best friend. Bar Keepers Friend. It's not a home recipe like I normally feature on our blog but it will be a part of my cleaning solutions from now on. Visit our blog to see how I made it like new again!

fun now. There should be more designers creating fun beds .Who knows, perhaps they sell.

part post on my blog where you can see the transitions, along with the "what was I thinking" moments.

To get started, I just started planting plants I liked and paid attention to what did and did not work. Gradually, with a lot of patience and some heartbreak/big mistakes, it became something I found quite beautiful.

What was once a bare lot in a new city subdivision transformed into a magnet for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. In the end, when I had used up all of the other planting space, I removed the entire front yard (the only full sun area) and filled it in with flowering perennials, vegetables, berries, and dwarf fruit trees.

I think the best way to become a gardener is to just do it and let the garden tell you what will work. I hope you enoy my little city garden.

living with that for several years I was ready for a fresh updated look since I spend many hours in this room each day.

each year, but to maintain it throughout the growing season. The photos are from two different years. I prepare the ground by cultivating it with a tiller. I then add miracle grow dirt and mix it in, and I use Miracle Grow Liquid Fertilizer. I do this each year. The landscape logs are two high so I can keep adding dirt. I'm also working with Georgia clay. The mulch allows me easy access to the plants and helps keep the weeds under control. I have the water connected to my sprinkler system. I also use a portable sprinkler at times.

much better and it is those times that make the creative journey so much more FUN!

This project was such a sore spot for me last week.I bought this coffee table form IKEA a few months ago because I just adored the size and shape. I knew I would alter it in some way but.....we had the hurricane,

then Thanksgiving,then Christmas.I kept sitting in the room, trying to decide WHAT to do.

Then I thought, "this shouldn't be this hard." So one day last week, I decided to just paint it in ASCP in French Linen.Then, BM Kendall Charcoal. Then, BM Revere Pewter. Then, ASCP in French Linen again. Do you ever have those days where you just can't seem to get it right?

So I guess it seemed to my 7 year old that I was just a little frustrated:). He said, "mom, you know it took Thomas Edison over 2,000 trys before he got the light bulb right." Phew, I needed that reality check:).

I decided to let it go for a few days. Until...... the "light bulb" went off,

a barnboard table top!