I have designated May to be the month that I take care of things around the house, both inside and out. The garden is desperately in need of weeding, I have a few plants to put in and a few to move around. Must set up for watering as the pots are getting dry between rains. April was NOT as wet as the complainers would like to say it was. When the garden is drooping in April this is a not a good omen for the summer months.

I have some lavender, thyme, and some chrysanthemums and something I can’ remember that need to go in ASAP but must weed first. Some ice plants need to relocate to the front of the beds. The columbine are finally blooming after three years of waiting, they were planted from seed.

Inside I have plans for lightening up the mood. My little place is a duplex but it is also a cottage. Built in the 1940’s there is real pine wainscoting. The bedroom has a pine closet and the cupboards in the kitchen are also pine as are the built ins. Lots of pretty honey colored wood. I have wall to wall carpet in a dark rich green. Very pretty. But my furniture when I moved in was in dark reds and greens and overall the place is just too dark. I have a plan to change that.

Over the course of the rest of spring, summer, and early fall I plan on doing a lot of painting of furniture in pale yellows, greens, and cream. Lots of work. New curtains went in last night and will take a bit getting used to as the rest of the place is still dark. All accents need to lighten up. Table top linens need to be made as well…

The List

• Mantle cloth
• Paint coffee table
• Paint window bookshelves
• Paint jimmy buffet
• Curtains for bedroom

Regarding painting I’m in a quandry. I tend to always get mad at people who paint woodwork and vintage and antique wood furniture. But all of my furniture is dark wood. All of it. All of it (with two exceptions) is vintage/antique. And I want to paint it! I am just so tired of the darkness in my place. I need to sit on my hands for awhile in this case. I think what I really want is to paint the stuff I can’t paint, like the pine paneling and the brick fireplace. What to do…