Summer Chalkboard

With temps in the high 80's I figured it was time to change out the chalkboard on the front porch. I used this as my template.

I searched quite a bit for a quote or something but this one kept coming back.

Simple, just like summer should be.  Now if only it would get like 10 degrees cooler I might actually be able to enjoy it!

Cheers!

Jumping Junipers!

One of my resolutions this year was to give my house a bit of curb appeal. Boy was that a bigger can of worms than I thought. We started out with this

I swear there is a house in there somewhere. Of course it hasn't helped that I have been ignoring the problem for the last year, but I digress.

 First thing that had to go was that awful fence. It was completely rusted through in some parts. While Daniel did the removal I started on the mass of juniper. We got to about here before I gave up.

Can you see my path of destruction? I managed to bag and tag about half of the juniper while Daniel got out the entire fence.

After taking a few weeks off to recover (that stuff itches!) we finally got back out there and decided this would be the weekend. Everything must go!!

 Not too shabby right?

We were pretty lucky that some guy pulled up and asked to take away our fence (saves us the trip) so we managed to get everything pretty clean.

I did unearth some interesting artifacts hiding in the deep recesses of the Juniper Jungle.

Whomever lived here before must have had quite the menagerie of plastic animals. I have also found a giant beetle and a Lego shark. I'm starting a collection.

We are inching closer to our clean slate... I should have a pretty big reveal for tomorrow so stay tuned!

Cheers!

Falling

I went for a run and noticed that Fall is suddenly in the air...

Just thought I'd share that.

Cheers!

Reclaiming Some Space

The front porch was one of the selling points of this house, but, for the last few months it has looked like this

and then like this

Not exactly peaceful or useful. This weekend it was so nice I just couldn't take it any more. I finally took charge (in between spackling and sunning) and moved the last bits of drywall away.

 Much better right? Now I can finally show off the planters I finished last weekend.

Now on warm days we can sit and sip wine and watch the sun set.

Perfection.

Cheers! Linking to

Frugal Friday

 

Curb Appeal

Not going to lie, we still haven't touched the front yard. It is going to be such a huge project that we are still budgeting and planning for how to tackle it all. Clearly this is not going to happen before the kitchen is done. But, it has been too nice the last few days to stay inside so I figured I'd get a little closer to bringing that much needed curb appeal to the house.

Remember last fall (on my last planting binge) when I worked on the curb strip? Well some how over the winter it went from this

to this

Apparently this is what happens if you don't weed. Live and learn right? I wasn't even sure what was still alive under all of that but a few hours later I had found my original plants. Then I added more (because more is better right?)

You can see my original plants didn't get very far. I added a few Euphorbia (top left) and some more gound cover type plants. The tree is still in the pot because I wanted to be able to keep using it at Christmas on the porch. Here's to hoping with some regular weeding they will thrive.

Anyone have any luck getting rid of crab grass? I swear that stuff has roots to China!

Cheers!
Emily

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The sun came out for a few hours last week and I decided it was the perfect time to putter around in the yard. Gotta catch those rays while you can right? We did most of the planting last fall when I went a bit crazy ordering bulbs. All of my daffodils are up and some of the tulips are starting.

I also seized a 50% off sale at Home Depot to add some fruits and veggies in. I got rhubarb

And strawberries

The classic tomatoes

And a few sweet pea plants that will hopefully grow up over the trellis

I planted zucchini and cucumbers by seed but I've never planted that way so it will be interesting to see what grows. We also scored a blueberry bush at Costco.

With some luck we will be feasting this summer (that is if Norman doesn't strip all of my bushes clean). My yard has come quite a way in the last year. Can you believe it used to look like this?

Yikes! But it least it goes to show how far a little work can take you.
Cheers!

Linked up to
Centsational Girl's Garden Party

Spring is in the Air

I have kitchen work to do the next few days but, in honor of spring, I thought I'd show you what is springing up in my garden.

We've come a long way since I posted about my garden two months ago. And even further from the begining. Can you believe it used to look like this? One of the best things about blogging about our house is that I can look back and remember all the hard work it took to get the garden to where it is now. Still a ways to go but we are getting there! What can I say? I'm proud of myself.

What project are you most proud of? I'd love to see all your hard work! Leave me a link!
Cheers!

Vacation Photo Dump: Part 3 (and final!)

I've been nursing a migraine the last few days so not much is getting done around here. I blame the shock of going from non-stop sun to pouring rain. Seriously Seattle, Spring starts next week! Yesterday we had snow flurries, hail, pouring rain and blinding sun all in the matter of 30 min. It was crazy. So let's bask in a few more sunny pictures while we wait for the weather to turn.

This last set is a bit of a hodge-podge of pictures from my parent's house and the Huntington Library gardens. First off I should introduce you to the cast of characters that currently inhabits my parent's home.

There is Bubba- our rescue Pit Bull. He is the sweetest and stupidest dog I know.

And Nacho. My older brother's cat who now lives with them.

The Guinea Fowl- Or as I like to call them, the not-chickens.

Are they not the ugliest birds you've ever seen? Not only are they ugly they are insanely loud, but they are good at eating ticks and weeds (and everything else). My Dad enjoys them.

He also has two Peacocks that are currently dating.

 Well... he thinks they are dating, she could care less. Normally they have the run of the ranch too but they are worried she would run off and try to find a better mate. Sorry girl, this is as good as it gets.

If you've never seen a peacock showing off before it is quite the sight. It is also quite noisy. He rustles his feathers at her and they make the strangest sound. I'm looking forward to when he molts. Dad is saving the feathers for me. Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with them.

When we were at the Huntington Library we spent most of the time in the desert area with the succulents. I was playing with my fixed focal lens so I got some great detail shots.

We also managed to get to the Chinese Garden before we it closed. I wish we had more time there but it was beautiful.

Wouldn't this make a cool bathroom floor? Give me a bag of rocks and 10 years and I might be done.

There you have it. My vacation I wish I was still on. I've been having trouble getting back in to the swing of things but I'm hoping once my head stops hurting I will be more enthusiastic.

What's inspiring you all right now? Maybe I can siphon some of your enthusiasm for myself.
Cheers!