Though it feels like I've lived on my yard for a long time, it's really only been just over 3 years.  We bought a dirt-cheap, falling-apart old house and got it moved onto our yard of rolling hills and pasture in 2007.  Thankfully (for me, since I have NO experience or knowledge about house renovations), my husband is quite the handy sort and has turned our once decrepit house into a cozy and lovely home.  Below is our house, before and now (take a guess which is which):

We lived in the basement for about six months while Charles worked on the upstairs.  The main floor was pretty much all finished when we moved up in the spring of 2008, but there is still a lot to do (including the entire basement) and we've have been slowly working away at the place.  Over the past few weeks (in between colds and the flu and other issues), Charles has been giving the porch a major do-over: gip-rock instead of wood panelling, new flooring, and my FAVOURITE part -custom built boot shelves and coat hooks! The small rickety wooden shelf that housed about 3 sets of shoes had me dreaming of massive amounts of shelves for baskets and shoes and boots... Charles designed the spaces, built them and installed them all to my utter and complete joy.  I still want to add a big mirror over the small dresser in the corner, and make padded seats for the benches, but that'll take a bit of time yet.  As it is right now though is fantastic -I'm really excited to not have a big messy tub of shoes in my closet anymore.
-Maria

Last week I decided that despite the snow still covering most of my yard and despite the forecast calling for more of the white stuff, I would believe the sunshine and welcome the spring and make a wreath for my door.   I had a horrendous time finding a wreath form in Swift.  I looked in both of the thrift shops, WalMart, and both of the Dollarstores and there wasn't a wreath form in one of them.  Luckily, I decided to check the Herbert thrift store - low and behold! - a wreath to dismantle and use for my own purposes!  The following day, I took my supplies and myself and, while Ava napped, I sat in the beautiful sunshine on my deck and wrapped yarn around my (seemingly gigantic) wreath form.  (I may never undertake a wreath of this type again - it was a little time consuming as well as a bit tedious).  I haven't worked with yarn too much and I don't know if it's the cheap stuff only or all yarn - but I had quite a time trying to keep it from forming ridiculous knots.  I found most of my time was spent unravelling the latest knot from my 'ball' of yarn.  Thankfully, the sun was lovely and I was even able to get a slight tan to REALLY welcome spring! and, I think, the wreath turned out lovely!  I love the bright colors of the flowers (which I made with felt) and I think it really brightens up the doorway.  Maybe you can tell from the picture - the day after I finished the wreath and hung it on the door, the sun stayed hidden and the snow flew once more: hence the gray-ness of the picture...though, don't you think the wreath still looks bright and cheerful?  I am thinking of adding a bird to it yet...we'll see. 
-Cecelia