post by leslie

Our big house project this year was to get rid of the mud/weeds in the backyard and convert most of it to gravel. I have been toying with how to do this for YEARS as I love my dog(s) and I want them to have a nice space, but I also am so tired of trying to upkeep with grass. I wanted something that felt California but would work in Minnesota, which was the trickiest part.We started this transformation 4 years ago with the amazing Landscape Love, who put in the patio and some of the plants. This year, I was not on top of it enough to make it onto their calendar, but they suggested Moondog Landscaping -- which was started by one of their previous foremen. And it turned out, he had worked on our patio in the past, and so the transformation was completely seamless.I had a pinterest board full of inspiration, and their plans were great. We spent loads of time this weekend out on the finished patio, sharing meals and playing games, and I am so thrilled to have this little oasis. I think up next maybe I'll look for a small water feature and some classic garden statues.