Howdy Karen and Linda!

Since I ghosted this forum about a year ago, I wanted to share why I just disappeared. It's been shovel-in-hand and a tremendous amount of hard work! I think one of my last posts was about my bottle tree, yes? Did I ever share the palm that took its place? Well, it's happy and has grown quite bit bit since this last photo.

I wanted to take a moment and thank you both for all your encouragement. Remember all that damn rock I had to remove? Well, we did it! And then some!

This tour is for you two gals! Thank you so much for being my cheering section! Even when we weren't online, I was motivated to know that one day I'd share these photos with you! Thank you!!

Loved the tour and all your hard work looks great! Do you have more projects ahead? that is a dumb question to ask a gardener, isn't it?

Gina, you have a beautiful spread there💚
Did you start with bare land? Do you have "before" photos?

Hi Linda, thank you. It's been a real chore but we are pleased with the results. Do we have more projects!? Hahahaha, of course, right! The never ending list of possibilities!

For the most part, we plan to enjoy our property this year. Hubs wants to build an outdoor shower this year, so outside of digging a few more holes and planting a few more trees, I think that'll be enough for us.

We are giving solar lighting for the pavilion some thought, but it's more about tending to our existing landscape and veggie garden this year. I want to utilize the hoop house more and see if I can master propagating and indoor starts. For me, that's my focus this year.

I'll share more photos once everything leafs out. Have a wonderful day!

Hi Zoe, thank you.
Well, it wasn't completely bare. The house, some landscape trees, the outbuildings and concrete pad existed, but we have done a whole lot. We started with the RR tie fencing, veggie garden/planters, the watering system, then the chicken coop and rabbit pens. However, the glamour of farm animals faded as it just became too much to keep up with the watering, heat, and rats coming in for the feed. It was fun to learn about animal husbandry, incubating eggs, and whatnot, but a couple years back, we rehomed the animals and tore out the pens.

Since then, it's been more about creating a space for family and grandchildren as well as some luxury items for us. The first year here, we brought in too much rock after a huge monsoon season, so our most recent 18 month project was to clear a pathway in all that damn rock and lay down 3/8" minus. In the end, it's working out, but dang what a chore!

I'll look for some BEFORE photos to share.

It all looks wonderful, Gina! You and your husband have done an amazing job there! We have that small crushed rock at our home in Arizona. I remember what a job it was to put it all down. The good thing is that once it's down, it stays in good shape for many years. We still fight the weeds but it looks as good as when we put it down.

I agree with you about the animal husbandry. We have come to the same conclusion and now only have our dog. I miss the chickens, but not the work involved.

Sit back and enjoy what you've accomplished!

That sounds like a huge project!
Too bad about the animals, but they are a lot of work, plus they really tie you down — even leaving for a weekend is a hassle. I've had them, but not here in this heat and cold... That's a whole 'nother challenge.

The views from your gazebo look fabulous. You've got a piece of heaven there.

Thank you for all you kudos, Ladies. I appreciate your encouragement.

Here's are some BEFORE photos I copied from the Realtors history page. Below the three pines is where we placed our main garden bed. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of open space photos to share right now. Just imagine what every other free range area in AZ looks like and you'll have a pretty good idea.

I just came in from weeding. If I get a chance I'll try to go out and snap the same perspective for a current AFTER shot.

Last time I'll try to upload today's after photos. Good grief! Fifth time a charm?

We plan to give the front bottle brush a good prune this year. The large Poplar tree is also getting too large being so close to the house. It's South facing and provides a lot of shade. IDK, but I think it's time for a pruning on it, too.

Lovely!👍