Taking Down the Oak Tree

Yesterday was one of those days where I was tempted to complain complained about having to do the ordinary mundane tasks of life.  Cleaning up messes I didn't make, washing clothes that somehow didn't make it to the hamper, cleaning bathrooms, picking up a kajillion tiny toy pieces, running errands, doing laundry, setting appointments....

Can I get an amen from the moms?

But in the grand scheme, it was still an ordinary day.  And that's good, too.  Because somewhere there's someone wishing for the ordinary.  I'm thankful to have a home, clothes for my family to throw on the floor wear, clean water, and my health to care for my family.  I'm thankful that we had an ordinary day because it means we're ok.

One of the appointments I set was to have one of our oak trees removed.  Since we originally moved here, we've been told that this tree is too big for the lot.  It was much smaller when we first moved here, and it has shot up over the past 12 years.  I have been honestly torn about taking it out because I'm a tree hugger.  Plus it provides so much shade and privacy for my front porch which I love!

But on the flip side, it's so shady that the grass no longer grows underneath it.  And even if I didn't care, my HOA does.  The other option was to limb it up so that more light could get to the grass.  It's also scratching up against the house wearing at the paint, so we're in need of a paint job too.  It's also close to water lines and the foundation, so it could lead to a lot of costly repairs in the future.  Or so I've been told.

So we've decided to take her down.

This majestic oak on my parent's property is proof of how big they can get!  

I am hoping we can pull the yard back together before winter sets in.  I've got one landscaper who seems to think it's possible!  If it was your yard, what would you do?  Limb 'er up? Or take 'er down?

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Outdoor Dining Table-On the Hunt

Hi everyone!  We're in the final week of school over here!  I kind of feel like we are going on fumes dealing with allergies and asthma, but we're going to make it.  I recently refinished my lower level outdoor table, but discovered that the legs had rotted out.  So I've been browsing Target's outdoor and patio sale to see if I can find a replacement table.  Most of my outdoor furniture has come from the end of season clearance at either Walmart or Target.  I would really like to build one, but I don't know if I have the energy to do it right now.   Here are a few of the ready-to-assemble tables that I like:

This one by Smith and Hawken is 6ft long, and would match the eight folding chairs that I already have.  I would probably let them all weather to a gray tone. 

Smith & Hawken

This next one is an almost identical table, but starts at 7ft and extends to nearly 10ft long.

Smith and Hawken Expandable Table

One final table that caught my eye was this x-base table.

Threshold Holden Table

I kind of forget about this secondary dining space in my garden because the table doesn't seat as many as my large table, but it's perfect for when it's just me and my guys.  It's tucked in the upstairs corner of my garden and surrounded by trees and shrubs.  During the day, there's this bumble bee who thinks this is his zone, but at night it's a cozy spot.

I love, love, love my string lights in the garden, and they happen to also be on sale for 40% off today only at Target!  If you have been thinking about getting some today is the day.  I may have to go and get a box to have for backup.  I have about five packs that I've strung around my garden fence.  The fuse kept blowing, so I had to do some math to calculate the amps and volts that the outlet could handle, or something like that.  My husband is the electrical engineer so I was asking him to help me figure it out, but he was like "do the math".  I'm happy to say, I figured it out!  I had to strategically remove a few bulbs, but now they have been up and working for about a year now.   There's something about that gentle glow in the evening that makes a garden feel so romantic and warm.  

If you've got kiddos in school, push thru this final week, and then hopefully you'll get a little break over the weekend!


Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.  But I like Target and would share a good deal either way!

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Garden Glow

First off, I wanted to say 'Hi' and 'Welcome' to everyone visiting from Honey We're Home!  I was honored to be featured in her round-up of HWH Loves Bloggers Living Rooms.  So many beautiful spaces!  I'll be sharing more about my living room soon, but I hope you'll take a look around and come back again!  

With summer approaching and school about to let out, I am ready to have more relaxed evenings.  I remember when my son was younger,  we used to put down blankets and watch the stars come out at night.  Our recent visit to the Fernbank Planetarium has got me wanting to stargaze again.  

Here in Georgia, it's so hot in the summer, that it's usually not comfortable outside until the evening.  But it's the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the garden.  With the addition of a few string lights, you get a beautiful evening glow.

One of the other great things to do in the garden is cookout!  For the longest time, I found it intimidating.   But check back tomorrow, and I'll be sharing some ideas that helped me conquer the grill!

