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Home Decor

Our Regrind Driveway Review – 3 Years Later Would Asphalt Have Been Better?

Now that our latest construction project is done (the garages) and until we start the next one (the carriage house), we have fewer trucks, cars, and equipment wreaking havoc on our property, which made me stare at our regrind driveway with fresh eyes. I just reread the original article, from three years ago, debating all the driveway options and unsure if we made the right decision. We compared concrete (too expensive), gravel (would wash away in rain), chipseal (would also wash away with rain), asphalt (cheapest but very black and new-construction-esque/wrong vibe), and regrind (compacted recycled asphalt with a layer of loose gravel on top). We chose regrind, which was $2k more than asphalt (done by our asphalt contractor). I left that last post on a cliff hanger – did we make the right $40k decision???? Three years later, let’s see. Before – 2019 As a reminder, here’s how busted it was before – SUPER BUSTED. And I wish I knew the exact square footage of our driveway, but I’d say it’s around 1/4 of a mile (at least it feels that way when we take the trash cans to the street – so freaking long). While I had hoped to not invest in the driveway (boring way to spend money), we had to and belabored the decision of what to do. Read the article where I break down all our options, with the pros and cons of each. First Year Of Our Regrind Driveway – 2022 As a reminder, we wanted something that felt older, appropriate to a 120-year-old farm. Listen, however fancy our house has turned out, it still has a casual vibe, and we were (and still are) afraid that asphalt would not be the right choice, style-wise. And as a reminder, gravel would have washed away because we are on a hill and we live in the Pacific Northwest, where God blesses us with months of rain every year. Our initial reaction was “it’s fine,” then months later, “it’s actually GREAT”. And since then, it’s honestly not something we ever think about. It’s just our driveway and I give zero attention to it. Listen, I barely know which of our two cars I drive (not joking, I have what the kids call “car blindness” where I get into the closest black SUV), so we all have the things we care about, and driveways aren’t one of mine. Now, Our Regrind Driveway in 2025…3 Years Later It looks mostly the same but dirtier and looser in parts. I just asked Brian what he thought of it now, and he said, “I don’t know – I guess it’s fine?”. That’s kind of how I feel. I still prefer the charm of the gravel sound under my feet. I love that it’s more rustic and not a harsh dark new color (or broken concrete). You can really beat it up without leaving a trace. I do fear that had we done asphalt, we would have to have it redone already since we deal with so many trucks here, likely damaging it. Over time, some areas have gotten a tiny bit “bald” of loose gravel, but the compacted asphalt underneath is still there. I didn’t even notice it, to be honest, until I forced myself to look. I think it’s mostly the same, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the top layer of loose gravel is shaken up a bit. My Official Verdict – Regrind Or Asphalt? Regrind is still the best choice for us, even if we aren’t vocal Regrind enthusiasts. It’s just great, appropriate, and works here really well. Listen, if we didn’t have an older, more rustic property AND have a sports court for biking/roller blading, then I think asphalt would probably have been our choice. If you have young kids and want a place for biking or blading (or playing basketball), then regrind isn’t the best for that. They are about the same cost, so like most things, this is a personal preference, and we are happy enough with what we chose. We have zero regrets, but really don’t think that asphalt is a bad choice, just stylistically not what we wanted. We don’t love dragging the trash cans down to the street (feels like 1/4 mile) on the regrind driveway, but it’s better than gravel. But the look and feel is worth it to us. Will give you an update in another 3 years :)

