To Tree Or Not To Tree...

...That is/was the question, until this past Friday when I took a shovel and pick axe to our frostbitten ficus and dug it up. We now have space for a swing for Brenna and a bench for Mommy while she supervises. Eventually we'll build a gazebo here. For five years the ficus sucked down who knows how many gallons of water, and didn't grow enough to justify it's continued existence.

This next picture is of a coral gum tree, a little hard to see, but it's right in front and center. This guy is a fast grower and thrives in hot, dry weather. It's supposed to be covered in yellow and red blooms in the spring and summer, and will only grow to about twenty feet.

Finally, one of the Amaryllis bulbs that I got from Christmas is already blooming. There are three more flowers that are looking to open on this huge stalk.