April 10 on 10 & a Backyard Update

Sprinklers are in the ground!

Mini desserts on Easter Sunday . . . almost too cute to eat!

Baby pear buds stretching, reaching, clambering for sunshine.

Front Door Facelift

Previously, our front door was a boring beige-like hue.  Try as I might, I was unsuccessful in finding a "before" photo and forgot to snap one before we took the door off its hinges.  Trust me, it was rather under-whelming.  I've been itching to repaint for quite some time. "Heritage Red" by Benjamin Moore was just the ticket to liven things up a bit.  Just a few more minor touch-ups to go...

Also, we enjoyed our new patio for the first time yesterday evening.  It was just lovely!

Backyard : Entry II

Yes my dear friends, I am well aware I dropped the ball on my March 10 on 10 photos.  The 10th of March came and went while I was visiting my parents up north AND trying to dodge an ear infection.  I didn't touch my camera the entire weekend.

To kick-off our Spring Break, we began our backyard makeover project.  Over the course of this past weekend we completed "phase one".  None of it would have been possible without the dedication of my mom and dad, and our dear friend Christopher.  Couldn't have asked for a more hardworking team.  We endured rain, snow, wind, and sun to make this patio happen and there wasn't an ounce of grumbling.

Since the pallets of paver stones were first delivered, we had also received loads of gravel, sand, and topsoil.  When Friday afternoon rolled around, and my parents pulled into town with the John Deere in tow, we were ready to get this project underway.

Come Sunday afternoon, we stepped back, examined our work, and deemed the weekend a success.  Our new patio is HUGE.  I am so excited to adorn it with colorful pots and sun-loving plants.  Here are a few details I managed to photograph of the muddy, ibuprofen-infused, coffee-driven chaos...

Backyard : Entry I

Our sad, sad state of a backyard is currently a barren field of tumbleweeds and rocks.  Makes you just want to pull up an adirondack and kick back right?  Yea, not so much.  Our project for spring break is to begin the process of backyard makeover.  The pallets of paver stones for the patio were just delivered today.  You would've thought we were two 5-year old kiddos on Christmas morning.  Lots of work ahead, but so incredibly excited! 

Hannah

Hannah is my one and only first cousin, on my mom's side of the family.  I consider her more of a sister, rather than a cousin.  She just turned 16 about a week ago and is one of the most beautiful people I know.  Not to mention, her wealth of talents.  This girl can sing, dance, act, and play guitar like you wouldn't believe.  She's seriously a multifaceted rockstar in my eyes.  We took a few head shots to update her portfolio, prior to upcoming auditions.

NEW Ironing Board Cover

Two or three weeks ago, I came across this Ironing Board Cover Tutorial from Sweet Verbena via Pinterest.   I was instantly intrigued, knowing a novice sewer like myself could handle this project.  Inspiration to completion in just one single evening.  It left me pleased as punch.

The old, soon-to-be replaced ironing board cover.  A product of bachelor-hood.  Water stained.  Thin and worn.  Ugly, blue and white pattern.  About to become my latest victim.

I had a VERY large chunk of retro-inspired, pink and floral fabric in my stash.  Thanks to my Nana!  I'm not really a pink person.  But somehow, this fabric just seemed right for a new ironing board cover. Sweet, charming, and happy.  This piece of fabric was so large in fact, I was able to skip a number of steps in the tutorial.  The most tedious part of the whole thing was re-stringing the new cover.  Regardless, the whole project seemed like cake and really boosted my sewing confidence.  

February 10 on 10

Substitute teaching.  My right-now gig.  Which I happen to love.  Most days.  I'll be the first to admit there are THOSE days.  Yet, the laughs are never in short supply.  Their antics only more ridiculous than the last.  The stories seemingly endless.  Recent happenings?  

-- Put brewing rumors to rest.  Mr. Eng and I are INDEED married.

-- Sent a singing sensation to the office.  No, you can't sing "I'm Sexy & I Know It" at school.

-- Clarified Bigfoot's existence has yet to be proven.  Please think of another example. 

-- Confiscated one bouncy ball.  You may have it back at the end of the day.  

-- Confiscated two sets of Pokemon cards.  You may have them back at the end of the day.

-- Listened intently to weekend plans.  Wow, your mom is going to have a baby on Saturday?!

My theme for February.  Substitute teaching.  Moments snapped in a recent classroom.  10 photos on the 10th day of the month.  Actually, 11 photos this go around.  Couldn't help myself.  Enjoy.   

preparations.

comfy.

organized.

ambitious. 

Hogwarts.

essentials.

Seuss.

jewelry. 

piled.

hearts.

create.