Week's End--Final Project

Spring Break has just about come to an end, but it has been a wonderful week. I've accomplished quite a bit in the yard and around the house. Yesterday was rainy and dreary. Collin and I didn't do anything to speak of. We sat around the house mostly and watched movies and stayed on the computer. We did get dressed and go out for about an hour, but it didn't take us long to get back home. I suppose everyone needs a "do nothing" day from time to time. My spring cold is lingering and I didn't feel as good as I usually do. This afternoon, however, the rain has stopped even though there is no sunshine and it is still somewhat cold. Collin and I went out to the shop and brought in my last project. I have a somewhat new linen chest, a great addition in my living room. When Rhyne and Micah moved into their house, they had a guestroom that needed furnishings. I told Micah she could have her bedroom suite if she cared to have it. She took the desk and armoire. The dresser was left behind. My wheels began to turn. Collin removed the mirror for me, and he and Bryan carried the dresser out to the shop. It was white, but with the magic of Khaki spray paint and several days of work, it has been transformed and it now holds my place mats, table clothes, napkins, and napkin rings. I'm extremely pleased and I think I will really enjoy it. This color matches my sofa and wall colors quite well. My linen closet was rather small and now I'll have more room in it and my linens are organized, easy to find, and much easier to retrieve.

I love recycling old things and making them new. And it all it cost was the price of two cans of spray paint. I love spray paint and what it can do. If you've never tried it, I would encourage you to do so. You may become addicted as I have.

Marcia

Spring Break Week

It has been a wonderful week and a great ushering in of Spring. I've changed our welcome to reflect the season, and I might add, Micah's favorite flower--tulips. It has been a productive week for our entire family. We've worked in the yard, in the house, and even helped out the grandparents a bit.
I started early in the week moving flowers and raking more leaves. I dug up some of my hostas, divided them, and added them to other places in the yard. They'll take off in no time and grow to full size. These are a partial sun/shade plant so they have to be on the north or east side of my house to do well.

Although I put them in a number of places, this is a spot by my patio which doesn't grow much of anything, so I'm hoping this will turn into a more pleasing space for the eyes.

Another chore on my list was to clean and spray paint some of my older flower pots. I thought they needed a face life so this is the beginning of the project. I bought gold, ivy leaf green, and pumpkin orange. They'll add a bright spot of color and look a little newer.

My fern made it pretty well through the winter and I've moved it outside to perk up the patio.

I've never had pansies before, but always admired them. I really think they're pretty in my newly painted pot.

This is a transplant. It survived the winter, and it needed to go into a new container with some fresh soil. This little beauty is resilient and needs little attention--just a good drink of water. It comes back year after year in spite of me.

Bryan has been home for the week and worked quite a bit. He broke his Papaw's garden spot one afternoon, spent a couple of days helping Papaw Bob and Mamaw Joyce with mowing, cutting limbs, burning, and more, then broke a small garden spot for us which will hold tomato plants and graded our drive. He's also found some free time for fun stuff with his friends. It's been good to have him home a few days.

Collin has busied himself every afternoon when he could get home from work with burning, mowing, and other things. He has even helped me complete a few projects I couldn't do totally by myself. He is wonderful; I don't know what I would do without him and he never complains.

This is the only antique I have in my house and it was my grandmother's. It was refinished for me, but I never particularly cared for the seat cushion. This fabric was left over from my piano bench cushion so I purposed that I could cover this cushion. This is one of the projects that Collin helped me with. We worked together pulling and holding the fabric while using the staple gun to complete the job. I'm extremely pleased.

Yesterday, I woke up with something--I don't know what, but it really effected my day. I would do something then head back to the chair or couch to rest. I loaded up on medicine last night and went to bed. Thankfully, this morning, I felt much better. I went to town to run a few errands, then treated my mom and Bryan to lunch at San Francisco Bread. (Sorry Micah, I know you would have enjoyed the traditional Friday family outing if you were closer to home. I thought of you.) Actually, we were celebrating a belated birthday for my mom. She loves to eat there and I love to take her. I just can't actually do it on her birthday because I'm working, but I try to catch up on the promise during Spring Break. Before eating, I met her at the mall because I had a couple of errands to take care of. While there, I stumbled upon this purse and bought it. I had some birthday money, and since I don't have a spring purse, it seemed to call my name. What do you think? Bryan joined us in time to eat.

Yes, this has truly been a great week and it isn't totally over just yet. In fact I want to do one more post. I have something not quite finished that I'm saving. I just want to close with this beauty that is in my backyard--a flowering crabapple tree with a redbud behind it. Spring is here and I'm so happy.

Marcia

Spring Break Weekend

Spring Break has arrived and none too soon. I was ready to leave school Friday afternoon and as soon as my students left, I was out the door behind them.

The drive home took me to WalMart. I was in search of spray paint for the projects I planned for the week. Having found what I was after and buying one small pot of pansies, I was headed for home. As it was a beautiful day and I had been involved in a busy, hectic week, I got something to drink and sat in the swing on the patio for a while until Collin got home. Bryan made it in to spend the week at home as well. After some grilled chicken, Collin and I settled in for a movie and Bryan left with things to do.

