spring at home

if you would have asked me ten years ago about gardening, I probably would have laughed out loud.  gardening, what is that?  and me, no, not going to happen any time soon.  in my first years of teaching, I always got my pink slip due to california being in a major budget situation.  and every year, the school I was leaving would give me the obligatory plant goodbye.  thanks for the year, it was great, fast, and now you are gone, good luck plant.  and I would kill it in approximately two weeks.

eventually, I found my succulent obsession when planning the mr.'s 30th birthday party, and when those succulents were still alive on his 31st birthday, I realized I might be on to something.  desert plants are my jam.  and I've ran with that.

thankfully, I had my in-laws (gardening experts) help me spruce up our yard at our rental we had when ev was just a baby, and I started to get a little understanding of how things grow.  but not really a great handle, I was still buying plants just because I liked them, not necessary paying attention to how much sun they needed/wanted, how big they got, etc.  and consequently, nothing really thrived too much, but it worked for our time there.

however, all of these baby steps have landed me in our home now, our forever home, a home that I am very proud of the yard I have planted and seen flourish.  my raised beds have not a single vegetable, but thousands of thriving succulents and desert plants.  my backyard is buzzing with the hundreds of bees that have found a little piece of heaven in my yard this spring.  I just stumbled on a video of ev in our backyard when I first started planting it and I almost didn't recognize the space I have now become obsessed with.

By far her favorite souvenir ever. #everlymaeisthree #everlymae

A post shared by OliveEverly Blog (@oliveverly) on Oct 20, 2016 at 3:57pm PDT

I love working on little corners each season, our newest project included turning the sandbox that came with the house that ev never used into another little raised bed.  such a fun space to have right next to our stock tank pool.  much better than the pincher bug infested space it used to be.  even a nice cover doesn't keep out the tiniest of critters.

but most importantly, I love that I have a space that is truly magical for everly.  she loves playing in the backyard for hours.  she is always finding some new treasure.  like a fresh little caterpillar, or a ladybug like in the photo below, or that time I planted a new little tree and found a huge rollie-pollie colony.  she must have had 20 crawling on her arms at one time.  I remember how magical yards felt when I was her age, my grandma's backyard and the home I was born in just seemed huge and full of places to explore.  I'm glad that I can give everly a place just like that for her to play in!

 so, thanks spring, you are really feeling pretty perfect this year.  maybe my favorite spring yet. 

our day at the academy of sciences - san francisco [mini film]

last weekend we took a little time as a family in san francisco.  we were able to spend the day at the academy of sciences - it was everly's first time!  we spent the entire day exploring and when I asked everly what her favorite part of the day was, her reply was priceless: "everything."

here's a look into our day...

after a quick bite at the cafe, our first stop was the rainforest dome. 

 I think I could have spent all day there, 

and everly was most impressed by all the little creatures 

living in terrariums and aquariums throughout.  

I could have just stared at the butterflies all day.

once you make your way to the top of the rainforest,

you take the elevators down to the underground aquariums

even if everly didn't say this was her favorite part of the day

I would bet money that it was

and even though I was having some real 'finding dory' vibes

everly was excited to touch the starfish

the penguins were a hit too

and who doesn't love a white alligator?!?

the nets right on the other side of the railing

made me, well, nervous

and sure, I know they were there to make you feel better

but it didn't really cut it for this nervous mama

and no, she isn't running from the dinosaur

but instead the cold air that was pouring in from the front doors

and here's our mini-film from the day

  
CA Academy of Sciences from Lyndsay Lewis on Vimeo.

music: 'reaching for infinity' from epidemic sound

backyard vibes

spring is here in California, and I'm much appreciating the fresh air.  getting back out into the yard, mourning the plants that I lost over this harsh/wet winter, and starting fresh.  today is meant for picking up sticks and making a game out of it, because with all of these trees, we have little twigs for days.  maybe today I'll be in the mood to tackle my front porch and the little succulent planters that are constantly under attack from the neighborhood squirrels, more white rock on the tops of each pot typically does the trick.

I think ev will be in the mood for swinging & climbing

welcoming spring with sprinkles, sparkles, and eggs [new mini film]

Everly's Sunday...


Easter 2015 from Lyndsay Lewis on Vimeo.