RAIN AND MORE RAIN & A GUEST ROOM PEEK

 

Million Bells and White Petunias

 

It's hard not to let the rain get you down, the gray skies and downpours that come out of nowhere just seem like the new norm.  Since I get a little stir crazy being indoors day after day, I dash out to the backyard with the dogs in between the storms and find a dry place to sit either under the eaves or the big table umbrella.  Add a lot of humidity and you have one desperate girl here.  Where I once used to move my pots around to catch the rain, I now move them to shelter so they can dry out and breathe a bit. 

 

 

 

Moss Roses

 

My routine every day is constant but varied.  After lunch I get in the car and find somewhere to go, even if it's to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner.  And dinners have gotten elaborate because I enjoy cooking and since I'm stuck inside...well, I turn into a mad scientist and we usually don't eat until about 7:30 p.m.

 

I'm plugging away with finishing up the guest room (a picture to follow) and I go from one store to the next trying to get the best deal on things I need.  Marshall's for a comforter and pillows, Target for sheets and a lamp.  Home Depot employees and I are now on a first name basis.  No 'one stop' shopping for me, just getting in my car and singing along to the radio is a bright spot in my day.  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Boy Tomatoes and Marigolds

 

It's a sure thing that I won't have tomatoes until mid August.  Our nights have been very cool up until this week so I didn't dare plant them.  And when I went to my nursery on Tuesday the only variety they had left was Better Boy.  Early Girl would have been my choice and I had also wanted plum tomatoes.  Next year maybe I'll just bite the bullet and plant them in May even with the possibility of having to cover them up at night. 

 

In the background you can see a funky sort of palm I found a few weeks ago.  It looks like it's just sitting randomly in the middle of my yard but actually, it's on a stepping stone.  It needs a ton of sun and rain so this is it's delegated spot for the summer.  I'll get a close up picture of it for you, it's really unique.

 

 

 

Guest Room Peek

 

I need just a few things before this room is finished.  Closet doors (Abby had been using a curtain) and knobs for the dresser I painted.  I'm looking for something vintage-like for the dresser, ring pulls actually  I fell in love with some that I saw at Restoration Hardware but the price exceeded the worth of the old dresser itself.  So I keep looking.  I painted over the little wicker dresser that I had done in a soft green, it just didn't look right with the gray wall paint so I gave it a white wash.  Still not happy so I think I'll try something else.  And this is the vanity seat I had downstairs, I gave it a coat of white paint and placed it at the end of the bed with a basket and throw (nice for little afternoon naps). 

 

 

 

I found a sheet set on clearance at Target and I am so happy with it.  I think it has sort of a vintage floral vibe and then I stumbled upon this little pillow downstairs (I really have a treasure trove down there), I think this was Emily's yet it looks hand embroidered and I don't know where she would have found it.  But it's perfect.  And I found an old oil painting on Etsy that came from an estate sale.  It was a steal and I can't wait for it to arrive.  I'll keep you posted.

 

 

 

Updated Bathroom

 

When I was at Target I couldn't help but look at the shower curtains.  I think all of you know that I'm sort of obsessed with changing them out every few months.  These little yellow flowers sort of popped out at me, a very unusual color for me to choose but they seemed to shout, "Summer!!"  I added two yellow hand towels and that was that.  Love quick updates like this. 

 

We had tickets to a Cub's game last night and you'll never guess.  It got rained out.  The Chicago Blues Festival didn't fare much better.  We're looking forward to a nice night out with the kids on Tuesday to celebrate Emily and Kevin's birthdays, and then Sunday is little Elsie's baptism.  Before you know the 4th of July will be here and although The Husband and I won't be hosting the usual 3 day bash at the lake, we are having a backyard barbeque.  We live three blocks from a big university and we can watch the fireworks right from our own house.  It all makes me feel a bit nostalgic-- the first time not spending the 4th at the lake in 25 years. 

 

I hope all of you are enjoying your weekend.  I caught up on some movie watching last night.  It's Complicated for a record third time, and then Cake with Jennifer Aniston.  I can see why she was nominated for several awards.  She is good. 

 

See ya soon!

 

Jane x