Backyard Contest Begins!!

The Spring/Summer 2012 Backyard Contest has officially begun!

Like any good project, ..say oh...a Backyard Reno Project,..this contest will have 3 parts:

1. The Plan/Budget

2. The Implementation

3. The End Product and Follow Up

Each week for the next 3 weeks I will introduce each new stage of the contest, starting today with Part One...the all important first step.

It's really quite simple....in order for the Contest to "activate" the Rustic Retrievals Facebook Fan page "Budget" needs to reach 50 "Likes" by Friday June 8, 2012.

The Plan to help keep on track to this 'Budget', is for all of you to keep sharing Rustic Retrievals' Facebook updates, Blog entries, Retweeting tweets etc etc ....encourage your friends and followers to drop by our page, hit "Like" and they too can become part of the contest.

Some Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Pinterest and Instagram followers have already earned 'earlybird ballots' and I will continue to track each and every "Share", "Like", "Retweet", "Comment" etc.....

Each time you do so, you will receive a ballot for when the contest goes "live" and we'll begin giving away some great (and I mean GREAT) summertime, backyard and rustic themed prizes!

Best of luck to you all!!

RR

A Wee Teaser....

Rustic Retrievals will be having a Backyard Contest to kick off the Spring and Summer Season!

Details will be released via this Blog and the RR Facebook page later in the week. Keep checking back for details on how to win ballots to win some great prizes to help get your spring/summer decorating and entertaining season going!

Want to get an early jump on ballots!?! Simply click on the photo above, "Like" the Rustic Retrievals page and your name will be entered! To then win a second ballot....simply "Share" the contest teaser blog with your followers!

GOOD LUCK!!!

RR

Thanks Mom.....

My Mom really is my best friend.....

Thanks so much Mom....for always having my hand, helping me stand tall and move forward...

Some pictures from the past few months that remind me of her....

Mother's Day Bouquet...I wish I could give her one everyday!

Picking paint colours for Mom and Dad's new home....we had them spread out everywhere!

Mom and I went for a drive...and had to stop and 'chat' with these guys..

Some of our finds after a day of antiquing and 'auctioning'...

A day at the beach with Mom this Spring.....such a great day! Thank you for the memories Mom!! Love you always...xoxo RR

Outdoor Living...

I spent my evening cutting the grass, weeding, watering plants...and letting my mind wander about landscaping possibilities...

I have so many ideas running through my mind about what I want to do with them...patios, extend the deck, fencing, raised beds, flagstone pathways, perennials....the possibilities are endless.

I then got out my measuring tape and let the brainstorming begin. I also made a few trips to local landscape stores to begin getting a sense for costs and what is available.

These photos from BHG and H&H are my inspirational starting points for my landscaping and yard plans.


   
Love the raised beds and built-in bench...makes it feel like an outdoor room! The fence below is exactly what I plan on installing...clean, simple lines.
























Tulips, greenery and flagstone....gorgeous combination.


The crisp white and sharp texture of the gravel are a great combination...definitely something to consider!






















What is there not to love about this room...great seating areas, shade and sun, mix of greenery, a variety of tones and textures.....this is definitely the feel I want for my back yard!

RR

Saturday Morning....

After enjoying sleeping in (haven't done that for a while...does 8am count as sleeping in?), the sunshine drew me outside for a walk on this bright but chilly morning.
I'm very lucky to live in an older, established neighbourhood with gorgeous big trees, amazing gardens, wonderful people, rolling parks.. and what better way to spend a morning then to get outside and enjoy it!

This was the sky this morning...wispy clouds with the sun peaking through...there were even a few sundogs.



This is one of my neighbours' gardens....years and years of work have obviously gone into their yard and home...beautiful!










This is a tree filled ravine in a park just a few minutes away...Charlie and I spend a lot of time here, enjoying the greenspace.







This tree bark just asks for you to reach out and touch/feel it! The texture is something only nature could produce!










After my walk I was craving a latte.....so home I went to make myself one....











I'm now sitting here on the couch, enjoying my mug of warm, frothy goodness, looking through Pinterest for some more inspiration for my bac yard design/decor. I'm also delaying the inevitable....cleaning, laundry, putting together a 'gazebo'......typical Saturday tasks..

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

RR

Lake Life...

Spring is now here (well almost...no more snow please!) and it will be May next week. Before we know it, summer will be upon us and I am determined to not let it fly by like it did last year! There will be beach days, cottages, lakes, boats, sand, etc etc this summer....

