Together on Tuesdays - Week 8

Welcome back for another week of Together on Tuesdays! Today, we are sharing about some fun backyard, or neighborhood, summertime activities. 

Our home is situated on a corner lot, with two cul-de-sacs close by.  The development is large, but this area of it feels like its own little neighborhood of homes. 

Over the years, we have gotten to know quite a few of our neighbors. Though people tend to keep to themselves, there is still a sense of community. Our children have shoveled snow for our elderly neighbors. My husband has helped our neighbors with house projects and even a boat repair (though we don't have one ourselves). I have babysat, hosted play groups, provided transportation to VBS, and handed out Bibles. Probably more importantly, we've prayed for our neighbors' prayer requests. On the other hand, when our neighbors have extras to share, they do! We have received, among other things, twenty pounds of ground meat {seriously, twenty pounds}, usable girl clothing for our daughters, and a weed whacker. More importantly, we have been blessed with a sense of belonging in a neighborhood community.

Even though we are on good terms with most of our neighbors {There's always one, isn't there?}, we do enjoy a bit of private outdoor space.  To create privacy in an area where 8 houses can see your backyard, the Drummer built a privacy fence.  It does nothing to help block second floor, curious onlookers, but it offers the sense of privacy we desire on occasion.  Select plantings, trees, and a newly built shed help offset the most intent onlookers.

Some of our favorite backyard summertime activities are croquet, roasting marshmallows on the fire pit, gardening, reading/resting in the hammock, eating dinner or dessert on the patio, playing with the children, and throwing a ball for Moe, our dog.

~ Dorie

{Next Week: Tell us about a person who influenced your life}

Today, if you have a new or old post about backyard or neighborhood fun which you would like to share, just add a text link to either This Simple Home or These Grace Filled Days, and then enter your post to the link-up below. Be sure to link your post and not your home page. This makes it much easier to find your post for the link-up.

Not able to link up? Feel free to add your favorite backyard or neighborhood fun in the comments.