Singing the Gardening Blues

We had lots of rain in the forecast for the first part of this week and I needed to finish my dry creek/drain.

Almost there!

So Friday, I went off to Home Depot and got my last few bags of rock and spent the afternoon finishing it up. Then I added more brick to the edge of the patio and moved a large paver as the start of a walkway. (I want the hardscaping down before we add the grass). Then it was time to stop for the evening.

You can see the new rock vs. the rock I dug up

Saturday, I had some plants to repot and move so I started that. In the process, I felt my back twinge. I should have stopped right then and there but the rain was coming and I wanted this job done!

Staghorn fern

Oat grass in pots

A few of the potted plants placed in bed. They should be happier now and grow.

 I kept going. By the time I stopped, I knew I'd done too much. Now I'm sitting with an ice pack on my back, waiting for healing to happen. News flash to self - I'm not twenty (or thirty) anymore. Sigh.

I guarantee I'll listen to my back next time. 

Good thing it's raining.

Telephone Table Reveal

Finally! The day has arrived that I promised you so long ago...

I finished the telephone table! So without further ado, here she is:

She's painted with my homemade chalk paint recipe in Benjamin Moore's Shenandoah Taupe, waxed, and the seat covered in a gorgeous chenille fabric.

I love her.

For now she sits in our bedroom. I'm not sure she'll stay there but for now it works.

The phone got a makeover too. Remember how brassy it was?

Now it looks like this:

I spray painted the brassy parts with silver and then painted the yellowish body with ASCP in Old White...yes, chalk paint sticks to plastic. I think it looks way better!

I had plenty of fabric left over, so the little pew got a new cushion cover as well. It went from red and gold (which didn't go with the bedroom colors at all!)

To calm and serene with a simple wrap technique:

I do plan to actually sew a proper seat cover but for now wrapping the cushion works.

So, just a side by side comparison of the telephone table to leave you with because what's a good before and after without those photos?

I love how the telephone table turned out. 

Hope you have a fabulous week!

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Before and After Wednesday

A Mile Long To Do List

my amaryllis are blooming! So pretty.

I know I promised to show you the finished telephone table this week...

Getting painted!

But life happened - our daughter's birthday was last week and we helped her move. I did manage to paint it; now I need to add some details and cover the seat. Soon, I promise! The house is still rather messy and in chaos. I'm almost hesitant to show you these pictures but this is real life. There are bags of give away stuff, papers, messes to straighten up, etc. Plus, if you ever wondered what the city house looked like, here you go.

We have a nice open floor plan with a MIL layout. Eep! I need to clean ASAP!

So many things screaming for my attention...

However, one area that looks nice is the dining room table - I found a pretty new centerpiece for it.  I'm loving the neutral colors and rustic vibe and it will look good at the farm too.

There's so much to do. To help me get it all done, I'm making a list - and it's growing daily as I find more areas needing attention. Guess that's what happens when you live in a house for 23 years. Here is what I have so far:

1.  Repaint the  lower walls in the entryway and dining room (They have been this greenish-brown color for years and I want to make them more neutral).

2.   Paint my kitchen - it's been olive for about ten years (wow) but it's a color I've loved. I'm ready for a change and think I know what color I want to use - I'm going to test it and see what it looks like.

3.   Refresh the hall bathroom.  I'm on the lookout for inspiration whether a new shower curtain or picture or something else.

4.   Paint the patio furniture.

5.   Repot and move plants.

6.   Refresh the patio chair cushions  (I've started on them!)

7.   Clean and stain the deck off the dining room.

8.   Paint the exterior of the house.

9.   Repair the fence.

10.  Finish my rain drain...I almost there!

I'm happy to report the dogs have left the test patches of grass alone and they seem to be growing! woohoo! And I bought my new patio umbrella. The lime green makes me smile!

There's lots to do but little by little it will get done. I'll be happy to check off each thing as we complete it. Until next time!