A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule.
–  Michael Pollan

About 3 years ago my friend Sophie and I took a short little landscaping course.  The real point of the course was coming up with a plan and then having the instructor comment on it.  Totally worth the price of the course. 

Slowly but surely I’ve been putting my plan for my front yard into place.  I have to say, Mr. Ho (my yard guy) has done most of the back-breaking labor of digging up the grass and building the patio and steps – he’s great).

The heart-shaped rose garden is long gone.  We’ve added a patio and walkways.  Some lawn has been ripped out in favor of edible plants.  There is still lots of junk on the front porch (some things will never change).  It’s more welcoming and we get tons of use out of it.  I like where we’re headed.