Landscaping Update -- Take 6 (And a Little Spring Cleaning)

I've received several subtle reminders that I have yet to publish pictures of my finished yard. We are still waiting for any nursery in the area to get one of the plants we need in the backyard, and we're still waiting for the flagstone and bench (also for the backyard). I took some picture of the front yard on Monday, however, and I realized I could at least show you those pictures, but before I do... you have to endure an explanation of why I haven't posted these front yard pics until now. It has to do with a little spring cleaning. I offer Exhibit 1:
I have spent three full days working on cleaning windows and window wells. I got all the window tracks (both upstairs and down) cleaned out. I also cleaned the inside and outside of the downstairs windows (upstairs is still on "the list"). The biggest accomplishment was climbing down in all five window wells and cleaning them out. In this particular well (above), there was a whole box of garbage and weeds growing halfway up the well. I got rid of all the garbage, cleared the vegetation, raked the ground flat (putting down weed fabric and rocks is also still on "the list"), and...this is the best part that really shows off my issues...I washed the white tin really well (see how nice and clean it is?!). The dirt you still see on the ledge is actually concrete or stucco or something else that is stuck on there from when they built the house. So my excuse is that I've been busy with other projects and, hence, let my blog updating slip. I've also fallen behind on a few other things (as witnessed below by Exhibit 2 and Exhibit 3):

All I can say is -- at least I got the laundry done! So what if it isn't all folded yet? :) And somehow the kitchen doesn't necessarily look all that bad in the picture below, but it still felt bad. I'm pleased to report, however, that I did all the dishes and straightened the counter (mostly) before doing this post; so I'm on my way...

NOW FOR THE LANDSCAPING!!!!!!!

First, a picture of the flower bed in front of the house. The spot where it looks like there should be a flower on the right, actually does have a flower; it's just a flower that blooms a little later (I specifically asked for all season flowers). And the whole front area is available for me to plant what I want. Technically, I could plant what I want anywhere, but I requested weed fabric for the rest.

And here is that corner spot out front by the boxes. I think this is one of my favorite parts. Even though everything is still small and young, I can totally picture it in 3-4 years when the bushes and fuller and the tree is taller and the flowers are all blooming. Who knew you could actually make it so people didn't even notice the boxes much? And as a reminder...I also have a strip along the curved edging in this bed where I can plant whatever I want. (I'd also like to point out that the bed has been cleaned out and raked smooth since I took this picture, but you get the idea.)

I LOVE this picture!!!!!!! It's a view looking down the side of our house. It's just pretty with the mountains and the pretty landscaping. :)

And here's a picture of the same area, but from the other direction. If you enlarge it, you can see the bush we planted by the utility boxes on the side of the house. It is a thin, popular bush (I think it's called a boxwood) that grows tall enough to "disguise" the boxes. You can also see the patio and the new stairs. I thought about not posting this picture because it is definitely not the stairs and patio at their finest (still has a little extra sand working its way in between the bricks, and is drying out after being wet, but you can get an idea of how nice it is).

So that's it for now. I will post another picture of the stairs and patio along with lots of pictures of the backyard as soon as the plants get here (hopefully within the week, but not sure...).