Category Archives: back yard

Please Fence Me In

posted on March 18, 2013

It’s been really quiet here on the blog… but in real life it’s been anything BUT! I don’t know about everyone else but spring is my favorite season and I find myself full of energy, motivation and in general the happiest of happy! Take note of the beautiful skies in these pictures. We had days and days of this with temps in the 70’s. It was heaven!

Thanks to daylight savings time and Richie getting a week out of school for spring break we have accomplished some pretty good stuff in the last 10 days. Of course I’m covered in scrapes, ….

Little Prick!

posted on September 20, 2012

I would love to say that I’ve been so busy with all these fantastic projects that I haven’t had time to post anything … but the real truth is so BORING! With much hesitation I decided to just go with boring and at least feel good about what’s real around here. I’ve been PRICKED!

A few weeks ago while out re-potting and planting in the back yard I decided to give one of my cactus a new pot, as he was growing so well that he deserved more room. I put my gardening gloves on to get to work and while ….

Architectural Pottery

posted on September 4, 2012

It’s hard for me to envision a modern space without plants. When I think of the designs of famous architects like Neutra or Eichler, or modern day architects like Austin based Lake and Flato, it’s impossible to imagine these spaces without the beauty of architectural pottery. Their simple, modern, clean lines, unspoiled by fluff or distractions make each plant that resides in them a little more spectacular. An ornate or colorful pot just doesn’t seem to fit in a modern home. These fit, these work, and it’s why I am so proud to have not one but three pieces of ….

Leftovers

posted on August 1, 2012

I love leftovers! Yes, not having to cook is always a good thing at our busy house… but I’m actually talking about grass! I know… that doesn’t help much and now you might be completely confused. While we are currently working on some pretty big projects there are always small things that sneak in between and sometimes I stop and realize those small things are the tiny wins that get us that much closer to the vision in our heads of how this house will “someday” be.

Back yard of our old house. I couldn’t find one of the front ….

Secret Doors: letting the outside in

posted on April 20, 2012

I think we can all agree that getting some fresh air is good for the soul… and mind, and body for that matter. I also know that many mid-century modern architects loved to design homes in a way that allowed nature and the outdoors to become part of your indoor living space. Many felt it was important to blend the two. Frank Lloyd Wright referred to it as open-plan living, to bring the outside in. Architect Richard Neutra was another who said, “Place man in relationship to nature; that’s where he developed and where he feels most at home!”

Their intent ….

How does your garden grow?

posted on April 13, 2012

Ours seems to be kickin’ it! We planted our tomatoes a couple of weeks ago and they’re really showing off. I forgot to take a picture when we planted them but they were about an inch and a half tall. The grape tomatoes seem to have super powers. They’re the biggest and already have little ‘maters on them. I love having a big bowl of grape tomatoes on the counter for snacks in the summer time. DELICIOUS!

We have always planted a garden and we love the idea of walking out and picking fresh food right outside our door… but really ….

globe lights

posted on March 12, 2012

Lately I have noticed that the back yard is looking super cool at night because of the lights we put out in the yard. I don’t think I ever showed you the DIY globe lights we created. I guess the days getting longer and maybe the sun a little brighter lately has caused the solar lights to kick in stronger and last longer. They have been pretty dim this winter and some nights they don’t glow at all. Now they are glowing like crazy.

We have always loved those very expensive (of course… don’t we always love the expensive cool stuff!) ….

A new attitude

posted on February 15, 2012

I knew it was time to take a break when I started to cry over my bedroom closet.
As a sane person reading this, you know that’s just not normal… or healthy. Full-time renovation takes a toll on those who expect too much, too fast. I’m very hard on myself and often set goals that are unattainable.

When times like these roll around I acknowledge that things are not good and it’s time to change my way of thinking. I needed to stop, breathe, get out of the house and try to see how beautiful things ….

Come Sail Away

posted on July 4, 2011

This week we’ve been jumping from one thing to the next (yes, short attention span strikes again!). That’s okay. When everything has to be done, anything getting done is good! Richie was determined to hang up our Coolaroo shade sail that we bought right after we moved in. We love being outside and have such a nice back porch but we desperately needed to have some shade.

After getting all the “stuff” out of the box it was obvious that is was going to be a little bit more work than we expected, only because we really don’t have siding to ….

cement is a ball

posted on June 4, 2011

Yes, we enjoy our yard… and we love to put all kinds of things out in our landscape (besides plants). We’ve seen these concrete garden balls in different places throughout the years and always intended to make some. Finally with a little more spare time than usual… we got the concrete and went for it. After collecting some old glass shades that were picked up at garage sales or given to us (thanks, John F.) they got a nice thin coat of cooking oil rubbed on the insides. We mixed the concrete and began scooping it in the 3 glass ….

New Fence Prep

posted on May 16, 2011

We’re getting ready to replace the old, rotten, falling down fences in the backyard but there are issues as always. The fence along the back probably wouldn’t be in such bad shape if the neighbor in back kept their jasmine for growing on it for years. It literally took over the fence and was pulling it down. It constantly stayed wet.. and well.. you know what happens then. ROT! So a new fence is on the way. (probably June)

Richie had to get permission from then neighbor to go into their yard and completely clean out all the CRAP that was ….

Tomato, Toemato, and Beans too!

posted on May 12, 2011

Every year Richie looks forward to spring so he can plant his garden. Since moving into this house we have not been able to have a garden because of the condition of the yard and all the work that was being done. Finally after almost 2 years, he got a garden together and it really makes the yard come to life. We planted tomatoes (grape, cherry, and big varieties) and green beans. Everything is growing so well. I’m drooling and can’t wait to cut into one. Patience… it won’t be too much longer.