outdoor space is easy. Follow these 3 stepsand you'll never want to go inside again!

but I am "spring cleaning" and I do have plans to do something with that pallet, don't worry :) I am wanting a path roughly the size of the gate door (about 4 ft) and 24-28 ft long, it will gradually turn towards where the stack of chairs are. There I will need to build a small retaining wall I know but for now I just desperately need to address this entryway. I am unfortunately unable to rent heavy machinery or spend very much money so it will have to be done mostly with good old fashioned elbow grease (and I'm sure a little blood, a lot of sweat and hopefully just a few tears) Any and all ideas and advice are greatly appreciated! Help!!!

that have inspired me for both indoor and outdoor uses of different types and sizes of barrels. I would love to get my hands on more for some possible wedding decorations... You can check out my blog at the link below to view the rest of the photos.

use our herb beds here at home for recipe developing, testing, personal use and just to try different herbs that we are not familiar with

. About 4 years ago we planted Mugwort. And let's just say I have been trying to eliminate since then! LOL This herb makes mint look docile and non-aggressive! It has a very pretty varigated leaf. But, once you plant it, it will take over! And replant itself everywhere! It also grows pretty tall and bushes out. So, if you ever decided to grow Mugwort, know that you can hack away at and it just comes back.

Mugwort was used in cooking to add a bitter taste to fats and meats. Before hops came along, it was used to make beer. It was a big medicial herb in Asian medicine. It produces a toxic oil when concentrated and used in large quanities over a prologed time. Pregnant women want to avoid it. And quite frankly, I am trying to avoid it by getting rid of it because Mugwort pollen is one of the main sources of hay fever and allergic asthma in the USA.

So, today I have been really working at pulling it all out. I will have to stay on top of this plant areas because new little sprouts seem to come from no where quickly!

For more info on this herb, check out Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugwort

environment, pocketbook and clothing, and now I finally have one.

My laundry room is right off my kitchen and on hot days I can really heat up the house if I'm feeling particularly domestic (okay, so maybe it doesn't happen very often, but the point is that it does happen). While I finally have a main floor laundry, I don't have direct access to the backyard without trekking through the basement. It was my husband who suggested a deck-sized line might work, and that was the all the urging I needed to locate a small 20 foot retractable line for about $13.00 at Home Depot. They also carry a 40 foot version for under $20.00.

The line was super easy to install and is small enough to stay unobtrusive (unless it's strung out across your tiny deck with swimwear pinned along it). I was so excited to hang my laundry on the line for the first time, no matter how it looked (thankfully the neighbors don't have a clear view). Maybe it's because I know it's a great alternative to heated drying or because I can't help but think of my Nannie and her old clothesline; but for whatever reason, it makes me smile. . . and this is laundry we're talking about.

Americana to inspire and charm you! (more at the blog link)

click #htlucketts for the full series

- - - - -

Which of these features speaks to you the most?

Is there anything you could implement into your own home from this group?