I got this new magazine called Rodale's Organic Life. Great read and it's at Costco! Which is a pretty good place to buy magazines. They even carry the Somerset ones:) Anyway when you have to go every two weeks and buy 5oo pounds of whatever it's a nice little treat to pick up an afternoon read. And maybe a churro;)
Anyhow there was a great article on Sun Salutations in it and reminded me how much I needed to start doing those in my morning routine again. Then there were other articles about walking and gardening. Nurturing. Every thing outside and open. Breathe. And it got me thinking about creating a new outdoor space.
We have this deck Frank built in the backyard years ago. Like 12 years ago. With his own two hands. And at first it was really nice then we soon discovered it soaked up the heat like nobody's business and was hotter than the sun after 9 in the morning on a normal sunny day and hotter than hell on a California summer day. So over time it has become truly neglected by the humans in the backyard but an oasis for countless lizards, bugs, spiders, bunnies, birds, raccoons, skunks and the occasional bobcat. Well that was going to change. They can share.
Let me tell you this little spot has seen better days. I hadn't even gone up to sweep it for months and the old splintered chairs were covered in dirt and spider webs. And the carpet had holes in it. Ick!
This old rickety thing had shrubs growing around it. Soon it would have been eaten by the hill behind it!
So I cleared everything! Some stuff went in the trash and all the furniture well that's kind of funny. I put it all out on the curb the following morning at around 6 am. It was trash day and usually if you leave something out the "pickers" will come get it. I swear not more than 2 minutes after I crawled back in bed I could see headlights stop in front of the house. Looked out the window and it was gone! They even took the rug out of the trash can!! Your junk is someone else's treasure lol!!
So now it had to be completely trimmed back including some of the pine trees. By this time it's getting to be hotter than...well you know but I kept trucking along after a quick trip to Target for trimmers. Because Frank and Tyler were out riding in the desert and I couldn't find ours and well....you know once you start something it's getting finished!! That may just be me;)
That may not look like a lot but it filled our entire green waste can and ruined a perfectly good manicure. Should have got gloves at Target! And yes that's a big hole in the middle that I figured was an escape hatch for the bunnies when an unsavory visitor came poking his nose in. It was covered by the carpet and now it is in again. I can't see it and they may need it so I left it open:)
Another thing that you can find every once in awhile at Costco is good plants. They had 3 packs of succulents and dwarf Citrus trees also a flowery shrub that was pretty for 6 bucks!
I had several old empty pots on the side of the house collecting dust and spiders that I decided after a good wash would be good as new! Some of these my brother, Michael, actually made in a college ceramics class. I have never been able to get rid of them. They just sit there sadly. Until now:)
I LOVE that Buddha! Found him at Urban Home. I never go in there but he was just staring out the window the other day.
And then it really started to come together. The pictures just don't do it justice!! Rug, clover stool and puffs from Target.
Lanterns from Pottery barn that I got a screaming deal on with coupons and rewards certificate. And those candles are $1.58 at Target and just add a little something. I did find the battery operated candles for the lanterns (not in this picture) at Costco! 5 for $24!! Another screaming deal!! Little lidded basket for towels, yoga mat and essential oils:) And probably a nesting spot for lizards lol!
There it is my new little peaceful spot. Somethings old and somethings new. There is a couple of loose planks, it needs a new coat of sealer, one of the steps is broken and the squirrel ate his feast up there last night judging by all the seed shells he left but it's perfect.
A beautiful mess!