Genius Hour #5

This will likely be my last blog post for my Genius Hour.

What have I learned about my project? Well, I've learned that I care more about my children enjoying my backyard than I care about myself enjoying it.

But, one of the MOST important values to me is repurposing. Recycling. Reducing waste.

This week I spent my Genius Hour looking for ways to repurpose items that I own, or that I could maybe pick up second hand.

This bike rack- which I could really use for the many bikes/ scooters that I have around my yard- was made with a wooden pallet. It's so brilliant- and so simple at the same time.

Pinterest [Addicted to DIY]. Retrieved from http://addicted2diy.com/2015/05/13/simple-diy-bicycle-rack/

And this one, from Her Tool Belt:

Pinterest [Her Tool Belt]. Retrieved from http://www.hertoolbelt.com/diy-bike-and-scooter-rack/ 

But, to recap, I started out wanting to have a backyard oasis just for ME. In my mind a pictured a beautifully- landscaped yard, maybe some waterfalls, a gorgeous firepit....



But, as I reflected hour-by-hour, I realized that the yard would best be utilized by my 3 boys.



So, in summary of my Genius Hour- my yard will lose the 2 large garden bed that line both sides.

That will free up one side for playing soccer, field hockey, tag, or anything really. And on the opposite side of the yard I will put up some sort of play structure.

Pinterest [Austrailian Cubby House]. Retrieved from http://www.cubbyhouse.net/cubbyhouses/timberwolf.htm











Close to my house, where there is now a cement block patio area/ overgrown garden area: 

I will have an eating area and perhaps a firepit area.

Pinterest [ishouldbemoppingthefloor}. Retrieved from http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2015/05/diy-patio-area-with-texas-lamp-posts.html?m=1






I will add some relaxing ambiance with some lights, and maybe a sign:

Pinterest [ebay]. Retrieved from http://www.ebay.com/itm/252716046320?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649




With the addition of a tent in the back wooded area, I think that for now (visions of a hot tub a few years down the roads dance in my head), my backyard plans are complete!



I am actually really happy that I chose this subject for my Genius Hour. 



I think my boys and I will have a great summer in this yard. 

Genius Hour #4

For today's blog post I have been looking at ways to decorate my yard, and how I can make it pretty- just for for me (not my boys).

All of my other posts- and actually my entire Genius Hour up to this point- has started to revolve around my three boys and how they can enjoy my backyard.

Today's post is all about ME and what I will enjoy having in my backyard.

First off, I was looking at how I could add some cozy ambiance to my backyard space. Some lighting. Some decor. Basically, I wanted to add a bit of girly-ness to a backyard that will mostly be ALL ABOUT my boys.

These photos here are some ideas for lighting that I would LOVE to implement in my yard:

Pinterest. [Woohome]. Retrieved from
http://www.woohome.com/outdoor/26-breathtaking-yard-and-patio-string-lighting-ideas-will-fascinate-you

I absolutely LOVE these lights hung in linear strings though this yard. Beautiful.

Pinterest. [Woohome]. Retrieved from 

http://www.woohome.com/outdoor/26-breathtaking-yard-and-patio-string-lighting-ideas-will-fascinate-you

And I also really love the ambiance that stringing the lights  a crisscross pattern over a walkway can provide.

Pinterest. [Woohome]. Retrieved from 
http://www.woohome.com/outdoor/26-breathtaking-yard-and-patio-string-lighting-ideas-will-fascinate-you

And I never would have thought about stringing the lights in horizontal lines along the wall like this photo...

But, I love the effect!

















Another way that I may add some beauty to my backyard, may be to add some interest to my fence.

This cluster of butterflies is really beautiful and original. 

Pinterest. [Woohome]. Retrieved from http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/top-23-surprising-diy-ideas-to-decorate-your-garden-fence

I really really love this feature fence 'wall' made with twine (perhaps?), nails and words painted onto the wood.

Pinterest [Woohome]. Retrieved from http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/top-23-surprising-diy-ideas-to-decorate-your-garden-fence 

These sweet dragonflies are made from wooden rungs, which I happen to have sitting in my garage! 

 Pinterest [Woohome]. Retrieved from http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/top-23-surprising-diy-ideas-to-decorate-your-garden-fence

I would never have considered using mirrors outside, but I love how these reflect light and the trees from the other side of the yard.

Pinterest [Woohome}. Retrieved from http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/top-23-surprising-diy-ideas-to-decorate-your-garden-fence










And this sign will definitely be hung on a wall by my DIY-ed firepit.
Love it.

Pinterest [Ebay]. Retrieved from http://www.ebay.com/itm/252716046320?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649



Getting excited for the springtime, that's for sure!

Genius Hour #3

Well, here I am again...after another hour of research.

I feel like every time I research for my "Genius Hour" I change my mind on what it will look like. AGAIN.

But, my plan is still a PLAN.

My Genius Hour will not bear fruit, if you will. At least not until the end of this summer- at the earliest. 

So, I still plan. 

I still plan a fun, playground-type backyard.

But, my plan for a DIY firepit may have changed,

I'm REALLY digging the idea of an outdoor fire pit using fire glass. How cool is that??

