Quick Country Unwind

This weekend was a quick trip to Niobrara to relax with my parents and get my fix of fresh country air and small town life. We had an amazing meal of super fresh sweet corn (gifted by our farmer), herbed butter from our garden, and steaks from another local farmer in the area.

 

Took the dog out to the land for lots of exercise and some pond swimming.

 

Spent time on the river during the day enjoying the sun and then again that evening watching the sunset while out riding the ranger. One of those things lately I realize I don't do enough - enjoy the sunrise and sunsets.

 

 

We stalked old barns for a possible barnwood wall in my brother's kitchen.

 Even the super early drive home was pretty and relaxing. Views like this and very little traffic always make me feel at peace.

24 Spruce Yard Progress

 Our Niobrara cabin is actually in town (the land has a house but it's in a sad state of inhabitable means). When we first bought the house it had ZERO landscaping except for a few bushes in front and a measly tree. The first spring we got to work planting away.

I don't have any true before photos as all of these show a few of the things we had just planted. But you get the idea. This last weekend I realized wow our yard is finally starting to look a little more landscaped and pretty. I am loving it! Can't wait for midsummer when the grasses are higher, the roses blooming, and everything even fuller.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

AFTER

 The roses and grasses look really pretty in a month or two.

BEFORE



AFTER

AFTER

 

This was a side view of the yard. The hostsas just didn't work, this year I think we finally have plants in there that work!  And I love how all the other plants and bushes are finally filling in nicely to soften the house.

 

BEFORE

AFTER

This random area by what will eventually be a deck had this crazy cement drain of sorts. That has been removed and in it's place an awesome garden box.

BEFORE

AFTER

Obviously we still have a long way to go and things we want to do. We need a deck built, we need a bit more grass and to fill in some areas with bushes or flowers. But overall I am happy with how it's looking and just seems so much more lived in and inviting than it did before. I need to snap front yard pics next time. If we lived there full time I am sure things would be even better, but for the occasional visit not too shabby.

The Dining Room Needs This!

This Chandelier is just calling for a spot in our cabin dining room. I need a Pottery Barn coupon so I can purchase it with no guilt. It fits into the overall décor and looks much more modern and fun than the current chandelier. I am almost embarrassed to even show you but here it is….

Lovely right? Actually it’s not horrendous just doesn’t fit at our cabin.

Improvising

I love going to the river, finding that perfect sandbar, and soaking up the sun.

This year the sandbars are under water and the river is more or less off limits. Luckily my dad felt the need to spend a decent chunk of time in Bomgaars so I was left to browse and found this gem.

It was the perfect way to relax and get a bit of sun at our cabin while staying cool!!

The fancy hat was also snagged during said Bomgaars trip!! Who knew Bomgaars could net such finds.

No More Husker Bathroom

Our cabin is quite 70's. I am not a fan of the 70's. Our Guest bathroom was not only 70's but also Husker red which was always good for a few jokes since our family are Hawkeye fans.



Amazing the power of a lil paint, new sink, and hardware.

Much much better. Looks clean, inviting, and fresh. Don't you think?

Mother’s Day in Niobrara

The original plan was to spend a long weekend over Mother’s Day weekend in Niobrara. However a family death put a crink in the plans. Luckily we were able to adapt and just went a few days earlier for a short version. It was so much fun to spend a few days with my entire family as this is a rare occurrence these days. We started the mini-break with dinner at Two Rivers (well the rest of the crew started earlier at Sportsman’s but I was a late arrival).


Thursday entailed a tasty morning breakfast.

A morning of fun and adventure out at the land for my brothers (which may have resulted in a fall into the pond….)

A 12 mile run for me. And then a trip to our new favorite nursery in Verdigree for more plants. Little by little the yard will look more ours less blank weedy space!






I love the small additions (there were more but it started to rain so didn’t get better photos) and pops of color and can’t wait to add mulch so it looks more finished. Even the dogs were able to come along for the family fun.


Sadly they didn’t get along so it made things a bit difficult. Our last evening in Niobrara we hosted Pam and Brock. My brothers decided to teach him early that Iowa – not Nebraska – is the team to root for!


Oh yeah and Erik made a scrumptious dinner!

(my wonderful dad and brothers removed a few hideous cabinets in the kitchen so we now have a more open floor plan!)
Can’t wait to return Memorial Day weekend and see how our yard looks and just relax a bit.

24 Spruce, Niobrara Nebraska

IS OURS!!

Well almost – still have to close on the home. The owners accepted our offer (for those following along my dad won the cabin fight….). I am so excited I could scream –actually I may have when I found out. And I was at work. I am envisioning lazy relaxing weekends, weekends with family, and lively weekends with friends. Paddle boating, four wheeling, running, and biking. Hurry up summer!! In the meantime lots of shopping, decorating, demolition, and updating must be undertaken to transform this 1970’s ranch into a modern minimalist country cabin. I am starting with my bedroom as I bought this bed last night in cherry.


I plan to transform this room.

Into something like this.


I am torn between these two bedding choices from Pottery Barn.
Ruched Voile Duvet Cover & Sham

Cloud Quilt & Sham

I plan to distress this built in, change out the hardware, add a mirror, and seating so it becomes a vanity.



This bedside lamp (also from Pottery Barn) reminds me of the oil lanterns we had at our original cabin so may be a necessary purchase as well.

Sure this is the first of many design or cabin related posts you will see. Any thoughts or ideas for the transformation of this room?