Weekend Project

Randy and I have the best of intentions when it comes to projects. We dream and scheme, then kick an idea around for a minute... or sometimes an eternity. A few months ago, we had an idea to address our severely sloping back yard on one side: terracing. Sounds like it would do the job, and it would look good when it was finished... maybe we'll do it... someday.

Well, someday started lastThursday. That morning, we discussed and deliberated, and ultimately decided on starting said project this weekend. It would be our weekend project. Too often we start a project with hopes of having it accomplished by our set deadline, but usually we run out of time. Our timeline was this:
Thursday: Decision made. Project would commence tomorrow.
Friday: Walking the landscape, drawing it out on paper, talking through what exactly we would be doing; supply list
Saturday-Sunday: Complete project!

Here's what we were working with:

This was clearly not working for us. The pine straw was washing away from the grass; the plants on the hill were holding on for dear life. Eh, it needed to be re-vamped. 

A bottle of sunscreen, 3 pairs of work gloves, 4 trips to Home Depot, a kneeling pad, 2 levels, 2 shovels, a trowel, wheelbarrow, one giant umbrella laying on its side to shade us working, and 3 icees later... I'm happy to say-- We finished the project in ONE weekend. Our aim was to have it done by Sunday night, and mission accomplished! 

Here's the finished product:

Now to just water these plants like crazy to keep them from getting burned up in this crazy June heat!