Repurposed Old Doors

 I begin this post with a heart felt thanks to my husband.  Thanks, Darling!

This is the post where I admit my Pinterest addiction.  I can thanks several students (college) my first semester in Tennessee for introducing me to this epic (and wonderful) time suck.  I have said, more than once, that if Pinterest had been invented before I finished my dissertation, I would not be Dr. Kat.  That said, I have adored collecting pins (it's much easier than collecting crap!) of things I love; pinning ideas for craft projects; and dreaming about the many renovations going on at my house.


Last summer, for instance, we had the (hideous) paneling removed from the (not so) Great Room and replaced it with drywall and some gorgeous turquoise paint.  During that time we had new doors and windows installed.  Imagine my husband's surprise when I refused to let the doors or windows go.  And imagine his amazement about 10 months later when I showed him a few of my pins of "old door arbors".  In fact, this pin was one of my first ever pins! 


A few weeks before Mother's Day my husband dragged the doors up from the basement and began sanding and repairing them.  He caulked seams to prevent water damage and proceeded to paint those puppies THREE times with our favorite outdoor paint, Valspar Duramax (We have used this amazing paint on the porch, the bathroom cabinets, and the trim and bead board throughout the house!).  He had to fight the carpenter bees for the 2x6s, but in the end he won!

Like most of our home projects, they take roughly four times longer than we anticipate.  So shortly before Father's Day found us in the yard assembling this arbor down by the sidewalk.  Again, the husband thought of everything.  Instead of just propping the arbor up in the lawn surrounding the walkway, he created a foundation to protect the arbor from sitting on or in the wet earth.  This man thinks of everything.

After some time leveling, multiple brackets, and tons of screws, he caulked every hole and sealed every crack before repainting the arbor for a FOURTH time.  I am thinking this puppy is going to be able to withstand all sorts of weather.

After much discussion we decided upon Monrovia Climbing Roses in white and yellow.  They've been planted and their training has begun.  I cannot wait for them to begin climbing and blooming.  And I cannot wait to see what project we tackle next. 


Don't forget, I have those windows to do something with! 

I Fought the Lawn and the Lawn Won!

Friday, July 4th! Independence Day! Early Friday morning I snuck over to my friend R's house to borrow her awesome push mower (It's more like a drag you behind it mower!). Upon returning home I immediately started in on the front yard. Our mower has been out of commission for weeks. The grass in the yard was up to my calves. In fact, in the back yard, the last 15 feet to the fence hadn't been mowed previous and was up to my knees! Some weeds were chest high! (We've been getting a good deal of rain!) I mowed. And I mowed some more. R's mower rocks! The grass was high, so I took it easy, mowing in four to six inch passes (Did I mention we have a HUGE back yard?). I would stop regularly to make sure grass wasn't sticking to anything and refilled the tank at least once. By 2:00 I had mowed to the line where the grass had grown too high. I didn't want to risk a stroke OR R's awesome lawn mower. I called it quits and considered letting that last bit of yard serve as a "Prairie Restoration."

I stumbled into the house, dropped my drawers in the laundry room, and stood in the shower for several minutes wondering how I got grass on the inside of my under garments. Shortly after my shower I heard the doorbell ring. John answer to find our neighbor, Mr. Droege. Mr. D began, "While I was napping, my wife was watching your wife mow the yard. I don't think you all will be able to mow that back part. Would you like me to make a few passes with my riding mower?" Of course, we accepted. Mr. D made a few passes and in NO time the prairie was tamed. I am humbled by the kindness of my neighbors and reminded why I like Warrensburg so much! Thanks to my friend R for lending me her mower (for an unspecified time) and to Mr. D. for getting the big stuff!

Gardening at Night

This is my tiny garden. My garden boasts two giant, very old trees. These trees provide some awesome shade, however it makes planting pretty tricky. You might be able to see in these pictures that my garden consists of hostas, caladiums, and ferns. The wheelbarrow is filled with impatiens. They seem to be doing quite well, despite of all the neglect. The caladiums add a punch of color. I am eager to watch the hostas grow and grow, I know that in just a few years' time they will be big and bushy.

Early this spring, Shannon and I planted hundreds of bulbs: paper whites, daffodils, irises, and lilies. This was some seriously back breaking work as my garden had very little dirt and lots of rock and roots. These bulbs have grown and greened, but did not bloom this year. I did not expect them to. However, the Calla Lilies I planted (They're favorites of Robin's!) did bloom and they were gorgeous. I have lavender and while Calla Lilies, unfortunately the photo didn't come out. Ugh.

There is a border of Arkansas rock that defines this little space. Cypress mulch keeps the dirt and bulbs in place during our impressive rains. My only plans for this space, besides watering and weeding, are to add a series of small pavers, to make walking through the area a bit easier, and to let those babies grow, grow, grow.