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Fashion & Beauty

Really Good Spring Break/Vacation Dresses

It’s 60 degrees and sunny in Portland (February 28th) so people are in shorts and drinking margaritas (I’m cutting out early at 3 pm to go on a long family bike ride along the river). And while we have a couple more months of potential rain up here, I know a lot of people go to the sun for spring break (including us – we are off to Belize with the kids which I’m INCREDIBLY excited and grateful for – never been and the personal reviews from so many people have me pumped). When we went to Costa Rica for Spring break a couple years ago, I didn’t bring the right humidity-friendly clothes – too many jean shorts which is decidedly not what you want to wear when it’s 90 percent humidity. And yet at night you don’t want to just sit in a tiny dress at dinner. So I did shop a bit and after trying on many many dresses, these were the four that I thought were worth recommending. Here you go :) This was my #1 – so soft and drapey, thin (but not see through), drawstring but not tight, flattering but not fitted. I have been shopping and wearing Emerson Fry since before DesignStar (budget depending) and it’s just such high quality made in America stuff that is so timeless and lasts. The prints say “spring/summer/vacation” without just screaming “TROPICAL RESORT” so I think I can also wear this all summer long up here. So flattering, such good details with the stitching – a 10/10. Oh, and I have found that with the bugs it’s actually nice to be more covered up at night for dinner. I loved the color and pattern of this dress – with big balloon sleeves. This one is a bit warmer (still cotton, just slightly thicker) and yet still drapes really well (not too stiff). It has pockets, too. Definitely a great boho dress all spring/summer, especially if you live in one of the southern states. I was surprised how flattering this dress is for being really voluminous. Because I have bigger ladies, these types of dresses don’t always work on me (just where the umpire seam hits at the mid-boob) but this one was fitted enough in the armpits, and the seam was low enough that it falls really well into the tiered skirt. I don’t need all four of these so I’m still deciding between this one and the brighter pink one – literally can’t decide!! This one is so fun and swingy – with pockets and a low V. My only issue with this (and why I decided to return it) is that the V comes so low into a drawstring that you either have to not wear a bra, wear a pretty showy bra or wear a swimsuit underneath. Here I’m not wearing a bra because the one I had on yesterday was NOT a pretty showy bra (flesh toned and meh), and that 5 minutes of shooting this bra-less felt VERY scandalous :) No thank you! But it’s a really pretty dress and comes in a pink color as well. Ok, this is such a fun look, but pretty specific, ie, very resortwear. People love Farm Rio and I do, too! But I find that I simply don’t have enough opportunity to wear this type of look in Portland (and the set together is expensive). This does scream resort or SoCal summer and it’s undeniably cute, but I don’t think I have the lifestyle to support wearing it enough to spend the money (and have it take up real estate in my closet). But if you are going on vacation and want a cute set to show off – I LOVED THIS. Oh be warned, I ordered a small top (which fit great – so good over a suit) and a medium bottom and the bottom still cuts in too much in the waist for me. All in all, I’ve learned that I don’t really wear very cute “looks” on these more kid-focused adventure jungle vacations. It’s a lot of playable swim suits, cute swim shorts, and Tevas, then loose clothes at night that don’t stick to me, so I’ll likely bring that first dress for dinners and I’ll wear it over and over :) We are so excited to explore some Mayan ruins, zip line, snorkel, and do lots of cave exploration (i.e, I’m not bringing any platform sandals on this one). Let me know if you want me to do a recap on the Belize trip – I never did a Costa Rica blog post, actually, so if you want our itinerary from that trip let me know and I’ll share (it was a 15/10 itinerary, BTW – the entire family loved every second of it – thus us going back to a similar vibe, but with ruins and Caribbean waters instead). Often recapping these trips feels braggy so I kinda avoid it but I also know how helpful it is so share our experience in case you are planning yours (and these beautiful countries are still really affordable once you get down there.) We rounded up more vacation dresses for you – Sandals, Affordable Spring basics, and “New Spring Refreshingly Good Head to Toe Denim” posts are coming soon… Love the colors and the mix of prints! The reviews say the fabric is lightweight, but there are differing views on whether or not you need a slip if you want to use it more than a vacation cover up:) So pretty regardless and also worth a slip purchase if needed! This might be a little more “spring” than “spring break” but either way it’s so pretty! For only $42 you get the chinching, the puff sleeves and that beautiful pink color. But if pink isn’t your thing, it comes in two other colors. Now this screams spring break. That bold pattern is extremely fun and the green is so bright and happy. Did I mention it’s only $35 and comes in two other colors? This colorway is decidedly the most “vacation-y” but all of them are fun. Such a pretty Farm Rio dress that could effortlessly work for both a vacation and a fun spring event. The colors feel fun but not too bold and the pattern is just so beautiful. If you like a shorter cover-up, both of these are great! I love how the colors are the main event for the one on the left while the pattern is the statement for the one on the right. You can’t really miss with either. This one looks very chic and sophisticated but it’s only $45. A steal! This is great for someone is who doesn’t love super bright colors but sill wants a classic vacation look. Oh, this one is good. And from the over 300 reviews giving it over 4 stars, we are correct in our assessment. The warm pink strips are so pretty and the added orange accents make it “vacation”. Love it. Another super affordable ($30) spring/spring break dress! A belt is always a nice option for some shape too. That print is really good. For my simple stripe lovers, this dress is for you. It’s so versatile and could go from the office to the beach to brunch with a change of a few accessories and shoes. It comes in two other colors if you prefer a solid color. I wanted to throw in a couple more slightly “formal spring” options because they were pretty and some of us need those too. That white eyelet dress is so pretty and under $100! Then the print and shape of the floral dress is real good. Perfect for Easter, a spring trip to Europe, or any other slightly dressier occasion:) Hope this was helpful.

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Gardening

How Often Should You Water Strawberries? What You Should Do for the Juiciest Fruits

