No more mud!

So, last weekend, we spent our Saturday doing some yard work. A little edging, a little mulching...you know. We worked most of the day and fed ice cream to the kids for dinner. I guess it's okay once in a while, as long as we don't make a habit of it. : )


While my husband took our boy to t-ball in the afternoon, I was struck by a spot in our backyard. Along the back of the garage is our raised bed for veggies. Next to that is the "man door" to the garage. Annnnnnd...right next to that? The spigot. 

Now if I can figure out a way to hide that stupid but oh-so-important radon mitigation system...

Anyone with small children knows that the spigot is like a huge magnet to kids. Mine love to play with water all the time. Even when it's only 50 degrees......Problem? The water would get all over the dirt right under the spigot and make a muddy mess. Plus, weeds would grow rampantly. I couldn't take it anymore.


I decided to use two things I had on hand to fix the problem (my little challenge to myself this year...use things you already have on hand). I decided to make a rock bed for the area under the spigot. That way, I wouldn't get my feet muddy when turning on the water AND I wouldn't have to constantly worry about weeds.


I dug out the dirt down a few inches in this spot. I used leftover gravel from our wall project to make a base on top of the dirt.

I then used rocks from my rock bucket (you can spy it at the top of the above pic). The rock bucket held rocks that were harvested from all of the areas that we have dug out around our house. When you live in a fairly new-construction home, you will have lots of rocks around. I washed off the rocks and spread them out.


We added mulch to the other part and I transplanted a plant over to fill in the former rock bucket spot.

Much better! Although I've moved big bucket over to make room for our water table and mud-making station now that the weather is heating up. I'm wondering if I should move big bucket (which could use a coat of paint) over and plant something big to screen the radon system. We'll see....


I'm so excited for NO MUD by the spigot. 


It truly is the little things, isn't it?

Party Time......

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just a Girl

Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life

Addicts (not so) Anonymous Addicted to Decorating

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Tip-Toe Thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles

Pinspirational Thursday at The Artsy Girl Connection

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

Sunday Salvation at Sassafras Salvation

Tuesday Talent Show at Chef n Training
Flaunt Your Flowers  at Tootsie Time
What I Wore/What's Up Wednesday at Rae Gun Ramblings
Sunday Roundup at A Rosie Sweet Home
Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing