Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Trash to Treasure: Lawn of Dreams

This is a story of a girl who loves living in the city but, who clearly is in need of some nature.

Exhibit A: This is the ally behind our apartment. What do I spy? A neglected bit of turf.
A patch of grass in the ally
As I drive off to do my errands I am saddened to think that this little patch of grass will be run over, peed on and trampled in no time.

I am reminded of my first day at Our Fair School when I asked the children to write something about our school and one boy wrote, "There is no grass at OFS."

I start to think of ways I could rescue the grass. I decide that if the grass is still there when I return, I will take it home with me.

Upon my return, I get some cardboard out of the dumpster (again) and head off to claim my turf.
My new yard

Can I get an elevator alone? No. A model gets on with me. This young, hip, Hollywood chick comments on my awkward, barely balanced cardboard tray of grass. I make some feeble joke. Sometimes we trash to treasure junkies must endure scrutiny.

It was quite something to manage and I nearly drop my lawn as I come into the apartment. Of course, Cliff senses the impending project and quickly answers the door. (Rats! I was hoping he would be so deeply engrossed in writing that I could sneak in.)

Predictably his head spins as he says, "Your going to make something of this!!"

I tell him I am going to plant it.

"I am going to call my mother" he says.

Thankfully, my mother in-law wasn't home. I'd like to have executed my plan so that it is cool and not crazy before she hears about it.
My Balcony Yard
Look! If you build it, they will come.

I used some kitchen scissors to cut the turf into a circle and planted it in this pot of dirt that I already had from failed flower attempts. Then I added the rest to a tray and quickly cleaned up the mess.

The funny thing about being cheap and thrifty is the timing. Last week I had been at the thrift and admired this little lawn chair. It reminded me of the chairs up at the Thousand Islands. But, I didn't buy it because I didn't have a use for it.
My new lawn chair
Happily, it was there waiting for me and my new lawn.

A week later,  Cliff loves our lawn too. He said, "After 7 years together, there's always something new." He has fun making jokes about the new watering restrictions in LA. 

This little project is goofy and probably wouldn't interest anyone who lives ... on the ground. But from my "penthouse in the sky," it is a patch of green that might actually survive the harsh oven that is our balcony. And, it  motivates me to take our search for a house a bit more seriously. Fake it 'till you make it!

More Trash to Treasure at Reinvented.

23 comments:

Amy B. said...

I love it! Even as a ground living creature... I think your potted grass is pretty awesome:)

Amy
www.breedingcreativity.wordpress.com

Nutsy Coco said...

That's a lovely patch of grass! If it makes you happy, who cares what anyone else thinks of your balcony lawn :)

Almost Always said...

the lawn chair looks beautiful on your new lawn! it's fun, what's not to love!

HollyLynne said...

It is adorable! The chair just makes it.

Melissa said...

I adore your patch of grass. Now were do you get a tiny lawn mower?

janet said...

I love it, i think this is a just one adorable idea.
hugs
janett

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

I like your grass and lawn chair it's kischy. All you need is one of those tiny gazing balls or lawn gnomes made for potted plants and instant suburbia. Well, almost.

Unknown said...

I love your new "lawn", and that little chair is perfect. What a fabulous trash to treasure! Thanks for linking up.

Tia said...

How sweet and fun! I LOVE it!

Kathi said...

How sweet this is! Wishing you great success with your little lawn!

HappyHomemaker said...

What a fantastic idea! People with patio's everywhere should do that! And what a great idea for the kids in your class to bring "Little Lawns" to the school! Don't tell your hubby, but his electric razor would be great for mowing!

Julie H said...

I just love this!

Decor To Adore said...

This is a lawn perfected!
No grass stains, just a little watering and clipping with cute shears!
Adorable.

Southern Fried Gal said...

Awww! What a sweet story and I love how it turned out.

miranda said...

I can't imagine collecting grass like that, grass is so common in my place in this world. But, I'd say if you stuck me in the city I'd be loving', me a little lawn of my own. What a sweet idea, I love it.

Carri said...

I love it. We dont have our own lawn as we too live in an apartment building but we do have plenty of grass. I cant imagine not having grass around me. Although the grass we have cant be walked on looked at or anything without a fine at least we have it there for other's to admire. This is a very cool idea and great job faking it till you make it.

Kristen, pajama mama said...

beautiful lawn you've got there! love your writing, too-the details-the model on the elevator, the "rats" of Cliff's unabsorbed writing...you are very clever.

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

I LOVE this and am going to try it very soon!!!

Handi Dandi Mandi said...

There's a story (email forward with pictures really) about a soldier stationed in Iraq that made a little patch of grass outside his bunk so whenever he was homesick he'd take off his shoes and dig his feet in the the grass he kept up himself to remind him of home.

So there's nothing wrong with a little potted grass if it helps keep your sanity :)

Just me~Bobbie Jo said...

OMG! That is the cutest thing I have seen! What a neat idea!

BTW I was just out blog hopping and found your blog!

Kelly said...

I love your patch of grass! And I can totally relate to the scrutiny of trash-to-treasure junkies. I have been seen walking down our road pushing my daughter in her stroller, while carrying a patio chair found in the garbage a block away. Yes, sometimes we endure quite harsh situations to rescue the trash!

Ashley @ AshleysBusy said...

This totally made me smile, thanks for such a cute and clever idea!

Mrs. Langeland said...

I can't even tell you how big I am smiling right now. What a wonderful post! My husband and I lived in an apartment for seven years before buying our first house. I tried everything to have a garden on the balcony, I just wish I had thought of grass. I am so glad that you rescued this bit of turf!