Well, it’s finally finished! John powered through this weekend and completed the brick path and it looks great. Now I still have to think about some landscaping and other things but this is a big first step. Here is a before shot from a year and a half ago…
The gravel path was nice but so dusty in the summer and muddy in the winter. When I found the antique bricks I knew they would make a great path. Here is the After:
John worked really hard and did such a good job. He has amazing patience with projects like this as well as attention to detail. I was there for moral support!
Our hydrangeas have come in so nicely this year. Last year they barely bloomed at all but this year they have really taken off…
And the camellia that I hacked back to nothing is making a resurgence. I think by fall it is going to be full again but hopefully more manageable. I read that they respond well to aggressive pruning and I don’t think you can get more aggressive than what I did. You can see in the shot below all the leaves starting to come out:
Now I just have to keep the garden happy through our long dry summer. It was a lovely 69 degrees today but no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of which, my mom arrived today from Tallahassee, FL just in time to avoid the tropical storm that is flooding the state. She’ll be here for the next couple of weeks so I apologize if my posting slacks off a little.
Thanks for stopping by!
Way to go, John! The path looks fantastic.
And how great to have your mom around, Lane!
Camille
Truly impressed with John’s fortitude on this! He deserves a keg!
Big HUGS to your mom!!!! How wonderful for her to enjoy all the grandchildren and the newness of your home during this perfect weather season in SF. Excited for her (and all the date nights ahead for you and John!)
Thanks Jennifer! John did do a great job. I’ll tell my mom you said hi–she always asks about you now that we have reconnected! All the best to you and your family!
Lane!! The path came out beautifully!! It adds so much character to the space – there is just something about weathered bricks that I adore….so charming. I can’t believe your husband laid that all himself – he needs a spa day after that one! And your hydrangeas are really lovely…I have long neglected ours and they are less than spectacular this year. I need to make an effort with them so I can get blooms like yours! So pretty.
Thanks Lisa! John probably does need a spa day but only if I can go too! I don’t know why the hydrangeas did so well this year…I wish I knew so I could do it again next year. Maybe they’re finally feeling settled where they are. My mom bought 2 limelights for outside our kitchen that I planted today and I can’t wait for them to bloom…
WOW!!! Way to go John (and Lane for moral support)
Its amazing!!! LOVE it. And btw, the color in your hydrangeas is just lovely!
Thanks so much Elizabeth! I am proud of John for his skills on the path but he may regret doing such a good job–I might start recruiting him for more projects…
To be fair, Lane had the vision…I was mainly just the physical labor.
I look forward to my keg and spa day, though. Those are great ideas.
There was definitely more to it than manual labor! Thanks again babes!
The walkway looks so nice – your husband did a great job. You must love it. Your hydrangeas are really pretty too – our neighbor has a pretty blue hydrangea and I’ve taken a few snips this summer. Enjoy your time with your Mom!
Thanks Holly! I am enjoying the path and the kids are too. The hydrangeas have really taken off but I wish I could get blue ones–the PH must turn them pink in our yard.
I love your brick path. I would love to do something like this to my side yard. Your blog is full of amazing inspiration!
Thanks Brandi! I couldn’t believe I found those bricks heading for a dumpster. It’s crazy what people will get rid of sometimes!