Dumpster Diving: Blonde 'Burb Style

Monday is trash day in the 'burbs. No, I do not make a point to drive around the 'burbs to go trash shopping for furniture. I have standards, thank god. I do have a next door neighbor who, on occasion, has purged some furniture from around her house and placed it at her curb on trash day. 

Well, last night I went to water a few plants in the front of our house before dark. As soon as I walk outside, my next door neighbor - who knows I like to paint and shabby-up furniture - yelled from her driveway and asked me if I would like to go "shopping". I looked at her and said, "what woman doesn't"? Then she pointed to her curb and I spotted this girl...

An oak roll-top desk! Pardon the dust :)

Why would she throw away such a thing? I didn't ask. I could't get the husbo to drag this from her trash pile at the curb fast enough! She's got nice legs and some detail on the drawer handle.

If I didn't snatch her up, I knew someone else would.

It's official, my list of projects to paint is now OVERFLOWING. Can't wait to tackle this one! 

Stay tuned!

Shed Progress: Part Three

I spent this weekend hot, sweaty and covered in paint. I "bit the bullet" and FINALLY finished painting all of the white trim and the door on the new shed. Not an easy job, but it was the least I could do after the husbo and my dad spent 3 weekends working like dogs in the hot humid weather to construct this thing.

What do you think? A HUGE thanks goes to my dad for making a base for the cupola so it could actually be installed on the roof. After a few blunders with the extension ladder (shhhh!)the husbo was able to get the damn thing on the roof. He also hung a faux window pane and window box for me to dress things up a bit. The very rustic wine/whiskey barrel is a new purchase - from Home Depot of all places. It was $20 and looks like an antique...or is that a stretch?


Next step: the "earthen ramp" (already semi-in-progress), and a stacked stone foundation. I know, we are going all out! But if we, and our neighbors, have to look at this shed, I want it to at least be cute!

PS- Just a reminder for you all that this is where is all began:

 

This Is What Summer Is All About

Wow, what a busy 4th of July *week! It started off with a crazy dorecho storm that downed trees and knocked out power in 100+ degree weather. Total chaos - but thankfully we made it through the storm with a only a few shingles out of place and no power for 36-hours. Then we celebrated my brother-in-law's wedding. Despite the hot temps - it was a great time! 

We made a pit-stop at the local fish market over the weekend.

The husbo enjoyed a few freshly shucked oysters, curbside, in his work attire (poor guy had to attend a brief work meeting on his day off). These oysters were ginormous!

We also picked up some fresh crabs....

 

And ate them for dinner...with adult beverages.
You can't have one without the other!

 

We also picked up some fresh talapia at the fish market in an attempt to make our own fish tacos the next night. They turned out better than I expected. Delish!

 

Over the crazy weekend and days-off we also squeezed in a quick trip to the local farmer's market. It was too hot to lug my camera around, but we picked up some fresh veggies, fruit, and flowers...of course!

We ended our 4th of July extravaganza *week with a BBQ at my sister's house surrounded by great family, friends and kiddos. 

This is what summer is all about!

Happy Birthday America!

It's been an interesting few days. We lost power for 36 hours due to the crazy storms. And it's been hot, like Africa hot. I am so thankful to have power back and so thankful for the person who invented air conditioning. Hope you are all having a fun 4th of July celebration!