Sunday, August 31, 2008

Laundry Room Redo Ideas



Picture #1: My laundry room...in all its plain jane glory.



Picture #2: A view up at the shelving space we have.




Inspiration #1: Saucy from Bloggedy Blog Blog's laundry room is absolutely fabulous! I love the little tins she has...and the colors of it all...sigh!




Inspiration #2 Take 90 West's great laundry room - oh LOVE the idea of painting the walls and the monogram! I think the laundry room is definitely neglected in the home...And she has shelving similar to ours, so I can really envision how this could work in our room. I am thinking of beachy color schemes...blues, browns, tans...and some how I think the green pictured below would work in...maybe. :)




So here's what I am looking at so far - green cloth bins from Target for the overhead storage of various odds n ends (cleaning products, etc).



And galvanized bin like this on the white stand...or a mixture of both depending on what I can find.

Summer Clearance Sales, Garage Saling and Curb Hunting

Wow, we've found quite a few great finds in the last couple of weeks.



Ok, so first I found this great letter tray from Target at 75% off. Organizing our mail is always such a challenge, but I think I finally have a system going now. Important mail and paperwork that needs dealt with in a timely manner goes in this new tray.

(And, yes, that is a birthday addressed to my cousin...well, it hadn't been addressed yet but we tried to send it in the mail anyways...imagine our surprise when it came back - sigh...sorry, Shannon, your card is so late...as is your brother's who is sitting just under yours - so much for getting them done in a timely manner huh?!).

Weekly store flyers and other rubbish we may want to look at but will likely recycle eventually goes in a big woven basket on the kitchen floor. Then there are two other baskets. One in front of our filing cabinet for paperwork that needs to be filed eventually. And one near our couch that accomodates magazines and other readables. Super important stuff can get clipped up on the fridge with a magnet for a more in-your-face reminder.

Ok, back to my glorious finds!



These slightly dusty but very tall bamboo poles were snatched last weekend from a curb pile. They will surely be useful next year in our garden.

This weekend Matt and I slept all day until about 3pm then decided to catch a few garage sales. At first we were worried that we'd missed them all having slept all day, but I think we went at just the perfect time! People were just starting to put everything back in their garage and were more than willing to bargain their remaining items down.



We found this coffee table and nabbed it for $2! Granted it needs some work...they had originally tried to paint it with some sort of textured paint - arg! Anyone have an electric sander I can borrow for a few weeks? I am thinking about painting it black and using it upstairs in our game/loft area...can't you just picture it?




We found this little white stand for $6 (it was orignally part of a nursery set I think). I already have it cleaned up and put to use in our laundry room, but I have visions of getting galvanized tubs or colored cloth bins of some sort to set all my laudry items in so they aren't all in plan sight like the pic above...a blog post with those thoughts are soon to follow...

Not pictured is another great curb find we stumbled upon while perusing the neighborhood for garage sales...four 2x2 wooden plank squares...like the kind you would piece together to make a deck...or a walkway. Oh, the possibilities are endless! I am rooting for a walkway through my herb garden - Matt is voting for them to hoist his grill off the ground. We'll see what happens. :)



And, lastly, my favorite - a new purse and pocketbook! My old purse was falling apart at the seams and was becoming quite an embarassment to lug around and with all my bus riding I have been needed a better place to keep my bus passes and spare change - other than the bottom of my purse...hence the beautiful new blue pocketbook complete with a very pretty patterned lining - didn't take pic of that but it quite gorgeous I assure you. I am super happy with my finds - 30% off at Kohl's - no where near the deals we found on the curbs...but ya know! :)

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Matt Has A New Little Brother



Yup, lots of posts today - sorry, just catching up after a lag.

Anyways, check out my mother-in-law's newest little edition - Frankie the rescued pug - he is the one looking at the camera. The other tan one looking all shy in the corner is Suzie and the big black one all up in Frankie's face is Andy...he's a handful of loving pug - all 50 lbs of him! Yeah, a 50 lb pug - crazy huh?! Oh and there's Abbey up in the top of the frame (I didn't see her up there at first) - she's 17 years old - in human years! Yup, now you have officially been introduced to Matt's fur-brothers and sisters. :)

Buy Me Some Peanuts & Cracker Jacks: Indianapolis Indians Game



Matt and I made it out to an Indians Game this week (Thursday). Had a really good time! The evening air was perfect, bats were flying overhead in the stadium lights, the crowd was friendly, I found ice cream complete with sprinkles for $2.50 and the game got all super exciting after the 7th inning stretch. We usually to make it out to at least one game each year and we picked the perfect evening (though it was a tad crazy with the Colts preseason game being that same night)!

