Shed Metamorphosis

I'm always too impatient to wait until the end of a post to see the final product so I'm serving it up first in this post. This is my family project potting shed. It's not quite done, but unless one looks with a magnifying glass, you'll likely not detect it.  The best feature is the glass ceiling/roof.

This, sadly, is what we started with. It was one of those occasions when you finally succumb to the notion that your children are growing up and no longer play on the play set. To help ease the brokenheartedness, we decided to recycle as many parts as we could into something that we could continue to use.

My son helping us disassemble it. It feels like the potting shed project has taken about as long as this post (html and upload issues I can't even force myself to discuss) because my son has grown sooooo much even since this picture was taken in the early spring of 2010.

Construction lasted well into the summer and fall

The old door found for $5 at a second-hand store before I painted it granny smith apple green - - the color selected by my 11-year old daughter.

Indeed it was a family project and these girls love to use power tools.

One more glance at the play set we started with (only because every time I try to delete this stinkin photo I get html errors I can't fix!)

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And finally, shots of it in its glory in the spring garden 2011

One of the highlights of this garden shed is almost every item used to construct it and decorate it was recycled, including the cedar shake shingles that a neighbor had been storing for decades for "just the right project."

. . . and the winter garden.

Another winter shot of the full moon casting shadows on the snow but the bonus is you can see the glass roof and how the shed glows at night.  I keep a small strand of grapevine wreath lights on inside.  A post on the interior is in the making.





And another night-time image.  Pretend it's not blurry.

A peek inside.

Joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays Party

and Sugar and Dots What I Whipped Up Wednesday Party

and "Show off your Cottage Monday" at the House in the Roses








and "Metamorphosis Monday" at Between Naps on the Porch

Spring has sprung

. . . at least that's what I keep telling myself. So, as further confirmation, I brought out the Easter decorations.

You can see the outline of the Pier 1 bunny pick bloggers were flocking to the last couple years. There are three tucked in around my decorations.

I found this white plate thrifing. It says "Jesus is not here . . . He is risen."


I just love this little bunny family. I splurged several years ago after coveting it for a few years and have never regretted it. I think I got it from Winterthur catalog.


This cute little guy came from Second Tuesday. Wish now I'd have bought his upright companion.

These little guys on bottom . . .

. . . I'll pull them out so you can see them better, came from T.J. Maxx last year. Mrs. had a broken ear so I told them I would "take her off their hands" if they let me have both for the price of one. They agreed. She had surgery to repair her ear and is as good as new.

This big guy just looked good here.

Hope the flowers are blooming and the bunnies are hopping around your home too.

Linking to:
Blessed Little Nest's Life Made Lovely Monday party at:

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and

Domestically Speaking's Countdown to Spring party at:
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2011/03/countdown-to-spring-party-beach.html

Goodwill Hunting

To be honest, it wasn't Goodwill this time (I've just been dying to use that title), but my favorite thrift shop ever, The Rustic Barn in Windsor, Illinois. This shop has the best quality and the best prices. Just look at what I rescued during the "Dollar Days" sale. Above and below is a silver plated sugar scuttle. Just $1! If there were a better photographer in the house, you could see how great it looks on top of the hutch with my silver pieces.
The floral pillow in the middle - $1. Looks good here in my daughter's room but will find a home on the pink painted chair going on the porch of the potting shed this summer.

Wire basket. You guessed it, $1.

Pale blue teacup and saucer for $1 will go in the potting shed too.

Green sweater in great shape was $3. It is sooooo warm and looks great with a pair of jeans.

Boots were $3 and exactly what I needed for a not-too-casual look with jeans. Purse was $1 and I'm sure I'll find the perfect occasion to use it, or to "wear it" as my 11-year old says. Is that the sign of a future fashionista - - one who sees purses as an accessory one "wears?"

Sherpa vest was $3 and in great shape.

This white sweater (I know, bad photography again) will be perfect in the spring with pretty floral dresses or a pair of jeans. It still had the Maurices tag on it and was $3.

And finally, the real reason I went was to find jeans. It was my lucky day. I found three pair that fit perfectly. One dark pair of boot cut (to go with the new boots of course), a dark skinny jean, and a lighter pair of aeropostale boot cut which are the perfect stage of broken in. I shudder to think what retail price someone paid for these. All three pair were $7 each.

So there you have it. All of the above for $38.
I just love rescuing these items from an otherwise ill-fated trip to the landfill AND saving my family budget.

Linking to Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.

Winter Wonderland

Everything is covered in a thick layer of ice.







Everything is so crispy and since the deer like to rub against my row of young Crabapple trees, I think they snapped this one.


Hard to believe in a handful of weeks, this Dogwood will be budding.


Looking down the street.


Every twig, branch and wisp is covered.


My Willow is definitely weeping.



Looking underneath the patio table. I can't take credit. She found it.


I couldn't pass up that face.


I tried to capture the blue hour in the snow again, but I'm going to have to pull out the tripod tomorrow since I just can't hold still long enough to let the shutter close.



The Blizzard of 2011, or so they say. We would have enjoyed the additional 12" or so our lucky neighbors just 60 miles west got, but we'll take what we can get.
Happy Groundhog Day!