Signs of Spring

So what are some of your favorite signs of spring??? The sun, buds on a tree, flowers starting to bloom---no traces of snow and thawing ground are a two that ring a bell to this would be 'farm girl' as my neighbor likes to call me! I decided this year to expand my garden...just a bit. It is about twice the size it was last year! Another new addition---I decided to take a chance at growing a few plants indoors--starting from seed and transplanting. Lastly, I am doing this garden ALL organic! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!!


A good start on the plants
Getting the grounds prepped and ready for what will hopefully be a bountiful harvest!!!! Stay tuned for updates!
Another tell tale sign of spring....baby birds. I tried with all my might to keep knocking down the nest a robin so diligently (and stubbornly) kept building at the widow's ledge in the kitchen. It was such a mess...everyday I would walk past and see yard debris....not to mention bird droppings all over the edge of the patio. I kept taking it down--4 days in a row, but missed 1 day...ONE day, and there was a full nest---embedded into the screen with a single egg in it so I couldn't touch it! After a few more days there were 4 beautiful eggs and a great 'story' for the girls to watch. They got the biggest kick out of the "birdies".


It's time for lunch
Momma bird back with more food
Look how cute!!!

On the Market!

We have officially listed our house on the West Penn MLS! We are going to attempt to sell the house with out a realtor....sooooooo, if you know of anyone that is looking for a beautiful custom built home in the greater Pittsburgh area, please let us know and or refer them to the link below! Oh, and keep your fingers crossed!

One Stitch at a Time---Mission Accomplished!

As a follow up to the original post, I was finally able to get Lexie's Class Quilt finished!!! Mrs. Henderson gave me the final pieces to assemble the last bit of the border and I picked up some silky thread to tie the corners of the blocks. It really turned out cute---I may just have to give it my best shot to win this at the auction!

One Stitch at a Time

Lexie's school hosts a Spring Fund Raising event showcasing various vendors, baskets, and silent auction. Each class puts together a 'class quilt' to be auctioned off and apparently they are quite the money makers. After two emails from Lexie's teacher begging for help to put their quilt together, I decided to offer my assistance. She provided me with all the materials I needed for the front of the quilt which included a 'block' representing each child from the class...along with fabric to frame each block and additional material to connect all the blocks. Sounds much more complicated that it actually was. I am waiting for Mrs. Henderson to give me the batting and backing so I can finish the quilt...I may just have to bid on it after all of this work! It is coming together nicely so far--here is a sneak peek!

A hand drawn picture and written directions along with the material for the quilt. Each child made a 'block' using their hand print or finger prints during a class art project which was then transformed into some sort of animal.


The block in the center of the quilt which reads : "God made all things-Colossians 1:16" through the center of the rainbow

Lexie's block.
Another block showcasing one of Lexie's friends hand prints as an octopus.

Be sure to check back for the finished product---and to see if we have the winning bid at the auction!!!!

How Does Your Garden Grow???

As noted in a previous post, I decided to plant a garden this year. What started out as a quest to grow strawberries has left me with plants, herbs and a pumpkin patch that is starting to take over the back yard (oh yeah...and NO strawberries). It has been a humbling and addicting hobby that I hope will produce some, well--produce! *sorry, I couldn't resist*

Most of what you see started from seed--minus the giant jalapenos and tomatoes which I bought as plants. It is hard to believe we are already starting to harvest some of the herbs and lettuce! I will keep my fingers crossed that we will have some pumpkins by the time fall rolls around--and that the vines will spare my back yard in the meantime!


What started out as this....

...and has grown to this...and is still growing!


Here is the basil about two weeks post planting...


...and here it is now!


Here is the crazy, out of control, pumpkin patch! Cole and Lexie did a great job planting those seeds!
No...it is not a watermelon--it is our first pumpkin!!!

Two Thumbs UP?

This year...for what ever reason...I thought I would try a hand (or should I say thumb) at gardening. For years and years and Y E A R S, I would watch my grandfather tend to his garden daily and be awe of the vegetables that he would grow! I am hoping that a little bit of his green thumb rubs off on me!

I have to say that I am addicted to it. Yes, it takes a great deal of time and patience (something my husband says I have little of at times) but is has been a learning experience and I have really enjoyed it thus far. I have a bit of a problem in that I can't seem to stop adding on to it! Thankfully, we have tons of land behind us that no one is using, so I am squatting on it until someone says I can't!

