{in our garden} may flowers

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As you may recall, we had a big landscape project done on our front and back yard last fall. We also added a “treehouse” for the kids which you can read about here and here.

In April we enjoyed the daffodils and tulips that we planted last fall and decided that we definitely need to plant more tulips this fall for next spring.

Anyway, we have planted the rest of our flowers and veggies. Here’s a tour…

All of these beauties are along the border between the rock wall and the driveway or front sidewalk. Soon, the day lillies will be blooming, too.

On the right, as you walk up the path through the yard there is our veggie garden…

herbs…

chard, baby leaf lettuce, and spinach…

and, we’re going to try pickling cucumbers and mini pumpkins growing on the arbor this year.

We’ve also got tomato (heirloom brandywine, cherry, and roma), peppers (cherry, banana, and jalapeño), corn, carrots, asparagus, and artichokes.

Four different varieties of strawberries…

Hydrangea are on their way, and the rhododendron is blooming!

The last of the camellia are blooming as you walk around the side of the house to the back gate…

with our “beware of dog” sign.

This year I planted all of our hanging baskets myself…I’m hoping that they grow!

We planted “stepables” between the stones in the walkways in the back…where there is not stone, there is gravel.

Our landscaper moved the plants that were in our front yard to our back yard to add some green and softness near the fence line. We may make some changes, but for now it feels much better!

The gravel path leads down to the dog runs and the backside of the playhouse…

I added solar lights from IKEA and they glow right after the sun goes down for a couple of hours each night. I love looking at them from our bedroom window.

Ryan came up with the great idea to make our dogs houses from wine barrels shortly after we moved to Oregon! Aren’t they awesome?!

And, I have planted more flowers in extra hanging water buckets on the dog run.

Our original landscape plan had an extended deck and a hot tub in this area, but we opted for some gravel and a fire pit for now…and I am glad we did. It is now my favorite part of the yard since I added these bright red chairs from Target!

I saw this project all over Pinterest and decided to give it a try! It definitely adds interest to what was an uninteresting and un used corner.

We have a freestanding firepit that I built the rocks up around. The rocks were scattered around the lower portion of our yard when we moved in to the house. You can also see our compost bin between the fire pit area and the dog runs…we used a full bin of compost on our front garden before we planted this spring!

Ryan has the grass fenced off after we planted over 5 lbs. of seed in April. I am hoping we can take the fence down in June and start using the entire yard.

For now, the kids can still use the playhouse and the rest of the yard and we do just fine.

I have some more projects I would like to finish up in the next few weeks and then I hope to just sit and enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

home is…extending your home outdoors.

Thrifty Decor Chick

still having fun

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So, let me tell you, you don’t want to get shingles.

Thankfully, I think I have a mild case.

However, I think the fact that they are on my head and neck make it a bit more painful.

And, it’s not really fun going to your kids preschool field trip with what looks like a big old hickey on your neck.

I’ve spared you all from the photos.

I think I posted a couple on Instagram (maybe Facebook), but otherwise I’ve tried to stay on the “down low”.

Anyway, Ryan really stepped in once he returned from business travel last week (after also helping out when his mom was here for a week).

He took the little guy to school on Friday and then Lala and I went to the Mother’s Day Tea at the preschool.

He’s a little tea pot…

The 4’s…

I’m not sure if he even sang…

Oooooh, he did sing…just missed the hand movements on this one.

Pulling it all together…

for the BIG finish!!!

{by the way, he and the cutie next to him were partners for the play and held hands all they way through their “Chicken Little” skit}

What else have we done?

Set up an outdoor bed for the kids to rest in…and play with the iPhone’s and iPad.

Real men play with pink iPads.

Letting Ryan deal out the discipline…Lala wasn’t thrilled about timeout.

Watched while Ryan played with the kids at the playground.

They are both capable of so many new things on a playground.

He couldn’t do this alone last summer.

And, she just wants to keep up with him.

And, I’ve just let them goof off while I sit and watch in the backyard.

Now, I am off to bed.

I hope to have a Spring yard and garden tour up on the blog by then end of the week!

Also, I gave the teachers their gifts at the Mothers Day Tea…they loved them!

home is…still having fun while I am on the mend.

shingles

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No.

