Whatisthisthing

My mother-in-law’s garden today 🌿

Everything is looking full, alive, and well established right now—one of those spaces where you can tell a lot of care has gone into it over time. Just walking through and taking it in feels like a quiet reminder of how much a garden can change with the seasons.

All sorted now—what do you think? 😂

We had this paver patio installed about two weeks ago, and now I’m trying to figure out the best shade solution before buying an outdoor couch this week.

The patio gets full sun from around 11 a.m. until sunset, so some type of shade is definitely needed. My first thought was a pergola, but I’m not sure how to secure it without damaging the pavers. I’d also like to keep the project as budget-friendly as possible.

For those with similar setups, what shade options have worked best for you? Pergola, shade sail, cantilever umbrella, gazebo, or something else?