Sunday Family Dinner

This past Sunday I hosted the usual Sunday family dinner. Nice to take the stress off my parents from time to time plus we wanted to do a meet and greet of sorts with a possible new furry addition to the family. I had a beautiful fall arrangement from the Black Tie event the night prior I was able to use which really made the table.

 

Essentially just whipped out some of the pretty china, decided to mix and match patterns, added in some fun funky anthropologie napkins, candles, painted antlers, and pumpkins and we were good to go with a fun fallish table.

I love the purple mason jars I nabbed a few weeks ago. I think they do different colors every year and it's fun to have a mix of options. Something about drinking out of a mason jar that intrigues me.

 

The whole back patio got a little fall sprucing. Plants that were looking a little haggard were replaced with fresh new mums, pretty pumpkins were added, and the dirt and grime swept away. Can't wait to enjoy several more dinners al fresco during this perfect weather time of year.

 

 We initially had planned to eat before it was pitch dark, but with fall approaching and it getting dark so fast that just didn't happen. So we dinned by candlelight which actually turned out quite fun. I really really need some of those fancy string outdoor lights!

 

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.

Spring and my Obsession with Flowers

Spring comes and is always such a welcome sight after a long dreary winter. The minute the plant stands pop up I am always drawn in and inevitably by at least a few spring blooms. I just can't resist!

It also becomes so much easier to motivate myself to wake up a little earlier in the morning or carve out a bit of time each evening for an outdoor run or walk. Everything just looks so pretty this time of year as the grass starts to green and all the tress bloom.

 

Even downtown Omaha and its plethora  of cement, high rises, and cars becomes gorgeous and enticing for noon walks.

Before you know it I have become a crazy obssessed garderner braving plant sales in the rain, and never able to asist "just one or two" plants as I run an errand. Even Tracor Supply the farm store had plants that I just had to buy.... It's bad I tell ya!

 

But so worth it as the post start to fill with color, the yard looks fuller and lusher, and eating outside becomes the norm. This is such a beautiful time of year and makes living in the Midwest sooooo worth it. Can't wait to enjoy every last minute of spring with lots of patio dining and bonfires.

 I blame my mom and grandpa for this crazy addiction to flowers and plants. They both have always had a love for all things green and growing. My mom has a gorgeous yard that is acres of landscaping, gardens, you name it. At least I have a smaller lot so can keep things slightly under control. I may need a third job just to pay for all the pretties I can't seem to resist though!

The Chicks are Laying!!!

I know this is no means earth shattering, obviously at a certain eggs chicks will lay eggs. I grew up around chickens, I'm not a total city girl. But for some reason the fact that MY very own city chicks are now laying eggs is very exciting.

In my defences several neighbors and family memebrs are also quite excited about this. My next door neighbor actually discovered the eggs  before I did.

In about a month I'll have 10 eggs a day - hallelujah for farm (errr city) fresh eggs!

The size of these chicks is also making it blazingly obvious that I need to get their bigger house built asap.

Summer’s Beauty

 

Even though the weather without a doubt feels more fall than summer we are in the thick of summer.

I am loving how the cooler weather and rain is keeping our yards full of green and pretty flowers.

 

If I could freeze time to keep this weather, this season, the sunshing, and the fresh veggies and herbs I would!

Fall

I've been a horrible blogger this month - every ounce of blogging creativity has been poured into this City Council election and that blog - Head4CB. If you're into Council Bluffs or politics check it out. If not bear with me soon I will be posting fun photos of life again. In the meantime some fall pretties for you.

 

 

 

I normally am not a huge fan of fall but this year loving it for some reason. Every week I think I buy another mumm (or four) and add a few more gourds and pumpkins...

 

 

Grandpa's Lilacs

My Grandpa VanEvery had an amazing green thumb and loved all things outdoors. He had gardens to die for, flowers galore, you name it. Essentially until the final few months of his life he could be found piddling around with his plants. My mom has an even better green thumb. I am slowly trying to learn the ropes!

Lucky for me I bought my grandparents home so I am blessed with a few remnants of his green thumb days. One of my favorites is his lilac tree. Every year when it blooms brings back great memories and the smell is divine. Sadly I missed good pics of the tree/bush this year but I was able to snap these few of this crazy tree in Niobrara that he also planted. So pretty - with our dilapidated cabin in the background.

These pictures don't fully represent how large this tree/bush is. It encompasses two sides of this sad cabin. We also took a bit of time to weed out his and my mom's rhubarb patch at the cabin. Another favorite of mine this time of year - I love strawberry rhubarb anything!

Running clothes and work boots are an appropriate combo right? Yikes!