ZEN, BABY!!!!

Last weekend I had my Japanese Garden work party!

I started in the yard at sun-up on Saturday and called it a weekend on Sunday night when all my muscles gave out. My friends came around noon on Saturday and stayed until about 4 pm Saturday. My hubby, dad and I worked alone on Sunday. Somehow, I even played soccer at 8 pm on Saturday.

We had quite a job to do. Was the worst part having to move bricks so heavy that I physically could not move some of them, digging for days, herking large rocks, asking people to help me, baking the Costco pizza, or trying to get the key out of my dad's truck ignition?

Was it worth it?? OF COURSE!! And the "garden" looks awesome. It has no plants yet, so it's mostly resembling a Zen garden.

Most importantly, thanks to my friends for giving up their Saturday and digging, lifting and sweating it out in my yard. THANKS to my dad Jeff, my hubby B, Scott and Eric, Maren and Garrett and Cedric. No thanks to Muppet who kept barking at us. Thanks also to Elaine for helping me stage the garden when all the dirt had been pushed around, and for digging around a bit herself! I never, ever could have done this without you guys!! THANK YOU!!!

Before from the east.

After from the east.

Stairs before.

Stairs after.

Before from the west.

After from the west.

Digging 3 feet down!

Hauling bricks is no easy task. We went through 2 wheelbarrow tires and ended using a solid rubber tired wheelbarrow... and even that was squished when the bucket was full.

Base of a retaining wall.

Disaster strikes!!

We unearthed a copper pipe to and from nowhere. Is that why they say call before you dig? Much to our surprise, a huge rock was completely buried next to the pipe.

By the end, these two were pros!

It's a work party! (I couldn't stop smiling. My dream was coming true!)

On Tuesday I was finally able to wash the yard down and clean off the new deck. Everything was covered in dirt, sand and cement dust, since we had to cut some of the bricks. I added my funny little statues, a couple potted plants and my welcome mat.
We weren't able to finish the new fence because we had some logistics issues. We have since figured it out, but now the bamboo panels are on back-order. We're waiting for the fencing and the last 5 pieces of Trex deck wood composite.
I also need to create a window well for the basement window. Those damn bricks are a pain to carry around. Shocking, isn't it?
My next step (after these odds/ends are completed) is to bring some clean, new dirt in and start planting. I will have a dirty summer and I'm looking forward to it.