Loading in~

After two days of practicing patience, we were finally able to begin to load in the patio...Nikki came out to help us lay it all out.  We started with placing the tiki torches in the holes we placed in strategic places and then bringing in the benches and one chair we planned on using out there and then began to place herbs and veggies in the planters and position them.....While the kids helped me with all of that, David began to build the fire pit on top of the fire bricks we'd had inlaid in the concrete......

As soon as the first cool evening came, we burned our first little fire....

There have been a few changes in the months since that first day of loading in; as with any project, our needs have changed as we actually live with the finished product.  The veggie planters were moved as they grew too large to be placed quite so close to the torches and as we continue to work on the Gazebo, the sun pattern has changed which meant that more movement of planters was done.  But here are a few shots of those early days.......

There are herbs and veggies in the pots. 

Another view.....

And another....this area (below) is now filled with the tomatoes and peppers.

As we put the roof on the Gazebo, we lost sun which meant we needed to move

them; the chair was moved over to the fire pit/bench area which actually works 

better when we entertain. 

Another angle.....

Later that first night, we sat outside to test out the Tiki affect....

The end result is that we have a lovely outside sitting area where none existed before and I have finally have the "kitchen garden" I always wanted to have.  No more sending someone out for Cilantro to have them bring me Parsley....I can make a quick run out the back door to get what I need without risking a boiling over pot......