Visit the Indianapolis Indians homepage!

Lovely Backyard Frogs



More frog sightings! I love these little guys! Too bad they don't like me as well, I could not nab this one for the life of me. He finally found sanctuary under our grill - on which I knocked my head pretty hard. Yeah, I bet that was a sight for the neighbors. :)

Friday, August 29, 2008

Friday Foto Fiesta



This photo is one of my favorites, not for its aesthetic qualities, but for what it has actually captured. Pictured from the far left is my younger sister - Jessica, my mom, my great-grandmother and then me! Isn't that just amazing! Almost each generation of the women in our family all in one picture. Love you guys!

I don't think my husband managed to get his Friday post up - but here's his post from last week on his blog Matt's Miscellany.

For more foto fun, check out the creator of this fun day - Candid Carrie!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Web Finds Wednesday!

Here a few interesting things I found on the web recently - enjoy!





A condensed version of the Last Lecture by Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch when he was on Oprah...his speech is uplifting and makes you think - now I know why everyone was buzzing about this...can't wait to read the book and watch the full version.

Thanks to Blok Thoughts for sharing.




Video clip about the Cat House on Kings a non-profit, no-kill, no cage shelter for cats and dogs to roam free inside and out - and has housed 16,000 animals over the course of it's existence. Wow!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Where Bloggers Create



Wow, I have seen some really inspirational workspaces through Brenda's great Where Blogger's Create Tour. My area isn't so creative - just comfy.

The Things Cats Do



Apparently the paper towel roll looked at Kitty the wrong way.

It got what it had coming it...that is all I got to say. :)

Pineapple Pet Toy



Showbiz posing with her new toy - guess what it is?! A pineapple! Yeah, I was at Target for a follow up visit to the eye doctor and had to pick up buns and ground beef - and just HAD to stroll through the isle with the clearance end caps... and found this great little stuffed pineapple toy for only $3! I think our pineapple obsession is getting a little out of hand. :)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Greening Our Appliances



So I can officially swipe 500 more lbs off our Carbon Footprint after the delivery guys brought this bad boy out to the house. Our new GE Front Loading washing machine just lumbers over our old dinky dryer! Lola, of course, is scared of it. I leave the door open between loads to let it air dry inside and she will sit outside the room and bark and bark - like some intruder is in the house.

Let me tell you, this washer is amazing! It can fit an king sized comforter inside! It is QUIET - so quiet you have no idea it is running. Our old washer pretty much threw a tantrum every time it hit the spin cycle. It was so loud you could hear it downstairs. One down side to the new washer is the cycle time - 59min. BUT the clothes are almost practically dry by the time you it finishes its spin cycle so you can cut your dryer time in half! Talk about saving energy! One thing I didn't know, as I watched it cycle through, is that it doesn't actually fill with water. It uses just enough to get the clothes wet - you never see a water line or anything up the side of the glass...pretty cool considering how much water a regular washing machine has to use. So far I am very happy with our purchase - despite it's original misgivings (having to be bought on Matt's birthday - etc).

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Lunching at the L.S. Ayres Tea Room



One of my favorite places to eat downtown is the L.S. Ayres Tea Room located within the Indiana State Museum. The history, the ambiance and, most importantly, the Chicken Velvet Soup! Matt had the day off yesterday and came downtown to take me out to lunch here - we made reservations ahead of time (which is recommended). I enjoyed my soup and dessert but wished I would have ordered the Chicken Pot Pie like Matthew had - my sandwich wasn't so hot. Oh! And the cherry cokes have actual cherries in them!

Word of warning though - the underground parking garage at the Indiana State Museum only accepts cash. Thankfully there is an ATM nearby otherwise we would still be there counting our pennies!


Friday, August 22, 2008

What To Do This Weekend

I was going to do a 'What To Do Wednesday' post - but, I forgot. So, without further ado, here's your outlook for the weekend - there is so much going on!




