Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Channeling Martha

I saw this tip posted on Martha Stewart's Web site and thought it was pretty clever! 


I'm always trying to figure a way to keep labels fresh and dry in the garden...mainly because I can never remember what plant is what!

I did a lot of planting at LaNa this past weekend of vegetables and flowers and am hoping I kept my seed packets to try this at home tonight!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Baby Blue Jay #51

logo from BCWC

On Saturday, Lola and I rescued a baby blue jay that had fallen out of one of the pine trees at LaNa.  The parents weren't far away and were, obviously, very upset.  The bird was still a nestling and in order to survive needed to be with its parents OR a rescue center. 

Baby birds need to eat every 30 minutes, and while the parents seemed to be feeding it on the ground, it was in danger of coming into contact with a dog, cat, raccoon, etc.  We needed to get it off the ground and with the help of a bird volunteer in our area, we created a nest out of a hanging pot and leaves that the bird happily snuggled into.  Unfortunately, the mother was also tending to other birds in the nest and we feared our little one wouldn't make it through the night because of the falling temperatures and that hadn't yet developed feathers. 

We called the Bird Center of Washtenaw County and were thrilled that they could take "him" in.  This center is incredible and the volunteers went out of their way to show us their setup and share information with Lola.  Our bird was tagged #51 and put in a "nest" of his own where he will be rehabilitated.  The baby birds were all on one table in individual nests where they are fed every 30 minutes from dusk until dawn by volunteers.  Whew - who knew?!?! 

The setup also included tables with birds that were learning to fly and take care of themselves for the "real" world. 

Just incredible!  THANK YOU to the Bird Center of Washtenaw County for helping our little guy and all the others that are injured, orphaned, needing some extra assistance, or have survived a HIGH fall from a pine tree like #51. 

The best is that we are welcome to check-in on his well being and to also visit.  Yeah!

#51

Friday, May 21, 2010

spring cleaning of lana...

spring cleaning in both the house and on the blog!  i've updated the site to make it a little "cleaner" looking.  hope you like! 

TGIF!  enjoy your weekend!!  xo

Friday, May 14, 2010

my april...

...celebrated my niece's 5th birthday!

...booked a caterer and photographer for the BIG day!

...went to visit my brother-in-law in DC for Easter!

...finished basement sitting area...photos to come!

...attended a kindergarten open house and potluck dinner for my niece at my old gradeschool! 

...enjoyed a wonderful spring evening for drinks and snacks at Arbor Brewing!





photo credit: LaNa

Thursday, May 13, 2010

kitchen update!

the cupboard doors are off...the cupboard contents are out (and all over our living room!!!)...a new light fixture is in...and painting will begin tonight!  i am hoping to have some during and after shots for you this weekend!!

until then, enjoy this spring picture taken on the Mall in DC...

Photo credit: LaNa

Friday, May 7, 2010

t.g.i.f.

Photo credit: LaNa

kitchen makeover has begun!

After a quick lead paint test (none = yeah!!), we are ready to move forward with a mini facelift for the kitchen.  The cupboards look like they may be the original to LaNa built in 1948.  They had YEARS of paint on them and on the hinges.  When I moved in, I figured I would add to the paint as did everyone else...not wise, but it was quick and easy.  However, that one last coat of paint did the cupboards in and they haven't closed shut for 2 years!  It looks like a movie scene where the cupboards are swung open by the resident spirits!

My Dad has asked to take care of them many times, but I assumed there would be lead paint somewhere in the layers.  So, I've just lived with it...until now!

The kitchen is a bit dark for me, love the color, but it is feeling gloomy.  The itch to brighten it up finally got me to pick-up a lead test at Lowes.  SUPER EASY and SUPER CHEAP!  And, to my dismay, no lead showed in the layers tested. 

Hence, the makeover begins!

