THE CABIN HOUSE

so remember when i promised before & after photos? well, i think i was a bit ahead of myself there. we're not quite ready. i'm starting to feel like maybe we won't ever be ready. i'm a tad overwhelmed at the moment. i love it all, but it's a bit daunting.

i thought that the transformation from this:
to this:
was a really big deal. it took us all day to chop/dig out the old dead tree stumps, irrigate the soil, dig out weeds and then plant our succulent clippings (thanks dee!).

but then.....the boys took me on a hike (yes....a HIKE) to the top of our property. i'm embarrassed to admit that it was actually the first time i've been up there. i'm not kidding when i refer to it as a national forest. here's what it looks like:
the machete came with the house (made in bolivia, no less) and is completely necessary if you are not immune to poison oak and blackberry thorns.it would be nice if all of the fallen trees and brush were somehow magically cleared, but i'm starting to doubt that will ever happen. maybe our grandchildren's children's children will be able to see it landscaped.... still, who am i to complain about our forest when we have views like this???