The Shed and Porch Dreaming

There used to be a rickety shed in our backyard, among other things like random ceramic statues, overgrown weeds, railroad tie garden beds, and cracked concrete. And now, it's been two weeks since the shed has been demolished, weeds pulled, garden beds renovated, and a new home found for the ceramic cat and frog. But tomorrow, tomorrow is a big day.

Tomorrow the jackhammers arrive. The concrete will be broken up, hauled out, and see-ya-latered. The front porch will be poured and the front steps smoothed out, all ready for stoop sitting and late night talking and beer front sipping - all out in the from and back yards of our Tieny home.

So with concrete tomorrow, a new roof two days later, and flower beds and no more shed - I'd have to say our little house is coming along. This time next year I dream of patio parties, wildflower perimeters and finely tailored garden beds; with a big open umbrella over a table where meals are shared and food baskets passed with bare feet in the grass; mowers and laughter and crickets sounding in the far and wide - on our back and front yard porches.

p.s. I can't wait to show you the transformation of our yard - these photos are bits and pieces from the before to after story of our yard progress. top: the very beginning full of the old shed and weedy beds, middle: the newly fixed up garden beds, bottom: getting there with the shed removed.

The Dining Room | Before

My life is no longer a pile of boxes. Furniture has made claims on walls and decor is slowly finding its way into permanent rooms. Upon moving in, the carpet was already recently redone and the walls repainted. Now, tans and browns aren't really my jive, but its livable for the time being. There is some major exterior work to do this summer, like jackhammer demo status, which means painting and interior projects are less of a priority. Although, the highest on my list right now? The dark brown wall in the dining room! I have convinced Matt to let me paint this space at least in the next month--because the adjacent living room is completely empty and that dark brown is so not my favorite. And that chandelier, oh boy, thats a redo (as are half the light fixtures in our home, spray paint and new hardware to the rescue!). But how I love that we don't have furniture in the living room. It makes for such a blank canvas. And the natural light that pours in from the South facing window in the dining room makes this my favorite morning spot. I've never had a dining room, and how wonderful it is to sit down for a meal somewhere other than a crammed kitchen. (Hence, why our little Ikea breakfast nook table is stretched to the max to accommodate more seating.) In the works for the dining room would be a DIY dining table, DIY chandelier, some handmade artwork, and a fresh coat of light grey walls. I've also considered doing beetle kill on one of the walls or white wash plywood planks (like this, but on a wall rather than the flooring). 

Dining Room Tour:

Honestly? I don't even really care if I have empty rooms and colors that clash my style. We have a house, a house, and that is over-joying to me. So empty rooms it is, we have a stinkin' house. :)

In This Little Pattern of Houses

Winter is definitely still winning, and although the cold is wearing, how refreshing it is to step outside and walk around my neighborhood. I realize I won't always live in this little pattern of houses, so its important to me to notice the subtle things that one might otherwise just pass by. Like the homes with old red brick, some revealing cracks, others covered in ivy, faded yet steadfast against the bitter cold winter and extreme heat of July. Or the trees with roots and a fullness that says they've been there longer than the families that live only meters away, grown to shelter the streets, provide shade in the summer, a fluttering of leaves and piles below come fall, and a stark silhouette against the setting winter sun. 

Its important to notice these things, and store up little anecdotes like how that one house always has that one dog, and how come night or day, rain or shine, he stands watch just waiting to stick his damp charcoal nose through the fence and let me know who's boss. Or how the bookstore down the way always has a Barbara Kingsolver title setting in its window display, reminding me of my favorite tales of family and daughters in her book The Poisonwood Bible, while also nudging me to finish my never-ending read of The Prodigal Summer. And how the alleyways are like little galleries, a collection of street art, or plant art, or patterns of burnt and ash against walls that have taken their stand on these Denver streets, through and through--seeing their fair share of trash, ferrel cats, and broken glass sparkling, scattered, reflecting the bright Colorado sun.

Its important to package it all up, so I don't forget. Its important so that I can remember to be thankful for these winter walks, in this little pattern of houses, on these days where the sun always seems to be two hours ahead--where I am chasing it, asking for one more hour, one more glimpse of warmth. Winter is still winning, and when I catch up to its setting sun, I see the beauty of its early slumber, the melancholy of the winter night sounds, and the hope that winter instills--of warmth, of growth, of Spring.

Pine Cone Decor!

It's Christmas Eve! And, boy am I ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Nothing better than a birthday bash, am I right? And what's not a party without some decorations. That's how I like to think of Christmas decor. All in preparation of the best birthday of the year. So, in case you are in need of some last minute decorations, this is a pretty simple project that I shared over at Thoughts by Natalie last week. Pretty metallic pine cone garland. You can see the tutorial in full--over here.

I sort of love the rustic touch these pine cones add to our room. They may be staying around for a bit, even after the birthday bash. Merry Christmas, friends!