Sunday. We are definitely spoiled by our normally wonderful North Carolina weather.  Our last 4 days of rain have seemed endless, and, when the sun came out this morning it was cause for celebration.  Everything is still a little damp, but the sun and warmth made it feel more like spring than fall. 

It was nice to take a drink outdoors this afternoon and sit in the sun on the new patio.  Although it will be much improved by spring, the pansies we planted are perky and happy, many with bright new faces turned to the sun.  The patio is coming along nicely.  Bill went ahead and laid the paving bricks before I had a chance to get the wall painted, but it won't be long before the flowers and herbs in the flower beds will camoflage the cement blocks. 

Here's a view of the back of the house before: we tore of the rotting flooring on the foundation wall and cleaned up debris:

The "After" view shows flowers planted on both sides of the wall, patio pavers laid down and raised flower bed built inside the wall.  Add a trellis for the wisteria and a table umbrella for shade and it's perfect for morning coffee or an afternoon drink.