Taking a break

Though several people have been asking for an update on our current move/housing situation, which by now they’ve gotten more than they bargained for, I have realized that of late my posts have been consumed by house planning. And for my 12 readers, I’m sure if you don’t care a thing about our house in Portland, you’re pretty bored.  That said, by this point and time I figure that if you’re reading my blog we’re either friends and I’ve probably already rattled all of this off to you or you choose to read by blog because you can relate to my borderline unhealthy Martha Stewart fetish so maybe I’m ok with my current content.

Either way, I’m making taking another road today.  (Not to far off of the beaten path–let’s be honest, this 24 going on 80 year old has limited subjects in her repertoire to talk too much in length about).

Friends I’m embarking on a new gardening escapade when we move (see, still talking about the moving).  SQUARE FOOT GARDENING!

Perfect sized little square foot garden--though mine will probably have to be smaller.

I cannot wait to have space in our backyard to garden.  I’m going to have to start with some easy things because my track record is not very good.  I wrote long ago about my propensity to force my plants into a drought-like situation, begging for water in a hoarse voice that I somehow am able to ignore (despite the money that is going down the drain when I decide suddenly to stop watering everything I planted a month and a half before).

I’ve decided my practical side will relate more to a garden that is producing something of value.  Like veggies.  Something that really excites me is someone once told me that anything you put in the ground in Portland will grow.  Granted, I am taking this with a grain of salt based on the wreckage I have been able to cause here in Austin, but hey, we’ll go with it.  I’m going to start out with some peppers, lettuce, herbs and tomatoes because I have successfully grown those before.  We’ll see where it goes from there.

What I haven’t broken to Mr. Fancy Pants is the fact that he is going to have to construct said square foot garden for me.  Can’t be that hard can it?  I need to do some reading on what grows best in that climate and not go with my typical, “Oooo that’s so pretty” approach.  One way or the other, this is top priority on my list once we move.  I think this hat may help me with my endeavor.  Might need to snag one before they undoubtedly sell out.

So true. So true.

Backyard decor!

Backyard on NE 34th St. in PDX!

Here’s our lovely backyard in the rent house in Portland!  We’ve never had a backyard before! We’re going to be doing some MAD grilling/hang out there while the weather is nice during the summer and fall!

In the spirit of bringing the South out West with us, I grabbed these on Amazon.com for $10!!  A little ‘house divided’ SEC action!

For Mr. Fancy Pants, a maroon Mississippi State flag! Hail State!

For me, a beautiful crimson Alabama A!

I also want to have some backyard games for when we have people over. And to be quite honest, Mr. Fancy Pants and I will probably play them ourselves mostly. Still fun!  I am going to try and find one of these bocce ball sets:

St. Pierre Bocce balls and horseshoes!

And I’m going to ask my incredibly talented grandfather to make me some bean bag toss boards to that we can recreate the fun these people are obviously having. (this picture made me chuckle to myself)

Family clearly having the time of their lives playing bean bag toss

I am also going to try and figure out how I can hang some of these in the back yard.  I haven’t quite figured it out yet.  But I’m going to.

Great outdoor lighting

The next things on my list are a grill and table and chairs.  I have found several that I like but, well I don’t have a million dollars so I am looking for the economy version!  I keep telling myself that everything is an “investment”.  Which in actuality may be true but also may be what Mr. Fancy Pants likes to refer to as me justifying spending money.  Any suggestions on a place to get a cheap set of outdoor furniture and/or grill?

On a completely different note, I am pretty excited that we will be reducing our footprint on this oil consuming country by downsizing to one car for our move to the Northwest.  We are selling Mr. Fancy Pants’ car and keeping mine to share. We both want to bike as much as possible and that was a key factor on the location of our new place in Portland. A few things are on the docket for car upgrades.  A bike rack and having an iPod dock installed (both William’s requests).  More than anything, this will be the biggest testament to our marriage.  My car is kept, for the most part, completely empty other than a few CDs in the door, my GPS, and a bumbershoot–translation if you’re not from Arkansas–umbrella.  William, on the other hand, LIVES out of his car.  He has running clothes, weights, gym bags, athletic balls of all kinds, cleats, towels…the list could go on and on.  I’m going to give him a basket.  In the trunk.  Whatever he can fit in the basket he is welcome to carry around in the car.  We’ll see how long that lasts!  I actually think it will be good for me.  I need to get over the idea of a well kept car before we have kids throwing Cheerios and boogers everywhere. Ha!