Clean the inside of the cup first.

The problem with waiting to take photographs is that things never look quite as stunning as when the project is first completed, especially with two toddlers around marking their territory by toy droppings.

Nevertheless, I’ve finally photographed the garden.

We trimmed down bushes, (to be further trimmed or relocated in the future), taken out a spreading, prolific, unattractive-when-it-dies, orange and yellow flower, added some new plants that will get us closer to our totally edible garden. The prizewinning additions (in my opinion) are the Spanish lavender and English lavender. We also have basil and purple basil, lemon balm, and zucchini plants. Everything is drought tolerant, because we believe in going green.

I guess it doesn’t look like much at the moment, but we have the future in mind!

My husband and two strong men attempted to move the dolphin fountain from its prime real estate to a dolly while we wait to sell it or give it away. However, with “grunting power,” as my husband described, they were only able to lift the dolphin section and were unable to budge the rest.

The conclusion: we try to sell it on craigslist for someone who can move it or we use the base as a planter for succulents and find an appropriate way to discard the sea-life.

On to the indoors…where things look better generally under our care (Christ did say to clean the inside of the cup first…)

My pillows arrived! To complement the Art Deco chandelier (still not up yet) I purchase three different types of pillows, two of which have definite Art Deco references: zebra print and a geometric print both from Pier 1.

The other, Bingham Suzani Indoor/Outdoor Lumbar Pillow is from Pottery Barn with shade of brown that tie everything else together. An outdoor pillow makes me feel more at ease and less worried about it getting soiled by yogurt moisturized little hands.

I’ve added this last picture so you can see how the pillows complement the wildlife here.

…pretty good, I think.

I’ve gone to all the Dollar Tree stores I can stand to find the frames I need to complete the Stations of the Cross. We’re two stations short of the traditional complete set, and three short of what I wanted (I planned to include Easter for a teaching moment).   I hung them to encourage a minimalist graphic look, meant to draw the viewer in. The small prints make the viewing intimate, as a meditation on the Stations should be.

Last but not least, after visiting Selective Consignments in Hughson, we negotiated an amazing price for a stunning 1935 Wurlitzer baby grand piano (approx. a fifth of it’s value).   We’re hoping to have a concert here during a party next month. It’s the first stick of furniture my husband actually cares about. It makes me want to get renters’ insurance.

I also found this early to mid-century end table.

I’m thrilled with how it complements the World Market Rowen dining chairs turned living room chairs.

The home feels like ours. The details of the home that were glaringly not us are gone and we’ve made our mark. I’ve even found some inspiration for the kids’ rooms: turquoise (pool) and gray for our eldest child’s room (soon to be shared by a boy and girl) and coral and flax for the nursery. My current plan is to get a sample quart of coral (I’ll have Sherwin Williams match the color from a West Elm catalogue) and paint an accent wall. The windows are perfectly placed for it! Pair it with botanical prints and we’re in business. The actual scheme beyond the pool-colored curtains and sheets, and gray paint I already own has yet to be developed.

More to come!