Christmas Lights

Christmas lights were a challenge this year. In past years, I've channelled my inner exterior illumination demon (usually takes the form of Martha Stewart with an extra shot of OCD holding a light pole) to put up Christmas lights. Not so this year.

This will be known as the year where I got owned by our new yard.

The light pole (for stringing lights into trees) snapped in the autumn, so this explains why none of our lights make it over the 6 foot mark. Also challenging is our power situation (being drawn off our trailer, which is known for shorting out if you run the microwave and toaster at the same time).

And this explains why it looks like a crazy person ran in circles weaving through trees, fencing, and the odd birdbath.*

(*and it took me a week to convince myself to live with it and not to go out there and fix it. I think the freezing temperatures might have had a hand in this.)

At one point I just threw it over a branch and ran towards the fence.

If you stop and cover your eyes just the right way, it does look pretty. I think. Maybe.

Front porch: Before + After

The after.

I finished up the front porch last week, and I'm proud to say that this project lasted 3 days (compare it so some of our never-ending ones...).  The outdoor carpet was ripped up, the wood underneath was patched, sanded and stained, and the front door was painted.  I bought an outdoor area rug (Home Depot - $60, and can also come with us when we move) and then did the planters (all existing, the tall ones are from Ikea).  I looked into finding a used rocking chair that I could refinish and put out there, but I think that time and effort is better spent inside on the other projects at the moment.

The before (Halloween shot from a while ago, on the Saturday I started this project I discovered the camera battery was dead.  I'm sure you get the idea.).

Close up of the planters and rug.  I love that rug.

Creating an outdoor oasis

Putting aside the fact that my backyard is very small, if I had to deck out my dream backyard for the summer, these are a few of the items I would like to see (*cue the dreamy music*):

1. Printed Sea Life Outdoor Pillows from Williams Sonoma Home.  2. Artichoke Votive from Anthropologie.  3. An umbrella from Crate & Barrel.  4. Classic Herringbone Synthetic Rug from Pottery Barn.

5. Recycled Glass Drinkware from West Elm.  6. Scroll tray from CB2.  7. Central-Hub Electric Sphere Lanterns from Target.  8. Metal Mesh Lounge Chair from West Elm.

Back to regular programming...

I missed a good chunk of last week due to a nasty stomach flu sneaking up on me, so this week, let's turn over a new and refreshing (and healthy!) leaf, dust off our crystal balls and take a look and see what our future Ikea summer purchases for summer might be...

Mynta plant pots (*gasp* This may be hard to believe, but I would pick the white one!).

Salvia hanging planter. I think these would look amazing with strawberries spilling over the sides.

Solig solar-operated lights.

Greno cushions. 

Roxo easy chair (not sure how comfortable this would be, it looks a little awkward).