Dreary Weekend and a Garden Update

It is ANOTHER dreary weekend. I can't believe it is so cold and rainy.  I am so worried about my seedlings.

The big garden has been rototilled 3x now. The problem is, it has been much too cold and rainy to plant. We typically put the garden in by Mother's day.  I am waiting-not very patiently, mind you--for Mother Nature to make up her mind.

As a result of the weather, I have the Three Stooges of Seedlings.

No-Grow
Now at 34 days since the seeds were sown. Not ONE single pepper seed has germinated, despite my heating pad/ hot water bottle as a seed mat to warm the soil, and steaming up the portable cold frame tricks. I thought I saw some teensy green shoots, but it was only the pearlite that had discolored.

Slow-Grow

44 days-With all the cool weather we are having, I thought it would be the optimum growing conditions for my lettuce, spinach and green onions.

Grow Crazy

34 days-My cucurbits are growing -well- crazy! I have already transplanted the winter squash once. With our weather being so weird I may need to transplant again. 

The raised beds are a mess. The rhubarb needs cut down and everything else needs weeded. or blown up with dynamite.  I have new strawberries to plant since the deer decimated mine last year. Only 1 plant came back this year. How sad.  I also have 4 new blueberry plants. One of these days, I will be successful with blueberries.

We still need to pull the 2 dead peach trees. And replace them...again. I would like to plant some apple trees...again. I thought about espalier fruit trees on the side of my garage, but that requires relocating the perennial bed and about 7 yrs to train the fruit trees to form. Ain't nobody got time for that!

It looks like 1 of the blackberries survived the marauding deer. The other 2 are in bad shape. Hopefully after the hard pruning they will recover for next year.

Last night and expected tonight the temps are in the mid 30's. Today's high was 46° but with the wind it feels like high 30's...bbbrrrr.

So I used the crappy weather to my advantage. I removed the baseboard from the dining room (to prepare for new flooring), painted the walls and plastered the cracked walls in the stairwell.

Oh well, I will keep chipping away at my to do list and hope for improved weather.  What weekend projects are you working on?

Stencil Madness

Earlier this month I lamented the lack of design in my stairwell (as shown here). Well I went on a mission of inspiration to one of the happiest places on earth. No--not Disneyland. Or  IKEA. I went to Michael's. I love craft stores!

While shopping for some Christmas craft goodies (which is another post), I decided to wander the aisles and I stumbled upon some stencils! I found my inspiration!

Martha Stewart Crafts™ Arabesque Laser-Cut Stencils

There are 11 different stencils in this pack. originally priced at $16.99 but I had a coupon for 40% . After the coupon discount and tax I paid $10.90 which is the equivalent of $0.99 per stencil. Not to bad my little mathematical minions!  I envision all sorts of stenciling projects. WOOT!

 I like these 2 the best.

Iron works

Arabesque tile

The lower portion of the staircase 

   

will be painted Valspar Smoked Oyster 

6005-1C

The  upper portion of the staircase

will be painted  Valspar Oatlands Subtle Taupe

6005-1B

Then to break up the expanse I will stencil the Ironwork's pattern in a Pearlized white. I think the white will provide a nice contrast. The pearl will have just enough sheen and shimmer to bounce the light around. I do plan to add artwork, photos, and possibly a quilt.  (Don't forget the stair treads will be a nice dark Cappuccino color and the risers a bright crisp white!) 

I love the ideal of this stencil. It will look like wallpaper without all the icky glue. So excited to work on this! That is until I have a hunchback and claw-hands from spouncing paint for the stencil effect. Oh and there is the whole afraid of heights  and climbing a 14 foot ladder issue. Details, details....

And to my daughter who said-"Your just gonna paint it Beige and Cream, Mom. It's your thing."  I say  "Hush yer' mouth!"

(And I just might work that Arabesque tile pattern onto my risers...you just never know!)

Upstairs, Downstairs

I have a very narrow and steep staircase. The stairwell has a decrepit  mine shaft vibe going for it right now. I am looking for ways to make the space inviting  and reflect upon that you are transitioning from the public house space to the private space of the bedrooms and dressing room. 

Currently the plaster walls are cracking and very banged up along with a very tired coat of Behr brand OatStraw on the walls. We removed the baby blue 40 yr. old carpet to uncover oak treads. I would like stain the stair treads dark (cappuccino) and paint the risers a crisp, bright white. 

Looking up (sorry for the weird slant)

 Here you can also get a bird's eye view of the door at the bottom of the stairs. Unfortunately it must stay because it is the only way to move furniture up/ down the stairs.

Looking down

 Here there is a weird pseudo-cubby that really is dead space. Not sure what to do here. Hang a mirror or art? Someday I would like a window. Lots of light! The picture doesn't show well but the light fixture is the only thing I like in the stairwell.  It is shaped like an acorn, has a milk glass shade and the hardware is brushed satin nickel.

Looking straight ahead from the landing

Color options?

(Oatlands Subtle Taupe, Smoked Oyster, Smoke Infusion)

(Betsy Ross House Green, Winter Calm, Jekyll Crane Cottage Yellow)

Our upstairs bath has the Subtle Taupe Ceiling and Smoke Infusion walls.  My dining room/ office has Smoked Oyster walls. All trim and doors are/ will be crisp white. My dressing room is painted Winter Calm.  I think I will paint the lower stairwell walls Smoked Oyster. The upper and lower walls are separated by the 10 inch wood molding (similar to a chair rail divisor).

The upper wall will be Subtle Taupe with a simple stenciled motif with a contrasting color. The green will be a bridge color in the upper hallway. The yellow will eventually be used in the spare room. All of the colors (similar shades) are found throughout my house. It is just a matter of making a cohesive color story.

 I love the ideal of stenciling a quote on the stairs. Something like this....

Courtesy of  tickingandtoile.blogspot.com

Family photographs in assorted frame shapes and sizes (all painted white, maybe a sprinkle of silver) will be on one wall. Perhaps mount  an heirloom quilt on the other wall to help muffle the sound? And what to do to conceal that door? It is only in use 2 or 3 times a year. Maybe mount a custom sized decorative screen? So many possibilities. So what do you think? Ideals and suggestions are welcome! Also if someone wants to bring a ladder and help, that is even more welcome, ha!