Tag Archives: outdoor

05.21.13

We have been planting fools lately… polka dot planters Every chance we get we are throwing some plants in the ground.  New bushes in the front, herbs and flowers in the back like a landscaping mullet. planting fools I am really cautious about flowers in the backyard, because I have this thing with bees.  I am not afraid of them or anything, but if there is one within a twenty-foot radius…they feel the need to call my body their stomping grounds.  I have avoided planting anything that blooms until this year.

This year I am making a change, but a small one.  I am planting blooming flowers in pots, just in case they start calling all of their buzzing buddies.  Easily relocated, so they don’t wind up squished under a shovel later.

When I saw my friend Janelle’s cute terracotta planters, I started dreaming of a yard covered in overflowing pots full of sweet blooms.  Then I started dreaming of painted pots.  Then I bought pots, duh. paint your planters Painting them was unbelievably fast.  The terracotta soaked up that paint quicker than Lindsay checks out of rehab.  After just two coats of Pantone’s color of the year, these pots were ready for some spunk. making the planters polks dots I wanted these pots to be free-spirited since they would be outside getting filthy.  In other words, I didn’t want perfect polka dots that I would have to “spruce up” every time they got a little dirty.  To get that worn look I used the end of a foam roller.  You can find these in the paint section of your hardware stores, they usually say “for doors and cabinets” on them.  Soon they will say “for perfectly-imperfect polka dots”.

I let them dry overnight and then had a photo shoot of course. polka dot planters with no plants After my exhausting shoot with Giselle and Marissa, I told the pool boy to grab me a lemonade and got to planting.  Ahhhh sweet dreams, but I did plant. throw some dirt in your planter Thankfully, Tim de-wormed all the plants for me.  Kidding, but I didn’t find any so I’ll just tuck that panic attack away for later.

Once I had both plants comfy in their new little home I found a spot far, far away from anywhere I sit.  Come at me bees.  Just kidding, please stay away…save yourself. a pretty plante Aren’t they just the cutest?  I am so happy to be bringing oodles of bright summery color into our backyard.

Speaking of additions to our backyard, we got to dogsit this weekend.
Meet Whiskey. whiskey True Story:  When my dad “retired” he decided to go back to school, to dog school.  He spent a few months living away from home while training dogs to do things like track narcotics and run agility.  I’m super proud of him, and even prouder of that pup up there for being the most well-behaved dog in history.  I guess that’s what happens when you train a dog for hours upon hours.  Tim wants to steal him, and I wouldn’t be mad about it but my dad knows where we live.

Want to know what Whiskey was gawking at…. asti What a little prissy pants.

Have you been planting lately?
Deathly afraid of worms too?
Want to go to dog school?

Written by Christina and Tim
05.08.13

Have you entered to win?  Get on that.

You know that lately I have been backyard dreaming.  Longing for days of margarita sipping and sun soaking.  So obviously when Sherry, Katie, Renee, and Emily announced the Spring Pinterest Challenge my attention went straight out the window.

My original plans were to build a grotto ala Mr. Hefner but Tim put his foot down when I said the only bunnies making an appearance would be furry.

So I turned my attention to a few of my favorite pins. pinterest inspiration We already have a welcome mat surplus, so I started making plans to bring color into our backyard oasis in other ways.  Enter stage left, the wooden wind chimes. painted windchimes I have a weak spot in my heart for the tink tink of a wooden chime.  You too?  Well, here let’s make them together.  Go put your patience pants on, and bring a pair for me too. the goods I began by painting one little chime while sitting on the floor.  Then it dawned on me, I would be painting one chime at a time and holding it until it was fully dry so that I didn’t get paint everywhere and ruin my project.  Then I put on my thinking cap.

I grabbed some yarn and hung the chimes from a hook in our ceiling.  My smartest move to date, thank goodness for thinking caps.

I used my thumb to pull the chime out and give it a quick thin coat, then let it dry for a hot minute.  On to the next one. painfully slow I will not lie to you and tell you this project is incredibly easy and you can finish it in ten minutes.  These windchimes took over my life for seven hours.

It was as close as I have been to throwing in the proverbial towel, especially when I decided that you couldn’t see the orange and red paint well enough.

So those chimes needed to be sanded and repainted in the “cool” colors.  There may have been a nervous breakdown, or at least a lot of ice cream consumed. i know from experience Luckily, the result was marvelous and I couldn’t be happier.

I have already hung them up and forced Tim to sit outside with me admiring their cheery disposition.  I just can’t get enough. painted bamboo windchimes Are you a fan of windchimes?
DIY anything neato lately?
Need a gallon of ice cream?

 

Written by Christina and Tim