Catch up

 I've been lax on posts lately.  Spring is springing, couple days of rain per week spaced out pretty perfectly.  Next Tuesday is predicted to be 85° !  What?  I guess the flip has switched.  

But first, some inside news.  The kitchen cabinets were delivered, filling the garage!

Thankfully there is a small path to walk all the way around, that rack in the right corner is full of garden supplies - seeds, pruners, saw, etc., etc. 

Monday was predicted to be really rainy & windy, so why not get the living room painted.  After lots of pondering and discussion, we agreed on the color 'Saturday on Sunday'. Described as a dark blue grey with green.  To me, it isn't grey at all (a dealbreaker for me, I don't want to look at grey). After the cabinets are installed I'll also paint the kitchen the same color.  Backdrop paint, I love their paint.  The low sheen, great coverage, low odor & the colors.

A few weeks back, I happened upon these "cut in" brushes at Ace Hardware.  I thought why not,  I cut in when I paint, no tape.  I'll give them a shot.  They were brilliant!  Made the job easier, more control.  

You can see the old color above the back door.  The left is the old, leads into the kitchen to to be done later.  The right is the new fresh color.  It's always a gamble with color, but I like the richness - and this room gets blasted with sun -sunrise to about 3p.m.  The flooring is all light colored, the walls beg for a little drama.

Earlier progress shot, excuse all the messy blankets!

I'll post more pictures when everything is back in place, the couch is still pushed into the middle of the room.  I was tired and knocked off about 6p.m. 

In outdoor news, prior to painting -I had 2 yards of gold fines d.g. delivered and topped off the pathways.  

Started at the back fence and moved on through, so much better. 

And enough to do the front as well.  I ran out before I could do the paths leading to the greenhouse and hose spigot in the back - that's fine.  

As I'll need more to top the hellstrip anyway. This needed sprucing, so many leaves.  And I had done black lava rock as dressing which just blows away with the leaves when I try to rake, blow whatever.  Total pain. 

Isn't that nice?  With all the leaves & twigs tangled and caught in the aloe? 

I lifted the aloes and tried to shake them upside down to get the leaves outta there - the first one I tried this method on- I ended up shaking off the buds, the leaves stayed put.  I plunked them into the tiny bed on the other side of the driveway, it still gets leaves but not nearly as many.

Palate cleanse.

Decided to simplify.  Removed some rocks (boo) but added some corten steel tall hammer in edging and added plants that are more leaf blow friendly.  The steel doesn't match as of yet, but it won't take long.  

Not a stellar upgrade, but this area gets bicyclists flying through and dogs.  Enough said. *Thankfully people really do take care of their dog business, no complaints!

I look forward to the middle steel rusting to match, and the plants filling in.  I need some heavier rubble to top dress. This was a budget reno to be sure.  

A work in progress 😀 inside and out.  

Today Olivia and I are going to look at the countertops. And then thankfully I'll be back outside!  Happy Tuesday, are there signs of spring where you are?