time off

Taking some time off to catch up on projects and work in the yard.  All the rain has thrown my garden plan out the window.  Come back next week.

brain fart

As I started my day this morning I realized that it was not Monday morning, but Tuesday.  In my own defense we had one of our grand daughters for the weekend which  requires non stop energy.  For whatever reason I thought yesterday was Sunday all day.  The weekend was great between the rain drops.  We made smoothies, a fairy garden, cookie, hit a few rummage sales and potted flowers.  Just hanging out with a seven year old makes you think in new and fun ways.  Off for my walk before the rain hits again.  More on our adventures soon.

garden explosion

We were only gone four days but the warm weather made our garden burst into bloom while we were gone.

knock out roses

variegated wegelia

peony, we didn't have any of these last year because of the drought

iris almost none of these last year either

rummaging

We spent last weekend visiting my parents in the big city. Several subdivisions in the area were having garage sale days.  We hit several and found some great treasures.  Here's just a small part of what I hauled home.

etched mirror $4.00

mini gazing ball $1.00

great frames $1.00 Groucho looks a little scary 

picnic basket $2.00

The deal of the weekend almost new still had the tags on it recliner.  The red is much darker than  this pic  looks.  Under $300.  We've been wanting a new recliner and a good quality chair runs $700-$1000.  SCORE!!

What was your biggest rummaging score?

Good by

When AH and I moved to this house we had seven hard maples in the yard.  Age and disease have taken then down one by one.  This week the last tree was cut down.  It had been struck by lightening and was rotten most of the way through.  We knew it would have to come down soon.  The power company tree trimmers were working in the area and offered to cut it down for free.  Much as we hated to see it go, we let them cut, it saved us having to pay $1000+ to have it done later.  I hate the way the side yard looks now, but we will plant a new tree in the next couple of weeks.  Now I have a new opportunity to redecorate the space and plenty of fire wood.  Where are my strong young sons when we have this kind of heavy work to do???

Even bad things that happen can be great new opportunities if you let them.

pork carnitas

This dinner got rave reviews from AH and my friends.  I think it's a keeper.
4# pork cut into 2" cubes I used pork roast
1 onion cut in half
1 lime juiced and thrown in pot
2 cloves garlic
1 orange same as the lime
1tsp oregano
1tsp cumin
1T honey
salt and pepper to taste
1C water
Throw everything into the Crock Pot and cook 6-8 hours until meat shreds
You could also do this in the oven, increase water to 2C and cover.  Cook at 300 3-4 hours
When the meat is done remove to a foil lined jelly roll pan cut each piece into 2-3 smaller pieces but don't shred strain liquid into a sauce pan and discard solids.
Boil the liquid until it thick and syrupy about 1C
Pour liquid over meat and place under broiler about 5-8 minutes until meat is brown and crispy.  Turn meat over with a spatula and brown the other side.  Serve on flour tortilla shells with your favorite taco toppings.

This salsa is a must for all of our Mexican favorites
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can whole tomatoes 15oz
1 onion
2 clove garlic
1 jalapeno seeded
1 small bunch cilantro
1tsp salt and pepper
1 tsp sugar or honey
Throw everything in the food processor and pulse until it is small pieces but still chunky.

growing patience

Being patient is not one of my virtues.  I can pray every day for more of it, but always at the end I want to add "God please hurry up"  When it comes to my garden work I want to get everything done as quickly as possible so I can do the fun and creative stuff.  When walkers going by the house comment on how beautiful my flowers are, I find myself making remarks like "there is so much work to do".  Well I finally have decided it is time to stop looking at what needs to be done and enjoy what is there.  If I can't like what is right in front of me in that moment maybe I should put my tools away and go inside.  So that is my biggest task this year.  I hope I have the patience to do it.

big pots are planted

aloe is ready

shelves are staged

house is moved to new location

bench along new path from street

flower tower and chair ready for plants, we got close to freezing last night

lasagna garden is planted and looking good

killer on the loose

In my unending attempts to eliminate toxic chemicals from our home, I have searched a long time for a natural weed killer.  When the dandelions are winning the war in my yard, I can't pull then all.  I found this recipe on Pinterest and it does work, mostly.  With the cool damp weather we have had lately I will need to reapply to a few places.
1 gallon apple cider vinegar
1C salt
1T Dawn
Mix together and pour into a sprayer.  Apply to weeds on a warm dry day, they should be dead by that evening, if not reapply the next day.

lilac time

I love the spring it seems like every day something new is popping open adding to the glorious spill of color through the yard.  When I walked out my back door Thursday i could smell the lilacs, they had come into full bloom almost over night.  They are beautiful out doors or cut and brought inside. Just cut the stems, pull off the leaves below the water line and put them in a wide deep vase. I only wish they lasted a few weeks longer.  All the rain and wind we've been having has left them pretty tattered already.

Idea store finds

I made a quick trip to my favorite store yesterday.  It's called the idea store for good reason.  My imagination just takes over every time I go in there.  I spent just $5.00 for all these goodies.  Wood turned legs, maybe a stool or candle sticks.  chop sticks, I'm thinking the beginning of a star burst mirror.  Fabric crayons just because I've never tried them.  Added a pile of wooden spools just because they are cute and you don't see them much anymore.  Now I just need the time to go and create.  How do you find time to create?
The first  picture is because Callie kept telling me to take her pic on her most favorite thing, a freshly folded  basket of warm laundry.  Honest she would not move out of the basket or stop meowing until I took her picture.

Chocolate stuff

If you have never read the Jill Conner Browne's Sweet Potato Queen books you have missed a real treat.  They are filled with funny stories, sound advice to follow your own heart and great recipes.  This stuff really is called chocolate stuff and is ultra rich, chocolate goodness

2 eggs
1C sugar
1/2C flour
1/4tsp salt
Beat all together
1 stick butter melted DO NOT SUBSTITUTE!!!!!
2T Hershey cocoa
2tsp vanilla the real stuff
1C pecans or you could use walnuts in a pinch
Mix everything together and pour into a greased loaf pan.  Put that pan into a pan filled half full of water.
Bake 300 40-50 minutes until the top is crunchy  enjoy topped with whip cream

Sorry no picture none of them turned out well enough to post

surprise gift

Several weeks ago a friend(Ida) and sis to one of my besties (Kathy) came with a friend (Kathy) of hers from Texas.  They came to dinner and we had a wonderful evening.  They even got to experience an Illinois snow storm and getting  snowed in out in the country.  They did seem to head back to the 80's in Texas pretty quick.
Last week I received a package in in the mail from Texas Kathy.  She had admired all the turquoise and green glass I have in my living room and sent me this beautiful iridescent green bowl.  Of course it went on the shelves immediately.  Much as I love presents the gift of a new friend is even more precious.
If anyone can tell me more about this type of glass I'd appreciate it.

Blooms

Happy May day and happy anniversary to my wonderful husband.  It's been forty two years of building a great life together.  We've had our ups and downs and have certainly driven each other crazy at times, but I wouldn't have wanted to go through a day of it with anyone else.
 Planting time is getting so close I can hardly stand it.  I even broke down a bought a couple of flats of flowers just to get me in the mood even more.  Beautiful days are ahead.

My favorite color of tulips a deep plum, gorgeous!