I hope you like photos because this post has lots of them!
Updates on the interior of our home have been pretty minimal lately. We have been focusing on the exterior after the long cold winter. Here was our front yard in January:
It finally warmed up in May, so we headed outside. A few plantings and small trees died but most of the roses did come back after a merciless cut back from me:
As you know, we are on a tight budget, so for the outdoors we have worked with what was here. This spring we splurged and purchased 2 Pom Pom Spruces for the front and side landscape. We shopped all over our area for the best deal and found 2 perfect ones at a local home improvement store and waited for them to go on sale. Aren’t they just so cool?
We also had 4 yards of dark mulch delivered. It is from a family owned nursery nearby and they delivered it for free. I just love the way it tidies things up.
We have also purchased a shed for the fenced in portion of our yard. It will go where the old fish pond was, in the corner here:
The garden is coming along great:
My atomic hairpin leg plant stand came with its original pots and made its debut outside this year. I planted it with tiny petunias and think it looks great with my retro turquoise hoop chairs from Big Lots:
Here is my pretty granddaughter sunning herself in one. Her dress has all of my favorite colors!
This vintage bird bath top was found in an old shed. It was missing the base so I used it for a planter on the front porch. It is a pretty aqua green.
I just love colorful coleus. It gives a little tropical feel to our Midwest landscapes:
Here is a new addition to the patio. For those who have read my past posts, you may remember Nash as dear Woody’s friend who occasionally came for a sleepover. She is ALL business and would rather herd you than play. I try to keep my mooing to a minimum so she will leave me alone.
Even with all that is going on outside, I have squeezed in a little thrifting. Here are some recent finds:
This adorable winking snowman tree skirt was $1. The groovy flowered case is full of Barbie and Dawn dolls and accessories. The Gurley Thanksgiving candles and light up Christmas candles will go in my Etsy shop.
This Pyrex was purchased from a friend who is always on the lookout for items I am interested in. It all matches the tablecloth, which was a gift from another friend. It had belonged to her grandmother. Oh, and these are my first black snowflake and pink Gooseberry Pyrex!
Another great tablecloth from her grandmother:
This pretty pink and blue pitcher was $3 at a local indoor flea market. Swoon….
This lid was a mystery find. It is unmarked and fits a Pyrex 403 bowl. I cannot find another one like it online. Does anyone recognize this piece?
I saved the BEST for last. The elusive mid-century sectional of my dreams has finally been found! It is a wonderful champagne color with sparkly silver threads. AND….it was kept in its original plastic furniture covers until just a few weeks ago. It is pristine. All I have to do is add some pillows!
My son messaged me with a photo of this beauty, which was listed on a personal FB page for sale. It was a leftover from a garage sale so the price had been lowered. We got it for $200. I about fainted.
Here is a closeup of the great Frieze fabric:
Now we need a boomerang, guitar pick or round coffee table. The hunt is on.
Well folks, what have you been doing outside now that summer has arrived?
Did your plantings survive the crazy winter?
Have you been finding any great vintage bargains?
Please share!
