So Not Fun.

Warning.. There isn't a lot of pretty in this post. I'll get there eventually!

Last year when I finished scraping my shed, I swore it was the last time I'd scrape anything. What a messy, labor intensive job. But alas, I'm at it again. The front porch needs a major overhaul and I'm trying to do it on a budget. Yesterday I spent a good couple of hours scraping the lose 70 year old paint off the ceiling and trim. Then, I vacuumed the mess only to be told that I had a lot more scraping to do! :) So I guess I'm back at it today. I'd like to get a good coat of primer on it this week.
Here's a peek at my hard work:)

The rest of the makeover will include new steps, handrail and floorboards.

Not so pretty!

And of course lots of paint, and some fun finishing touches. I think my mailman will be happy if I get a mailbox.. I've heard they aren't crazy for mail slots. Anyone have any good sources for nice house numbers?

I also got the notion, yesterday, to put in a garden in the back yard. The back corner was a mess of weeds and long forgotten rose bushes. I dug it out out and added a forsythia bush, an arctic willow and a clematis plant.

Before (or kinda half way thru):

 After:

There is room for more but I'll move some plants, that I'd like to divide, into it this fall. It was more work than I anticipated and I was eaten alive but it was strangely satisfying at the same time!

Plus, look how well my window boxes are doing! I'm pretty happy with them!