Don’t tell Eric I said this, but I think he’s going to have a psychotic break - over weeds! Because we were in Nebraska last week we had to leave the yard in-process, which meant it stood all week in a sort of “chaotic state” (the neighbors however, might say that our yard is trashy). Never leave your yard half-ripped-up. The weeds had babies while we were away, and they had babies, and they had babies. I had no idea so many weeds could start and mature in one short week. Our yard is now the trashiest looking place in the neighborhood. All we’d need to do is throw a few tires in the middle to really create that backwoods feeling. I think Eric is taking the day off tomorrow ‘cause he is beside himself with frustration about the yard. Today he said, “I wish I had a bobcat and a huge dumpster, I’d rip everything out and start all over.”

This is not related to the houseblog at all, but I had to show you these hip toys! We don’t have kids, but I’m saving this link for future gift ideas. These adorable and quirky vintage inspired toys are from Mahar Drygoods.

Well, I haven’t written much this week because we were visiting our homestate — Nebraska. And, of course, our ranch was never far from our minds, and we spent some time driving around neighborhoods in Lincoln and Omaha looking for ideas. However, instead of getting ideas, we were sidetracked by how CHEAP (beautiful, old, remodeled) homes are in the midwest. For example, while driving around in the Dundee area in Omaha, our favorite neighborhood, we found a beautiful home, completely remodeled, built in the 1920’s, with full basement, 12x20 shop, and 1500 square feet (not including basement) for only $208,000! There is no doubt that if that same home in the same condition were in Corvallis, it would be about $500,000. It was beautiful, and had a wonderful moorish front door.

But, we won’t be leaving Corvallis. As one of our friends said, “It’s worth the price of admission.” Eric could never live more than 60 minutes from kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, and mountain biking. And I just like the people of Corvallis. They’re so laid back. For example, I’ve never seen a person in Corvallis wearing a suit from 8-5 (unless they were doing an interview). And, I like the way every lawn in Corvallis is so different from the lawn next door (unless of course there is a crew that takes care of every lawn in the neighorhood). I like that one lawn is terraced, the next is grass, the next is wildflowers, etc. In the midwest it seems that every lawn looks just like the lawn next door (of course the tree varieties differ). I like variety. I think people like expressing their individuality with their lawns in Corvallis and much of Oregon.

Well, let us know what you’ve been up to while we’ve been away! We like hearing from our readers!!

Thought you might be interested in the bouncy chairs available for sale from Plow & Hearth. I’ve been looking for awhile, and these are the cheapest ones I’ve found at only $29! And they have some in red!!

It’s official. I love Amy Butler Fabrics! Every single fabric is wonderful! The only glitch is a lot of them have green as the dominant color…and you know how I feel about green, I just don’t like it. However, I think I like the Belle collection in Earth & Sky. I think these fabrics would make some great combos in the bedroom…a duvet cover, bed pillows, roman blinds, etc. I can see it now. And Napery yellow by Sherwin Williams on the walls.