This took us about a year to finally get to this point, lots of planning, lots of patience. The main outline was laid out a year ago, the stones were ones that were collected over time as they became available. Whenever I drove past a field or construction site and saw a pile of rocks, I would stop and ask if I could take some. Most folks were more than glad to get rid of them, especially the farmers.
The area was tilled, and mulch was collected from the city building for the base layer. Our town has a dump station where people can drop off their yard waste, so when they collect enough they hire in a grinder to reduce it to mulch, and give it back to the community. Irises and lilies were collected from the old home place and given new homes along the border. Creeping junipers were planted around the base of each tree. Columbine and more lilies were added at the base of each tree, and thyme was put in place to anchor each end of the park bench. Solar lights from the Dollar Tree were added at roughly five foot intervals around the perimeter to add a warm glow in the evening.
Large pavers were purchased from the local Lowe`s and used to create a pathway to the old park bench. The white garden bench was a shop project, just some used lumber found in a junk pile and repurposed into something useful.
The angels are gifts that I have purcahsed over time for my wife, they now have a fitting home. So for minimal cost, and a bit of time, we now have this oasis of tranquility right outside our door. When you need a time out from the world, just step across the threshold and enter a new world.
Here`s the link to the pics on Flickr...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edthepilgrim/sets/72157630289951276/
I`ll add more as time goes by, this project should take on a life of it`s own after a bit....
