A LITTLE OF THIS & THAT AND A DIY PROJECT

Well, it's been awhile since I've been around.  When I go this long without posting, even I forget what I've been up to.  Okay, weather report.  Last week was hot, hot, hot.  Any excuse to get out of the house and into the air conditioning was alright with me (we have the old fashioned in the window air conditioners and no one was around to put them in).  I was even desperate enough to sit in Firestone while Emily had a tire changed.  Yes, desperate.  After some wicked weather over the weekend, we are in the 60's and I'm loving it. 

We were fortunate enough to make our getaway to the lake on Thursday night...yes, central air!  This is Layla watching the front door as we load up the car, always afraid we  are going to leave without her.  I'm usually on my second wind after the long drive up.  At about midnight I was sitting in my rocking chair by the big windows reading when  I looked up to hear the wind picking up and   the trees were almost bending while leaves swirled around..  A huge storm blew in and although it was a little frightening, it took the hot weather with it. 

The next morning was cloudy and cool, in fact, the whole weekend was.  Across the street, my neighbors peonies were sagging on the ground like huge white swans from the rainfall.  I grabbed my trusty scissors and cut a few for a pretty bouquet.  

Even with the cooler weather, my allergies continue to be terrible.  With the wind blowing cotton wood puffs all over the place, I tried to stay indoors as much as possible.  I had seen a little DIY project on Pinterest that I wanted to try...I didn't re~pin it since it was pretty simple to figure out, so I don't have a source.  . 

I found a wooden hanger (thanks Judy, for offering to send me one!), and I had some gray spray paint in the garage.  All I did was give it two coats and I had the hand towels.

It's in the powder room where I have a slight beachy feel going on...not too much, themes overwhelm me!

By Sunday I couldn't stand sitting in the house anymore while The Husband kept himself totally occupied playing with his boat in the garage.  I took a ride up to the big country farm/nursery we go to for just about everything.  It sells plants, garden accessories, groceries, you name it. 

I actually went for some asparagus and came home with a big hanging planter of petunias.  Of course I forgot to take a picture.  I have a big crock that sits by the patio steps and rather fill the whole thing with soil and thus make it unmovable, I buy a hanging plant that sets down in it perfectly.  Beautiful red and white petunias.  And I forgot the asparagus.  

I have a list of projects a mile long and I totally blame it on the allergies for keeping me from starting on them.  Last week they were so bad, I gave myself an eye infection from rubbing them.  This weekend my face broke out in hivey blotches.  I don't mean to complain about the little aggravations in life, but I'm not the type to just plow through when I feel crappy.  Just let me lie on the couch with a cold washcloth and sneeze myself to death.  Okay, I finally took care of the front porch, swept the best I could with the wind blowing the leaves everywhere and put my cushions on the furniture.  One project leads to another and although I didn't do it, one sunny day I need to scrub them down with Oxy Clean.  And my wisteria has to be trimmed big time, the tendrils kept getting caught in my hair and it felt like they were ripping it out.  I do have some pretty purple flowers on it, but my gosh, it's  wild looking stuff!

2 weeks ago we lost our beloved birch trees in a storm.  It was heartbreaking.  They landed in the neighbors yard but caused little damage.  They were nice enough to cut it up with a chain saw and now we have this...

...and a lot more where this came from.  Oh, and listen to this!  The Husband trimmed the boxwood and I collected a big vegetable basket full of clippings...and then left them here.  Grapevine wreath here, clippings there.  Sigh.  I do have to say that I just may have enough for two or more wreaths.  I was really looking forward to working on that this week.

I cleaned up the hearth a bit and finally put some photos in these Pottery Barn frames I've had forever.  I love this picture of Abby kissing Milo on the beach.

And speaking of Milo, we have plans for next Saturday night at the lake.  No, no, no, it's not what you think.  It's a big dog festival and I'm entering him under Mr. Handsome!  Layla's coming, too, just so she can growl and act indifferent to the other dogs.  Can't wait!

So that's been my week.  My hives have gone down and after an hour of blowing my nose when I wake up, I'm pretty much okay.  I'm sort of behind on all things housekeeping due to the wretched heat last week so I have my day cut out for me.  See you soon!

XO,

Jane