Friday, August 22nd
Concert on the Courthouse Lawn: The Messarounds 7:00 - 9:00pm
Hits from the 50's and 60's
Classic Car Cruise-in on N. Main Street at 5:00pm
Goonies @ the Artcraft Theatre 7:30pm
Sponsored by: Franklin United Methodist Community
www.discoverdowntownfranklin.com




Feast of Lanterns
The Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO) will celebrate its annual Feast of Lanterns on Saturday, August 23rd, and this year's festivities will again include an east-side Gong Show from 4 to 5pm. The Feast of Lanterns is a historic east-side celebration that neighbors revived six years ago. The celebration takes place in Spades Park from noon to 11pm. In addition to the Gong Show, events will include children's activities, food vendors, an art fair, and music (headlined by the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band). The festivities culminate with the lighting of hundreds of lanterns at dusk. Admission to the Feast is free. For more information, visit www.indyfeast.org.

Recipe Swap at Kira's Cottage
Sat. Aug 23 from 9-4
All you have to do is bring in a easy/quick recipe printed on a recipe card and you will get 25% off all purchases on Sat. Aug 23. You will also get a recipe from Kira and get to sample it on site! And, you will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Kira's Cottage!
Visit Kira's Cottage Website


Work Week Wine Down at The Villa
Thursday 5:30-6:30PM
As the week winds down stop by The Villa and enjoy some of the best things in life-and this night they are FREE. Free samplings of chair massage and invigorating wines. Stay for dinner after or enjoy a full spa treatment of your choice.
www.thevillainn.com



Parrots of the Caribbean
Saturday, August 23
Grab your beach balls and sunglasses and join the Parrots of the Caribbean as they turn Greenwood into an Island Paradise, Saturday, August 23, 7 p.m. The Parrots are the #1 Jimmy Buffett tribute act in the country. This is one party you won't want to miss.
www.greenwood.in.gov


IMA Summer Nights Films: Sholay
August 22 Film starts at dusk
Indianapolis Museum of Art
$8; $3 members


Marsh Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie
Friday, August 22, 2008, 8:00 PM.
Featuring the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Buddy Morrow, leader, Aug. 22-23 at 8 PM (no ISO performance at this show). Indiana's premier outdoor music series runs from June 20 to Aug. 31.
Visit website or call 317-639-4300
Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Hamilton County


4th Annual Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival

Friday, August 22, 2008
Over 200 live theatre performances, fine arts, film festival, street performers and more. Aug. 22-31: Hours and shows vary daily.
Onsite Festival, Mass Ave Cultural District
http://www.indyfringe.org/

Groovin' In The Garden at Easley Winery - Greggae
Aug. 23, Sat. 2-5pm
Join us in the wine garden Tuesdays and Saturdays, May through September for free live music, enjoyed with wine and great food. Order carry-out from several local restaurants for delivery right to your wine garden table, including Bazbeaux, Santorini's greek food, Circle City Pizza, and a new addition this year: Fair Oaks Dairy offering fresh baked breads and artisan cheeses. Sit back, relax and enjoy your summer with us. Every week Easley Winery will offer a different wine special, such as Sangria, Reggae Jam, or other fun wine concoctions and discounts. Also new in '08 are Easley Kid Cups with sparkling grape juice, nuts, dried fruit, coloring book and crayons. Groovin' is a blast for the whole family!
http://www.easleywinery.com/groovin/


Miami Day @ Eiteljorg Museum
August 23, 2008 (All Day)
Meet the Indians of Indiana! From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, August 23, join the museum in celebrating one of Indiana’s indigenous tribes—the Miami Indians of Indiana. Meet Miami people and learn their history, see demonstrations by Miami artists, hear the Miami drum Twigh Twee, participate in hands-on activities inspired by Miami culture and more. This event is free with general museum admission.
Event Website

Member Appreciation Day @ Eiteljorg Museum
August 23 is also the museum’s Member Appreciation Day, when the museum’s supporters can enjoy exclusive tours, discounts and even a chance to win a $100 gas card or a basket of Eiteljorg-themed goodies from the museum’s gift store.
Learn More


Mallow Run Winery Pizza & Wine Night
Pizza & live music from 5 - 8 p.m
Relax and enjoy a summer evening at the winery with gourmet pizza from Bazbeaux Pizza!
http://www.bazbeaux.com Spread your blankets or chairs on the lawn and enjoy live music while enjoying the "Best Pizza in Indianapolis" according to Indianapolis Monthly.
http://www.mallowrun.com

Friday Foto Fiesta



I could spend the next 500 Fridays posting Lola pics we have so many! She loves to pose for the camera - even when she was just a pup. Here's a cute one from when we first got her - she weighed a whopping 2 lbs (no so any more)!

