Oh, the sweet anticipation of a potential project

On any given day in our home there are AT LEAST two projects in progress and undoubtedly one or two in the pipeline. That's how we roll. The home we bought in early 2001 was a fixer (picture authentic red shag carpet throughout paired with a myriad of odd oil cloth wall papers and DARK paneling everywhere the wallpaper wasn't), so once we brought her to the right era an official obsession was born.
Hubby and I love building things, coming up with our own unique ideas, refinishing, refurbishing, making the old pretty and new, or pulling off a really good hack. So, this journey of projects has often resulted in some pretty nifty stuff. And perhaps the biggest win to come out of our project love is how comfortable our 5 year old is with wielding a tool and can fix or mend his toys without batting an eyelash. I have no doubt his baby brother will have that same level of comfort with a good project.
This week's project is springifying our HUGE window box. Two years ago we replaced the original box that was deteriorating and quickly becoming an eyesore. Not wanting to shell out the house-payment sized price tag for a new custom box we opted to build our own. I'm very proud.
I cannot stand to see this huge window box sit empty and dull all winter so I use evergreen sprigs, swags and berries (some real, some not) to add some color and life until Spring arrives.
This year we've had some unseasonably cold nights leaving us unable to plant anything. Well, we are ready...
I've searched for inspiration for this year's box (which is fully shaded by our enormous maple tree) on Pinterest and this is what I'm loving: full, bright green plants, trailing vines and deep, bright purple flowers that pop all mounded together to create a major statement. Usually I'm a symmetry girl but this year I'm liking the slightly off, non traditional window box. So here's what we created...can't wait to see it grow!

The beginning

It's all gotta start somewhere. For me, it was about finding the right parking spot for all the thoughts, ideas and randomness swirling around in my head.
This is it.
JUST DANDELIONS.
I chose the title for several reasons. One, I've always loved play-on words. Two: I have fond memories of picking dandelions as a child. My boys adore doing this very childhood pastime as well. From our oldest I constantly receive bouquets of adoration (which despite its weed classification, I cherish) in the form of the bright yellow...er, flower, when in season. And no matter what we are doing, if that boy spots a dandelion that has gone to seed he absolutely cannot resist plucking, wishing & blowing the snow white loveliness. When once I asked him why he "needed to get every single one" he replied, "because we have to! We have to spread the seeds!"
Oh what truth lies in that innocent statement of a five year old. It struck me down deep, in so many ways.
Which leads me to the third and final reason for this "dandy" blog title. You see, in almost everything I do in my adult life, these beautiful boys of ours are the heart and soul of my inspiration. From the beautifully peaceful nurseries my hubby and I created to working into the wee hours of many a morning to complete one of my infamous projects all to see smiles on their faces. This is why. They are children for such a short time and I believe with my whole heart that they should have every joy and we should be able to regain our own childhood joy in small glimpses from theirs. What child doesn't love to pluck a dandelion from its earth and give it to one they love or gently blow on it and watch it glide through the air? Our oldest son never forgets to pluck one for me to make a wish on...it's a simple but beautiful moment for me.

This blog is about everything I like. It's about my passions, my projects, my loves. It's about doing what I enjoy and sharing it all around.

Thanks for visiting,
Lynn