Tuesday, June 11, 2013

PBC Survives Another Waterspout

We were expecting some pretty heavy rains yesterday evening here in Southern Maryland, and boy did we get them. Around 8:30pm the thick clouds finally gave way and drenched Colton's Point. Just as I was making my way to the bedroom to read I asked Bubba to mute the TV because it was the loudest rain I'd ever heard in my life. And then it sounded like the porch was going to rip off, and I'm pretty sure the house was shaking/rattling. We flipped on the local news stations and saw that we had a tornado watch in full effect. I got nervous and wanted to head to the guest room in the center of the house, but withing minutes the howling and rattling stopped and the rain slowed down.

We never lost power or had any other cause for concern. But then I got a couple of worried text messages and phone calls and started to wonder if the rest of the neighborhood had seen something we didn't. Luckily, it wasn't much, and there was very minimal damage, but it appears that a waterspout did make it's way down the top half of Point Breeze Rd. and across the Point onto Beach Rd. You can read about it on the local fire departments website, HERE.

I quickly snapped a few pictures as I left for work this morning:

Beach Rd.

Top of Point Breeze Rd.

Top of Point Breeze Rd. (if you head straight ahead in this photo, you'll be on beach Rd.)

Top of Point Breeze Rd.

Top of Point Breeze Rd.

The only damage we sustained: My garden decor/bird, who had been sitting on my porch railing, fell to the ground.  Honestly, I think this so-called spout shot off into the River once it got down in front of our house, so we were pretty lucky!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Birthday Wishes!


A very happy birthday shout-out to our first nephew, Jacob, who turned 5 years old today! 
You are smart, thoughtful, an excellent big brother, and we just LOVE you so much!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Cottage Improvement Chronicles: Flower Garden UPDATE

A little less than a month ago, I shared the story of our "Dead Shed" with you, as well as our plans for the revitalization of the spot where it lived. To make a long story short, we have an UGLY spot in our backyard that needs to be made pretty. Easy enough, right? Right...

So, we've cleared the spot, tilled it up, bordered it with old bricks and drift wood, planted wild flower seed, and are waiting not-so-patiently for the first signs of "bloomage". In the meantime, I decided that it needed just a little something else to make it a true oasis for the wildlife in our backyard. A bird bath! Yep, that's what it needed, it would add height to the space and give all the wandering birds a place to cool down.

After a little browsing, I realized that a decent bird bath is not cheap. And then it hit me, why would I buy a new bird bath, when everything else in the garden was a DIY project constructed out of things and materials that we already had? I decided I'd make my own bird bath...While perusing Pinterest one day, I stumbled across the cutest idea for a home made bird bath from Eclectically Vintage...



I mean, seriously, how adorable is this set up?! It got my juices flowing, and I rummaged through our cluttered garage in search of an old step ladder, the bottom pieces of a couple flower pots, and some smooth stones.

Stones? Check...we use to collect sea glass and unique rocks from the beach in a basket on the front porch, and I had a baggie of store-bought stone left-over from my boot rack project a couple months ago.

Flower Pot Holders (I'm sure there is a real name for these things, and I just don't know it...)? Check! I couldn't believe my luck, something told me to peak under the back deck and there sat two perfectly sized plates from pots in a pretty sea-foam green and your typical stone color. Thank you, former landlord...

Old Step Ladder? Negative. But I did find an old work bench, a weather worn stump, a big plastic barrel that I bought last year from Lowes that was filled with flowers, and a vintage plant stand left by the landlord that I had spray painted and kept on the porch. Not as rustic or cute as the step ladder, but hey, it all worked for me!

After some serious placement and replacement of all the pieces, I finally found a set-up that I was satisfied with. I even found a cute little bird decor piece from a yard sale to complete the DIY project. It's certainly not as cute as the pictures and inspiration I found on Pinterest, but I'm REALLY hoping that once the wild flowers come up it will look nice and give the birds a save haven.



Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Memorial Day Weekend 2013

In the working world, Memorial Day is one of the most anticipated holidays on the books. It ends the Holiday drought from February to May and almost always guarantees good weather. With all of the cookouts and parties, it's easy to forget about the meaning and memory behind the holiday, remembering all of those who gave their lives in the Armed Forces for OUR freedom. I have a lot of family and friends who serve(d) in our country's military, and I am lucky enough to say that I do not actually know anyone who has given their life in the line of duty. Thank God, because there are so many others out there who have lost their loved ones to war.

I spent the long weekend with those I love, playing with my pup, taking a trip to the park with my sweet niece and nephews, and enjoying my yard/home.

Several months ago, my sister encouraged us all to buy MLB tickets to the Nationals vs. Orioles game on Memorial Day itself. My Dad is an avid baseball fan (that's an understatement actually) and his birthday was the day after Memorial Day, so we used his birthday as an excuse to go to the game. Unfortunately, the big guy is having surgery on his foot this week, and needed to work on Monday and couldn't come to the game. Even though it wasn't the same without his constant critique and commentary, we had a blast. My husband and I bought his ticket and gave it to my father-in-law for Fathers Day.

The weather was warm, the seats were great, and the kindness and thought that the Nationals organization showed for those lost in war for Memorial Day was inspiring!

Bubs and I, cheering for the O's!

Enjoying the game, and an Orioles lead.

My sister, Marci, and I went down to the front row to watch warm ups. Chris Davis, the Orioles slugger and first baseman, spotted our O's jerseys in a sea of Nats gear and tossed us two warm up balls followed by a kind smile and salute. *swoon*

Free American flags when you entered the park.

Marci, my mom, and myself taking in Nationals Park.

Before the game started, a different starting line-up took the field. A military widow made her way to the pitchers mound, and all of the other positions were filled with children who lost a parent to war, accompanied by a military sponsor. *tear*

Curb Appeal Pt.II

I just wanted to share a few more pictures of the cottage's curb appeal this year. The weather has finally started to warm up, and everything is in full bloom!




I'm always sharing pictures from the front of the house, so I thought I'd switch it up a bit.

 
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