I decided to use what was left of the deck as the 'frame' and knocked the deck boards off the bottom (thanks to Gran for the idea!!!). I planted a few things...peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and some herbs...but I didn't stop there. I thought I would give a "little" pumpkin patch a try. Lexie and her buddy Cole helped--I really hope there are some pumpkins in the fall for them to pick...and judging by the size of the plants now...we may have enough for the entire neighborhood!!! After that little addition, I decided to bump it out some more and add on for some squash (thanks Gpa for the seeds!). Things are growing and growing--so keep your fingers crossed...this little city girl may just be a 'farmer'!



It started with a here...with a few plants and some seeds...and then it just kept growing and growing and growing!!!
A view of the pumpkin patch...which has taken on a life of its own. The brick is a little touch I added to spruce up the place (what else was I going to do with half a palate of bricks that was leftover from the deck demo???)


Things are a growin' and not just weeds!!!

Jalepanos! Hoping to make some killer salsa by the end of the summer!!!



Tomatoes
Basil

Sweet Dreams

With the arrival of baby number two, we decided to redecorate one of the spare rooms for Lexie. Not only does she have a new room, but she also transitioned to her "new" bed. GG and Gpa bought her a crib that converts to a daybed then to a toddler bed. Since we had to take the crib apart to move it to her new room, we thought we would tempt fate and try the daybed conversion. She has always been good about napping and going to bed at night, so we weren't sure how she would react.

After setting up her new bed, I was anxious for her nap time to see what she would do. Shortly after we finished setting it up, she got in and out of it about 10 times and had a smile from ear to ear (as if she was so proud of her new accomplishement). Needless to say I was nervous (we put a gate at her door so she wouldn't be able to roam around if she did get out of bed though)!!

Nap time came and I put her down. I was nervous she would fall out between the mini rails, or get out to play or read. I am happy to report that she took one of her longest naps yet! My nerves were not completely calmed since we hadn't tried a nighttime "trial" yet. Russ and I had dinner plans with friends so we weren't going to be there to put Lexie to bed. Our sitter said she heard Lexie get out of bed about 15 minutes after she put her down. She put her back down and didn't have any other issues the rest of the night!!!

It has been a few days, and I am thrilled to say that we haven't had any problems and she hasn't fallen out of bed! She really seems to like her new bed, and even crawls right up and plops her head down when it is time to sleep! She is growing up SO fast!


I couldn't help but sneak in after we got home from dinner...I just wanted a peek...
...but I couldn't stop there, I went in for a closer look.


The next morning, I heard Lexie around 7:40...but she only made a peep, then I didn't hear ANYTHING for a while. Usually when she wakes up she talks or sings but today...NOTHING. I waited until about 8:00 and decided to poke my head in on her to see if she was awake. This is what I found...

I am pretty sure she didn't fall out of bed because I didn't hear any 'thuds' and ALL of her blankets were covering her head as she laid on the ground.
Be sure to check back for more pictures of Lexie's new room! We haven't finished hanging pictures or the valance and the "final" touches...but for now, I don't think Lexie minds!!!

More Home Improvements

While we have stopped short of any "major construction projects" for now, Russ and I decided that some of our walls needed a splash of color. I decided to start with the dining room. With the new valance, and muslin color already on the wall, it was almost screaming for some attention.
I think Russ and I both had some reservations about the color, but we really love the finished product!!! It really makes the trim work and the furniture pop!

More projects...

Just before Granny left, we were able to finish the valance for the dining room, but didn't get it mounted. Here is the finished project...




Now I think we are going to paint the whole room after the builder comes back to repair a few nail pops!!

Be sure to check back...we also finished the valance and curtains for Lexie's new room, but I bought the wrong mounting brackets.

More Completed Projects

We have been keeping super busy with all these fun projects!!! Here are pics of the latest completed projects...only a few more rooms to go!!!


Valences in the great room...now all we need are the wood blinds!!!!



Some much needed curtains in one of the guest rooms!!!

Projects, Projects Everywhere!!!

After spending sometime in Kentucky with my family, Lexie and I dragged Granny back with us for a few weeks. We have been busy busy busy working on various projects ranging from making Lexie some clothes, to touching up some painting in the basement, and even making window treatments! While there have been days when I think to myself, why are we doing all of this...we are starting to see the fruits of our labor!

We finished the valences for in the kitchen and have already started on the ones for the great room. I have to say, they look amazing (not to pat myself on the back)!!! They really add so much "character" as Russ put it! I can't wait to see what the rest of the house will look like soon! Be sure to check back for more pictures, but here are a few for now...





Here are a few of the new outfits for Lexie...a few fun dresses and a couple of shirts for spring...there are also some pants and an Easter Dress...but not to fret, I have a back up dress incase the home made one doesn't work out!!!