It's a bird, it's a plane, NO...it's Axel finally on a bike of his own (or rather a gratefully accepted hand-me-down). Several garage sales and two sporting goods stores later, the only helmet and training wheels we were able to procure are, yup, "kinda pink".  No big deal to this stop and smell the flowers kind of rider, he's not so much interested in his gear, speed or other users of the road...he's in it for the "neighborhood puppy tour".

So while we're busy teaching our son to ride a bike and painting the house in it's entirety, we did hire just one thing out...NEW CARPET!  It's a beautiful thing when you finally throw in the do-it-yourself towel and HIRE SOMETHING OUT!!!

I've discovered two new things this week, Lily of the Valley (which Nana pointed out in my yard and said they remind her of her mother...and smell exquisite), and one banned piece of literature.  The book being "Fanny Hill", which was written in 1748 (yes, the 18th century) and banned until 1963 for obscenity.  Although considered a profane piece of fiction, it's like profanity with a side of 1749...the verbiage is descriptively tasteful and quite often hilarious.  It's known that I am a fan of the written word...much more so of anything kept off the shelves for over two centuries!  I recommend the read for...historical purposes.

So, both physically and mentally, Axel and I are off to the races this week, new floor coverings and all. 

Happy Memorial Day to all those remembering people from our past, and on the flip side honoring those carrying us into the future.

new carpet...no furniture

lily of the valley, sweet and oh-so-fragrant

fanny hill...see above

While inside the house I'm toiling away, scrubbing walls, picking paint colors and infusing our own smell, the nature of our yard seems to be freshening up all on it's own.

Last weekend, Axel and I traveled to Pittsburgh and were lucky enough to spend some time at an east coast wedding.  The wedding took place on a farm, complete with dogs that napped on the dance floor, one wickedly good "cookie table", and a barn fit for Kate Middleton herself.  If you're in the market for a Pennsylvania wedding, I highly recommend Armstrong Farms!

So coming home from spectacular landscaping I felt compelled to do some exploring within the fenced confines of our own lot.  Over 20 trees grace this city sized chunk of land (that's way more than necessary)...some of them already on the chopping block...but will wait until fall so we can experience a summer in full bloom.
 
Leading with the camera, I first captured a few tiny beginnings and then got down and dirty trimming some of what 20 years of "wild" has created.

plum tree blossoms

fiddleheads

all trimmed up . . . pine

Four, going on five nights spent in the "garage house."  Phrases like "happy as a clam," "right place, right time" and perhaps "giddy as a school-girl" come to mind.  Granted, it hasn't been all roses during the move in process, and the previous owner has given us his share of "bachelor grime" (including a bathroom drawer filled with fingernail clippings), but really...we're up to our elbows in bleach and smiling all the way through to our cheek bones.

Just a few peaks today on what this 89-er currently features.  Not much of the decor will make it through my purge, but in case you need a flashback...here's a glimpse of some fabulous hardware (I have 47 of these handles), seizure inducing wallpaper and a light fixture that's sure to WOW you.

If anyone is in the market for wooden towel racks I may be able to arrange a dozen or so shipped your way.

Really...the fun is just beginning and Axel is all about putting wet rag to wall.  (Insert sinister laugh here.)  (Add sound of 90's decor fleeing the room.)