Here are some photos as we took down cabinet doors.  All the dark green (tornado watch it is called) will be replaced with a clean, crisp white.  Dad has already scraped doors down to the original primer and sanded all the grooves so that they will close properly when reinstalled.

He was also able to use a heat gun to get the paint off the hinges, so we won't have to worry about buying new and can continue with my love of reuse!!!

The painting will begin this weekend!


Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day!

How exciting that Earth Day turns 40 years old today!  We both turn the BIG 4-0 this year.  !!  Here are some pics that have inspired me this spring...

photo credit: LaNa...tulip in my yard

photo credit: LaNa...I may have missed the cherry blossoms
in DC, but these sweet flowers graced some trees in A2.

photo credit: LaNa...artist unknown, but a local A2 neighbor.
who knew clam shells, oranges, lemons, limes, and mulch could be so beautiful!!

photo credit: LaNa...artist unknown, but same neighbor as above.
clam shells make up the D and Tigers is spelled out with mulch...VERY creative!
GO TIGERS!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Peep-tini's!


photo credit: LaNa

We had dinner with friends last night and were treated to some yummy peep-tini's! 
Thanks Michele and Steve!

It got me wondering if there were a lot of people out there that also enjoyed peep-tini's and there are!!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Engaged...for 2 months as of today!


We have secured the location, photographer, caterer, attire, attendants, and seen to many other details all in two short months!  It certainly helps that I'm an event planner by day...I love this stuff!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

My March...

...where did march go?  why don't i remember what i did??

...i guess that i've been in wedding mode and loving every little detail!

...so far we have a location, photographer, caterer, and our wedding attire. i think that's pretty good given we've just been engaged two months tomorrow!

...went to a red wings game with dad and james...detroit won - yahoo!

...and, of course, i've been running after our "puppy!"  we are DEFINITELY out of the honeymoon stage and in need of some training for beast and owner!!!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Today's a good day to...

catch up on all the shows on my DVR!  The weather has gone from 80's to 40's within a couple days!  My body is shocked at the sudden chill, but it's MICHIGAN and this is to be expected!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Curb appeal for LaNa?!

James and I would LOVE to build a bigger porch onto the front of our house.  However, those plans will be on hold since we are planning a WEDDING right now! 

I've been looking online at different blogs I love and came across this photo on Design Sponge which is giving me a bit of inspiration...

photo credit: design sponge...photographer corbin lee gurkin's charleston home

I'm loving the white painted porch with colored floor and stairs to match the shutters!  I think a similar update at LaNa could refresh the space until we can make bigger changes.  We'll have to discuss what will work best for our home and will update you along the way...

photo credit: LaNa - current front view

Wonderful cabinet idea!

I was surfing one of my fave blogs, Design Sponge, and found this sweet posting on an idea for inside your kitchen cabinets.  What a wonderful idea!!!!


photo credit: jenny rosenstrach, former cookie magazine editor...illustration by gina triplett

We are looking to update and brighten the kitchen at LaNa and this might be a cute look to incorporate.  Stay tuned...

Friday, March 26, 2010

Hipstamatic for iPhone!

Ah, my new fave toy is my Hipstamatic application on my iPhone!!  Navin and Gibson were my patient subjects last night as I try to get the hang of the different options.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of these photos on LaNa!

Friday, March 19, 2010

A little closer to my next "Dinner in the Drive!"

The warmer weather has had me longing for a "Dinner in the Drive" at LaNa.  These evenings are full of fun, friends, good food, and great wine!  Soon my friends, soon!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

LaNa's Furry Friends!

Navin

Gibson

To James' delight, Gibson LOVES tennis balls!!
He also LOVES peanut butter!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

My February...

...enjoyed Superbowl with close friends (Thanks Mike & Traci!)

...did my taxes and was pleasantly pleased!

...went to Disney World with family

...lost 3 pounds (even while gone on vacation!)

...hung "walls" in basement - photos to come

...GOT ENGAGED!!!!