Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Never Would Have Thought of This

The sills on our new windows don't extend far past the edge of the window, so it has been an issue figuring out how wide the trim should be. It seems the trim shouldn't be wider than the amount of space the sill extends past the window. Who knew?

We kind of think the trim looks a little narrow, but we've decided to live with it.

As an aside, the trim is only primed. It will ultimately be the same yellow as the eaves and corbels.

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Parkway Progesses

The poppies are really taking off, as well as the sages from Theodore Payne.

What a difference a year makes...this is what it used to look like.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Window Colors

We decided to stain the windows instead of paint. Since the woodwork inside the house is old wood, but the windows are new, we had to do some patch tests to find a color that looks good on both.

We're going with number 239, cherry.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Friday, January 13, 2012

A Step Up

Rob made stepping stones for the parkway out of the bricks from our old fireplace. Hopefully, this will encourage people not to trample the plants!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Parkway, Take 2!

We got some new plants for the Parkway from Theodore Payne to replace the lavender bush and sycamore tree that didn't make it through the first round of planting.

We got two different sages -- the one to the right is my favorite. It has a red stem like a manzanita.

We also got two different kinds of irises, but I can't remember which is which.

I put all the plants in the tomato cages we aren't using right now -- hopefully, that will keep them from being stepped on and damaged.



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Jewel Orchid

Jewel orchids are better known for their foliage than their blooms, but this one that we got from Cal Orchids in Santa Barbara is just spectacular.

We've talked about putting a green house in the back yard, but I'm not sure we'll need to -- the plants are all loving the dining room window.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Christmas Cactus

Our neighbor at our old apartment gave us this when they moved out of the building. This is the second year it's bloomed in the house.

Gorgeous.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Bye-Bye Lowe's!

The guys worked yesterday, even though it was Saturday. The siding is almost halfway up. We're starting to look like a real house and not a billboard for Lowe's!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Grave Matters

We put a raised bed in the front yard and edged it with bricks from the old fireplace. All it needs is a tombstone.

I've planted a bunch of winter vegetables -- garlic, onions, broccoli, etc.

We didn't have enough of our own compost, so I bought some at Home Despot. It wasn't broken down all the way -- there were big clumps of animal hair in it. Lovely.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Back One Is Gone, Too!

In fact, there isn't even an opening where our back door used to be -- it's been shear walled and covered in vapor barrier...courtesy of Lowe's!

For the moment, the ghetto door is hanging out under the scaffolding -- complete with visqueen of course. I'm sure someone in the neighborhood will want it; there seems to be a taker for every crappy thing we get rid of. Just what we want -- to see the crap on our neighbor's houses. Sigh.








Wednesday, January 4, 2012

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Look closely.

Still can't tell?

The close up below might help...

Our ghetto door is gone.

Hurray!!!



Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Blooming Rose

It's not in focus, but that IS a rose bud -- and not of the Citizen Kane kind. Hurray! Proof that the phoenix roses truly survived!

Monday, January 2, 2012

What Are The Stakes?

Not sure where the guys found these, but there's a pile of rusted stakes hanging out in the backyard. It's always something new and exciting around here...