Inspiration: Garden Show

Went on a little picnic this weekend and bought some flowers for the garden.

I WISH!

As I write this, we are being buried under feet of snow. The photo is from this past weekend when we went to our local flower show. We have been going faithfully for the past several years and I love the reminder that we will not be snowbound forever. Soon, hopefully, I will be able to get some dirt under my nails. The flower show always gives me that extra boost of inspiration at the end of February when I am starting to think I will never see my garden again. Here are just a few of things I found really inspiring this year.

A rustic gazebo of sorts built out of branches. I can totally picture this somewhere on the mountainside.

A closeup of the ferns that were hung on each of the corners.

Some daisies in an arrangement. Just because they are my favorite.

My must-do idea I walked away from the show with this year was to add more sculpture to our garden. I am always hesitant to add any statutes to our garden. I think there can be such a fine line with garden sculpture between just right and too much and I am always afraid I am going to cross that line accidentally. But look at how cute these owls are.

Aren't they a hoot?

And Mr. Ribbit just jumped right into my heart. Love him.

At our show, they even have table centerpiece displays. This was one of my favorites. I love the lanterns hanging from the branches. I always see these lanterns in the store and would love to use them.

 Isn't this a great idea?

Hope you enjoyed our highlights from the show.

I am inspired enough now to get through a few more weeks of winter.

Do you have any place special you go to for inspiration to beat the winter duldrums?

Linking to other inspiration @  The Inspired Room

Backyard Renovation Part II: The Paver Patio

The road to the outdoor room of our dreams was paved with good intentions... and sand, gravel, pavers and a lot of sweat.

The first step was removing the old patio which was made out of concrete and bordered by an asphalt pathway. We are lucky we have friends who have all these wonderful power tools. Even more lucky that they are willing to come over and help us by using them!

Once all the concrete was out, everything had to be leveled off.

Then came truckload after truckload of stone, crushed stone and sand.

We had to tamp eveything down. Then finally we were ready to begin laying the pavers.

Progress!

Almost done and we realize we don't have enough pavers left. Ugh!

Ice Castle

After a little bit of a tragedy with Frosty...

We were somehow able to redeem ourselves in the eyes of two three year olds by building...

 an Ice Castle.

Although redemption probably would have been granted also

 with just a few more marshmellows in the hot chocolate.

Outdoor Wednesday

Stick to Every Little Branch

Snow Day. Stick to every tiny little branch snow.
Just when I think I am ready for Mother Nature to start giving me some signs of spring, she sends us this stunning display.
I love how something as simple as a few fluffy snowflakes can take your breath away.

Sorry, the quality of these photos is so poor, I took them with my phone. You will just have to trust me that the real view from my little porch IS breathtaking.

Outdoor Wednesday

Magnetic Kid's Art Wall

As much as I love my children's art projects...I do, I really do... the fact that they were slowly starting to invade all the empty walls of the house was becoming a problem. Especially when the projects had to be attached with tape - lots and lots of tape. Peel off the paint tape. Ugh.
Can't anyone invent child-proof scotch tape?

Enter Rustoleum with this little can of magnetic wonder. It turns any wall, any surface, magnetic.

The best part is, because it is a primer, you can paint over it any color your little heart desires.

My little heart was desiring lime.

Although hubs was a little hesitant to paint anything that bright.

The compromise and the solution- our back entrance way. It is a small pass through from the back garden into the kitchen with two closets; one we use as a pantry, the other as a coat closet.

It was un-used wall real estate: the perfect place to showcase our little budding Picassos.

I hung a few of my vintage tin signs.  Added "PANTRY" and "COATS" to the closets doors with decals.

 

Goodbye, scotch tape.

Hello, cute little magnets.

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