Another one in full color because…have you seen Mom and Dad’s yard?? It is my favorite place in the world, and we gather at least once a week, and last week, at the end of spring, after all of Mom and Dad’s hard work, and full of some of My Very Favorite People, it was at its most beautiful, and I wanted to share it with you.
This is SO MANY photos, but honestly, it is not a TENTH of the amazing things you would find in this oasis.
I hope you have gotten to spend time here with Mom and Dad, and if not, today is your lucky day! Let me know which part of the yard is your favorite. Mine is all of it (cheater answer, I know!)
From the deck - the pond is kind of the center of the yard. Beyond that is the mulberry tree I read in all summer every summer. Beyond that is The Corn Field that is now being developed - but they are keeping the edges of the development beautiful, and I appreciate that <3
Since this is a pet blog, I should have at least one photo of the Poodles, right? Here is Mom telling Oscar and Felix “off” while they half listen! (Felix is listening, Oscar is doing his Dougest :))
Ladybugs everywhere! Here is some of Sondra Gerber’s work. Another of my favorite yards is hers - We were lucky enough to see it at her yearly art sale a couple years back after buying lots of her beautiful yard art through the years - her yearly art sale is going on again now! If you have not been there, it would very much be worth the visit!
Flamingos everywhere too! They remind Mom of me :)
A couple years ago, Dad and Blue repainted all the stepping stones. A HUGE project!
Dave trying his hand at Bob Nelson-ing - getting leaves out of the pond. Great job Dave!
Nine goldfish! Back from wintering with the pond guys! Cindy and I want to know if the same fish return. It is so far a mystery…
Penguins everywhere too in honor of Dave Nelson!
Herons at the top of the pond <3
This is my Dad’s Mom’s birdbath. He bought it back from the owners of the home where it was still in the yard. I love that so much. LOTS to see in this photo, but also the tree behind the birdbath is the one Mom had to protect from my brothers’ soccer ball for a couple of seasons when we were kids because a swift kick would have done it in! To say it has thrived is an understatement!
Dave and my nephews playing ball <3
Another Sondra Gerber favorite! We call it Bob Nelson Finds a Ladybug :) I love it so much!
Dave and Dad
Russ and me. My second favorite drawing Nathan Pyle has drawn is everything else he has ever drawn. My first favorite is this :) “Creature Restoration Specialist” (I am not a specialist :D)
Oriole feeder!
Every spring Dad hangs giant ferns everywhere! I love them so much!
Someday I should count the ladybugs outside and in. Even with my mad Harvey Oaks Elementary summer school-acquired chisenbop skills, I am quite sure I cannot count that high!
Impossible choice, but THIS is my favorite area of the yard. Mom and I have had many summer meals here. Among my favorite have been lemon pesto pasta and Schlotsky’s sammies <3
At the bottom of a beautiful wind chime from my bonus family the Schroeders <3
Red Bug!
In Loving Memory of Ernie, The Best Preschooler <3
Another view from the deck <3
Turtle and Robin <3
Too far! I love this sign tho.
Dad and the boys. You made it to summer guys!
Blue and Abby, my two favorite humans
Dad and Mom!
Olive always has the best shirts <3
Tom :)
Tom’s friends- dunno their names - and the beautiful arch with honeysuckle (Dave and I had to look it up!)
Hell! Hell! The gang’s all here! Well, mostly. We will ALL gather next week in Minnesota!
Bird watching!
Dave and Arthur. All these Nelsons have cool shirts!
I suspect Abby and Blue have been here :)
I stuck the last snowball bloom from out front into Mom’s flowers…
Dusk…
Have a wonderful week all. Thank you for walking through this magical yard with me. I hope it brings you peace and joy as it always does me.
Mostly because Mom and Dad and the family are here. Also everything here seems intentionally set up to make everything better and more peaceful, and I love that so much.
Thank you Mom and Dad! Love you so much!