An Arbor and A Bench

Our backyard has been a work in progress since we moved in.  When we moved in, I was glad we "technically" didn't have kids, even though I was pregnant.  It wasn't fit for kids to play in or people to hang out there.  It was atrocious!  Every year, my husband and I tackle more and more of it to turn it into the backyard oasis we want it to be.  Last year you might remember we laid a LOT of stone for a patio and walkway.  This year we hatched a plan to build a bench and arbor behind the patio to provide more seating.

My husband and I sat down at the dining room table and talked about and drew up plans for the arbor.  He even provided me with directions from a woodworking magazine on how to do the arbor.  I didn't really follow those.  I'm not good at following directions.  My hubby would agree. 

I started with laying the stones across the bottom to build the base.  By the way, aren't those stones just lovely?  What makes them even lovelier is that they only cost the sweat and muscle of my husband!  He went to go buy them at Lowe's and they had discontinued them!!!  So, the smart man my husband is, he asked what they were going to do with the display ones and they told him that they were going to throw them out!  He asked if he could buy those and since they weren't in the inventory anymore he couldn't...so they gave them to him, if he was willing to work for it.  SCORE!!!  If I can tell you anything about us, we aren't afraid of work and getting sweaty.  So, by far, this was the cheapest trip to Lowe's we have ever had. 

After the first few layers of stone was laid, I built the bench, since I had an exact measurement of the length of it.

I used cut copper pipe as spacers in the bench.  Copper pipe was also used at the top of the arbor.  We chose copper because of how beautiful it is and how it will change color with age.

I plan on having a vine crawl up and over, so I planted a star jasmine.  It grows fast, smells amazing and produces lots of clusters of white flowers.  It's not currently flowering, but when it does, it will smell heavenly back there.

Even though I did most of the construction for this project, I feel like it is truly a joint project as my husband and I planned it out together and he acquired all the necessary items for the build.  He also broke a stubborn stone in half for me. 

Now the kids have a place to sit when we invite friends over to sit around the fire with us.  Mmmm, now I want to eat some smores!

I also feel like we are nearing the finish line for our backyard makeover.  It's been a 5 year marathon so far.

I Went Off The Grid

This past weekend my husband, father-in-law, myself and a few other guys all headed out of Houston and ended up at a ranch outside of Kerrville, TX.  No cell phone service, in the middle of a dry, rocky landscape littered with cactus and cedar. 

I enjoyed every moment being out in the middle of pretty much nowhere.  I saw many birds that I have never seen before and encountered many animals I had never seen before either.

Immature Summer Tanager

I did some hunting (don't worry, I am feeding my family with what I kill).  I spent a lot of quality time with my husband sitting in a blind while watching turkeys go by.  There were a lot of turkeys.  There were also a few surprises in this landscape too, like this beautiful spring fed pond that they call blue hole.

I wish I could have jumped in.  It was so crystal clear, none of my photos can do an oasis so beautiful any justice.  Upon a glance, it looked to be only about 5 feet deep, but when you dropped a rock in, it sank, and sank, and sank...over 20 feet, I'm sure in a few spots even deeper. 

It felt great to relax, swap stories, reconnect with nature and just enjoy a great "guys" weekend.  I take pride that I get to go along on guy weekends occasionally. A big thanks to my mother-in-law for watching the kids so we could all enjoy our trip.

Gulf Fritillary

Do you ever feel the need to get away and reconnect with nature?  Or do you prefer the spa?  I would probably kill for a massage right now, but wouldn't trade me weekend away in nature for a spa trip.  Am I crazy?

Beer Can House

You read that right, Beer Can House!!!  Houston is so awesome.  John Milkovisch was the brain behind the operation, although he must have had one amazing wife to let him do it all. 

View from the street.

Mailbox.

Original state of the house.

The story behind the Beer Can House at 222 Malone started simply with a man who enjoyed beer and transformed his yard with stone and concrete because he didn't like to mow the lawn.