Yesterday was a little chilly and somewhat dreary. The sun never made it out I don't believe. We lingered over coffee a while. Collin had some things to do, so I decided to head to town for the afternoon and took Mom along. We perused the aisles of Hobby Lobby and Pier I to see what was new for spring and then headed to the mall. I found a 50% St. Patrick's bargain that I rather liked. I'll have something new for next year.

At the mall, we looked in some dress shops to see the fashions for spring. I found a bargain and thought I should take advantage to be ready for next winter. Socks--from New York and Co. I like their socks and they don't come cheap, so to get these at $2 a pair was a deal.

Last night, we went to Collin's folks. His younger brother, Chris, and his wife, Jennifer, were home from Lancaster, PA. Sadly, Jen lost her mother, but we managed to squeeze in a short visit before they left for home this morning.

Today, after church and our Sunday meal with my family, we went outside for a while to enjoy the spring day. Collin and Bryan got out their golf clubs and did a little chipping out in the yard. I think they are getting the itch to get out to the golf course and understandably so. I enjoy watching the two of them share this favorite past time. Then tonight we went back to church for an hour or so of fellowship.

And tomorrow, it's down to business and on with my projects. Stay tuned.

Marcia

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I always enjoy this March holiday. Green is my favorite color. By mid-March, things are beginning to turn green once again, and to me it's the holiday to usher in spring time.


Our families are of Irish descent, both Collin's and mine. I'm reminded that years ago, some of our brave relatives had to board a ship and head out to the "new world" at some point in time.


Today was, indeed, a beautiful day; sunny and warmer temps. After getting home from work, Collin and I walked through the yard and found flowers coming to life. The hostas are breaking through and the peonies are visibly noticable. It felt like Friday. I wish it were so. Next week is spring break and I'm making a list of projects. I can hardly wait.

Marcia

Birthday Weekend

Friday was my birthday. I'm grateful to be alive and kickin'. God has richly blessed me with good health and lots of energy. I'm thankful that He has given me these years to enjoy life and my family. I hope he will give me many more years of happy days.

In self-celebration of my personal holiday, I took Friday off. I had no plans and that was the beauty of the day. Upon waking, I found a birthday present and a sweet note that Collin left for me. There was a gift card treating me to a 1-hour massage on the day of my choosing. I'm looking forward to this. I usually make good during spring break week. This is the third year for this luxury and I'm getting accustomed to the pampering. I lingered over my morning coffee, read for a while, and then got into the day. I did a few little chores, but tried to keep things quiet. Bryan had come home Thursday night to sleep in and I didn't want to wake him. When he did get up we had a nice chat and some catch-up time. I enjoyed the company. Mom called mid-day with well wishes from both she and my dad.

Early to mid-afternoon, I made my way outside. It was a beautiful, sunny day even though the wind was a little sharp. I cut and brought in a bouquet. Nothing says springtime like fresh flowers. I put a few wintry things away and brought out a few things that seemed to say spring. Friday night, Collin and I went out to the Classic Airstrip to enjoy fellowship and potluck with friends. After eating, the men talked and visited of planes while the ladies played Train Dominoes. This is a new game for me, but I have come to enjoy playing with the ladies. Here are Collin and I just before eating. Just as we were leaving, Micah called with birthday greetings and we visited well over an hour. It completed my day. If you can't have your children at home, at least thank goodness for cell phones.

Saturday morning dawned incredibly beautiful with more sunshine and even warmer temperatures. We went outside on the patio and enjoyed our coffee. How we hope there are more of these days to come. Shortly, we decided there was more yard detail to see about and we got busy. I got out my hedge trimmers and trimmed all the shrubbery. There were more sticks and leaves to rake and burn. I'm holding my birthday present from my dad and mom--a new yard broom. It's what I asked for. I truly enjoy working in my yard and the proper tools are essential.
And here is Collin. I'm mowing the yard by now and I caught him "really working hard" at holding that phone to his ear. He is really slaving away isn't he?

Just kidding! In all honesty he was working like crazy, too. He had raked, been running the yard sweeper and trying to keep the burn pile going and under control. He just happened to get a call. He has my new rake and you can actually get a better view of it as he has it.

After a full day in the yard, we hit the showers and went to Brookland. My in-laws invited us to come and they would take me to supper to celebrate my birthday. I chose TaMolly's and it was great. I love Mexican, I was starved, and Taco Salad and iced tea just fit the bill. We even splurged for the occasion and ordered cheese dip. Everything was yummy.

Today after church, we ate with my folks. My mom's birthday was Thursday. We're almost twins and I've always thought that was special. She made a cake for us--Hummingbird Cake--one of our favorites. Here we are before leaving to head home.

Now the day isn't quite over. After church tonight, we're going out with friends for pizza and that will conclude my birthday weekend, but it has been a great one. And again, I'm happy to have had one more year.

Marcia