Growing up in Southern Ontario, we were lucky enough to have ready access to the Great Lakes, more specifically Lake Huron, and I also spent many summers in Northern Ontario on Lake of the Woods. There is just something about being near water..I can spend hours just sitting on the rocks, listening, smelling, and watching all of the the sounds, smells and movement of the lake. The sunrises, the sunsets...they're literally unmatched anywhere else!

I'm still working on a plan to one day own a cottage....and looking at these pictures keeps me focused on that goal!



Charlie enjoying a Port Elgin Sunset

Port Elgin Harbour



Lake Huron Sunset near Goderich Out for a walk after sunset - Port Elgin Point Clark - St. Patrick's Day 2012 One final Lake Huron Sunset..... Storm Bay Road - Lake of the Woods Nothing really compares to a Northern Ontario Lake... Make sure you take the time to get outside and enjoy. There is so much inspiration to draw from the outdoors...but especially from being by the lake! RR

Time flies by...

It has been an absolutely crazy month...I don't even know where to begin!

I have been travelling the province with work ...I really enjoy that aspect of my job but there are times I almost forget what my house looks like.

The Spring flowers and colours keep inspiring me...and always bring a smile to my face! My tulips are ALMOST blooming...sooo close!

Even though the weather had been perking up, I came down with quite a bug over a week ago and am still fighting it off...I actually caved and went to the doctor (which I hate to do)....but I'm finally feeling much better.

I have been on a bit of a shopping kick lately too :S My wallet hates me but I have made some GREAT finds...both in items and services.

Here are some pics from my past few weeks:


My dining room table with some fresh, spring tulips...



I really, really want this buffet from Wood Haven Furniture in Guelph...


Some recent purchases from Blush in Guelph....a gal can never have too many shoes or purses!


Some Easter flowers....cute yet rustic in their little apothocary type bottles/basket.


Forsythia bushes in Spring....such a great pop of yellow!



Three .....an amazing new salon and spa in Guelph....I spent an afternoon pampering myself with the wonderful gals who work there!


My oh so handsome Charlie.... he turned 7 in March...I can't believe it!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Spring....

RR

What a week :)

This has been an absolutely fantastic week! It was extremely productive both personally and professionally! This Kate Spade poster best summarizes how I am feeling today:

I have been working on my "To Do" list for both short term and long term goals. I will completely admit...some of my long term goals/dreams are 'scarey'...but for all the right reasons! They will challenge me...keep moving me forward..and I know that when I achieve them (not if) I will be able to look back on all the hard work that went into them and be proud!

I know that something like 'travelling more' may seem like a bit of a strange goal to some people....but it is a goal/dream of mine! I have truly caught the 'travel bug' the past few years as I have the memories made during the trips I have taken, far out weigh any material item I could purchase. There are so many places I want to see in this world..and, I will!

I have printed this last image and placed it in my day book! If you follow these steps...be productive, always continue to learn, live with purpose and always continue to grow as a person...I really do believe you will live the fullest life you can!

I hope you all had a great week and that your goals/dreams remain on track to realization!

RR

**images from Pinterest

Spring Forward

The sunshine and unbelievably fantastic temperatures today made it very, very difficult to be in the office today. As soon as I could tear myself away, I headed home, took Charlie for a longggg walk (and a swim or 2 in his case) and then.....it was time.......time to finally put away the outdoor winter decor. So long showshoes, sleds, greenery....and time to keep my fingers crossed that the bulbs I planted last fall have not been all whisked away by our ever so prevalent squirrel population!

I already have a few tulips popping through and there are buds on most of my perennials....I now just have to stay patient and wait for Spring to "pop"!  In the meantime and in anticipation of the explosion of colours to come....here are some images to tide us all over.

I have been filling my home with tulips, lilacs, daffodils and daisies the past few weeks and I'm really looking forward to finally seeing the outdoors come back to life, in full colour.

Have you started your garden planning yet? I am hoping to put up a privacy fence and raised beds along the back of my yard as well as continue to add to my hosta beds.

Were you able to get your bulbs in last fall to enjoy over the next few months? I went with a white theme and bought a wide variety of tulips. I can't wait to see them in full bloom!

I hope you all have a chance to get outside and enjoy the amazing weather we are supposed to have over the next week or so...and like I said the beginning of the week.."get off your butt and do what you love"!!

RR

*images from Pinterest

Monday Motivation Continued...

Your 'kick butt' thought for the day......

Get out there and do what you love!!

Hope you had a great Monday!.....

RR