Since we moved into 20 Gaye Ln in 1997, we have spent coutless hours fixing up the yard. Dan was the chief stone wall builder and I was the gardener.
I am a frugal gardener. Most plants are hand-me-downs from my mother-in-laww, Anita. She also handed down much of her gardening knowledge and sparked my love for perennials – thanks Neetsy! Other plants were purchased at local plant sales or swaps. Dividing and sharing is the way to go.

Sometimes I filled gardens with stones and moss because they are free and look as beautiful as a flower.
Bag by bag, we lined our pathways with pea stone. Sometimes we could only afford 1 bag.
I remember when Dan had a truckload of pea stone dropped off. It was like he had delivered a truckload of gold.
The house warming gift fromour friends were two pee gee hydrangeas. Dan built the pergola. Anita contributed a male and female kiwi vine, which beared fruit and spent the summer climbing the pergola. The twirly tree was rescued from the Home Depot end of the year sale by Dan. Keeping it in that shape was my job.

Tropical Storm Irene destroyed our town but left our home alone. Hurrican Sandy was not so kind and down came my pergola – tear.
You can see that Dan hit Home Depot at one of their 75% off sales and brought home a friend for our twirly tree. And I go tto manicure both of them! Actually, worth all the pricks you get while pruning.
After putting this together I suddenly have the urge to put on my boots, grab a sholvel and start digging. Time to move my perennials to the lake house.