Backyard Makeover: Planters and Hanging Lights

I have spent the last few years trying to get my back yard into a relaxing usable space that I would enjoy being in.  This yard isn't huge, but it is so much bigger than the one we had in Frisco.  I love sitting on the patio and watching the kids play (and argue at times).  I've wanted lights out here since the beginning.  We thought about extending the roof to cover part of the patio, but the building codes wouldn't allow it when we built the house.  We might still try to add an arbor type covering, but for now, I made these to help bring some warm light to the back yard.

Our friend Jacob was nice enough to offer up an extra pair of hands.  Probably a much better idea than Shannon and I going at it alone!!  He was a huge help.  Landon got in on the action too.  

We decided it would be much easier to attach the plant/light hangers before we put them 8 feet over head! 

We started off putting large pavers in the grass where we wanted the pots/posts.  The barrels are quite large and we were afraid putting them on the actual patio would shrink the space too much.  This was a great solution; it extends the boundaries just a bit as well.  We put the barrels on the pavers before we attached the posts and poured the cement.

We covered the drain holes with duct tape to keep the cement from leaking out while we mixed it!! 

We poured the dry cement mix into the planters and added the water.  We used 2 - 50lb bags of cement into the bottom of each barrel.

Landon helped measure and pour the water while Dad and Jacob stirred the slurry mixture.  

We leveled up the posts and used duct tape to keep them straight while the cement set up.  

We quickly learned that we needed a liner for the bottom and sides of the barrels!  The water leaked out of the first one!  We just tucked a trash bag around the bottom.  It was by no means neat and tidy, but it served its purpose.  

Patio isn't cleaned up, but here is what the planters look like.  Can't wait for the flowers to fill in.  I'm also going to hang hanging baskets from the hooks, but the wind was a gusty 30 mph yesterday so, I kept the baskets on the ground so they didn't become projectile objects! 

I enjoyed my solace on the patio several times yesterday.  Despite the wind, it was a nice place to reflect, decompress, and process my thoughts...oh, and read...and drink coffee way to late in the evening.  Yes, that came back too bite me about 2 AM when I couldn't sleep.