Strawberries should be watered anytime the top inches of soil are dry. Water strawberries in the morning for best results. If leaves are discolored, fruits are not as flavorful, or growth is odd, check if you are over or underwatering your plant. The importance of properly watering strawberries cannot be overstated—without proper irrigation, you won’t be able to harvest the juicy fruit that makes growing your own strawberries a worthwhile effort. Strawberries have shallow root systems. This makes them especially sensitive to water deficit and a water-stressed plant can’t produce the juicy berries you are craving. Overwatering strawberries also backfires and causes problems such as rotting. Here is what you need to know about how much to water strawberries and when. How Often to Water Strawberries Water newly planted strawberries thoroughly immediately after planting and then daily for the first week after planting. In the second week after planting, switch to an every other day schedule, unless the weather is very hot and dry. As the plants get established, transition to a weekly watering schedule. During the active growing season between spring and fall, strawberries need at least 1 inch of water per week, or often enough to keep the top layer of soil moist. As it depends on different factors how often strawberries need water, the watering frequency ranges between daily to once or twice a week (less if there is abundant rainfall). Strawberries need the most water during the fruit production stage and up the harvest. If there is no abundant rainfall during harvest time, that’s the time when you need to water strawberry plants the most often. As soon as you see flowers form, start monitoring the soil moisture closely. Because container plants dry out much faster than strawberries planted in garden soil, potted strawberries need to be watered more often. Check the soil moisture level every morning and water the strawberries once or twice daily, depending on the weather and how fast the soil dries out. The smaller the pot, the more often you need to water. When to Water Strawberries While there is no hard-and-fast rule about how often you need to water strawberries, the best time of the day to water them is in the morning. Watering them early in the day prepares them for a hot day in the sun and it’s much better than at night when foliage takes much longer to dry, with the inherent risk of fungal diseases spreading. However, during a heat wave this should not deter you from watering the plants again in the evening if the soil is dry. Insert a finger in the soil—if the top inches feel dry, the plants should be watered no matter what time of the day it is. How to Water Strawberries The best method to water strawberries in garden soil is drip irrigation or a soaker hose. It not only saves water, but also keeps the foliage and fruit dry. Place the system so that it gets the soil around the plants wet but leave some distance to the growing berries. Water container-grown strawberries with a watering can, taking care not to get the leaves wet. No matter which watering method to use, water enough so that the soil is slightly damp but not dry or soggy. Signs of Overwatering Overwatering strawberries is not only wasteful, but it also has detrimental effects on the strawberries. These include: Root rot, a fungal infection that occurs in wet soil with poor drainage. Wilting of the plants, indicating oversaturated soil that lacks air pockets with oxygen. Brown or yellow leaves, especially at the tips of the leaves. Slow overall growth. Diluted flavor.1 If you have overwatered your strawberries, let them dry out before restarting a more conservative watering routine. Signs of Underwatering Typically, older strawberry plants are more prone to show signs of underwatering than young plants because they are less able to retain water. The following are typical indicators for underwatered plants: Dry, crisp leaves. Smaller leaves than those of properly watered strawberries. Less growth with fewer runners, crowns, and leaves. Fewer flowers, resulting in fewer and smaller fruits. Water your plants thoroughly and adjust your watering routine to avoid repeated water depravation, which weakens the plant further.

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Gardening

6 Reasons Why Your Tomatoes Grew Too Small This Year, and How to Fix It

Tomatoes are a great place to start if you're looking to grow your own produce, but that doesn't mean they're not without their own issues. Making it through the growing phase, having ducked and dodged blight, hornworms, blossom end rot, and all the other problems a tomato plant might run into can feel like a success of its own. Which is why it's extra disappointing when the fruit is just... small. Here are six reasons why your tomatoes are too small, and all the ways you can correct them for a bountiful harvest in the future. Extreme Drought or Heat Most varieties of tomato require full sun, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily fit for extreme conditions. Heat and drought are the number one reason why tomato fruits fall short of their expected size. It's important to keep an eye on soil moisture levels and keep plants well-watered with at least 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The soil should never dry out; this will lead to quick wilting. Tomatoes don't typically flourish in temperatures above 85°F, but we also can't help where we live. If your local temperatures consistently rise above this, consider investing in a shade cloth, and increase watering to twice daily. Consider planting in a container, where the plants can be moved into the shade—or just out of harsh, direct sun—as needed. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Poor Pollination If pollinating by hand, this should occur at least every other day during the growing season. If you're relying on pollinators to get the job done, consider making your yard more pollinator-friendly: plant attractive plants, provide a source of water (not stagnant), and decrease potential predators like bats or pets. Too Many Fruits It's important to pick fruits as they ripen; leaving tomatoes on the vine can not only cause splitting and other damage to the fruit itself, but also increase the number of fruits a single plant has to put effort into growing and supporting. You'll know tomatoes are ready to pick when it is a vibrant shade of its expected color, has a shiny look, feels tender, and comes off the vine easily. Too Much Nitrogen An excess of nitrogen in the soil has been known to cause smaller fruits. If you're unsure about your soil composition, you can buy a DIY test kit to gain insight into what's happening below the surface. If nitrogen levels are too high, consider working in a lower nitrogen fertilizer to balance it out. Pests Pests cause stress on plants that divert their energy to healing and surviving, instead of thriving and producing delicious, juicy tomatoes. If you spotted some common tomato pests hanging around your plants as they grow, don't be surprised if your fruit comes out a bit small at the end of the season. Next year, keep a close eye on early warning signs to fight these infestations in their early stages. Watering by hand keeps you close to the plant on a regular basis and makes it easier to spot problems earlier. Plant Diseases The same goes for plant diseases as for pests. Know the early signs of what different common tomato diseases look like, and you'll be able to help your plant fight it off early.

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