Outdoor Spaces

Now that we're working on our yard, I'm searching for all kinds of inspiration. Everywhere I look, I'm hoping to find inspiration. The fact that we love color, shouldn't surprise you!! And when I think about "Outdoor Living," all I can think about, is fun colors.

Colors that mimic tropical places. Things that are fun. And happy. But also inspiration, for "transitional" spaces. Places that link, the outside, with the inside. Like this little entry way.



I can see this, as our back entry way. That space, that links our indoor living, with our outdoor living. Functional, fun, and inviting. A place where we can drop off muddy shoes, wet pool towels, and such. Now I need to start planning.... :)

The Dog Days of Summer

It's no secret, we live in the desert. And it gets hot here. Unbelievably hot! The kind of hot, that makes you want to run for cover! When you find yourself, sweating so much, and you are just sitting there. Doing nothing!

As Jose puts it, you usually can't do a thing, after 9am. And it doesn't start to cool down, until 8pm. Ugh! We are not the AC loving kind of people. Nope! We enjoy having the windows open, and a few fans on. But in this kind of heat, that is just not possible....



I can't believe, that it's just the end of April, and it's already so hot! Sticky and everything. We've been working on projects this week, but find that by 11am, we have to go inside. What's Summer going to be like? I'm sort of worried about the real "Dog Days of Summer...." :)

Planning....

It should be no big surprise, that Jose works weekends. He's a musician. The weekend, well it's our "Bread and Butter." Bu it also gives me, time to hangout with friends, and all our kids. Yes, all our husbands are musicians!

Jose and I have been doing a lot of work on our home. Since we bought it really. The first 12-18 months, we focused on the interior. Now, we're starting to focus on the outside. Mostly because our little one, is able to play a little better, on her own. And enjoys the outside. That makes me so happy! The big yard, is what sold me, on our home!

I've got so many ideas! My spare Saturdays, aren't helping either! I spend the mornings with friends. Shopping around the Farmers Market, Lowe's, and Home Depot. I'm yearning to make one of those vertical garden boxes, from the Home Depot commercial. But fill it with herbs! Then I spend the afternoons, while Baby Jelly Bean is napping, watching PBS. And all their amazing gardening shows! You should see my list of plants, flowers, and trees that I want! Anyway, I was searching out the instructions, on the Home Depot project last night, and I found this picture.



So of course, I followed the link. Thank you Google! It doesn't always work for me. But this time, it did. And I found this tutorial! This morning, I told Jose all about it! He had that look on his face. Which translates loosely into "What are you talking about?" I should have probably let him wake up. That's another thing about musicians. He got home from work around 3am. I was talking about bird baths at 6am.

Eventually, my husband was wide awake. We talked. Went to church. And parted ways. Turns out, the Mariachi has a full day of work today. Well, Baby Jelly Bean and I, headed for Lowe's. I knew that I could get the supplies there, for less. But we stopped at Home Depot. I just happened to hear on the radio, about a sale there. On flowers!

Tomorrow, is Monday. The day most people go back to work. It's like Jose's Saturday. I just checked his calendar. I don't know if I've ever talked about it here. But Jose is a musician, in a Mariachi. And sometimes in the Symphony. But he also runs his own web company. Building websites, and maintaining them. For companies.

Well, it doesn't look like he has anything scheduled for tomorrow. Baby Jelly Bean and I noticed, the weather is going to be perfect! 96 degrees, slight afternoon breezes. Can you guess what our family is going to be doing? Building this bird bath. And planting the 3 flats of flowers I bought! :)

Dreaming....

I've been searching for some inspiration. For our home. And our yard. Don't you just love, searching through design blogs? Well, I do! Even doing random searches on Google, make me very happy!

I found this picture, during a recent Google search. Forget about all those cactus! I've seen more of those, than I'd like to admit. In fact, we dug out, a ton from our yard. When we first moved here. I'm not a fan. Neither is Jose! I like pretty flowers and shady trees. Mi esposo, likes tropical yards and lots of grass.

But that pool, and that sitting area....I adore!! There is something about all those colors. I like the subtle design. But the fun colors. It gives me so many ideas!!



We have a swimming pool. And we've been wanting to do some work on it. It's one of those projects, that we've been saving money for. Because, it's going to take a pretty penny! Because of this picture, I want to look into turquoise tile. For our pool. And white decking. With lots of tropical plants. Don't forget the fun colors!! :)

She Needs a Hideout!!

Baby Jelly Bean is now just over 16 months old. We've got this play thing, down to a science! Her Nana and Nono, shower her with gifts. As does Daddy. But you know what my darling daughter likes to play with most? Blankets, sheets, anything that she can make into a tent!

