Big ol' Dogwood Transplant

When we bought our new house last year we knew that the big dogwood the previous owner planted right up against the house would have to go or get moved.

We missed the window of opportunity last year to move it, so it was top priority this year. Even though we are going to be putting a patio where we are taking the tree from, it would still need to be moved. Since it was planted so close to the house it is only half a tree and whenever we get a big snowstorm it's branches end up on the ground.

I knew it was a big tree, but somehow I totally underestimated how long it would take. I thought we would move this tree, the large bush next to it and possibly another bush that day..... it ended up taking 8 hours start to finish ;)

   I always have dreams of grandeur when doing home improvement projects.........

The Mister dug it up (6 hours work) A couple of our friends came by to help us move it across the property. (thank god) I had thought we could handle it ourselves but after it was dug up I realized I was very mistaken ;) We used a ramp to get it out of the hole and on a tarp and used the tarp to drag it across the yard.

 This felt so comical that I wished I had asked someone else over just to film it...... When we got to he hole the first guy went in and we all piled u p like a 3rd grade tug o' war ;)

 This is the hole where the tree once stood. Phase .5 of the patio project.

And here she stands now......

All that's left to do is keep watering and cross my fingers. Oh yeah, she needs a little pruning to encourage root growth.

I hope she does ok, it just kills me to cut anything down. I even saved the little azalea and wild rose that were growing in front of it :)

With a bit of time and energy you can move almost anything. Most design shows love to just cut down everything and start new, that's easy. It is harder to reuse what you have and make a bore beautiful and productive garden, but I think it is so much more creative and rewarding. I am always so proud of the plants and trees I have saved and given better homes. I get to watch them flourish instead of becoming compost :)

Happy gardening,

♥jenny

Best Breakfast Ever.....

I don't remember where I saw this recipe but it's so easy I don't have to....

You can make a pita from scratch or use a store bought like I did.

Heat some olive oil in a pan and heat up your pita on both sides.
Mash up some avocado and use it plain or mix in some cilantro and lime juice.
Spread the avocado mix on your toasted pita.
Fry up a couple eggs any way you like and top off your masterpiece ;)



Ohhhhh..... it's so awesome. and simple! My new favorite :)

happy cooking,
♥jenny

A Couple Little Projects.....

I am wrapping up a re-vamp of our guest bathroom which I am hoping to post about very soon. So, until then I have a couple mini projects :)

The Mister made me this table while I was away for work a couple months ago.

We have had the wood forever. He brought it home from work ages ago. I knew we wold use it for something, I just was never inspired.

Then he found the legs in the dumpster and we both knew what we could use them for :)

It was a simple project, he just used a furniture oil. No stain or clear coat, I wanted to keep the wood natural. Then just attaching the legs. Easy cheezy :)

Next was finishing up a little organizational spot for the Mister to keep his boots and work clothes when he comes in. We had started this during the hurricane, but never finished.

The cabinet came out of the garbage. I might paint it, I might not. I will decide after I paint the basement walls. the trunk is the Mister's from when he was little. And now I just need a rug to finish it off :)

I got the wire bike baskets at an estate sale. I think they are perfect for wet gloves and such.

I mounted them on a piece of old barn wood we had laying around and added some random knobs and a hook we had laying around. I love when I can make a project out of things I already have!


I also found a spot for my vintage laundry rack that I got at Brimfield Antique Fair last year.

 Yay! it's the perfect spot for the Mister's clean flannels to dry ;)

Then there is a new project that wont get done till we redo the kitchen......

It belonged to my Great Aunt in-law. We cleaned it up (it was in an attic for 20+ years ) and put the legs back on.

It will need to be rebuilt to be safe and functional. That will b a job for my plumber friend we barter with. Thank god for bartering ;)


till next time.....
♥jenny

Dogs Driving!!

Just a quick one today.