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Refinishing an Outdoor Table

So I was all ready to show how I refinished this table that I posted on Instagram a while back and tell you about these lovely copper casters I was about to add to it.  And how much I love copper with grey and wood. Only to discover that the legs on this table are rotted out at the base!  I guess I waited too long to add the casters.  The table legs have wicked up water and rotted out.  So my beloved table is headed to the trash...unless I can find some replacement legs.  Somebody help me please!

Well let me, at least, tell you the story of this table.   I love the look of a long farm table outside, but I don't know where you can buy one.   So a couple of years ago, I built one from the legs of an old table I spotted roadside.  This year the top needed refinishing, so I decided to bite the bullet and "get 'er done" for the spring.

I used the Helmsman Spar Urethane last year, but it began to crack and lift over the winter.  So I sanded off the worn, peeling finish.  

After wiping it clear, I reapplied stain. 

And finally another coat of polyurethane, and it was back in business! 

Or so I thought.  I found out the legs are no good.  So now, if I can't hunt down some new ones, it's unfortunately going into the trash.

Looking on the bright side, Sarah and Karl are back!  And they are so beautiful!

I have to share later what else I've been up to in the garden.  

What spring projects have you had on your list?

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Late Summer Yard Clean Up {Progress}

Last Saturday, the weather was so nice, I went outside to sit on my patio and enjoy my yard.  Unfortunately, my eyes were assaulted by site of a neglected yard.  Overgrown grass, outta control weeds, and random trees made me want to run back inside.  But instead I decided to do what any good blogger would do.  Post some ugly pics and motivate myself to get to work!

It's been a few days, and I have been working hard to clean it up.  Monday I had about six bags of yard debris to take to our local recycling center.   This is just some of it.

One day I hope to compost, but for now I let them do it.  My yard is so tiny any compost pile would be within 10 feet of a patio.  And I think compost smells worse before it gets better.  So, after cutting back tons of overgrowth, dead foliage, and grass, this was the result. 

1. First up on the list was to cut the grass.

BEFORE

 PROGRESS!

2. Next up was to cut down the weeds.

BEFORE

PROGRESS

3.  Third was to limb up this tree so that I could walk underneath it without ducking my head.  

BEFORE

 PROGRESS

 4.  Fourth, was to cut down the random trees sprouting in the yard.  I ended up also pulling the dead stems from the daylilies and cutting back the irises.  I still need to cut back more plants and trim the shrubs.

BEFORE

 PROGRESS

BEFORE

PROGRESS

5.  Fifth was to get rid of the spider webs and spray for mosquitos.  I did and the spray I used for the mosquitos has really helped.  I think I will re-treat in a few days to make sure there are not any more around.

6. Sixth was to blow clear the patios.  Now they could use a good pressure wash.  Maybe later!

BEFORE

PROGRESS

BEFORE

BEFORE

PROGRESS

7.  Seventh was to replant the pots.  I have yet to do this.  But I did go and visit the Growers Outlet.  They had an amazing selection at great prices, which made me want to buy just about everything.  I decided to wait and pick out what I want to plant first.

8. The final plan was to host a soiree.  I have a small one planned.  Let's hope the weather holds up!

In the process of doing all of the clean up, I visited Home Depot and Lowe's and found some amazing deals on replacement cushions and some outdoor chairs.  I'll be back to share the finds.  Hope you're having a great week!

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Late Summer Yard Clean Up

Every year when the spring rolls around, I have great plans of dining alfresco and hosting outdoor parties.  I do a spring yard clean up over the course of a couple of weekends--- cutting back plants that have to be pruned in the spring, laying new mulch where needed, and planting new plants in bare spots.  I love being outside and enjoying nature.  However, things are never exactly how I want them to be.  I have to practically wrestle my family to the ground to get them outside (ahem, they know who they are).  And before you know it, down south it's too hot to do anything outside anyway.

So here it is, near the end of summer, and I have yet to host anything outside.  Part of it is my perfectionist tendencies.  But also the yard has been neglected for the past several weeks months.  So even though its unseasonably cool around these parts, I still can't seem to pull the trigger on hosting anything.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Well, to encourage you and myself, I am doing a late-summer yard clean-up.

On the list is:
1. Cut the grass. ('cause it is whack)

2. Pull the weeds. ('cause they are whack too)

    

3. Limb up my trees near the steps.  Since they are near the stairs to the upper level, it would be nice to walk underneath them without ducking your head.

4. Cut down random trees that have sprouted up over the summer.

5. Get rid of all the spider webs and spray for mosquitoes. ('Nuf said)

6. Use a blower to clean the patios.

7. Replant the containers that have dead plants.

8. Host at least one soiree!  (Maybe I should be sending out invitations now to make sure this happens?)

At any rate, hopefully I can at least enjoy being outside during the fall.  Any helpers?

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