Good Morning! Let's Talk About Spring

Hi friends, 

I'm so happy it is spring! I've been battling the liriope again and I'm ready to plant some seeds. 

I just need to amend the soil a bit.  Bill and I will have one of our date nights to Home Depot. I'm very weird, I know. 

My sister suggested I go for a mani/pedi to treat myself today. 

Um no. I'm more of an overalls, top soil, get my nails dirty type of girl. 

Last fall, I collected seeds from my zinnias, four o'clocks, and periwinkles. I doubt the periwinkles will work but the four o'clocks and zinnias will come up without any problem. These pictures are from last fall. 

Because I love the deep pink zinnias more than the red ones, I collected more flower heads from the pink flowers. 

I don't even separate the seeds from the flowers. I just plant the whole deadheaded flower. 

My issue involves pulling up the pansies. 

Our Texas pansies last all winter. 

Before you hate me because it's warm in the winter, just think of me in August. 

Our winters are a gift because we made it through the summer. 

Our pansies only last through June but if I wait until June to pull them out, I've waited too long and our spring annuals don't have time to get established before the summer heat gets here. 

It's a delicate dance. 

I really dislike pulling up flowers before they are spent. 

In other news the green house did its job this winter. 

It's not just a pretty potting shed! Everything survived except a geranium. That died because it didn't get enough water. I've already replaced it. 

I still haven't used the green house to start seeds. That may be on the agenda next winter. 

If you are a long time reader you might remember that I recovered all the deck cushions.  

Because outdoor fabric is so expensive, it costs as much to recover outdoor cushions as it does to buy new furniture. It's ridiculous. 

I've recovered these several times since we've had them. 

Drop cloths didn't work because they mildewed. 

I loved this look from back in 2014. It was so versatile. 

In 2016, I'd had enough of washing out mildewed cushions. 

Joann's only good choice was navy. 

The bird pillow was so much fun. Last time I checked the fabric was still at Joann's. 

At some point in the last two years, I replaced the stripe because it mildewed. I think I replaced anything cushion that was faded last spring. 

The cushions take a beating because of the Texas sun and they needed to be recovered again. 

The top picture is at the beginning of the spring. 

These pictures are from December. 

I WAS OVER IT! 

The love seat was sagging. Bill never liked the club chairs because the lizards loved the club chairs too. We got new black and white cushions for our vintage armchairs. 

We got a new love seat and coffee table from Home Depot. 

Except for one club chair and ottoman we put the furniture and sun umbrella by the curb. They all magically disappeared. :)

We have a new gazebo from CostCo to put together. It's our anniversary present to each other. 

It will protect the new furniture, give us some shade, and mosquito protection. I'll let you know when it's finished. 

I know that you all know I was ready to throw in the towel concerning blogging. Several times recently friends have told me how much they love my posts and that I'm inspiring them. It's still weird to have my face to face friends read my blog but their comments made me realize the reason why I started blogging in the first place. 

That's what it's all about isn't it? 

Thanks for sticking through this post all the way though. It's not "blogging" perfect but that is okay. 

If you think of it, I can use your prayers. 

Katie