Springtime Plants...

Our dogwood tree.

I think it is finally safe to say that spring is here, along with April showers!  This time of year is the best in Northcrest.  The neighborhood comes alive with tons of flowering plants, especially famous for our plethora or azaleas and dogwood trees!  The mature, tree-lined streets are gorgeous and I never feel like I'm here in the city.  Here are just a few quick pictures of our yard right now...



Pink Camellia Bushes.



Some Azaleas and Camellias.  I would love to trim this area so it is not so overgrown, anyone have any tips?

We have so many projects lined up for spring...among them is working on a new mailbox and small planting bed underneath.  There is a lovely hydrangea bush by the mailbox and a nicely shaped boxwood so I am hoping to plant some color and texture below them next to our new mailbox.  We are also getting close to installing our Crestview Door Light Kit.  Can't wait to get it in and let go of the glass door (which sadly, and not unlike the carpet, Pizmo will really miss!).

*Anyone have tips on trimming roses?  We have a couple (very old) roses at the street and I would love to trim them to maximize their blooms.  I also need tips on trimming back and shaping some overgrown azaleas, hydrangea, and other flowering bushes!

Patio Living...

We worked hard on the basement workshop this weekend, which means we are rounding the corner to other projects!  We did lots of organization and thanks to a lucky find through our neighbor, we now have the perfect basement work bench (more on this later over on Home Sweet Split Level).  Having the workshop finally finished (2 years in the making!) means we can conquer other projects with much more ease.  We are finally focusing on finishing up the basement Rompus Room, which will feature our vast tiki collection, a new tiki bar, the Heywood Wakefield rattan set we bought a while back at Kudzu Antiques, and the WW2 bathroom.  It is so nice to have an end in sight on that project.....which means we are adding more projects.  Since fall is just around the corner, we are hoping to squeeze in a quick patio build for the next couple of weekends.  We bought an awesome vintage patio table and chairs (also at Kudzu) last summer and they are awaiting a good refinishing by me.  This will be the perfect time to get that project done.

Here is just a taste of some of the things we are thinking for the patio....