It is time to go "from Trashy, to Tropical!"
BACKYARD REMODEL
The projects begin.
After years of having an unusable backyard we finally decided to get rid of the mounds (bodies), and do something with the back yard.
... and the de-construction begins.  Down comes the rotten old fence that has been falling apart for years. Out comes 100 yards of dirt! 
New fence posts go up.  New dirt is brought in. 
Trenching begins for the electrical lines, sprinklers and waterfalls.  
The foundation and the first row of blocks are in.  The sprinklers and controls are set.
These are side by side pictures for the progress from the day this project started to today.  Notice any changes???
PROJECT START:
HOW IT ALL HAPPENED...
PROJECT TODAY:
And then came the plants...
MAJESTY PALM
THE PLANT LIST
                                  PLANT LIST

1Long Leaf Yellow Wood 2 x 5 GALLON
PODOCARPUS henkelli
2AmericanWisteria3 x 5 GALLON
WISTERIA fruitcosa
3Orange Honeysuckle10 x 5 GALLON
TECOMARIA capensis
4CANA (edulus)5 x 5 GALLON
FIREBIRD
5CANA (edulus)5 x 5 GALLON
BALCK NIGHT (RED)
6TAM JUNIPER4 x 5 GALLON
JUNIPERUS sabina 'Tamariscifolia'
7QUEEN PALM4 x 15 GALLON2 x 24" BOX
ARECASTRUM romanzoffianum / Cocos Plumosa
8Giant Bird of Paradise Tree6 x 5 GALLON
STRELITZIA nicholai
9Diodor Cedar3 x 5 GALLON
CEDAR deodora
...AND THEN CAME SOD!
...and then came paint
...and the back yard continues to evolve...
Septenber 13, 2005
In the wind is a new idea for a temporary structure...

We talked about it and started a drawing.  What if we make the waterfall area into an outdoor living room, just for now...
Drawing by John & Ric 9/13/2005
Putting up lattice softens the wall and the deck becomes a cozy sitting area...
OVERVIEW...
START
DEMO
CONSTRUCTION
FINISH
And then came Steve!
SDWOOFY HOME
Steve is the latest addition to our garden.  He is about 3 feet tall and watches the house from the garden.  His color is a greenish patina copper.  We really like Steve, he worries about our boys in Iraq and watches over our house.
May 29, 2006
The plants have grown in some over the last year and things are looking more natural
October 14, 2006
Hanging wire 
and putting in
overhead lighting,
and colored glass
over the white spots
in the yard up-lights
make the yard a little
more festive for
Grant's Retirement
Party!
May 2009
The back deck gets a roof, a ceiling fan, and a comfy bed!
The "Cabana" is born...
May 24, 2009
May 23, 2009
May 24, 2009
May 24, 2009
OCTOBER 20, 2011
OCTOBER 20, 2011
JULY 18, 2013
October 20011
The Cabana gets a chandelier, TV and cushioning!
The "Cabana" goes "plush"...
September 2013
September 2005
June 2013
The Cabana gets a new floor, carpet, six-pannel walls, new fridge, bar, curtains, LED lighting, and surround sound!
The "Cabana" goes luxurios...
10PAPYRUS10 x 5 GALLON
CYPERUS alternifolius
11Begonia 10 x 5 GALLON
Begonia Dragon Wing
12Pilodendron6 x 5 GALLON
Pilodendron selloum
13Pilodendron10 x 5 GALLON
Pilodendron Xanadu (Dwarf)
14Leather Leaf Fern 6 x 5 GALLON
15Cat Palm6 x 5 GALLON
CHAMAEDOREA cataractarum
16BANANA TREE6 x 15 GALLON
Verigated Blood Banana Rojo
17BIRD OF PARADISE BUSH6 x 5 GALLON
18Majesty Palm7 x 5 GALLON

Septenber 2005
The DECK is BORN
July 20011
The backyard hosts  a Marine Corps Reunion Dinner
Six-window pannels are made and stained for the walls.
The old "DECK" floor is ripped out...
A new floor with support beams and concrete footings put in...
JULY 18, 2013
24 color LED lighting is placed over the new sheers and curtains.

Low votlage dimable ceiling lights installed.
A new hanging wet bar is installed!
...add some mood lighting
Putting up roof framing and a cordura cover I sewed turns the hot sun drenched "Deck" into a "Cabana."  Later durring the winter, 60 mile an hour winds rip the top off the cabana and I install a polyurethane corrugated cover.
New yard lighting and suspended umbrellas...