Archive for October, 2011
The Amazing Spidermum
We’ve done it again! For the second year in a row, we managed to accidentally allow the bushes in our big wooden porch planters to die. Oh the shame.
Chalk it up to a miscommunication. Sherry thought I was watering them. I thought she was. Clara didn’t have a clue who was watering what (or what watering even is) and all the while Burger was “watering” plants in the back. By the time we realized our folly it was too late (although Sherry desperately dumped five cups of water a day on them for the last few weeks to no avail). So I’d say we’re equally to blame for our plants getting a bit on the crispy side. And we’re sad. But we had to fess up and keep it real, so there you have it. Picture us looking shamefaced at the ground and vowing to do better next time.
Since fall is upon us, we took a page from our own book and, like last year, picked up two yellow mums at Home Depot (for $18 total) to take their place. But there was a new element to deal with this year. In case you missed it in the first photo, let’s take a closer look (warning: there’s about to be a close up photo of a spider)…
…and, if you can stomach it, let’s go even closer (here it comes)…
There it was. Feel free to blame any nightmares you have tonight on us. Is that not the most scary, hermit-crab-looking spider you’ve ever seen? And are those long pointy legs not the most villainous limbs you’ve seen in a while? He’s practically making the skull and cross bone shape you see on poisonous bottles like arsenic. And because we weren’t about to hold up a dollar bill for scale, you can’t tell just how big he is. But if you scroll back to the picture above this one you’ll see that he’s about half as big as the light bulb. Which is giant. And terrifying.
We discovered our new “friend” at the start of this mum project. Who knows how long he had been hanging out there (since we rarely use the front door). But one thing was for sure: he wanted to eat our faces off (according to my always trustworthy internet research, human face is a delicacy amongst the giant spider species). Okay, maybe not. But he still was not something I wanted to be around.
So as fast as I could, I yanked the dead bushes out of their planters…
…and plopped the new mums (containers and all) in their place, right on top of the leftover dirt.
Not bad for a speedy planting job, if I do say so myself.
And since these babies are hardy, we’ll plant them (not in their pots) somewhere else in our yard after the fall season. You know, so we won’t have to wait three more seasons for them to look good again on the porch.
Best part about it? The spider didn’t dive bomb my pretty little head in the process. Good spider, good spider…
Having come out of this unscathed, I was eager to snap my “after” photo and call it day (of course we still need a new doormat and have larger porch plans – like framing out the columns, painting the wood siding, and staining the concrete floor).
But stepping away now would let the bad guys spiders win. I know they’re “good pests” but they’re not so welcome at face height right outside the front door. So I used my trusty broom and gave its web a quick swing, in hopes of not-too-harshly evicting my eight-legged visitor…
In a surprise turn of spider-related events, he jumped into one of our new mums. Oh the irony.
He seemed ok with it (meaning he didn’t eat my face).
Oh, and FYI – the spider has now changed addresses and lives in the mum on the left. Thought you should be warned in case you’re planning to come sell us some Girl Scout cookies or something.
Pssst- The lady-wife did a fun little phone interview that just went live here (click the play button next to the little audio sign over on the site to listen in). Oh yeah, and click here to see this week’s lucky Ikea gift card winners.
Oktober Thank-fest
**Psst- We know most Fridays we just post once, but today we’ll be back in a few hours with a post that might contain our creepiest photo ever. Not for the faint of heart…
The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and we’re back for our monthly sponsor shout out (you know, to thank the folks who make our other 30-some posts possible). This month we’re highlighting items that we think capture the spirit of fall… or are orange or brownish at the very least. Not that we’ve been gifted anything (here’s our no-swag policy). And a bunch of discounts are listed at the bottom for ya too. Happy fall!
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- The simple, sweet, and oh-so-true designs from A Vintage Poster (no mess, no glory).
- Seasonal wall decals to swap in and out from WallQuotes (they’re removable, after all).
