Backyard photos and technologically blogger/mac challenged

Ahhhhh, I really need to figure out how to get my COOL [it's cool because I said it is, so there].

But I can't.  So that also means, that no one has really seen the updated, final pics.

So without further adieu, here are the before and afters.

Enjoy......we have!

I grouped them in before and after format.  [Again, this is a schoosh of technologically non-advanced, combined with lack of patience to get really good at the cool stuff of photography editing on a mac.  Tutor anyone?]

Front Yard.  The Fence here existed.
But could it be any more yawn inducing?

A nice symmetrical bed, to fit the time period of the house.
I planted 90 tulips behind those boxwoods a few weeks ago.
NINETY, PEOPLE!!!!
I'm sure I'll be getting a phone call from the Dutch in the Spring asking me for my secrets.

 Our driveway is single car wide until you get past the house.
We also had no way to close off the backyard to make it pet friendly.

Aaaaannnnddddd. Voila!  Look at this beauty.  An aluminium framed gate.
No it's not remote.  Yes, we have to open/close it every time we leave.
No, we haven't regretted it yet.  [No, don't ask us in the throes of winter.]
Moving on!

This is opposite side of the drive.
A wasteland of bad grass and terrible drainage.
And what was more or less shared side yard with our neighbors.

Now brace yourself.  It's starting to get good!

The rock garden will be a pondless water feature.
Sweet Sarah and I will build that next year. Sidebar:
As we were going through the design process she said to the landscaper,
"Well if you do everything, what the heck is Holly going to do?
She'll be bored!"  Enter projects on my to do list.

If you look at the above picture you can get perspective of the spot of this shot.
One thing we really like is that all of the barnstone and sandstone was recycled into the new project.

Looks like a different yard!

Man, how I miss that little deck and steps, said no one at The Drayer EVER!

There she be!  She's a beauty.

Sweet Sarah's fire table.  This is pretty sweet.

The ceiling and screening turned out better than I had even hoped.

We replaced a patio door with a french door.
Now I can't wait for spring/summer

The final project.

Raise your hand if you can envision a Sunday nap out here on this bad boy?

It is Finished.....

The Drayer Backyard Project 2013 is finally finished.

It took from August 12 until October 18.  [Dare I remind you, they told us THREE weeks when they presented the plan to us.  Ummmmm, close but.....]  There were many a day when I felt like Shelly Long playing the role of Anna in the Money Pit.  You remember the scene, she stumbles out of bed, groggy and bleary eyed.  Sidles up to the sink, picks up her toothbrush and opens the medicine cabinet and one of the workers hands her toothpaste from inside the mirror.

Ok, it wasn't that bad.  But it's kinda bad when the crew knows your weekly conference call schedule.

Nevertheless, we are thrilled with the final results.  And we are looking forward to enjoying and sharing it for many years to come.

Rocky Mountain High

Many months ago we planned a weekend trip to Denver with my sister and brother-in-law.  Well, really the planning went like this....

Sweet Sarah on the phone:
Hey!  What's going on?

Oh, really?  Yeah, that'd be AWESOME!  Yeah, I'm totally in.

pause, pause.  listening.....listening.

Yeah, ok cool.  Bye.

Me:  Who was that?

Sweet Sarah:  Oh, Bruce.  He and I are going to Denver in October for a game.

Me:  oh?  Just the two of you?

Sweet Sarah:  Oh!  I don't know.  Maybe you and Julie, I didn't ask.

And pretty much, she didn't care!  She was planning a trip home and to see her beloved Broncos.  Sweet Sarah grew up there until she was in high school.  So this was like getting an early Christmas present for her.

Unfortunately, just a few days before we were to leave Bruce's mom got sick and they couldn't go.  We decided we'd go without them, though it was bittersweet.

We did, however have a wonderful time.  It was a wonderful getaway.

As is typical of our travels, we crammed a lot in, in a very short time.  Highlights include: exploring downtown Denver, checking out the Pepsi Center, UC-Denver campus, Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, visiting Sarah's childhood home, catching the Tiger's game, the Broncos Game, breakfast with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Pam, exploring the Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain, Idaho Springs and famous BeauJo's Mountain Pie Pizza and poking around Golden.

Here are some pics....

Yep, pretty sure everywhere we go I take a pic of a sewer cap.

Larimer Square-Downtown
This was a really cool area with fun restaurants and shopping

Check this cool building out.
Originally a brewery, it now serves as the Student Union for University of Colorado-Denver

This is standing outside a Cameron Mitchell (Columbus Ohio guy) restaurant

If you look closely you can see tears!

Sweet Sarah's childhood home.  

No joke, she was up and dressed by 6:30 AM!!!  A.M., PEOPLE!!!!!
This is breakfast, T-minus S.I.X. hours before game time.

Mr. Champ Bailey showing up for work.

Pre-Game

Pre-Game Star Spangled Banner Fireworks

The Tailgating was awesome

SELFIE!!!!! (and, no that's not a chic-let on my tooth.  note to self:  get it replaced)

LOVE THIS PIC.
Breast Cancer Survivors at Half-Time Forming a Ribbon.
And beautiful pink balloons filled the air.  A Bit veclement.

So.....how do you think she came to decide to wear THIS shirt?
I mean, do you think she didn't know she was going to an NFL game?

MILE HIGH and a skyline view

Sweet Sarah wants this turned into a FatHead for the living room.  Ummm, no.

A back hallway tour at The Pepsi Center because we're awesome!

Her first sighting of The Mecca

It couldn't be more perfect.  Her FAVORITE food outside The Mecca.

Ok, admit it.  This is a bad-ass edited pic.
 Yep, I'm good.
[ok, really mac's make everyone look like a good photographer]

Uncle Jeff, Aunt Pam and granddaughter Gracie

FAMOUS DENVER PIE!!!!

HOLY MOLY.  AH-MAZING!!!!

Red Rocks Entrance

Amazing Views

Used the timer on this one.
Sweet Sarah wasn't happy as we had to walk past the
"WARNING: RATTLESNAKES PRESENT" sign

This is a cool little town.
Yep, the home of Coors

We spent a LOT of time here.

ok, just kidding about that.  I thought it was funny.  Do you think they have a busy season?

This picture could really have a spiritual caption.  Beautiful.  Just beautiful.