Today included flowers, a desk, and a fire.

So after having a slight mental break down yesterday...as you may remember I had no project, snow was on the ground, Emily had too much energy and Bryan came home and said the wrong thing...

Bryan tried to make up for it today.

After making caramel rolls for breakfast, Bryan, nonchalantly asked what projects we had in store for the day (uuuuhhh huh - this is code for "I know I was in the total wrong and don't want to say sorry but I want to make up for it").  He asked if we needed to get paint for the nursery, I told him I was "over it".

Okay I was being a brat, but I had just a little time left to stick it to him and had to get one last jab....

So then he moved on to none other than the DESK.  "Should we go to Menard's to get some stripper?"  I took the bait, but also mentioned I wanted to look for Lilly of the Valley to plant in the back yard....

So off the Gerten's we went.  Fabulous garden center. Fabulous.  On a chilly day it was perfect to walk into a warm green house and look at all the beautiful plants.  And a huge plus, it was Spring Days there, and Emily was able to plant her own pansy and take it home for free.  We went with a yellow one, which Emily proceeded to tell everyone she "loved it".

Well, we got some great plant ideas for outside - which needs a little help as well since we didn't get to landscaping last year (we were slightly busy painting our house and nursing Bryan's bum eye).  But it is still a little too cold (and there is still a slight threat of snow - as seen yesterday-boo).

But we shall be back next week since they will be having a petting zoo!!! With baby bunnies - not sure if we are actually going for Emily or more for me....probably me lets not kid ourselves.

So on we went the Menard's for the stripper, Bryan and I are kind of the same mindset.  We know we could probably just sand the desk and putty it up and then paint, but we like to start the right way, and from the beginning.  So the desk finally made its way outside to the garage and has started the process!!!! However, it is slightly frustrating to be banned from my own project.  Bryan wants me no where near the chemicals....fine fine fine.

A few Befores:

So me and Emily picked up all the leaves we (Bryan) had raked up and bagged them.  We also watered the plants and discovered that the Hostas that I split last year made it (Bryan again had to point out that these are hardy plants and it is hard to kill them, but then he remembered it was me, and this was still a big deal).  

Proof that I have not killed my plants yet:

Then out of no where, Bryan suggested that we go buy a fire pit/bowl.  I have been wanting one FOREVER to burn sticks.  I know I know, so utilitarian (there I go again with the big words- just call me a genius) but I wanted to get rid of all the sticks in my yard and all the limbs I had cut of my bushes.  Don't really need a fire bowl to sit around and feel all romantic - and I can't sit and have a beer yet so, the utilitarian factor wins out on this one.

Of course I jumped at the chance.  And within the hour I had a fire in my backyard and had a moment were I thought camping would be so much fun... then I realized that it would be cold at night and the ground is not really a soft place to sleep. Moment of insanity passed quite quickly after that realization.  So I will be sticking with my fire bowl for the "outdoors" experience.

So all in all today was a much better day.  My yard looks tons better, leaves bagged up and sticks gone.  Purple desk project started, and I have a pansy on my kitchen table planted by Emily - life could only get better if a laundry fairy showed up right about now....