- All of the autumn-tacular copper and rust tile combos from the The Tile Shop.
- On sale lighting from Shades of Light, like this Antique Hex Mirror Lantern.
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- Design for Less‘ orchard safari tile (it makes us want to go apple picking).
- They’re not ceramic, but these squirrels friends from Z Gallerie are pretty darn sweet.
- Hoot Design Co.‘s Simply Baby poster. We do have a niece or nephew due any day…
- This skull & crossbones collar from Hollywoof Styles. Ahoy puppies!
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- Fall-colored classics from FLOR (as well as a bunch of hot new designs).
- Dot Coms For Moms‘ fall guide, including round-ups of Halloween & autumn decor.
- These air plant pods from Dirt Couture. Seriously, we’re mesmerized.
- Liberty Hardware‘s selection of knobs and pulls (as we inch closer to replacing ours).
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- Loads of fun Halloween decor at House 8810 (check out the”Bone Appetite” apron too).
- Gazing at other Royal Design Studio stencils, now that we’re on the bandwagon.
- Soy candles and diffusers from Archipelago Botanicals available at P.C. Fallon.
- Browsing orange accents & natural textures (mmm, burlap) over at Lacefield Designs.
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- The new collection of charming Mayi Carles custom drawings at Sarah + Abraham.
- Fun paper DIY projects on Smock Paper‘s blog, like these simple paper pumpkins.
- The oddly fascinating vintage “Halloween Stunt Game” listed on Ruby Lane.
- Chic Shelf Paper‘s nature-riffic Fall Leaves design (such a fun surprise in a dresser).
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- Hometalk‘s $1,000 Home Depot gift card giveaway. Um, sign us up…
- Customized charm and medallion designs by Julie at Heart & Stone Jewelry.
- SugarFresh‘s sweet-as-can-be “Together Forever” print in any custom color.
- Not a sponsor, but our recent trip to the State Fair is definitely a highlight of fall!
And now for the JUICY DISCOUNTS:
- Design For Less: 10% off using code YHLove10 (including sale items)
- Shades of Light: 10% off using code YHL0811
- WallQuotes.com: 15% off with the code YHL15
- The Tile Shop: 10% off when you use the code YHL10
- Heart & Stone Jewelry: 10% off your purchase with the code YHL10
- Royal Design Studio: 10% off stencils with code YHL10
- P.C. Fallon: $10 off orders over $75 with code YHL10
- Sarah + Abraham: 10% off orders with code YHL10
- Sugar Fresh: 10% off with code YHL10
- Hollywoof Styles: 10% off with the code YHL10 (thru Oct 30)
- Hoot Design Co: 10% off custom orders using code YHL
Reader Redesign: Lovely Loveseat
Having wrestled for an unnaturally long time with our own chair upholstery project (well, I was more a bystander while my wife played the role of the wrestler), we’re that much more impressed with Erin’s redo of her great aunt’s loveseat. Here’s her letter:
A few months ago I set out to reupholster my great aunt’s old loveseat. I actually planned on hiring someone to reupholster it, as I have never done anything like this before (not even close!). But then I got to thinking “Why not try my hand at it first?” So Project Loveseat was born!
It was definitely a challenge. And one that I just sort of winged. I couldn’t even write up a whole tutorial because I still have no idea what I did. But it goes to show you that projects like this one are doable for the average person (the average person with A LOT of staples). It’s not perfect but it is faaaar better than what I imagined I could do. -Erin
Three cheers for Erin for the great pictures and the encouragement to take on another upholstery project at some point! You can see more photos of the process on her blog Olive Our House. Has anyone else taken on any upholstery projects lately? Or any other furniture, paint, fabric, or full room makeovers for that matter? You know we’re nosy and we love to check that stuff out. Just send any and all projects to submission@younghouselove.com.
Psst- We shared a little “Fair Fun” over on Young House Life yesterday. Check it out here.