Funny that she isn't camera shy - she sure hates big bouquets of flowers (I think it's the crinkly plastic around them) and our new front loading washing machine...very skittish around both. :) But the camera...that she loves!

For more foto fun visit Candid Carrie!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Living Lean & Green



Well tonight was my second (the series' third) workshop on Living, Lean and Green. (I missed a session last week when I was out of town.) Our first homework assignment was to figure out our carbon footprint, which I did - but when I wrote it on my cut-out construction paper footprint I am pretty sure the facilitator didn't believe me - it was met with some pretty squinty eyes.

The typical American household's footprint is 54,600 lb.

Ours is 7,709lb according the online calculator. Pretty big difference I KNOW - but I AM and always have been a huge dork when it comes to recycling, composting, etc - just ask my coworkers and husband!

I attribute our great score to the following factors:
  • We just bought a newer home last year that has excellent insulation and windows and almost all Energy Star appliances.
  • I am cold blooded so I LOVE it when it is hot and tend to leave the air off most of the summer. In the winter we have a down comforter in addition to our duvet to sleep with at night.
  • We compost and recycle so we only produce one bag of trash a week - IF that.
  • My husband only drives 5 miles to work each day.
  • I drive 4 when I ride the bus - which I normally do.
  • We have newer cars that have pretty decent gas mileage.


Here's another pic from our class - Fred, here, is explaining how he showers...no really! :)

Today I got a free Energy Efficiency Kit from IPL which included two energy saving light bulbs, a night light, insulation strips, a shower head and a hot water gauge. I would have gotten a programmable thermostat but I am not a Citizen's Gas customer - boo!

Pretty excited to see if I can get our footprint even lower! Here are some things we will be working on:

  • We are installing a new Energy Star Front Loading Washing Machine so that is a step
  • Look at what our water heater is set
  • Get a programmable thermostat so we can set it to turn off at certain times of the day. We are so busy we tend to forget to turn the air back to a lower setting when we leave the house.
  • I want to get away from paper towels.
  • Work on unplugging our chargers when we aren't using them as well.
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If you are interested in taking the Living, Lean & Green workshop - visit the Central Indiana Environmental Education Program online and see where and when the next presentation or workshop takes place! They are free you just need to sign-up and show up!

Web Find Wednesday!

Not much to report today - been busy, busy, busy AND tired....

But I do have this! A link I stumbled about all the off-the-wall things you can compost.

http://www.ecosalon.com/title/30_Unexpected_and_Unusual_Things_You_Can_Still_Put_in_the_Compost

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Showbiz Versus Sprinkler



Fun little video we took last year of Showbiz battling it with the sprinkler. She also hates the vacuum, the broom, the iron when it steams among other household appliances that make noise. That and she has figured out how to drink from the sprinkler and hose - and apparently water tastes better that way. :)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Fair Oaks Farms: Absolutely Moo-valous!

Ok, now that last week and this past weekend is behind us let's get back to our regularly scheduled blog posts!

Last week I made it up to Blue Chip Casino in northern Indiana on business.

On the long drive back to central Indiana, I stopped off of I-65 to enjoy a bite to eat and quick looksey around at Fair Oaks Farms.

I had honestly never heard of the place, which is surprising having been from the area growing up. Upon further investigation though, it seems they did not start up their agritourism endeavors until about 3-4 years ago, which is about the time I fled the area (moved to Indianapolis for school and work). Let me tell you, this place is well worth the visit!



You come to this huge farm just off the interstate in the absolute middle-of-no-where and land smack dab in this amazing oasis of cheese, milk and ice cream! For being a Wednesday afternoon it was pretty packed with visiting families and their rambunctious brood. Don't worry though - lots of energy was being wisely spent bouncing on the Dairy-Air (hehe) and climbing the Glass Bottle - so despite the mass of tots and wee ones everyone seemed to be on their best behavior and focused their energy on those "fun zones" and managed to settled down when they needed to.




