We have a flat yard that plunges down into a ravine at the rear edge of the backyard. We own the slope (though it is technically native growth protection area). Many of our neighbors have fenced a few feet inside the slope. We have opted to use a temporary fence right now to keep our young kids from falling down the hill (it is STEEP) as we figure out what to do. It sounds like the view down the hill is not going to be very picturesque (rooftops) for you, but the view out is? I would stand in the yard and at various points in the house and figure out what/where you want to screen and at what heights. A fence, even a low one, could be used if you have pets/children to keep in. Otherwise, you could just use plantings. I would consider putting some trees on the back corners to help "frame" your pleasant view and then perhaps have a mix of shrubs and small trees along the back line for interest and screening the "not so pleasant" view. My grandmother had a similar situation to yours (houses below) and she just had a simple wooden split rail fence that ran about 75% the length of the house (behind the main living areas/patio of the house) a few feet inside the top of the slope. She planted her roses in front of it. It was quite pretty. A fence should be a few feet inside the slope and maybe even be built so the posts aren't sunk in the ground directly, but are attached to something else that is. That way, if the ground shifts, it doesn't take your fence down with it. Do you have any idea what the slope was cleared of? I'm guessing they did some clearing if there is hay on it? I'd suggest making sure that regardless of who ends up owning the land on the slope, that it gets planted quickly so it doesn't erode away. I'm not an expert here - but you may even want to contact a geotechnical engineer to assess the situation, especially if the soil looks especially loose or your house is within 30-40' of the slope.

I found these recipes in a book I'm giving to my daughter for Christmas...The Ultimate Short Cut Cookie Book. You may also want to check the web site of the brand of toffee bits you have used to see if they have a recipe. -Grainlady CASHEW BRICKLE COOKIES 1 (16.5-oz.) roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough 1 c. chopped lightly salted, roasted cashews 1/2 c. almond toffee baking bits Preheat oven to 375-degrees F. Spray two cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Cut cookie dough in half. Roll out half of the dough between two sheets of wax paper to form a 10x6-inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of wax paper. Invert dough onto one of the prepared cookie sheets. Remove remaining sheet of wax paper. Sprinkle dough evenly with half of the nuts and half of the toffee bits. Repeat with remaining dough, nuts, and toffee bits on second cookie sheet. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Cool on cookie sheets on a wire rack. Remove cookies to cutting board using two spatulas. Use a sharp knife to cut cooled cookies into irregular shapes. Makes about 42 cookies. ALMOND TOFFEE BARS 1 (16.5-oz.) roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough, well chilled 1 c. semisweet (or milk) chocolate chips 1 c. toffee baking bits 1 c. sliced (or chopped) almonds 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with foil. Cut cookie dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices in bottom of the prepared pan. With floured fingers, press dough evenly to form crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, toffee bits, and almonds evenly over prepared crust. Drizzle evenly with sweetened condensed milk. Bake 25-28 minutes or until edges are bubbly and center is just lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately run a narrow metal spatula or table knife around edges of pan to loosen. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack; cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.

Priceless..I have similar pics of my grandaughter baking with me...I just let her go and have fun...It's amazing how fast soap and water cleans them up. But in the meantime what wonderful memories I have!

Annie, yes, I have made those cookies. Does anyone remember Mr Food? He used to do little segments on TV.....and he gave out that recipe, calling them, The Best Cookie Ever. They really were great. It was in the mid '80's....when I was in my cookie baking prime. I collected cookie recipes and super good ones went in my permanent file. This was one of them. I lost those recipes in the flood. I had forgotten all about this cookie. I think I am going to make them again.