Linda {Calling it Home} 1/30/13 Linda {Calling it Home} 1/30/13

Garden Planning

January and February are the perfect time for me (and the rest of the world) to make ambitious gardening plans. I am far enough away form the grueling summer heat to not remember how hot and sticky it can be working outside. A poor memory and a cold winter are definitely dangerous for summer project planning.... not to mention the endless garden catalogs that continue to arrive on a weekly basis.
Since I am determined to to transform my current vegetable garden into the Kitchen Garden of my dreams

via Pinterest

I just purchased this book, American Grown - The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden.
American Grown

I continue to be impressed by the design and beauty of this garden.

I don't think I need my lettuce this decorative, but then again....the President isn't coming over to my house.

My dog loves to be in my garden, too. In fact he loves to eat vegetables :-/

Do you have any ambitious garden plans? Any garden plans at all?

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/26/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/26/12

Home Goals Review....Post of Shame

Clearly, last January when I posted my 2012 Home Goals.....I was feeling quite optimistic. Needless to say, I over promised and under delivered.
Let's review, and then I will set myself up again!
1). Finish my dining room....I did that one.

You can see more of it here.
2). The All White Foyer.....BIG FAIL. I still haven't done that one. You must be sick of hearing about it. I have devoted an entire Pinterest board to it. Pick an image...any image

White walls, colorful rug, dark banister....I want one.
3). Adding a gallery wall to my upstairs hallway.....BIG FAIL. Didn't happen, enough said. Here was the inspiration for that one.

4) Finish my master bedroom...I did that one.

You can see more of it here.
Finally #5). A Potager Garden.....BIG FAIL. I also have an entire Pinterest board for that one, too. Again, pick an image....any image. Pea gravel paths, raised beds and a white fence.

This is the current state of my vegetable garden.

Now doesn't this make you feel better about your own goals?
Tomorrow, I will state my new 2013 Home Goals. Are you setting goals for 2013?

Linda {Calling it Home} 1/8/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 1/8/12

Home Goals

I thought I would take a moment....so that 11 months from now....I could look back and feel great about my attempts, successes, and learning opportunities that my 2012 Home Goals provided. AND, Heeeeeeeeeeeere they are, In no particular order

Finish my dining room. My dining room is the first room you see when you enter my home. I started it years ago, and just lost focus. Recently, I asked your opinion on color combinations for my dining room. Well, come back on January 18th for more on this room! Here is my pinsperation for that room

A farm table with white chairs

Elle Decor

A custom cornice, pagoda shaped I think?

Source

The all white foyer. I have had this on my mind since last April. In fact, last November, I was still ~~torturing myself~~ dreaming over it! This is the year! Here is my pinspiration for that one

House Beautiful

As long as I am thinking of hallways, I want to make a gallery wall. It would be for the upstairs hallway. I am not as clear on this....so I will continue to ~~stalk~~ scour the net looking for more ideas. This is what I am thinking thus far

MyDesignChic via pinterest

Next on the list, my master bedroom....well....it is not the retreat that it should be. Why? Exactly!! Time for that to change. When we did our renovation, we did not put baseboard moldings in two spots....because that is where the built-ins will go, of course. It has been four years and counting! I have not begun to focus on this. I would love images of your favorite bedrooms if you have any to share!

My last for the list, but certainly not my least important...The Potager Garden. It was my very first post, last spring. I have longed to revamp my existing vegetable garden. I was sure that I would have accomplished this last Fall. Well, Mother Nature had other plans. Two inspirational photos for this one

It's Complicated via Hooked on Houses

Sunset

Here are five BIG projects that I intend on attempting in 2012. Of course, there will be endless little projects...that will probably become much BIGGER than expected! Isn't that the life of a serial DIY-er? Did you make a list for just the home? I'd love to know what's on it.

****Linking to The Nester*****

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/6/11 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/6/11

Sarah Raven

I love gardening. I have been planning a Potager Garden for quite some time. I was certain that this Fall, I would be able to revamp my garden. Sadly, the weather and time did not agree. So, I am back to planning for next Spring. About 12 years ago, I discovered this book

The Bold & Brilliant Garden, by Sarah Raven. To this day, it is one of my very favorite and inspiring garden references. Sarah approaches her floral arrangements and gardening like a designer. Her designs are focused on scale, textue, colors and scent. I'm sure your local library has this!

Next came this book

The Cutting Garden, by Sarah Raven. This book tells you how to organize your garden so that you will always have beautiful flowers to bring inside.

...now, with the internet....you can just go to Sarah's page. She lives in England, so zoning for growth will be different. However, if you love to look at images like these

It is worth the click over. If you garden, where do you get your inspiration?

Linda {Calling it Home} 8/24/11 Linda {Calling it Home} 8/24/11

Fall Gardening Projects

Fall is the perfect time to plant and transplant. Since I did not get enough gardening time in this season, I want to make sure I maximize Fall. Some of the things I would like to get accomplished...

Transform this....

into this

A Potager garden!

In the Fall, I also like to plant or transplant roses. Many people write that roses don't like to be transplanted...well, it can be tricky. Here's how I look at it; If I can't live with the current location of a plant, try transplanting. Either way, that plant will no longer be in the wrong location....and hopefully, success will be achieved.

This is my rose selection