Apparently I'm keeping with the animal theme from yesterday. Today I saw the most amazing thing from the New Zealand SPCA.

The Driving Dogs!

 courtesy of You Tube - The Driving Dogs

Meet Porter, The world's first driving dog!

How completely awesome is that!!! Plus, he's the cutest dog ever. Just when I think I've seen every amazing thing dogs can do, I see a new amazing thing :)

So, if your looking for a new furry best friend, head over to your local SPCA or no kill shelter and adopt. Let's give all the those furry wonders forever homes!

via: Facebook New Zealand SPCA

♥jenny

Meet the cutie - pies

 I thought now would be a good time to introduce you to my furry menagerie.....

Mr Otto man. Man about town, snuggler, lover of the ladies (even though he's neutered ;)

He does, however, have a serious Bromance with my husband's old man doggie, Kozmo. Unfortunately, Kozmo is not always feeling it :)

Then there is Tori, she likes some Kozmo time too....

She is my little old lady kitty. Happy to spend her days basking in the sun, inside and out.

My next kitty, Squirt, is elusive. Super camera shy.  I surprised my chubsy-ubsy one day while she was cleaning herself propped up in a chair ;)

This brings us to my Roxy Girl. She completes my dynamic dog duo....

I have never had a small dog before..... boy am I hooked :)  She's my number one snuggler, my doodle-bug, captain of yard patrol and my partner in crime :)

Life is just no fun without pets to share it with so go give your non human companions an extra hug from me today......

♥jenny

Old House

One of the reasons I wanted to start this blog was to capture the experience of remodeling a house. (However slow the process may be ;)

This is my second house. We remodeled the first one over the course of 11 years and sold it tow years ago. I took pictures of the process, but nearly as many as I would have liked. I thought if I blogged about our projects it would help me to capture the whole process, with the added bonus of sharing the experience with others.

So...... meet my old house ;)

 Isn't she cute?

We did all the work ourselves except the retaining wall and patio. That includes the stone facing..... that took a while ;)

First up was the Living Room. Paint, crown molding, new french door for the entryway, more trim on the mantle and a built in window seat.

Next up was the downstairs powder room. New tile, wainscoting and a rebuilt salvaged vintage sink. Oh, I miss that sink. And the cute vintage hot air balloon wallpaper ;)

Then, the Dining Room. The built ins were there. We put in the salvaged corner cabinet, crown molding, chair rail, larger arch doorway to match the existing one and a sliding door to the patio.

Next up was The Mother of all Projects, The Big Cahuna,The Mac Daddy....... The Master Bath and Kitchen...... At The Same Time!!!! (I do not necessarily recommend this)

 So much work. But, oh, but the results were awesome.

This was a screened in porch we turned into a small den.

 How I miss my black and white floor..... let me count the ways.....

Tumbled marble floor. I highly recommend this. so soft underfoot.

All done by us. Yes, my husband IS awesome.

And Finally, the patio and gardens. Last for this post, but done very early on as the outdoors are always my priority.

As much as I miss the other house, mostly because it was finished. I am excited to do a house just for me. We always knew the first house was just a start and we would sell, so I made a lot of choices that I thought would be better for resale.

Happy remodeling!

♥jenny

Paris

Next up after London was Paris!!

 

 Th Lobby of the Hotel we stayed at.

All my pictures are out the cab window...... no time to sight-see... just work ;)

So we did the same thing in Paris. We shopped the stores to see what is new in the marketplace. My favorite store being Bon Marche.

 It is in such a beautiful building. Just look at those stairs!

They even have a craft department! They have jewelry supplies, knitting supplies and sewing supplies.... how amazing is that?

They even have silly scupltures ;)

And great food. I definitely had my share of pastries while in Pars ;)

The last night when we were finished a got a little time to at least see the Eiffel Tower.....

The sun was setting so the timing couldn't have been more perfect ;)

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to get to go on this trip and I hope I get to go again some time.

♥jenny