tool department. We're on an über tight budget and every time we find ourselves perusing the power tool department, there's a cart of supplies with us, patiently waiting to be paid for. After this experience though, I've told him that we must get outfitted with the right POWER tools before he starts on the deck. But that's for another post.






Click here to see posts of the backyard in various stages.

Stay tuned for more info on some of the new patio details, with photos of the fountain actually flowing and nightshots (oooh...très romantique!).




So, when are you coming over to hang out in our new patio?

Psst! There's a little video at the very end of an old post that shows Sergio hard at work. i forgot all about it! We got a chuckle out of it. Click here.