You needed to have paid your admission to actually watch a baby cow being born, but I managed to peek into an open door and catch this glimpse of the action. Didn't really know cows had their babies sitting down - always thought they stood up. Anyways, they have two mama cows set up on a glassed in stage and the paying crowd gets front row seats to the miracle of birth. Pretty amazing for the average child and family to see, huh?!




If watching cows give birth isn't your thing, that is ok, because there is PLENTY of other things to do at Fair Oaks Farms. Including watching cheese be made while you eat a lunch of soup, toasted cheese sandwiches and ice cream, strolling the grounds, walking through their museum and gift shop.



Admission fees include a tour of the farm, admission to the birthing barn and to their interactive museum! I can't wait to go back and take hubby along for the ride this time - this was an excellent Indiana find!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Top 10 Highlights & Lowlights of My Weekend

1. My husband's birthday was Friday. Wanted to buy him everything he wanted - but his wish list is a little pricey. (eastern Caribbean cruises, hot tubs, flat screen tvs - yeah, he dreams big!) Planned on getting him either an IU grill cover (sounds lame, but it was what he wanted dammit!), the overstuffed chair that goes with our living room set he has been wanting OR finally getting cable. But life had other plans apparently...though we are going to go on that cruise next year!

2. Our washing machine died. (so, yeah, my hubby got a washing machine for his bday - yay!) Stupid thing started making an awful sound....thought it was just because hubby was in the shower and was using the water supply. Upon further investigation found out that the agitator won't move....and the back of the dang machine won't come off and can't find any other way to get into the appliance to see what is wrong. But really, even if we could get inside the machine - we wouldn't have a clue what to look for or how to fix it. Had to stop the husband when I saw him go upstairs with a hammer and a crowbar - there was no way that was going to end well.

3. Husband lost his last pair of contacts. Could not get a new pair because his prescription expired. Set up eye appointments for both of us one the same day - his birthday - because we were both off from work. Same day the washer died, same day we had to go to the BMV....S.A.M.E. day. Puffs of air to the pupils don't exactly equal birthday fun.

4. Had to go the BMV to renew our plates. Yup, wanted to renew online but somehow August 15th snuck up on me and all of sudden our plates were expired. Tried to use the easy-peasy DIY kiosk. Yeah, didn't happen because of some sort of "binder" on my plate - something about our car insurance verification...so wasted all that time at the darn kiosk and ended up having to go inside anyways. Sigh.

5. Washing machines are expensive and cannot be delivered in a reasonable amount of time. Won't be here till Thursday. In the two days since it broke - one of our dogs has managed to both soil her crate which had a blanket in it AND puke on a towel - yay!!! Because, unless I make trip to the laundry mat - I gotta wait till Thursday to do a load of laundry. :( We opted for an Energy Star GE front loader model. (i.e. expensive)

6. Managed to have a great time with new friends who were kind enough to let us wash and dry the wet load of dirty clothes that were in the washing machine at the time of its demise (this was BEFORE the dog got sick). Ended up staying up till 2 in the morn (our host and hostess were whipping up some great drinks and convo) - though not good when you have an all day, two day conference to wake up for the next day. Blah! Was definitely a little blurry eyed and dehydrated the whole weekend.

7. Attended the blogIndiana Conference. Met and caught up with lots of great local Indiana bloggers including Kirsten from Middle West Meals and Casey from Moosh in Indy - among many others! Heard from great speakers including Douglas Karr, Krista Neher and Scott Abel - view the full list of all the wonderful speakers at the blogIndiana website! Now I just need a day or two process what all I learned and put it all to good use both towards my personal blogs and the blog we are building for one of our clients at work.

8. Added 3 more pairs of shoes to my collection! Sandals are on sale at Target everyone!! We are talking shoes for $7 - that is my kind of bargain! Wore all three pairs this weekend and none gave me blisters - hooray!

9. Bought yet another pineapple themed item to our home decor. Found a lovely pineapple doormat from Home Depot for $9.99! Thank goodness pineapples are a symbol of hospitality and not something weird or crazy - because we have pineapple everything (doorbell, door mat, lamps, etc). We like them because they are tropical-esqe and we are pretty much not Hoosiers at heart though we were both born and raised here in Indiana. We need sand, sun and salt water to feel at home.