Pinterest. [Moderustic Aquatic Glassel]. Retrieved from http://www.moderustic.com/Fire-Pits.html

But...I'm also toying with idea of replacing the fire pit idea with a hot tub!?!

I feel like I would actually use a hot tub A LOT more than I would use a fire pit, I mean...let's be serious.

This photo may work, in that I could get a hot tub AND and eating area, AND a fire pit. But, I would definitely make it with more of a rustic, comfortable, outdoors-y vibe.

Pinterest. [MyPatioDesign]. Retrieved from http://www.mypatiodesign.com/collections/patio-designs-for-straight-houses/products/hot-tub-patio-design-with-seat-walls

Well readers. I guess my plan so far is still fluid. It's still coming together.

I definitely know that I want a wooden play structure. And I'm pretty confident on where that will go.

This fire pit/ hot tub debate will still go on in my head for another week.

Stay tuned.....

Genius Hour Post #2

This week for my Genius Hour, I am realizing that 'landscaping my backyard' may not actually be where my Genius Hour is leaning toward anymore.

I definitely do want my backyard to be a more usable space, but what I'm now realizing is that above all- I want it to be a space for my sons to WANT to play in.

So, I may be tweaking my Genius Hour slightly. Instead of my question being 'What is the best way to plan landscaping for yard', I will now make it- "How can I make my overgrown backyard into a great play space for my boys?"

I took some photos of my yard this morning. I feel that the misty, dreary weather was a perfect backdrop to how I feel when I look at my yard.

Yup. That's it. My yard. Deep, narrow and overgrown. 

The vegetable garden to the right of this photo is definitely getting ripped out. What will go there? I'm still debating in my mind.

In that unused spot in the back of this photo, I'd love to clear it out and build a simple pergola around a small firepit. Similar to the photo below:

Pinterest , [ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com]. Retrieved from http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2015/05/diy-patio-area-with-texas-lamp-posts.html?m=1

The large vegetable garden on the right of this photo...I'm just not quite sure about. I would love to just rip it out, perhaps put the play fort on that side of the yard and leave the other side open for soccer games and such. BUT...on the other hand, teaching the boys how to grow our own vegetables WOULD be a pretty amazing life skill for them. I'm torn. Good thing I still have a few months to decide.

This tree is really not doing very well. I think it must have been hit by lightning, or something. I really need to get rid of these hanging branches for the safety of my boys. I researched how much it will be to do so, and it sounds like I'm looking at a minimum of around $300- 400 for the job. I envision putting a tent up for the boys to play in. when the leaves come in, it is almost like a mini forest back there.

Yes, say goodbye to this garden bed, for sure. In it's place will either be a fort (like the one pictured below), or else it will be an open place that the boys can play in.

Pinterest, [cubbyhouse.net]. Retrieved from http://www.cubbyhouse.net/cubbyhouses/timberwolf.htm
Thankfully, my boyfriend is handy and is excited to take on building this for the kiddos. I'm putting aside about $3,000 for supplies.




So, in the last couple of weeks, I have gone from looking for landscaping ideas to planning a backyard that will be divided into almost 4 different quadrants- if you will. There will be the eating/ hanging out place closest to the house. There will be a field/type place for the boys to kick/hit/throw in. There will be a large play fort to play in. And there will be a tent in the 'forest' play area in the back.



I'm looking forward to where my next week's research will take me!

Genius Hour Continuation

I've been working on my Genius Hour for one of my classes at school.

I stated that I am doing my Genius hour on the best way to go about utilizing my overgrown backyard. But since this class will be over in a couple of weeks- my Genius Hour will likely be just regarding the planning, not the actual doing of the work.

I took a screenshot of my backyard on Google Earth. This is what it looks like from above:

As you can see, The backyard is long, thin, and has a WHOLE lot of trees. I'm sure that you can also make out the 2 HUGE vegetable gardens lining the sides.

My plan was to rip out both of the gardens, but my new plan is to possibly leave one of them now.

This decision is still to be determined.

What I am doing now is planning. Planning the best way to utilize this backyard for my 3 boys. So, I've decided to look at play structures for them. I'd LOVE to have a backyard that I can send all 3 of them out to, and one that they would enjoy playing in.

I decided to look at DIY play structures on Pinterest.

Here are some that are contenders, for sure:

Pinterest, [thehandmadehome.net], Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9359111702845057/

**I like the use of a canvas roof on this play fort- I'd like to price that out and see how canvas , or a different fabric compares in price to using wood for the roof and sides of the fort. 

Pinterest, [cubbyhouse.net], Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/522839837963359831/

**What I like about this play fort is the different play elements...the ladder, the climbing 'wall', the pole...I'm sure that I could find these items on kijiji or at the ReStore, if I take the time to look.

Pinterest, [cubbyhouse.net] Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/526921225122117472/ 

**What I really like about the fort above is the added element of the tires- and I happen to have 4 tires in my shed that I could use- BONUS! Oh, I also love the added basketball hoop, as well. Not too sure how much the boys will use it on the grass, but I'll likely add one anyway- for me to shoot some hoops, myself. ;)

So far for my Genius Hour, I've mostly been researching things that will add value to my backyard in the eyes of my boys...less landscape planning- more playground planning.

I'm excited to see what path this project brings me on next week!