Bloom

 

 

This post really doesn't need much wording. This past year I have come to really enjoy fresh flowers in my home. I don't buy them very often, because the nearest grocery store or market that offers decent blooms is almost an hour away, so it just isn't worth the trouble usually. I would take a couple of fresh hydrangeas and some baby's breath over a dozen roses any day (as seen here).

 

This little jewel makes me really happy because it came from my very own flowerbed. I clipped it yesterday. The other blooms are blooming brown and pink but this one was beautiful and white. It's the little things....

 

 

 

Project Post 24: Wooden Toolbox Planter

This is a project post and an heirloom post all in one, which means you get a bonus. I'm sure a million people have done this before. Several years ago when my Papa was still alive, he and my Nanny sold their farm that they lived on and loved for many years, to move to town and be closer to their kids, grand kids, and doctor's offices. I got a few odds and ends from Papa's barn that no one wanted (everyone had taken what they wanted already) and were going to be sold with the house. The reason these things are special to me are obviously because they came from my grandparents, but also because we all have such fond memories of growing up out at "the farm," and I am happy to have a few things from there. Among those things, were a couple of old, wooden toolboxes. Before I got married, they sat in my parents garage for a long time, and even after that they just sat untouched for a long time. I considered doing different things with them - cleaning one up and painting it and using it for silverware and napkins at dinners and parties - but that would mean finding a place to store it the rest of the time, and you all know how I feel about storage space and clutter.

I started cleaning this one up a few weeks ago, and decided that with all the wear and grime and dirt and nails, etc., it just wasn't going to clean up very nicely. So I left it in it's natural state and planted some flowers in it, and I think it's charming on our back patio. If that spot doesn't get enough sun for begonias (which, it won't after we add our shade canopy/roof), I might fill it with a bunch of succulents, but right now they are doing pretty good and I really like it as a little planter.

I won't insult you with details and instructions, because this project is obviously very self-explanatory. You can find old toolboxes like these all over - flea markets, junk stores, garage sales. Usually, the junkier the place, the better chance they'll have one or some.

Embarrassing Before & After

I love a good, dramatic change.

And after weeks of extreme dry heat...

I listened to the sound of heavy rain on my roof at 1am this morning.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or f a m i n e, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am persuaded, that neither death, or life, not angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, not depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8: 36, 38-39

I am thankful for a small break from our rain famine.

In other news, say goodbye to our maple tree, whose little "gifts" can be found scattered across my driveway, flowerbeds, car, roof, etc. at any given time of year. The leaves are suffocating my new plants. We are cutting down the very large tree. Don't worry environment, we will be planting a few trees in the fall to make up for it. I must admit, I will be happy to see my friend go.

Have a wonderful, humid M O N D A Y!

My Flowerbeds - After!

You'll remember that I showed you my flowerbeds in THIS post a few weeks ago. Now I will show you some after pictures! I have pictures from right after we planted them (the day of), about two weeks later, and then about a month after that. Progress!

Here is a reminder of the plan Tobin made us:

And here are some shots of the day we planted:

And here are the after shots of the day we planted:

Here are the beds about two weeks later:

And here are a few shots from this week:

And there you have it: a very extensive "after" post. I love our results. I am very happy with it all!



My Flowerbeds - Before & After...

...well, sortof! I'm not going to post the final "after" pics yet - so you will have to stay tuned.


We have an understanding when it comes to home maintenance, decorating, projects, finishing touches, etc. We don't spend the money on something until we have plenty to spend on it. This philosophy is why I still have incomplete rooms in most of my house (besides Levi's), why I am still missing a sofa, entertainment center, occasional tables, bedroom furniture, and the list goes on. The same philosophy is also why it took us 16 months of living here before we did any landscaping! But alas, we finally took the plunge.

Let me take you back to the VERRRY beginning. Here is the front "yard" right after we moved in, and when we were still using the pre-sidewalk 2x4s:

And here are the proud new homeowners in front of our yardless new house :)

And here is some progress after our beloved sidewalk was poured:

Then last summer, we (and by we, I mean Tyler) put in some flowerbeds and spread mulch, then put leftover stone from the house around the perimeter.

And then, FINALLY, after patiently waiting, my brother-in-law who does landscape design (***shoutout to Tobin!) drew us a design according to our budget, and ordered our plants from the nursery and then we put them in!

Here's the awesome plan he designed us:

I will leave you on the edge of your seats with that! Final "after" pictures coming soon!