10. Got to eat DQ Ice Cream Blizzard cake for breakfast all weekend! Managed to buy hubby a birthday cake BEFORE all hell broke lose this weekend. Gotta love that fudgey crunchy center!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday Foto Fiesta



I love this blurry photo I took while on vacation with my father this year.
We went with friends to Isle of Palms and they were fluffing out the blanket to lie in the sand - and I was standing back and got this shot. I know it is blurry - but I love that about this photo...just seems so beachy - kinda like a painting or something. :)

View more Friday Foto Fun here!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day August 2008

Seems like my blooms are starting to slow down this time of year.



All except for my hibiscus bushes though - they are gorgeous! Though I am having problem keeping the japanese beetles from feasting on them.



My lilac bush is blooming again - kinda crazy but I am enjoying it!



And my turf lily is doing well...



As is my lavender!

Day lilies (not pictured) are making a little comeback with a few blooms and my blanket flower is still growing strong.

Happy Birthday, Matthew!



Today is my husband's birthday!

He is 26 and already so accomplished in life.

Has a house. A wonderful fur-family and me! ;)
A management position in a great corporation.
Graduated with his BS and MBA before he was 25!

He's my husband.
My partner in crime.
My friend.

He is strong, brave, loving and kind.

He always supports my crazy ideas and always sings my praises. He lifts me up when I need a boost. He is there for me when everyone else turns away.

He is wonderful. I love you, Matthew!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday Morning Madness

Well, my return to the office today was quite eventful - let me tell ya!

(Yup, I was out of town for two days - but you didn't know it did you?! - I was sneaky and SCHEDULED some posts ahead of time...ah, the joys of technology...will post about my business travel adventures soon - promise!)

Anyways, back to this morning. Woke up in a fairly chipper mood for as much driving I have done in the last two days. Drank my English Breakfast tea while walking barefoot out in the backyard looking at all our lovely plants and flowers. And found THESE little guys all over our fence...so THAT is what has been eating at our leaves on our plants!



Now we need to work on getting rid of them....saw some slug and snail control stuff at Lowes we may pick up - UNLESS you all have something better and more environmentally sound! Let me know!

Managed to get my behind on the bus on time and enjoyed some pleasant reading time and basked in a little attention I got my fellow bus riders and my favorite bus driver for having been missing for a few days. :) They noticed I wasn't around - aw!

Made it to my stop only to see billowing plumes of smoke rising up out of the skyline of Indianapolis. Yeah, a little scary!



Ended up being a car fire in the parking garage - but lots of excitement nonetheless.

Then dropped my bagel on the floor - AND ATE IT. Yup - that is how I started my morning! :)

Reflective Gardening



My garden - May 2008



Garden - June 2008



Garden - August 2008

Pretty cool to look back and watch how the garden has evolved...crazy peas, then crazy cucumbers and now one to crazy cherry tomatoes! Have I mentioned how I want two more boxes like this next year (one the same size and another half the size for lettuce and radishes and things).

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Hubby Hand Update



My hubby's new hand contraption to help stretch his tendons. He is having mobility issues after his surgery and may have to go back and have a second surgery to remove scar tissue and to check if the tendons healed properly. Doesn't look fun does it?

Sorry the blogging material is a little light lately...just feeling a little burnt out.

Monday, August 11, 2008

My Husband's Hardwork




Hubby was hard at work during his days off this past week! Replaced some bushes, spruced up the flower beds with a new layer of mulch, planted ornamental grasses and more bushes and widened our east flower bed by about two foot! Looks great doesn't it?!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Fun in Franklin

Spent a cool August afternoon strolling the streets of historic downtown Franklin and stopped in all the little shops. I love shopping this area around Christmas time - you can find very unique gifts.

We did make it down to the Taste of Downtown but were a tad tuckered out to takes pics or spend much time there and no visit to the canal. :(



Isn't it just charming?



Almost walked out with these colorful little bowls.



Of course I would love these lovely letters found in one of the antique shops!




A glimpse inside the amazing Imagination Station! We always stop here for birthday and Christmas presents for all our nieces and nephews!




Charming storefronts.