The patio clean up of 2007, BEFORE:

patio, before
dark, dirty and pleading for a broom
patio corner, before

Several hours of elbow grease, a good broom, a dozen plants and a couple bags of mulch later, AFTER:

patio, after
patio, cleaned up
little changes, big difference -- patio, after
cleaned up patio, ready for dining

It may not appear that big a change, but let me tell you — I went from a dust bowl to a livable space. I am so tickled to finally be entertaining outside. I’ve had this home and hand-me-down patio set for years — but just started having friends over to enjoy this cooler weather and cleaned up environment last week. Since, I’ve served butternut squash lasagna, banana flax pancakes, chicken enchiladas and margaritas from this table with half a dozen friends leaving happy and mildly annoyed with the mosquito population. (If we had Fall and not 90-degree post-summer, there would be no mosquitoes, see.)

My dream for this patio is to install a small retention wall around the mulchy-garden area and grow veggies, all with an efficient drainage and drip system. These are December’s projects; I’m pacing myself both in budget and effort. In the meantime, the painting inside continues. I’m hoping my fairy godmother is going to show up at anytime and help. Or at least bring presents.

~K