It's not lie! When I go to get her out of her crib, she's somehow draped her little blankie, to make a tent. And is under there, playing with her most favorite teddy! So I've been on the hunt, for a small tent. Something that is very kid friendly! Breathable. And still pretty. Something that can grow with her.

I haven't had much luck. The only one that I found, that I liked, was much too expensive! But I didn't give up. Kept Googling. That's when I found these pictures....



What do you think? A fun DIY project for Jose? That's what I'm thinking! If only I can find the actual site, where these are posted. But maybe, my lover can figure it out. From just these 2 pictures. He's good like that! ;) Let me tell you, I've convinced him to do so many projects!

Between, don't you just love those hanging pots? So colorful! And the chalk board. Don't get me started on the rug. Or the fabric on the tent. Such great ideas....all around!!



And such a cozy, and safe hideout, for our Baby Jelly Bean. I could actually see the 2 of us, in there, reading. Or just snuggling. This is definitely going on my "To-Do List!" :)

Easy Peasy!!

I found this picture, and thought, easy peasy! I can whip one of these up, for my sweet girl! With a G of course!! I just think it's so fun. And a perfect addition, for Baby Jelly Bean's "Art Wall." Can you say perfect timing? My grandma just gave me a HUGE jar of old buttons. Colorful and fun buttons. This is definitely the project to use them on. Now I just need to run to Hobby Lobby. I think I'm starting to become a crafter!! :)

When I Have Too Much Time....

My husband is working. He got a new client, and is spending hours, with his computer. Working on this new project. Baby Jelly Bean, is deep into her nap. Girly has been taking some good naps lately! Me? I'm supposed to be searching for a recipe. For our "Family Style Dinner." Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, we go to church. Enjoy a nice mass, and head to Memo's house for dinner. Every single week! During Lent, add in Friday nights. Don't forget, everyone has their parties at his house too!

Our Compadre just has the biggest heart ever! Enjoys having everyone over. Supplies 99.9% of the food. Gets upset, when we so much as try to clean up. But, I still want to contribute. In some way. I thought about baking something for tonight. That lead me to Google. My best, and worst, friend! While throwing some words into the search bar, I somehow, came up with these pictures!!



Um, hello! These just made my week! Can I have them? How do you make them? Oh, can you just imagine....



They'd add so much fun, to our kitchen. Immediately, I went to our kitchen. And realized, that we don't own many wooden utensils. That's unfortunate! But we do have 2 spoons. And I realized, I bought a 4 pack of wooden utensils, not too long ago. What did I do with them?

I figure, I can paint my own. I called our Commadre, and asked her advise on the paint. She told me exactly what to buy. And I've got my list. Oh, ya. I was supposed to be looking for recipes. Maybe I should just head to the store. Pick up my supplies. And a few cake mixes, with frosting. Cupcakes sound good to me! Maybe I'll throw in a few of these fun spoons, for our Compadre too! :)

Where Have These Been All My Life??

I recently came across these pictures. Hello! How good do these look? I should probably start off with, I must have the biggest Sweet Tooth in the World! No lie! Darn it, I'm always thinking about sweets. So when I see things like this, I have no self control!!



I mean seriously, we're talking about Peeps!! These sugary dreams. Well, when I was little, I didn't like them. These days, I buy a few packs, of each color!!



Peep S'mores. How did I not think of this? And where has this picture been, all my life? In fact, I couldn't wait. Not one minute! When I saw this picture, I got up, found my Peeps. And made a plate of these. Shh! I ate all 3. While Jose was gone. And my daughter was napping! Yes, I think I found my new favorite Springtime treat! :)

Super Sweet and Fun!

I sort of wish, that I'd found this picture, before Baby Jelly Bean's birthday party. Don't the garlands look so fun? I also adore the colors!! I'm going to file this, in my brain. For her 2nd birthday. But these colors, they just inspire me. Maybe I'll use them, to start decorating my office. I just think these colors, are so happy and fun! :)

Start Growing

Marissa always comes up with some ideas. Always! Things that seem, well beyond her years. She came to us, last night, and started telling us about "water gardening!" I'm thinking, her class has to be doing something like this. She just kept on and on....and on! I love that girl! She's always teaching us new things.



Well, by the end of dinner, she convinced us all, to grow our own green onions. Poor Sals. I'm thinking, she's going to be growing lettuce. In her windowsill! But don't you dare think, that a 6 year old, doesn't know what she's talking about. When I got home, I took to Google! And this process, is all the rage! I better get my green onions started. :)