Staircase photo gallery project

I always have a project or two brewing around here. Never mind that having two munchkins pretty much hinders any chance of getting my projects done in a timely manner (or ever) ... I can still hope and dream big.

Right now I want to create a photo gallery up our staircase. A lot of open wall space is annoying to me and we have some great photos and art that need displaying.

I found some great inspiration online -- but it's obvious that these took a lot of time, effort, and an eye for detail (all of which I don't possess).

Sources: designsponge.com, decorpad.com, & wildinkpress.com/blog

first haircut

It only took 26 months!

September shrubbery

September is my favorite time of year to plant; the days are cooler, the ground is warmer, and the plants are cheaper. Unfortunately, in my case, I didn't score any great sales on plants. Instead, for the first time, I tried my hand at mail order plants. They arrive smaller but are less expensive than the typical 3 or 5 gallon shrub.

hydrangea twist n shout

In my years of gardening, my experience has lain mainly with perennials - preferring them over costly woody shrubs. I was experimenting and I'd prefer to experiment with $5.99 than $59.99. I think you get my jist.

hardscape

But now, hardscape in, it is time to plant our shrub border per plan and this has been the moment I've most waited for. This weekend saw our last shrub of the season planted. Next spring & fall we will finish the border (appx: 20 shrubs left to buy).

foreground: tor spirea; side/fence: virginia sweetspire henry's garnet

I agree that the shrub border is an important part of your garden - it lays the foundation and gives winter interest when the herbaceous perennials lay dormant under ground. I've just been too scared and uneducated (and now, too busy with babies) to do this on my own. Our designer helped pick those shrubs that would be small (for our space) and provide seasonal color to our yard.

current shrub border September

Photo session

We received a gift certificate at a local photo place for Wesley's baby shower ... I booked it a few times but there was always something up -- sickness, weather, poor planning. It turned out that it was fine to wait; we just used it over the weekend to now get BOTH their pictures done and introduce our new family of four (the way it will remain ...)

3 months

Someone stop the clock! 

Time is moving too fast ... 3 months already!

Four generations

Idea Garden

Coming to Cantigny with my kids is somewhat surreal since I used to come here all the time as a girl when I was in Brownies. I don't remember all of these lovely gardens though, my memories are of the tanks -- it is after all a World War I museum -- and the mansion (I have distinct memories of touring the house and being ultimately amazed at the "dumb waiter." Go figure.)

Last week we were there for a music demonstration; after some music making and splashing in the fountain, we walked around the Idea Garden.

Windchimes using utensils

Storage baskets as flower pots!

Here's an idea ... take a nap!

Plant-Dog

Tic Tac Toe shrubs

Gourd Tunnel

First Day of School

Well, it's not really pre-school but we're calling it school for Wesley's sake. It's a Parent's Day Out program which is the only thing in our area for 2-year olds to go to before preschool starts. It's one morning a week. Nevertheless, I had to get him ready with a bag and lunch and walk him in ... it was pretty hard to leave him there but, as you can see, he settled himself in prettily easily.

County Fair

Another year, another County Fair!

 I always love looking at the photos of Matt & Wesley on the John Deere over the years ... this is now a family tradition. (It makes up for the fact that we have about 2 inches of grass and Matt can never own one of these!)

2010

2011

2012