Thursday, June 10, 2010

Lavender Love


The other evening just before sunset, I was able to steal a couple of rare, quiet moments watching a bee flit from lavender blossom to lavender blossom. The little guy even allowed me to take his portrait, although he refused to sit still...too busy to steal a couple quiet moments for himself  I suppose.


The lavender swayed in the breeze and the smell was intoxicating.

So I clipped a few to savor inside.

I think the smell is even better inside the kitchen.


Link Parties

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Playset Re-do Preview

Last year, we made the difficult decision to have a gigantic, noble oak tree cut down in our backyard. Feel free to read all about the saga.  It was heartbreaking.


Searching for the silver lining in the cloud, we thought about how we could use the space. We had already planted new trees in different parts of the garden so this space was free. It was enough area for the playset we thought we would never be able to fit in our yard. So this spring, a year after the tree was cut down, we were ready to build one,  only to discover we still had roots. Lots and lots of roots. Massive roots that we were chipping away at for weeks- I kid you not.



Finally we needed to bring in one of these guys again...

..my poor pavers.
But at long last, most of the roots were gone and we could begin building the playset.
 Luckily our neighbors were getting rid of the playset their grandchildren had outgrown.
"Of course we'll take it!"

However, Mr. Cabin could not leave good enough alone.
Oh no- not when you can re-hab, re-furbish and build it bigger and better!

Mr. Cabin: The canvas roof is ripped and torn maybe instead of replacing it with new canvas I can build a solid roof instead. What do you think? 
Me: That's a great idea, but can we build something that has a little character. Maybe a little cupola on top or something?
Mr. Cabin: Character? For a playset? Are you serious?
Me: Well why not?

And so with that Mr. Cabin began his super-secret building plot.

For an entire day, I was convinced he was building me a planter box.
On the ground this box he was building looked exactly like a planter box!

What it was....was a whole new level- a ladder to a lookout tower. 
A little more than what I expected when I asked him to add a little character!
No problem re-enacting Rapunzel at our house now.



The best part of the lookout is the roof. He jigsawed out stars all around three sides and on the fourth side...



a giant "S" for their shared first initial.



Even the view from inside is pretty cool.

As I write this Mr. Cabin is still in the backyard painting various parts and there is a ton of mulching and landscaping to be done. But until its done, I thought you might enjoy a little playset sneak peek!

Going to show off some of my man's work again at some of these Link Parties.


Enjoy the rest of your week,

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Pleasures of the Cabin Porch

Right now we are in the midst of a couple of weekends where we won't be able to escape to the cabin. Luckily, they are all good reasons- family birthday parties and fun celebrations. We have been trying to take advantage of that extra weekend time home at the cottage to get some more projects done- a swingset for the girls, some more landscaping.
So while we are checking things off our 'cottage to- do list", I am also trying to tackle a few projects for the cabin as well, one of them being our porch.
I have two Adirondack rocking chairs just waiting for their cherry red paint.  Here are a few inspirational photos I have found of other cabin porches.  I'd take a cup of coffee on any one of these anyday. They are holding me over until I can get to mine.



Country Living
Jean Allsopp, Whisper Creek Cottage


Better Homes and Gardens

Southern Living

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