Photoshop Phlamingo

New project

Here is my new refinishing project. Just picked it up on local online classifieds for $40.

Basement reno

We moved into this house in April of 08. At that time the basement was lime green with a dayglo orange accent - very nice! I guess the former owners just used it as a big play area for the kids and decided to let them pick the colours.
Well, thankfully the big stuff was done, wiring, flooring and drywall, so putting our touch on the basement was not as drastic as it might have been in an unfinished space...mostly paint and cosmetic touches.

Here is our nearly finished product. I am searching for 'before' pics just so the previous colour can be "appreciated".
The new colours are Woodlake (grey/brown) and Chipotle (accent) wall. Both C2 colours.
The credenza holding the TV was a great find by Nina at Value Village for 25.00. It was originally a honey oak colour office credenza that I stripped, refinished and replaced the hardware.
We are pretty happy with the outcome. Now we are going to focus on the kids playroom...which as a striking reminder is still lime green!

Ok...enough is enough

This is the view from our basement window. Solid snow, top to bottom. I have nowhere else to put the snow from the driveway either...the snowbanks must be 6 feet tall.

Question: How many days 'til spring? Answer: too many!

Me and Isaac

Le but!

Part of the trip to Pittsburgh this past weekend included a trip to the Igloo to watch the Pens and Habs. It was a pretty entertaining game, with Carey Price stealing the show for me. Montreal pulled it out 3-2.

Fish boy

Not sure when Ben decided he liked water...this is the kid that used to wear goggles in the bath...but this weekend at the hotel he was totally fearless in the pool.

Trip to National Aviary in Pittsburgh

During our 4 days in Pittsburgh, we took the kids to the National Aviary for a visit. It was a little smaller than I imagined, but worth the trip. Here are a few of our favourites.

There were two Golden Eagles at the aviary, by far the most impressive (we thought), absolutely HUGE and magnificent.


This was an Ibis of some sort that I have forgotten, a little ugly but I kinda liked him.


This is an actual Cuckoo. I like this guy too.


This American Flamingo was hilarious. He was quite territorial and tried to intimidate us with his posturing and feather ruffling.

Winter joy with a touch of procrastination

Olivia launches off the deck into the deep snow...and yes that is my wheelbarrow in the background...and now I feel shame.

Oh, and another thing....

After re-examining this shot, I love the look on the male's face as the female gives him the business. I have no idea what he must be feeling...no honey, really,...oh man.

Rare visitors on a snowy day

We had these American Tree Sparrows visit our feeder today. Actually, it was a really good turn out, must be all the snow - we got about 8" today. There were Cardinals, Juncos, Sparrows, Chickadees and of course the loathed Starlings.

Wishlist

Gold Coin Scots Pine

Dragon's Eye Pine

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

Japanese Maple 'Inabe Shidare'

Japanese Maple 'Aconitifolium'


Already starting on my wishlist for next year. I just need to decide whether I want a Japanese influenced woodland garden, or a Woodland influenced Japanese garden. Unfortunately, I have not kept track of where I have compiled all of these photos, so thanks in posterity to those shown here.

The reward

Interesting fact about Chickadees is that they weigh the seeds before choosing which one to eat.

The Yardbirds

Starling swarm

Dark-eyed Junco with sunflower seed

Black Cap Chickadee at peanut feeder

Starling and peanut ball

I really detest these birds as they are such bullies at the feeder, but they are pretty much the only ones that are willing to strike a pose for me.

Me and my Isaac

If you can't beat 'em, feed 'em

Got tired of the squirrels eating all the bird seed so I decided to 'distract' them with the dried corn cobs...let's see how long that lasts.

LOOK OUT!

I love this pic, this poor guy didn't even see it coming!

New hardwood floors

We are so happy with how this turned out. Also, no regrets about having somebody do it for us.

End of season bargains

Was out at my favourite haunt and found this great deal on bamboo. I have been wanting to take the bamboo plunge but the price was always the necessary deterrent. Well, now it is 75% off, so the 69.99 was a lot more tolerable at 17.50! It is phyllostachys bissetti (David Bissetti Bamboo). Has anybody tried this one yet? I have a place for it already but it will have to wait until spring, for now it will winter in the holding tank with all my other end of season bargains.