New Grill

Sunday Austin was ready to go get his grill! (a gift from his parents!) We headed to Home Depot, had great service, and bought the grill Austin had had his eye on/been researching – yay!

The new grill in its new home

We want to replace the bench with a small table/chairs so when he grills he'll have some company! After this pic was taken he cut back the branches a bit


We were so excited to start grilling! This grill was our favorite because of this red heating whereby it cooks evenly, and easy clean up (It has a 'clean' button that turns it all to ash then you just dump it). I liked it because it has a burner on the left so I could cook a side out there, and because it's cute! We got a great price (guy even gave us $25 off in store), and we got a cover for it which is good as it's rained every day since we got it. We were able to grill some shrimpies and chicken last night and they were SO good. Can't wait to use the grill even more - thanks, Paul & Michelle!

Chop 'Em Down... Chop 'Em Down...

Before (note the for sale sign during March 2009)

After (and exactly 1 year later; March 2010)

Close up

Close up of the two!

I'm pretty happy! Stacy says, "it looks like your house got its eyebrows waxed." I totally agree, and I think it's like a haircut, it takes some getting used to! Devon agrees, we definitely need to remove that bush "the gum drop" in the front by itself looking all random.

My only complaint? I asked for 6' tall. It's on the quote. These seem 5' to me... I know that may seem picky, but that's like 15% shorter... I'm going to measure tonight when Austin gets home...

What do you think?

Let There be Lights

Austin's little lights came out great! He said to let them get even more light he's going to cut those bushes back this weekend! Either way - they worked out great at the party and i'm so happy we have them!

They look like bridesmaids here. hehe


And here they are in context...


Yay!!

And Another One Down: Outdoor Lighting

Austin had gone to Home Depot and Lowe's to find solar outdoor lights. But there was like no in between - either $20 for 6 (plastic, low-quality ones that got bad reviews online) OR $100 for 2. Um, no.

So Austin mentioned Frontgate in Phipps- a super nice outdoor store. He heard they had reasonably priced outdoor lighting from his friend Phil (they're doing some sort of outdoor challenge or something - they both bought houses around the same time - boy shit).

We looked online and found a set of six Arlington Solar path lights for only $130. They come in a bronze finish, they're glass not plastic and stainless steel. We really liked them! So we called and they didn't have it in stock but the store manager was so apologetic that they're sending them to us - free shipping - to be here by Thursday at the latest - WOO! And guess what?! As I was checking out they showed up as 20% off - some 20-year anniversary special! So they'll be here for FREE for only $110!! Here's the item online. Here's some pics. I'll take some of them once they're in the backyard!

Here's the style...


Here's the color we chose...


Hope you like! Can't wait to get these out in the yard. Will also help us keep an eye on Reuben!

Take it Outside

I'm ready to start working on the outoors!! I want it to be cute and kinda funky. I'm going to start looking for ideas soon. In the meantime, what do you think about me painting the baker's rack (soon-to-be spice rack) red??!!! Tell me if you think it's crazy... for some reason i'm thinking it's the best idea ever!