Summer Garden Tour
Our yard is a magical place. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one that gets excited about all the treasures that rotate through this little piece of land we call home. Do other people love their yard as much as I do?
When I look around I see that our yard is more than a yard it is a true extension of our home and we live life in it’s expanse. Each person in my family has a different element that speaks to them. Today I am going to share with you what my family sees in our space. My sweet friend Tara from Lehman Lane has arranged a garden hop filled with gorgeous summer yards. You can visit all the other lady’s homes at the end of this post. First, I’ll give you a stroll around our place. 
We have a lot of grass to mow. For most that might sound like an awful way to spend a Saturday. Not to my husband. He calls it instant gratification. A time to work hard and see the immediate fruits of your labor. Not to mention he holds a degree in landscape architecture and personally designed our space. I think he’s pretty talented, but I am totally biased.
He loves to throw a ball with his babies out in the yard or cook on his grill and snip spices from the garden.
My daughter could swing for days on our tree swing. Often when I look up out the kitchen window she is lazily swinging solo, just daydreaming.
And then there is the pool. My girl is a water baby if nothing else. Raisin shriveled fingers and toes are her favorite.
My middle love has a heart for the wild. Birds and bugs and things that creep. He collects fallen bird’s nests to give to me as tiny prized treasures.
He runs laps like a track star around the outer edges of our yard. Steaming off energy I wish I could absorb. He and my youngest have a ball game of epic proportion going on at all times.
The youngest likes for things to grow. He babysits the garden when something new is planted.
You’ve never met a frog catcher like him. He can double fist frogs dusk till dawn.    
He helped me plant gourd seeds that I hope we will reap in the Fall.
Our Gigi. A lazy bone at heart that loves to tear through the wide open space of our back yard. For about three minutes, then it’s back to the couch. 
That is unless a squirrel is up for a game of chase.
Then there is Boo, our cat. The yard proves to be best suited for him. He is a master hunter, close to home explorer fat cat extraordinaire. 
With a never ending supply of lizards, tiny snakes and bugs he hit the animal shelter jack pot when we walked in. We just have to keep him from bringing the outside in.
Then there is me. I just see beauty in all the little things. The stunning blooms I clip for my yard.
The vibrant greenery that looks better inside on my tables.
Little life everywhere…hummingbirds and bees and roses and snails and mushrooms… 
and bats and horse apples and berries and birds and grapes and…well I could go on forever. Â 
It would be much easier if you just came over and saw for yourself. I wish you could.
There are some simply stunning spaces for you to visit in this list of my blogging friends. I hope you’ll take a minute to visit a few and let them know I sent you!
Summer Garden Tour & Outdoor Spaces Blog Hop
Monday
Lehman Lane
Our House Now a Home
The Dean’s List
Green with DĂ©cor
2 Bees in a Pod – Vicki’s House
Tuesday
Two Purples Couches
Knock it Off Kim
Wednesday
2 Bees in a Pod – Jennifer’s house
My Life from Home
Average but Inspired
Refresh Living
Thursday
Little Bits of Home
The Honeycomb Home
Iris Nacole
Twelve on Main
Beauteeful Living
Kim – where to begin?! Your gardens and outdoor space are just stunning. We love that the entire family has fave spots for the great outdoors. We especially love that sweet swing!
Thanks guys, the swing is a favorite all around!
I love this! It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy! It was fun touring with you this week!
I love your beautiful piece of heaven.
Thank you, we do too. It is a true blessing
Kim, this is absolutely beautiful!! Every little spot is something new to behold and I love it all! It’s so neat that you have plenty of space to use in different ways. Perfect for kids and pets. 🙂
We are having a garden linky party on Monday…hope you’ll link up with us.
Thanks STacey – so glad you enjoyed it and can’t wait to see your party!
I almost feel like I did visit. Everything is just beautiful. How lucky your daughter is to have that swing. I remember enjoying a simple one like that so much!
The simple things prove to be best so often! Thank for stopping by!
This is what i called the perfect summer garden, i love all you pets, my home has some critters to, glad to see you like cats, I have 4, Beautiful grounds. Maria
Thanks…a yard isn’t complete with out all the critters 🙂
Kim, I loved reading your post through the eyes of each member of your family from your husband right down to your cat :). Absolutely beautiful! Your yard is absolutely gorgeous and I think even more so because you value the people in it! I am so glad you joined in the tour!!!
Thank you for hosting and having me! I have enjoyed the tour so much!
Your entire property is beautiful. Your grass is perfection-my husband would be envious!
lol…men and their yard wars. Got to love them 🙂
I so enjoyed your tour! Your yard is truly gorgeous and makes me WISH I had anywhere near the space you do. And your little frog catcher is the cutest. 🙂
I’m partial to the frog catcher, he is the sweetest!!!
I have MAJOR yard envy! Your yard is amazing. I love working in our yard and garden and just like your husband, enjoy mowing the yard and seeing instant benefits. I love that swing as well. I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing this space.
I am so glad you liked it. It really does feel well to look out over fresh mowed grass or weeded beds. I’m sure some people think that is crazy!
Everything looks so pretty! Enjoy your summer!
Thank you, we are loving summer here!
You have such an amazing yard and so much space! So beautiful!
We really enjoy our space
Such a pretty tour. I love the poetic way you described your backyard tour. Gorgeous landscaping. That swing is just too cute.
Thank you – we all love the swing!
What a lovely yard that obviously all of your family enjoys in one way or another. I have a yard in Florida for the first time and I am only just now learning what I can and cannot grow down here! I would like to invite you to come and share this beautiful post at Celebrate Your Story! link party! Here is the link if you have a moment: http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-story-32/
It’s fun to learn about a new yard even if it can be a little daunting! Thank you so much for the invite 🙂
Your yard is so pretty and full of so many gorgeous plants! And love your blue bar table!
Thank you! There are lots of fun little spots here
Every inch of your yard and gardens is just beautiful! I would love to wander around and soak it all in 🙂
Thanks Emily – I would love to have you over!
I seriously love your yard and I love how your tour focused on how every family member enjoys different aspects of it. I hope my yard creates that sense of freedom and exploration in my kids when they are older!!
They really do each love different things so it is fun for all!
thank you!
Kim, I can relate to the love of a good yard for the family. Growing up my family spent most of our days outside, and I would hunt for treasures, play all sorts of outdoor games, climb trees, and some days if you could find me tired enough I would sit and listen to the grownups talk. It was truly a wonderland for me, and I can see that you and your husband have created the same for your family. It’s such a joy to read about, and to see! Thank you for sharing this lovely space and story with us!
Love your yard! So beautiful! Visiting from Twelve On Main!
It’s good for the kids to play outside when they’re still growing up. Nowadays it is really difficult to force them out when they don’t know how to spend their time on the outside. Back in my days I use to scour the neighbourhood for hours, without having launch.
You have a lovely garden! No wonder your kids like playing outside when it looks as it does on the photos.
I really need some help in this area! I can’t seem to keep anything alive…and/or don’t even know what to plant. Yours looks wonderful
The heat is not our friend right now!!! Fall is a better time to start worrying about the yard
What a beautiful outdoor space you have Kim! I just love that area by the pool, so much character added to that space. Sounds like a perfect place I’d love to spend every summer.
Thanks deb. We rwally have fun here and arw so blessed to have this spot! Would love to have you join us