A small change

When you first walk into our house, we have this cute little shelf. First, I used it to store Elmo and his twin

I kid.

Honestly, I had some poinsettias left over from Christmas time (which we will discuss later) on the shelf.

I decided that I did not like that at all. It needed more of a homey look. I started collecting pictures of the X-man. Now, it looks much better!

The space above still looks really bare. I am thinking it needs a long hanging light to take up the extra room. Other than that, I think it is much improved.

Just a little mulch...

I know I went MIA for a bit there but I am back now! I have not completed any projects around the inside of the house but I did get a tad bit done in the front yard. Here is what the front yard looked like before I got ahold of it.

25 or so bags of red mulch later and here is what I ended up with!!

From bland to grand!

The next thing that needs to be done is some sort of border. I want a white stone of some sort but I am not quite sure what yet. Any ideas?

On the outside:

The outside of the house already had decent landscaping when we moved in. Of course, I wanted to add more. First, I planted some bulbs in March. They are orange African Lillies. I planted them around the mailbox. Then, once they came up in mid-May, I added a little white fence around them and some mulch.

And NOW, they are finally blooming! How pretty!

In the backyard, I also decided that I needed roses. I have always wanted roses and now I have my very own house so I can plant some. I bought three little bushes of red knock-out roses (per the babysitters recommendation) at the local hardware store. I got the smallest, least expensive ones that I could find. I am a little over-confident in my green thumb abilities and figured that they will eventually get big. So far, so good!

I also decided that I needed some hydrangeas. On my same trip to the hardware store, I picked up some pink "forever hydrangeas". They are very slowly growing in. I think that I need to prune off the flowers that are already there. According to everything that I have read about them, they will send out shoots at the end of the summer which will contain bulbs for next years flowers. The more I prune this year, the more flowers I will get next year. We shall see. So far, I am kind of worried but only time will tell.

In order to plant everything where I wanted it, I had to move around some other plants. I moved some pompous grass.

and it seems to be doing very well.

I also moved these (I think they are liriope)

Out of the four that I moved, only one did not make it. BUT I really don't think it is my fault entirely. First off, the incredible X-man decided when I first moved it to it's new home that it was best to rip it out of the hole and throw it across the yard. He did this at least 3 - 4 seperate times. This is also the one plant that our little dog has decided to practice lifting his leg over. Needless to say, the plant did not really get a chance at new life. I will have to replace it eventually.




To finish up the look, Super-Dad installed an arm to hang my yard-sale wind chime on.

Just a side note

Before I start on all the projects that I have been thinking about, I just need to give a shout-out to the Super-Dad. He is totally into the idea of me doing things around the house and he has pretty much told me that I can do whatever. When I mentioned wanting to spray-paint something, he did not even bat an eye. Instead he said "sounds like a good idea." When I said that I wanted to paint some cabinets, he said "that color sounds great". I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband who will give me pretty much free rein over making this house a home!

Now, let's get started!

What I have done so far

Well, I have been a bit busy and have done a little around the house. First in the living room, I hung curtains and got a rug.

(ignore the dogs, they are always around)



I should probably take better pictures

I did do a little bit in X-man's room -- put up curtains and some of those things that stick on walls:





In the eat-in part of the kitchen, I hung some bamboo shades (that I got for $5 each at Big Lots thanks to a tip from a friend!) and a soft curtain overtop



and I hung a picture or two



These are the simple things that I have done so far. So much more fun is still to come!

The first post!

Hello! I started this blog to show how I am going to make a house our home. First, we need to see the house. Here it is!




We closed on this foreclosure (yes, you read that right!) in March 2009 and we just love the house! Now, I need to work to make it a home.