"When something seems bad, turn it around and find something good."

About this time last year I signed up, and subsequently became addicted to, Pinterest.  I suddenly saw all of my wardrobe in a new light.  Old t-shirts became scarves; other old shirts became handkerchiefs and dryer balls. One old turtleneck (circa junior year of high school!) became an infinity scarf, leg warmers, and a headband for me or Katie (have I ever mentioned her big noggin?).

Lately, I've gone through another closet revamp craze.  I've been reading some blogs about minimalism and have gotten rid of several pieces of clothing that I have been holding on to "just in case."  I'm also repurposing a few items to give them new life.  A couple of v-neck sweaters are some of my favorite go-to sweaters in the winter time.  One of the sweaters is UK blue so I wear it very often on game days.  The other has a nice gray and red argyle pattern which I like to wear around Christmas.  I'm sort of getting tired of them in their current style and other people are probably tired of seeing them too!  So I decided to take the plunge, cut both sweaters straight up the middle and turn them into cardigans! 

Red and gray argyle sweater turned cardigan begging to be worn over my black dress!

I used iron-on fusible webbing that was passed down to me from my late Mammaw Edna (perhaps where I inherited my seamstress itch that isn't yet satisfactorily scratched because of sub-par skill level).  For now I plan to pair these cardigans with a belt until I have the wherewithal to add a button.  I can now wear these sweaters over dresses or turtlenecks too.  I just LOVE the versatility of cardigans!

While I had the iron and webbing out, I also mended a pair of really cute bermuda shorts that I haven't bothered to wear for the last two summers because one of the hems had fallen out.  The entire project took less than 30 minutes for all 3 pieces.

Repairing the hem of my sailor-striped bermuda shorts.

I'm already giving a few other pieces a critical eye when I pass by them in the closet.  I can hear them all running to hide from the scissors!

Oh and credits to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (one of Katie's favorites) for this post's title.

Planting Our Little Prairie

I'm so excited that Fall Break is finally here!  The local school system is off all week which means my wonderful hubby is at home all week!  I've been very much looking forward to this week as we have set it aside to finally add some plantlife to our dull/dead suburban backyard.
Some of the plants we bought on clearance at Lowe's.  The rest we transplanted from my uncle's extensive and beautiful master garden.  I wanted hearty, drought resistant perennial bushes that flower at different times of year as well as some breezy grasses.  Steve is gracious enough to let me run with my vision of our little prairie all while doing most of the grunt work.
 

Our little helper toting an azalea around to the backyard.

Steve working hard to dig a hole for one of the two forsythia bushes.  Every spring the bright yellow buds of forsythia bushes remind me of my dear college roommate, Beth.

 

Katie and I planting an azalea.  Bless her heart, Katie's lived in the city her whole life, but she's a country girl at heart.  Outside in 65 degree weather with bare feet in the mud!

We finally have a tree in our yard!  A transplanted maple that's about the same height as Katie.  I look forward to seeing it grow as she does.

Not sure what this is, but it's a purple grass that feels like feathers.  I LOVE it!!  We planted it so that it can be seen from the large dining room window.

My heart is full of joy when I look in the backyard now.  I can't wait to see how each plant grows and transforms with the seasons and years.  Isn't nature such a beautiful illustration of life in general?  Thank you God for Your creation!

And one last note... while Steve was taking a short break he noted, "you've turned me into a dang hippy.  I'm working in the garden, drinking water from a glass jar, and wearing crystal deoderant." I shot back, "about time your lifestyle matched your politics." ;)