And here is the culprit that started it all.  The wheelbarrow that hauled the stone, concrete and supplies.  I love how they have put it on display!

Everywhere you turn, there is something whimsy and fun.  You cannot help but smile when you walk around the property.

He didn't decorate with just beer cans, but boy are there a lot of marbles and beer bottles too!

Marble Fence.

After John covered the grounds, he started on the house. 

Beer can siding.

Rear of the house.

Quote from John.

Close up of his beer can wind chimes that adorn the house from the roof.

Walking around and hearing the wind chimes, you could feel the love.  Not often do I find so much metal and concrete to be comforting and relaxing.  I wish I could have met John.

The one thing that I take away from visiting the beer can house is to keep creating what makes me happy.  I want to leave a legacy that represents me and no other.

March Best

March seemed to fly right by.  Gardening, trips to find wildflowers, spring break and Easter.  I did managed to snap more than just photos of the bluebonnets!

 Even though bluebonnets are a springtime staple in Texas, I managed to take a few other photos too.  

Top: Bordered Patch Butterfly, Colton and Maben in the bluebonnets in Brenham, TX

Center: Cardinal hanging out on my lawnmower, Colton showing off his favorite egg

Bottom: Top view of a bluebonnet, Colton smiling while playing in the sprinkler, Peacock feathers

It's Bluebonnet Time!

I took the kids and went to scout out the bluebonnets.  I have seen them popping up alongside the highway here in Houston, so I packed up the kids and headed to Brenham, TX.  Brenham is famous for two things, Blue Bell Ice Cream and bluebonnets, the Texas state flower. 

The unusual part was all my favorite hot spots this year, very empty.  Hoping the next few weeks brings them out in droves.  A little rain might help, keeping my fingers crossed for that.

There was one spot that I hit that did not disappoint, a field behind a bunch of commercial buildings.  It's behind the La Quinta.

Somehow, Colton turned on the charm for the pictures.  It might have been the promise of ice cream later. 

Overall, a very successful day.  I cannot wait to go out again.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my boys try to chase butterflies in fields full of flowers.

The Almost Perfect Day

Saturday in south Texas was beautiful.  Not just any kind of beautiful, either.  The sun was out, it was in the high 70's and shorts weather.  Pretty remarkable when most of the rest of the country was dealing with some of the coldest weather they have seen in years. 

My best friend, Sabrina, came to visit and brought her daughter.  We packed up our kids and headed for Galveston Island.  This was my first trip there.  It was ALMOST perfect.  My husband stayed behind to study for the GMAT.  It would have been perfect if he could have joined, but I am more than content to deal with almost perfect. 

The best thing about our kids...they never seem to fight with each other.  They are like three peas in a pod and never seem to have the odd man out.  If one isn't involved, it doesn't seem to bother. 

It was amazing watching the kids play and be kids...HAPPY kids, outside and enjoying all the fruits that nature bears. 

Between playing on two separate beaches and enjoying the walking trails of Galveston State Park, watching a full moon rise over the Gulf of Mexico, and witnessing a fire cloud for the second time ever, life in those moments was rather amazing.

I wish everyone can experience a day such as this.  It really recharges your mind, energizes your soul and brings you peace.  I feel amazing.  My creativity feels like it has been restored.  I don't think I have taken this many great photos in one day since the whale watch last summer.

Thanks Sabrina for coming down and bringing my favorite little girl with you! 

Nothing Like Experience

There is truly nothing better than experience.  I am probably low balling the number when I say that I have taken 75,000 photographs since Maben was born.  Over my life, it's well over 100,000.  I love being able to look back at photos that I have recreated to see how much I have grown.

Scenery: Beautiful and similar
Pose: The exact same (this is Maben's go to pose)
Lighting: I have learned!

Let me dissect the lighting in these photos. 

