Leona Lane

Getting Outside | March edition

This year Renae has been 'unplugging' and getting outside more. We're trying to do the same.. Unfortunately, I never have my good camera on these escapades, (and its still broken) so we get iphone photos. Although.. I'm super excited because I just bought these babies on Amazon, they should be here today sometime! Here's to hoping they'll take my iphone pics to a new level!

I loved that cool green/blue rock, if it wasn't huge and in the bottom of a ravine I would have brought it home with me!

This hike was a cool place we found near Deep Creek here in Spokane, its actually the back way into it! We're planning on getting outside with the doggies a lot now that spring is here and the weather is getting better! I'll be sure and take photos, don't worry ;)

Around Here | Freshening Up

Have I mentioned how happy I am that spring is here? It's seems like that's all I can focus on these days. I love the change of seasons! It's always refreshing, the change feels so good - keeps things from getting too stagnant. Inside and out I'm happy to have an excuse to change things up. So I've been freshening things up around the house. I love being able to finally open the windows to let in some fresh air and hear the birds singing outside. I cleared out the wreaths, holly and Christmas lights to make room for spring! 

Starting on the front porch, I cleaned up my succulent planter and tucked in the welcome sign that my mom got me right before we moved. By the front door I hung this little zinc triangle that I found with my sister and wrote a cheery 'hello' on it. I also rearranged the entire mantel and pulled out my giant thermos and picnic basket. Absolutely love that thermos, I've literally been on the lookout for one for years and found this one recently for less than two bucks at Goodwill! And of course I had to change up the whiteboard window and this definition of spring seemed perfect 'it is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...'

Moving on to the bathroom, I decked out the Mother Fern's pot with a little message saying 'Mist Me' using black vinyl stickers, just a fun quirky touch. That mother fern is great, much more agreeable to staying alive than the maiden hair fern that I had previously - that one had a serious death wish (rest in peace Princess). The last room that got some TLC was my bedroom, I hung my patio lights on the wall in a frame around the bed - I love the scalloped shape! And I also added some sprigs of eucalyptus to an old bottle that my Grandma found on her travels. And that's it for now... 

 

When we get a few more warm days, I'd love to get outside and get the patio set up and dig around in the dirt. We have a little planter box that is begging for some veggies and I'm hoping to do a bunch of potted herbs this year too! What about you, what are you itching to do as soon as the weather gets warm?

Lucy's Big Trip

Our family drove accross the state this past weekend to see family in Spokane. Lucy has done this trip once before, at only 5 weeks old! We knew that this time would be quite different, as she is now six months old and quite alert. There were definitely challenges along the way, but overall I found that she is an AMAZING little traveler. She slept the whole way over (we left at 8 pm) and on the way back she took a couple of naps and played quite a bit peacefully. Our little four day weekend was a success!

I had some intentions to take some rad photos while we were away. One thing I love about Spokane is the SUNSHINE! I knew I would have some awesome photographic opportunites. But although I shared a few photos on instagram (including our awesome lunch at the Milk Bottle) I really did not get out my camera as much as I liked. Our trip was really low key. We spent a lot of time around the house visiting with relatives. My favorite subject of my photos is Lucy! (Of course.) I hope you don't mind me sharing a few pics of my favorite kiddo. 

Lucy's cousin Jaela is about five months older than her, but the two of them are nearly the same size. They are SO adorable together! This is the first time they have been old enough to play together.

Lucy and I took a few naps together because she had a hard time napping in her pack & play. There was just so much fun going on that she did not want to be locked away in her room. Who can blame her?

I am so glad I have these few photos of my girl and several of the people in her life that love her so much (including me!) Indoor photos are tough because the lighting is so tricky, and that's why I turned a few black and white. I never regret getting out my camera, at least for a little while! Maybe next time I visit Spokane I will get a few more sunshine photos! We will be going back there in May, I think, for Bloomsday. And speaking of that, I had better start training for this race. Can't wait!

5 Ways to Bring the Outside In

Today I wanted to share a few fun ideas and DIYs I've seen around the internet that incorporate natural textures and colors. I've been dying for warmer weather and time to get outside... we're getting there, but it's slow going (and who am I to complain...Seattle actually gets spring pretty early). While I'm waiting, I'm trying to bring as much of the outside in as possible - well within reason of course. I'm still trying to keep dirt off the floor!

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1. I just made some hanging planters using this awesome tutorial from Minie Co which spells out all the steps! I love the neon cording she used, it's actually an extra long shoelace! I'm always looking for fun ways to display plants. These would be great with a hanging plant of some kind...

2. These pots from Nest of Posies are too cute! I love the idea of a message or just extra sparkles. Either way is cute! 

3. This driftwood mirror from Designing Dining and Diapers is very summer inspired, especially with the blue accent around the edge. It looks really easy to make too!

4. This hanging flower display from the Decor8 blog is simply gorgeous! Would definitely be a more serious undertaking to try and recreate it. But how fun would a flower vase chandelier be for a spring get together?

5. Driftwood is just the best, I'm always looking for new uses and I think this cute photo display from Morning Creativity definitely fits the bill. I see more beach scavenging trips in my future!

Almond Milk Iced Coffee

How did Monday get here so fast?! This weekend seemed to zip by, while at the same time feeling kind of slow. We finally got some blue sky and sunny weather here in Seattle yesterday! Yippee!! I totally got tricked into thinking it was warm outside - until I stepped out the door. Regardless though, I've busted my Tom's out, ate lunch outside on the grass, went for several walks and started drinking iced coffee again! 

I thought I'd share my latest iced coffee creation with you in case you want to pretend it's summer too! The last time I went thrifting I picked up some extra ice cube trays. I've been seeing coffee ice cubes all over the place and decided I just had to give it a try! I've just been taking the coffee that's left in the bottom of the chemex and freezing it in the extra trays. I was surprised at how good it is! Seriously, so yummy! The coffee takes on an almost chocolate like flavor to it - that's perfect in my book!

Want to give it a try? It's simple. Once the coffee is frozen, just pop the cubes out and fill a glass with them. Then simply top with almond milk. Give a little stir. Easy peasy. As the coffee melts, the coffee flavors just comes out a bit stronger, instead of that icky melty water.

If you like your coffee a little sweeter, try mixing some agave syrup and cinnamon in with the almond milk (preferably with a frother) before pouring over your coffee ice cubes.