Not the kind you put on a roof.

The kind I thought only “old” people get.

I have them.

They hurt.

They are ugly.

And, lucky me, they aren’t hidden under my shirt on my abdomen and back.

They are on my neck.

Like a big hickey!

I texted a photo to my parents last night and asked them if it reminded them of when they caught me in Safeway buying makeup to cover up a big hickey in high school.

Even my doctor told me it looked like a hickey.

I just hope it doesn’t spread all over my neck.

Then, it would just look gross.

Only time will tell.

I’m exhausted.

And, frustrated.

There’s a good chance my kids will end up with chicken pox, too.

Woo-hoo!

So, I’m just venting.

On the bright side…the weather is beautiful!

So, maybe I will blow up an air mattress and rest outside while the kiddos play tomorrow.

home is…there’s always a bright side.

and, we have a winner…

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Sorry for the delay in posting the winner of the globe lamp giveaway!

I have been sick, but am so thankful that my mother in law was visiting and Ryan was taking a few days off. I am not sure what I would have done without their help.

Anyway, the winner is comment #5…

Jeanne, please contact me {homeis@stephanytaddeo.com} so I can get your information and send the globe pendant lamp to you!

Just a reminder, if you were not a winner, these lamps are also for sale in my Etsy shop, colton+cadence!

I’ll be back with more later…

home is…being a winner on Monday!

{colton+cadence} it’s official

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colton+cadence is officially open for business.

While my first thought for colton+cadence ran along the handmade lines I have decided that selling some vintage finds is how I want to start out my little venture.

Along with my recent collection of globes I have also started collecting vintage Pyrex!

Some of the treasures that I have chosen not to keep are for sale at colton+cadence!

Don’t you worry, handmade is sure to come…just when I have a bit more time.

A little bit vintage, a little bit handmade.

That’s what colton+cadence is about.

home is…a little bit vintage, a little bit handmade.

teacher appreciation, collections, and a giveaway

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Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7th-11th).

Last year I missed Teacher Appreciation Week altogether.

I was also late with my end of the year teachers gifts.

This year, with a little thrifting and creativity I have my gifts ready early.

Inspired by some ideas on Pinterest and my collection of globes I made these…

I am going to attach a card that reads:

“Thank you for being a bright light in our child’s ever-expanding world.”

In celebration of teachers being bright lights in our children’s worlds, I am giving one of these pendant lamps away!

To enter, leave a comment answering the following question:

What do you like to collect?

Deadline is Thursday, May 3rd at 9pm Pacific.

Winner will be announced on Friday, May 4th on the home is what you make it and colton+cadence Facebook pages (and here on the blog)!

{By the way, I have pairs and singles for sale at colton+cadence.}

home is…being a bright light in someone’s world.

*linking up with…

Home Stories A2Z

{through the rearview thursday}

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There are times when I get caught up in life and blogging takes a back seat to other things.

However, there are a lot of things that I wish I had taken the time to blog about.

Some happened before I had a blog.

Some just didn’t get documented because I am too busy living.

I don’t mind with life gets in the way, but there are things I still want to document after the fact.

So, I am starting a new post series called {through the rearview thursday}.

Tune in on Thursday’s where I will catch you up with things I haven’t taken the time to and fill you in on and some of my BB (before blog) life!

Also, stay tuned for a giveaway and big announcement…

home is…continuing to document life when living gets in the way.

just wait 5 minutes…

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You know the saying.

I think it’s used all over the country. And, unless you have lived in multiple areas of the country you think it only applies to where you live.

Between my husband and I, we have lived in only 3 different cities, but they span from coast to coast.

We’ve heard it in Rochester, Denver, and Portland…and many other cities we have visited.

“Just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change.”

It’s been true this spring here in the Pacific Northwest.

Snow, rain, hail, sun.

We’ve had it all…and we’ve been playing in it all, too!

{here come LOTS of photos}

And, before we start this, a HUGE thank you to my husband, Ryan, for taking photos…and generally humoring me the entire time we were up on the mountain.

I can’t wait until we can all ski together!!

Spring skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.

home is…springtime.