it's a jungle out there

when i returned home from a three-week trip out west, i found a jungle growing in our backyard.  the weeds had flourished, as well as many of our plants due to all the rain that came while we were away.

i knew i'd have some weeding to do, but i was really surprised when some of the weeds were as tall as my knees.

i've spent the last week trying to reclaim my flower beds.  it was a little like rediscovering my garden, since the weeds were so thick i couldn't even see some of my smaller plants.

i love our yard, and although it takes a lot of time to keep it growing, i enjoy making our little space more beautiful.  and it's been a blessing that the previous owners had already planted a great garden, so i'm mostly maintaining what they started.    

see how much better things look in the second pic?  i'm to the swings now, but the weeds and ground cover gone crazy are more time intensive to pull.  

maybe this weekend i'll be ready to start the front.