Our Backyard | Photo Entry for #Hashtagthisweek

This week's #hashtagthisweek theme was Our Backyard. I shared on Instagram yesterday that our backyard is nothing special... In fact, is almost ugly.  Our yard is not level as a result of the previous owners who had an above ground pool, we have kudzu vines that overtake the forest at the back of our property, and our deck is in poor condition... I originally asked someone else to host this week's prompt because I felt I wouldn't be able to create inspiration for the prompt. 

Yet, yesterday, Julie + Jen inspired a little scavenger hunt of sorts to kick off the #LittleSummerJOY project and one of the prompts in the hunt was outside.  I thought about this all day and came home from work that afternoon to take a little time scavenger hunting in my own backyard.

What I found was truly beautiful... I found memories that are beginning to form. Memories of our first house, the condition its in and the love, sweat, and money we've invested into it to transform it, in addition to the great reward of owning our own home.  I found our first little garden that my husband has devoted himself to; a little garden that's already yielded delicious cucumbers and soon to be ripened tomatoes.  I found my sweet little dog looking out the back door, her favorite spot in the house... I thought of all the deer, groundhogs, raccoons, rabbits, birds and squirrel that we've spotted in our yard and I'm thankful. Thankful for our home and thankful for the joy it has brought us.

#HashtagThisWeek | A weekly photo & story prompt for memory keepers originated by Mandy Elliott of Turquoise Avenue designed to encourage others to take a photograph and spend time creating a story based on the weekly theme. Together, in collaboration with other talented creatives, #HashtagThisWeek is a free, fun, and inspiring challenge allowing you to join in any time, any way that best fits your schedule. Play along by sharing on social media under #hashtagthisweek or by linking up via TurquoiseAve.com.