Productive garden + new apartment

It's been six weeks (and change) since we moved. We're happily settled into our closet (as I somewhat affectionately refer to our apartment) and brought the last carload when we came back on Monday. It contained, among other things... and also these...

which are the chairs and table that I decided to strip and stain shortly before we moved. Did I neglect to mention this project? Oops.

Though I'm fairly used to things going wrong at this point, pretty much everything possible went wrong with this project. In addition to my stripper chemical not working very well and it (of course) taking longer than I expected, the stain didn't take very nicely to the wood (probably due to the remaining bit of finish I couldn't remove -- refer to picture of chairs above) AND we got stuck in Texas for three extra days, which deleted my margin to finish the project.

So when we went back a month ago, I finished staining and put a first coat of polyurethane on things. (With the dry time, that was all I had time for.) This time, two more coats, then we brought it back. It's sitting on our deck to let things dry thoroughly, and so it doesn't gas us while we're sleeping.

It doesn't look as good as I'd hoped, but I don't think the average person would think it looks horrible. Except for that one chair. I'll put that in the corner where you can't see it. Also...I only did three chairs. I got so fed up that I decided to just skip the fourth. It's in the attic, halfway unfinished...whatever. Stupid project.

We finished a few other things around the house...painting the window that's been primed pink for a year, caulking some seams, painting around the front door...just little stuff. I have a few pictures (mainly flowers) to post...
Dwarf dahlias (above) and morning glories (below)
Giant sunflower + seeds
And here's Todd, holding the first apple from our tiny tree. This is his Red Delicious. I planted a Macintosh.

I also wanted to show you our new apartment. People have been asking, and this is definitely easier than emailing pictures.

So...you come up these stairs
and then turn left. In front of you is the bathroom and on the left of the little hallway is the laundry "room."

If you don't go that way, you make a u-turn and this is what it looks like...From the kitchen looking back the other way...
(That's our little bar counter in the left corner.)

Sorry that's so dark...
This is from the top of the stairs again. We have a nice little deck with a sliding glass door.
Lastly... my "office" which is a definite downgrade from my previous setup, but not that bad...
The pantry, which I LOVE...I've never had a pantry before. It's great to have a place to put stuff. (And stockpile.)
And the kitchen. Nice high windows face northeast and let in light all day. We also have nice views out the slider and to the southeast (respectively):

The Great Outdoors

This update will consist mostly of pictures.


1. While not technically house-related, these are sprouts from my wintered-over dahlia tubers. I am so excited about them. All but one sprouted, and they look good so far!


2. This is my hibiscus, purchased from Trader Joe's two years ago. First bloom of the season! Summer's here...


3. Though you may not be able to tell, the pool is looking steadily less swampy. We are pretty sure we can see the bottom of the shallow end, which is on the left in this picture. The second step is visible, and so is the outline of the third step. Definite progress.


4. I am really furious with our magnolia trees. As I type, I can see leaves falling in my peripheral vision. This is a picture of what it looks like. Please note I mowed the lawn yesterday, pulverizing all leaves. Everything that's on the ground is from yesterday and today. Leaves fall in the fall, you stupid tree. That's why they call it "fall."


5. This is our vegetable garden. There are two tomato plants, one zucchini, and one pepper. Also, basil seeds are planted in the right front corner. We'll see what happens...


6. I also planted little marigold and petunia starts in the front bed. Those are coming along nicely. So are the seeds for the "yellow mix," which are the little green spots. I am looking forward to seeing if plants actually develop. I water the little seedlings religiously.


7. Lastly, this is our raspberry. It came with the house. It is doing phenomenally, and I am way excited for raspberries. That's all!