Sunny Days!

Warm weather means working on projects outside...

... and one Happy Puppy!

I'm Thirty. I Should Comb My Hair More.

Inspired by PINTEREST, as many others have been lately, I decided I should try a little harder to actually comb my hair for work.

It's pretty easy to fall into the "messy bun" routine - EVERYDAY - so this past week I put forth actual effort to coif myself.

MONDAY

::Fancy bun with curly cue detail in front::

Oops - I forgot to take a pic - I will try to re-create a post a pic soon!

TUESDAY

::Braided pigtails, tied in knots, pinned up::

It's a little weird taking pics of myself,

but even weirder asking co-workers to please take pictures of my hair!

Garnished with a rose

WEDNESDAY

::The classic french braid, tucked under::

THURSDAY

::Over-under ponytail, fishtail braid pulled up and tucked in::

CASUAL FRIDAY

::Long, loose waves::

Adding "comb your hair" to the morning routine, does slow things down a bit (I might have been a tad late to work everyday last week). . . but it's surprising (and embarrassing) who notices and how many compliments you get when you actually take the time to do little things, like comb your hair.

PINTEREST - ★

Sorry for the sporadic posts friends,

but we are trying to pack in as much as we can to these last days of sunshine and warmth!

The rains of winter are already threatening -

we've had a few good sprinkles come through these last couple of days -

so we're frantically finishing up these summer projects that have been dragging out before we move on to glorious FALL!

What we're looking forward to in the coming days:

:: Our 3 year anniversary and a trip to the McKenzie River! ::

:: An elk hunt in SE Oregon for Brian and the McDonald Boys ::

:: A trip to Texas to visit my little brother? ::

:: More baby showers for friends and family who are expecting ::

:: Holiday Planning ::

:: lots and lots of knitting ::

:: Switching back to interior projects on the house ::

Here's to making the most of everyday, friends!

Catching UP - in no particular order. . .

First of all, I just want to make it clear that NOTHING (well nothing substantial) would get done around this place if it wasn't for this guy -

I have THE HARDEST WORKING HUBBY around!

XOXO

Current Project : Detached Garage

A little foundation fortification. . .

A little off with the old, on with the new. . .

A little added flair. . .

and lots and LOTS of paint (and sweat and a little blood)!

Finished Garage Pictures * COMING SOON *

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What do you do when quite a few whole (empty) wine barrels have come into your possession - much to your delight?!

Why, you have your handy husband chop them up into fun and different sizes, of course!

A full barrel was too large for what I had in mind. . . so handy hubby cut the barrels in half the LONG way to make the perfect planters for me!

He then attached a home-made lattice/ladder inside the half-barrel. . .

I shoveled in some potting soil, planted some honeysuckle and WA-LA!

I'm so excited to have these growing up in front of the (soon to be finished) garage!

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Lots of weeding and primping has been going on around the yard - along with lots of me just throwing seeds in the ground and into pots and seeing what happens!

The plants are a bit of a mess, but they're a pretty mess!

I'm going to have a lot of splitting and separating to do next Spring!

:: banana Leaf trees : irises : clover : hostas : columbine : canna : gladiolas : shasta daisy : clematis : lamb's ear : crocosmia ::

:: pampas grass : succulents : hostas : sedum : ferns : lilies : lupine : mini crocosmia ::

:: Trumpet vine getting ready to burst into bloom ::

:: Rows of tomatoes, peppers, artichokes and herbs ::

:: Plenty of figs to go around ::

:: We're so excited, the rhubarb is finally taking off ::

:: Lots and LOTS of lettuce ::

:: Pretty plants in pretty pots ::

: More tomatoes ::

:: The grape starts we stuck in the ground have already sprouted new growth! ::

:: A clematis trailing up the wood duck bird house::

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Some time ago, we threw a baby shower for Ben and Mindy Bechdolt. We co-hosted the party with Mike and Deanna Maloney - and of course, I forgot to take pictures at the party!

As with any baby shower, there were plenty of balloons. . . and since Ben had been referring to his unborn child as "Squeaks," I just HAD to make these mousey cupcakes!

Deanna did a great job on the mousey sculptures!

And that just A LITTLE of what we've been up to!

A Productive Weekend!

We had a busy weekend!

TroopDawg fearlessly hunted pill bugs that had snuck in on the firewood. . .

(see the spot on the base of the lamp, Troop was LOCKED IN on it!)

While Brian participated in the Portland MS Walk Saturday morning. . .

I was busy hanging out with this cutie!

Brian also got a lot done on THE WALL down in the basement,

it's great to see progress down there!

And speaking of progress, I'm STILL working on my sister's birthday present!

Yes, her birthday WAS in March, but this knitting project is taking much MUCH longer than I thought it would.

Hopefully I'll have pictures soon!