Summer Lovin'

So, I know it's been awhile, so long that the Catholic guilt is kicking in and I'm not even Catholic! While I haven't been bloggin, I have been busy with a capitol BUSY, taking full advantage of our semi-summer. Weekend trips, trips to the garden (in the backyard), happy hours on the deck (as Jackson say, "Cheeeeeers"), projects, Bendercup fests, friends, and family, have kept us literally running from one crazy activity to the next, but no whining here, because as Sandy put so eloquently put it . . . summer lovin' had me a blast!

I've also had a blast this past two plus years memorializing my pregnancy, Jackson's first appearance in this world, and all the amazing moments that followed with BTNB (baby . . . the new black), but just like Lost (sigh . . .), all good things must come to an end. BTNB still has a few final posts to come but by summer's end this blog will be closing its doors for good. But don't fret because this blogger is simply taking things to the next level and will soon be debuting BTNB's big sis, next chapter, new addition (no, not pregnant!), which will feature almost daily content all about how to live with passion at the corner of pretty and practical. So stay tuned and thank you, thank you, thank you for all your love, comments, and support of BTNB, it's been an incredible ride!

Like Oprah (wow, I'm all about the media references today!), I'm counting down to my final post and first up is about all things projects. Since projects are always a major component of our summer schedule, it would be a crime not to share our DIY-ness and hopefully inspire a little outdoor renovations of your own.

First up, because we started this project, oooh last summer (can you say baby!?) is our new outdoor dining room table. Inspired by Crate and Barrel, my hubby and resident handyman decided he would rather DIY it than write the monster check that the table's purchase would require. Well, one year, a lot of swearing, and only $200 later, he's made me a masterpiece, that sits eight on a normal day, but up to twelve with an extension. We all love it, it's beautiful, practical (I don't remember the last time we ate dinner inside, which is a blessing with toddler who believes food really is art), and best of all, can accommodate all of our dinner party guests, since I seem to always subscribe to the theory 'the more, the merrier'.

The inspiration, complements of C&B

This project started as a pile of reject cedar scrapes and fence boards from our favorite cedar wholesaler in Woodinville, that Brad then finessed (insert official woodworking jargon here) into smooth, shiny planks. From there he nailed, swore, screwed, swore, and sanded, more swearing, until he had created the no-nail-showing, seamless, modern table and benches we desired. This project taught us why simple, seamless, modern furniture is sooooo expensive. Even for the experienced woodworker, like Brad, building a functional piece of modern furniture takes (a lot of) time, skill, and the secret know-how of hiding the nails, screws, etc. Thankfully Brad stayed the course and loves the results of his sweating and swearing, and surprising still even loves me!

The final result

With a beautiful new space to enjoy the flavors of summer I knew my garden needed some TLC, badly . . . we all know I have huge aspirations of being a 'boutique farmer' but none of the skills and am plagued with horrible acid-ridden soil in our back yard. This year I decided to educate myself (ok read blogs & gardening mags) and build out and refill our garden boxes. Relying once again on my resident handyman and his assistant, we were able to fill the boxes and plants my veggie starts by . . . . oh June. Late start and all, my little garden looked great in it's baby days (below) and is now actually producing! We've enjoyed many butter lettuce and arugula salads, plenty of fresh herbs, loads of raspberries, and now are starting to harvest zucchini and snap peas - yum!

 A toddler with a hammer? That's just the way we roll :)

Box #1: heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, and onion

Box #2: snap peas, rosemary, sage, thyme, chives, more zucchini, blueberries, and strawberries

Box #1 in it's baby days, today the tomatoes are taller than the window box

Today's harvest

The whole truth, my garden's still a disaster when compared to others (my mom's and pal Shannon's to name a few) but we're getting there. One day, when Sunset Mag is holding a photo shoot (wink, wink), I'll be able to look back on these days and laugh at my novice black thumbs.

The rest of our project list will be revealed in the new blog, but until then it's back to work . . .get going boys!

hmmm. . . .looks like GREEN grass should be put on the project list soon!