Landscaping 101: Pavers

I have visions for how I want to landscape my front, back and side yards. I have a pretty small plot of land, but feel fortunate that the previous owners left me a blank slate.

I am trying to be realistic about what I will be able to manage this spring/summer, and one thing I absolutely want to do is remove part of the sidewalk that extends into my backyard and create a small patio for my grill.

I know I for sure what to use pavers/grass, but there are so many options.

I love the cut out for plants used in this one.

via RO/LU on Flickr

I love the use of Blue Star Creeper between the stones in this one.

via Alfred's English Gardens

I thought I wanted honeycomb pavers, but now I'm realizing they might be more difficult to install and provide an uneven surface for the grilling station.

Gardening 101: Starting Seeds

We are promised loads of rain in New York this weekend, which normally isn't the best of news, but this time it means all the snow in my yard will finally melt! That means it's time to prep the gardening ventures for 2010.

Toilet Roll Seed-Starters

via You Grow Girl

Newspaper Seed-Starter Pot

via Design*Sponge

Egg Carton Seed Starter

via Instructables

Here is a list of herbs & veggies I plan on growing this year. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!

• Dill
  
• Mint
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Sage
  

• Brussel Sprouts
• Tomatoes (variety)
• Zucchini
  
• Summer Squash

And if I have room, but I don't think I will:

• Beets
• Turnips
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Cauliflower
  

Tord Boontje

I must have at least one of these Until Dawn curtains by Tord Boontje. I would like it for the upstairs bathroom, but the space is very small and it would compete too much with my shower curtain, which I love and don't want to take down.

So the other options are to put it in my office, or to put it in the library, which someday will become into the "Adventurers Club" room.

However, I'm a little nervous about how Tyvek will look and why is white on white $65 extra? Ugh, I guess I won't get one - I don't want black or lilac.

Beacon Weekend: Spring Cometh

This weekend Abe and I went bowling twice. Friday night we were having dinner at Max's on Main St. when Abe said to me "I kind of want to go bowling." So did I.

Saturday morning Colleen arrived and we headed outside to enjoy the beautiful day. We took Colleen to Walkway Over the Hudson. She was pretty scared, but we walked the 2 miles back and forth, and even used the telescope thingy. I am very proud of her.

On our way home we stopped at Halftime - it's this crazy beer store that has every beer in the world. It was really fun.

Saturday night we brought Colleen, Margot and Matt to Cosmic Bowl - Colleen is good, but she's no stranger to a bowling alley. Margot & Matt have only bowled a couple times in their lives and they totally kicked ass. And, finally, the guy that runs the place acknowledged me & Abe and invited us to join a league.

After bowling we went home for to hang out and had ourselves some French fried potatoes with a fixins bar.

On Sunday I went for a walk by the river and enjoyed the spring-like weather.

Shop Update: New Sloucho bags!

Gold Shimmer Sloucho Bag with Black Bunny Rabbit, $15
This one is being made in limited quantities for Easter. Skip the ol' wicker Easter basket this year and fill this bunny Sloucho bag with candy and chocolate.

Silver Sloucho Bag with Black Stallions, $15

Midnight Blue Sloucho Bag with Gold Stallions, $15