Found

 Once the trees were removed. Light could get to the area below the long branches. 

What was struggling to survive was three rose bushes.

The first one was in the worst shape 

I was hoping that cutting it back to what looked like it was alive and feeding the plant, then just maybe.

After a few weeks

It was alive and sending off new growth.

Now, to bring you up to date

So many questions.  What will the roses be like?

 Goodbye trees 

and hello sunshine.  I know having trees cut down might be frowned upon, but these trees had to go. 

They were huge

Much of the lower branches were already dead.

To dangerous to be  on such a small lot with homes so close that should one of the trees decide to fall, it would hit  a house.

So, they had to go.  Many neighbors came by to thank me. It was a hard decision but why would anyone plant a tree that is destined to get huge on a small lot, let alone three of them.

Now that so much of the needles have been removed. Sun has brought out a gift for me, that I will share tomorrow.  

Spring came 

and so did the flowers.  Winter looked so bleak for such a long time. When things look bleak, it seems like it all lasts a very long time. Our spring is wetter than usual, colder than usual, but still the flowers bloomed right on time.

Always the first to say hello.

They put on quite a show!

Next up the tulips

My favorite

Natures colors are so perfect, yes you can have red and yellow together.

When things look dark and bleak, hang in there, spring is right around the corner.

 Brand new!

It is a brand-new day, brand new month

Brand new me!

Sorry for the past dirty pictures

 I think it is time I just sit back and wait.  The temperatures will be back to super cold this next week.

At least there is a bit of hope, that spring will come, flowers will bloom. 

We will be able to sit in the shade, complain it is too hot and sip our sweet tea.

I have been enjoying time in my sewing room. My sweet daughter in law, likes what I make for her.  so, you know that makes creating even more fun.

I like to call them Stacey boxes.

I never know for sure what will go in the box. a few past things have been

Set of four cupcake placemats. for celebrating birthdays. All have the orange frosting except the blue with the sprinkles, that is for the birthday person.

Reading pillow for chole

One for Blake

A few kitchen towels

Keeping busy waiting for spring.

A search for green

The snow is melting so slow, the sun has been shinning for the last few days and that does help but it is still a pile of dirty.

The pretty white fluffy snow has become a pile of frozen dirt.

So, I went on a search for signs of life.

I know it is only February, not sure what I would find.

Well, look who is peaking from the leaves!

I wasn't sure the Hen and chicks would survive temperatures reaching zero.

Greener!  I think these are violas. I am not clearing away any leaves, our nights are still freezing.

No clue what this is, it is green and that is all that matters right now. 

The Iris! Looks like we will have new ones.

Last of all is a very confused house plant. 

Leave it to me to have a few of those.

A Christmas cactus that decided it was ready to show some love.

The garden is not ready for clean up, I just needed to know it will be there when the time comes.

A few more before and after

When I spotted the brown tiles for the back splash area, everything changed.

Another before picture:

After

The wall color is Sherwin/Williams, Macadamia

The back tile is from Lowes.  The cabinets got a coat of S/W White oil base.

The spice rack has been with me forever! I spotted the large version in a store selling spices and they got in the smaller version for me.

You might notice a lot of Mrs. Dash seasoning. Steve is not to have salt (but I know he sneaks it).

The rest of my spices are in the tiny cabinet above.

I tried one of those "As seen on TV" shelf units. I have only seven inches of space and was able to get one rack in.

Before, very disorganized

Better. I am trying to decide if I should install the puck light. Of course, I would stick it to the top. Not sure if it will take up too much space.  I am working with seven inches.