In 2010, there is a harsh sun behind the subject, creating harsh shadows on the face.  I had no reflector, did not use the flash, just figured since it was light out that was enough.  Not the case. 

In this year's photo, a thin cloud covered sky, late in the day which gave the great golden glow.  The light is coming from behind me.  Overall, a much better photograph with just a change in the lighting. 

I have grown and learned due to my passion for photography.  My passion and desire drove me to dissect and analyze my photographs with a constructive eye.  I now look for a better photo, wait for the right moment, set it up better so therefore I can take better quality photographs and not worry so much on the quantity.  I mean, why take 20 photos if you can get it in 3?

Now, be prepared to be sick of bluebonnets.  Tis the season for the wildflowers and the bluebonnets are one of my favorites!  I will be taking off for many more outings in wildflowers while they last.

Fence Picket Flag: Texas Edition

One of my favorite projects for decor last year was my Fence Picket American Flag.  Well, I decided to do another, this time a Texas Flag.

Now, not a Native Texan, but both of my children are.  I also don't mind being patriotic and Texas has treated us well.  I could deal without the 100+ degree weather in the summer, but overall, Texas is pretty great and I am okay with celebrating that.

Both of my flags were done to the correct proportions.  This is why the Texas flag looks smaller than the American flag.  Other than cutting off a portion of the fence pickets, the process was the exact same in the construction.

It looks pretty great hanging on our fence.  Don't mind the large pile of stone, we are turning that into a patio...hopefully sometime this summer.

Mission Accomplished!

I am trading one kind of busy for another.  I have accomplished making 22 redneck wineglasses and a Fence Picket American Flag for custom orders this past two weeks.  On top of all that I am taking off with the kids (sans hubby) for a vacation to visit some family this week.  So, my time will be occupied by getting us ready and off to Vermont.  I promise to show off some of scenic Vermont in the summertime.

This is the new flag that was commissioned by a dear friend of mine.  I will be delivering it today to it's new owner.  It makes my heart melt when I know someone is going to appreciate a creation of mine as much (if not more) than I do.  This one looks slightly different than the first one seen below because I corrected some of the math. 

Since I was going to be busting out all the tools to make an American Flag I decided I would try my hand at doing a Fence Picket Texas flag.  The only thing I did different in the construction of the Texas flag was taking my circular saw and hacking off part of the pickets to bring it into the proper ratio of 2:3.  If you are interested in seeing the step by step of making a fence picket flag, go here.

The Texas flag, MUCH MUCH easier than doing an American flag.  The ratios are much easier to calculate and one star as opposed to fifty.  I'm not from Texas, but I birthed two Texans, so this will be going on the fence along side of the American flag, as soon as I install the hook on the fence.

I am looking forward to some traveling and can't wait to show off all the wonderful photos I know I am going to take...probably because I will take like 500 of them.  Some of them will have to turn out well when you take that many! :)

Redneck Wineglass

I don't know who all has seen one of these, but the first time for me was a couple weeks ago at a friend's house.  I laughed so hard I almost cried.  Such a brilliant and easy idea and so incredibly funny.  So, today, I am going to show you how truly easy it is to make.

You need 3 (yes, only 3) items to make a redneck wineglass.
-a mason jar
-a cheap candlestick (I purchased mine at Dollar Tree)
-E-6000 glue (found at most craft stores)

Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.  The glue is a little on the strong side.  Place a bead of glue around the top edge of the candlestick.

Place your mason jar on top of the candlestick and center it.  It's easy to center when you are looking down inside the mason jar.

Now, let your redneck wineglass dry for 24-48 hours.  Then it will be ready for use.

My sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit this week.  They will be getting a set of redneck wineglasses, along with a bottle of Boone's Farm wine...because I can't think of anything more redneck to pair it with.  They are going to love it!

P.S.  I think this is the shortest tutorial ever.  Just to recap, gather supplies, glue, wait.

Showing this off: