It Took A Couple Of Years, But We Did It...

 

When we bought our house in February of 2020, this is what the front yard looked like. A single tree and a bush of some sort that had overgrown into a tree. 

A couple of months after buying our house, we took them down. As much as we could. We hired a gentleman we know to take down the rest including the overgrown flowering bushes on both sides of the house that were over 10 feet tall. 

Here is another "before" photo.

This is the "after" photo from last Summer. To cover the 2 flushed stumps in the front of our yard, we put metal flower stands over each. It was a temporary solution that worked beautifully for the time being.

This year, we wanted to build and create a more permanent solution to cover the 2 stumps. During the late winter months, we talked about searching for 2 wooden (whisky) barrels on Marketplace that we could situate on top of the flushed stumps, fill with soil, and plant flowers in. 

Then. 

We considered hiring someone to grind the stumps down a few inches to fill in with soil and top with grass seed. 

The going rate was $250 to grind the flushed stumps down a few inches. 

Nope.

During the month of May, Lisa had a brilliant idea. 

"I'll build bottomless wooden boxes, stain them, and we can put 'em over the stumps. I'll fill them with soil and plant flowers."

I immediately held up my hand for a high-five. 

It took a couple of weeks, but Lisa did it. She built solid wood bottomless boxes. Stained. Covered the 2 flushed stumps. Filled with soil. And, planted flowers. 

The total cost was right around $50.

This will be a permanent fixture in our front yard.

Since taking this photo, the flowers have filled in beautifully. 

And, it is worlds beyond more gorgeous than filling it in with grass seed.

At this point, I'm going to encourage all of you to do a few things...

Allow yourself to be inspired. Most times, the easy way isn't the best or more cost-effective.

Pay attention to the videos and such you see on social media on how to redecorate, renovate, transform, and DIY on a budget.

Don't be afraid to create something unique and gorgeous. 

And, finally, just do it. 

Be creative. 

Put in that tiny amount of extra time.

You don't have to get it done in a single day or week. 

Just.

Do. 

It.