Landscaping

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Craftsman 1204 Has Sold

Yes, we sold our beautiful old craftsman earlier this week. It's bittersweet for us; 1204 was the first home we bought together and where we brought our son and daughter home from the hospital. But, we know her new owner will love her just as much as we do.

We are moving back to Fort Worth and completely gutting my bachelorette pad to make it work as a family home. Please join us at Tiny House, Big Home as we embark on this next chapter of life and renovations. Cheers!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Shared Kids Room Ideas

Our oldest kids fuss and fight like any other siblings. But, they're also only 14 months apart (you gotta have 'em when the hubby isn't deployed!) and in a lot of ways they are more like twins. They have their own language, they snuggle, and left to their own devices, they pile into each others beds. For the next few years at least, they'll be sharing a room, and I can't imagine they'd want it any other way. However, it's important to us that they have shared space and also their own space, even if it is contained in one room. I don't know when we'll own our own home again, or even when we'll be able to get our stuff out of storage. But, it never hurts to think ahead ;)

This is so bright and pretty, and would be easy enough to pull off in a rental.


                                                                                                      Source: parents.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

This particular room is pottery barn, but Ikea makes a very similar day bed. The L- shape would help make the most of a small room. Love the built in storage!

                                                                                      Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Well, it wouldn't work forever, especially if our little man gets as tall as predicted, but I love the semi-partitioned space. Allows for privacy and makes the most of an awkward roof line. If our family were more sea-faring, I'd paint each triangle up like a sail.

                                                                         Source: blogs.babble.com via Maribel on Pinterest

Obviously, this is room for two little girls and wouldn't work for our kids. But, the limited color palette, and similar materials make the room look cohesive while still allowing for individuality.

                                                                                             Source: kidsomania.com via Sofie on Pinterest

Yes, I know this is a crib :) It would be so easy to build a toddler size bed into an extra closet. So cozy for a kid!
                                                                                 Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Lynn on Pinterest

This probably comes from being a semi-only child ( my half sisters were grown when I came along) but I love the thought of our kids sharing a room. Am I nuts? Do your kids share a room? Love it or hate it? I'd appreciate any feedback!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Texas...For Now

Where to begin? We lift misty Washington in October of last year for sunny Texas. Specifically, the small town where my husband grew up. Though my in-laws live in town, they have a small cattle operation a few minutes away. They were kind enough to offer us the use of their camp house while we figure out what comes next for us.

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The property is where my husband's grandfather was raised, along with many brothers and sisters. Though the house burned many years ago, the original barn remains and is still used for hay storage.



Adjacent the barn is a silo. It is currently empty, but I am lobbying to turn it into another guest house. I think spending the night in a cool old silo would be so neat....what do you think? I love the top. It reminds me of the crimped bottle caps you'd find on the old glass coke bottles.



A couple of years back, Texas experienced a truly awful drought. Quite a few trees died, including some pretty good sized cedars. As time permits, my husband cuts them down, maybe 2 or 3 at a time, then hauls them to the front of the property using the tractor. He uses a chainsaw to cut a shallow lengthwise trench into each log. Then, we take turns using splitting spikes and a sledge hammer to separate the trunk into smaller pieces that will be used for either posts or rails depending upon their size...it is work This process is repeated until the entire trunk is used.



Slowly but surely, an entirely handmade and sustainably harvested fence is emerging.


Throughout the years, the property has seen many different uses; if my husbands grandfather could turn a profit on it, he farmed it. The land has grown peanuts and coastal hay; hogs, chickens, and finally cattle have all been raised on this land. The simple tin building you see below was once one of many hen houses.

.Long since inoperable, the old windmill still stands.



It is a beautiful piece of land with a fair bit of family history on it. It has been an adjustment of sorts- the first of several coming for our family in the next few months. But, for now at least, it is home.