My Very First Post

Way back in June of 2010, I took the plunge and started this blog. Wowzers, almost two years have past, and so much has changed....a new baby, a big move, selling my vet clinic.

As many of you know, we moved almost one year ago, from Vancouver Island to Alberta. We moved into a newer home, and while it is on 3 acres, with beautiful views of rolling hills, the mountains in the distance, and horses in the surrounding fields, the yard itself is pretty much just grass. We are working hard to create a landscape reminiscent of our old home. Today, I am getting all sentimental and sharing my very first post, featuring our beloved outdoor patio.

Here is the original post:

With the summer solstice happening today, I thought that my first 'real' blog post should show one of my outdoor spaces. This is our back patio, which is one of my absolute favorite spots to sit back, relax, and lounge (well perhaps less lounging and more running after the little munchkins, but one can dream, right?) I love that this space is covered, so it can be used year round.

This shows a corner of the space which will one day be transformed into our outdoor kitchen. I see a built in grill, bar fridge, concrete counters......hmmm, maybe I can convince hubby to start construction on this sooner than later?

We're lucky enough to have an inground pool (not very common in these parts). The girls (and us big kids too) love it. I can sit in my 'lounge' area and watch the girls swim.

With 2.5 acres, it can be hard to call in the troops when you need to. This handy dandy bell sure helps with those 'it's time for dinner' moments.

One of the gardens, pool-side.

Another view of our patio. We bought the furniture at Sears, and the outdoor rug at Home Depot.

Love the outdoor clock. On the other side, it's a thermometer. Bought at Costco a few years ago.

When we moved into this house, 4 years ago, the ceiling fans were indoor fans. The fan blades had warped over time and were 'hangin' limp'. I absolutely love these new indoor/outdoor fans (Home Depot) which keep us cool on those hot summer days. We also have pot lights in the ceiling which is great for lighting. Truthfully, I prefer the glow of candle light in the evening anyhow =P

I love this lantern, which was bought from a local artisan. The rain chain makes such a pretty sound when it's raining outside. Peeking in the background is our guest house. It's a great space which will be the focus of many future blog posts as we renovate it.

Enter 2012, and our new yard:

Here are a few sneak peaks at our current deck:

This past weekend, we started our vegie garden.  The house in the background is our neighbours home, still under construction. So far we have raspberries and strawberries planted.  We will eventually fence the garden, and put in a pretty gate in the centre. It is a huge garden, at 30 X 50 feet.  My hubby is going to be busy tending it! He's in charge of the vegie garden while my gardening interest is perennial gardening.

We have some very ambitious plans for our yard.  This year we are just trying to get the lawns improved, do some maintenance and put in a few gardens.  Next year, the real fun will begin!

Joining in the fun at:

Linking to my Favorite Parties!

Stop the Press!!

Phew, what a busy weekend! We decrapified, I mean sold, some stuff at a friends garage sale, had a birthday party for my daughter who turned 8, had a sleepover, endless kids in and out of the house all weekend, and people over for a luncheon. It was a great weekend, but I'm pooped!

Anyways, onto the topic at hand.  I did something unthinkable last week; I actually completed a project-yipee! Sure, there are dishes stacked up in the sink and floors that need to be swept, but I seriously needed a project that was purely for fun...you know, for a Mommy's sanity!

I chose to work on the new to me sunroom table because 1. It was a relatively quick and easy project, and 2. The sunroom is so close to being 'complete'. I painted the table in ASCP Country Grey. I'm not really sure about this colour.....it's a beigy-grey tone (greige if you will). With the dark wax and distressing, though, I'm liking it for now. I already have a piece in the sunroom painted in Old White and wanted to step outside my comfort zone and try a new colour. I'm very tempted by Annie's blue colours, too, but for now, this neutral grey is nice, and I had it on hand already. All I need now for this room is the perfect area rug.

Ready for sunroom picture overload?

I distressed the piece and used both clear and dark wax on it.

I found a new magazine holder, which is perfect since this is one of my favorite spots to read a magazine or a good book =) (magazine holder is from Winner's).

I plan to one day, you know, put herbs in my herb crates, but for now, Ivy and Jasmine look lovely.

My new pillow from Sutton Place Designs.

I love the trim detail that the previous owners put up.  I also adore the plank ceiling.

My favorite comfy chair (from Pier One).

My next project day involves a can of Primer Red and a fabric cabinet. I can't wait! Linking to my Favorite Parties!

Antique Sheet Music Cabinet

I should really be calling this post: "Why do I create more projects for myself when I simply have no time to finish those that I already have waiting", or maybe "How to create the longest to-do list in history: A study in procrastination"......

I am looking towards September-ish to get these projects started. You see, in September a miraculous thing happens: My middle baby goes into kindergarten. Wowzers, how did that happen so fast? While I'm sure I'll be weeping like a baby that first day, it does mean a wee bit more time for Mom to tackle aforementioned to-do list...or at least I am hoping to get a bit more time =)

Anyhow, onto this little beauty scored from where else....Kijiji. It will be restored and painted and house our computer paper and scrapbooking paper. The fellow we bought it from said it was his Mother's, from the 1920's.

I also acquired this sweet table from my Mother. It's perfect for the sunroom. I'm going to be painting this as well (maybe this will be my October project =)

So, a question to all you Mom's out there....How the heck did you get it all done. By it, I mean life...laundry, cooking, cleaning, playing with kids AND carving out some time for yourself? Sheesh!


Sharing these projects at my Favorite Parties!

Changes in the Master

We've added a few things in our Master. I must say, I am quite loving this room. In fact, it is one of my favorite rooms in our house. Here's what we've done:

A large basket next to the armoire, and a little lady on the top of the armoire.

Do you see her up there?

I bought her off an antique 'dealer' (using the term loosely). She's so pretty, made in Italy.

You can barely see in this next picture, but the maker has signed the back. The base is marble.

Also bought from this same person was a gateleg table.  I had been searching for months for a second bedside table, and lucked into this pretty one.  

I love the barley twist legs.

We can open up the other leaf if more table space is needed.

This is the other bedside table (also bought from the same person last fall):

Still loving our antique dresser:

Finally, I have still to paint this pretty desk. I can't wait to find the time to finish it!

I love the curves and details. The drawers are all lined in velvet.

Check out the legs on her!

And since I can't resist:

She's growing so quickly (even the thigh rolls!)

Have a wonderful week! I am still really just submerged in all things baby, although we have been getting out in the yard quite a bit (between the spring rains!) and are looking forward to planning the landscaping and new gardens for our home!
Sharing at my Favorite Parties!