A Post With Substance

I’ve been a little absent the past week, just taking a breather.

I just wanted to post a shout out to Sam from Mom. Undecided.

She has graciously awarded me a lil ‘ol award with some big ol’ substance!

Please check her out at Mom. Undecided.  she has a lot to share, and if you hurry you can just get in on her first giveaway!!

Thank you again Sam.

I am truly blessed!

A Fine Feature!

Just a little bragging note that I am featured today over at Remodelaholic.  I am SUPER excited whenever Cassity decides to feature anything of mine!

Please scoot over to Remodelaholic to see the feature, but more importantly, stay a while and browse her site.  There are always fantastic posts to enjoy.

 Thanks Cassity!

Fire Pit Patio

I’ve put off doing the backyard for a couple of years now.  It’s never been much to look at.  The first year I moved here I was pleasantly surprised to find raspberry bushes in the yard. Three years later those nice raspberry bushes took over that entire side.. and were steadily creeping into the center of the yard.  As much as I hated to do it, I pulled them out, (anyone who has had raspberry bushes KNOWS what I mean when I say this wasn’t easy). 

So we were left with an empty pile of dirt, weeds and a tree, which really doesn’t belong there, but I’m NOT moving it now.  Please ignore the broken lattice, that is a project for another day.

We started by cutting out a circle.

(Mr. Charming,  out standing in his field)

After the circle was cut and the grass removed, we laid down some landscapers cloth. The cloth was then covered in limestone screening.

We used an edging stone to keep everything contained then filled in with more screening.  If you can get a tamper, tamper the limestone down.  The stones we were laying were not interlocked, so it was also easy to level each one. 

Coco of course, was in her glory during this process. She’s only allowed in the yard when we’re out there so she had an eventful week… so much to explore.

Once the screening was at the right level and packed down, it was time to lay the stones.  We also planted a few boxwood and euonymus shrubs that I found on sale at the time.

Any opportunity to take the embarrassing backside picture of Mr. Charming, (yet again)

Working ourselves into a beautiful sunset. 

The spaces around the stones were filled with Pea Stone and packed down. The planting has begun.

Coco, still enjoying herself.After a little adjusting here and there, and a little more planting, (insert old fire pit)… and we have our new fire pit patio.

This time as sun sets, we’ll be out enjoying our new fire pit patio.

The fire pit diameter is 12 feet.   We used 58 paver stones for that size.

Ever Tire of Flowers?

I don’t.

Here’s a little project that I did a while ago, but I wanted to wait until it was all in full bloom to take pictures.  I can’t remember where I saw this idea.  It was quite a while ago on the net, and probably a blog somewhere but it stuck in my head until I was able to bring it to life for myself.

A couple of old tires and a plain shed wall become blooming art!

Start with a couple of old tires… drill some holes at the bottom for drainage. Fix to the side of your shed wall with some HUGE screws and washers.  Fill with potting soil.

These are Eco-Friendly and because the tires hold the heat, the flowers are protected on those chilly nights.

Watch neighbor's stare in curiosity at your madness!

Watch neighbor’s curiosity turn to envy.  (hehe)

Just a random shot of a little clay pot sitting inside my patio canopy. Love the colors.

Just maybe… the neighbors don’t think I’m crazy anymore.

** (later that summer) **

I had to put this update in.  As the flowers fill in, it looks more and more beautiful.  I think I’ll update again in another month!



 

A side note on why I didn't paint the tires: 
While I realize that other repurposed tires have been painted, I chose not to paint mine, leaving the tire, just as it is: a tire. The flowers add enough color for me. I also live in Toronto where we get some pretty nasty weather and paint would just peel, crack and chip off. Kudos to those who paint tires and have them looking pretty all year round!



My tires are rolling over here:
Show and Tell Friday        Remodelaholic Fridays   Saturday Nite Special
Saturday Spotlight             Weekend Wrap Up       Sundae Scoop
Metamorphosis Monday    Market Yourself Monday  Get Your Craft on Tuesday
Anything Related Tuesday   Trash to Treasure Tuesday  Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Lucky Linky Tuesday    Boardwalk Bragfest   Penny Pinching Party
Idea Sharin' Wednesday   Look What I Made     
Transformation Thursday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Hooking Up with HOH     Make It Yours Day
Under $100
Get Your Craft On   http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/   Garden Party

Garage Salen Party    Sunday Showcase

Bookcase Redo

In the corner of my kitchen I have a bookcase.  I know at some point I had this decorated nicely.  What happened?? Over the last little while it’s become a collection of ….  ??   Because this bookcase was destined for a makeover I suppose I shoved anything in there for a time.

So here is the bookcase with ‘whatever’ shoved in there.

It’s actually quite a nice bookcase when it’s not shoved with ‘whatever’s’.

 

But I think it looks better with new ‘whatever’s” placed nicely in it.

I decided to leave the actual cabinet white and just change the backing.  Black seemed to be the best choice to make all my new white thrifty finds really pop.

The only thing that wasn’t found in a local thrift store was this lamp.

I removed the top shelf to allow for the new lamp and cut a hole so that the cord could disappear through the back.

No.. your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, I kept switching things around.

All the white vases, pitchers and the tureen ranged from $2 to $8.

 

All greenery from Michaels Craft Store.

 

  Don’t forget when you find the perfect piece in the not-so-perfect color, it’s nothing a little paint can’t fix.

Linked up at these great parties:
Saturday Nite Special                      Weekend Wrap Up        Sundae Scoop
Saturday Spotlight                           Modern Craftswoman     Market Yourself Monday
Get Your Craft On                          Anything Related            Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Power of Paint Party                       Boardwalk Bragfest        Be Inspired
Creative Share Wednesday             Idea Sharding Wednesday
Transformation Thursday                 Strut Your Stuff Thursday   Remodelaholic Friday

On A Personal Note

Normally, I don’t post a lot about my personal life. But today is different.  Today is my dear sister’s birthday.  My only sister, who we lost to Breast Cancer almost 4 years ago.

Carla would have been 51 today.  She left behind two vibrant, funny and amazing boys.

Not only is this message a tribute, remembrance and acknowledgement to a wonderful woman who’s kindness and selflessness touched everyone she met, but a reminder to all of us to treat our health as the most precious gift you have ever received.

I’m saddened when I hear people complain about turning another year older. I guess I just don’t understand that way of thinking.  I can’t imagine what my sister would have given to grow old.

Carla was 47 when she died and my father 57 when he died in 1991.  Longevity is quite an accomplishment in this family.  And even though admittedly I don’t wake up daily with a smile on my face, I am grateful for each day. Next time we approach our birthdays with anguish and resentment at aging, think for a moment of those who were never as lucky to grow older.  There’s a reason birthdays are called celebrations.

Good Health to you all!

Happy Birthday Carla. We miss you every day.

Shutter Love Tuesday – Meet Coco

Shutter Love Tuesday

Trendy Treehouse is hosting another Shutter Love Tuesday with a pet theme, and this time I am going to participate.  Since we are allowed one shot, I have to enter my favorite of her.

Meet Coco

She’s adorable and she knows it. She has major attitude, but it’s all part of her charm.

Thanks Trendy Treehouse.  It’s really fun to see everyone else’s pets.