A Pretty Little Pot

The countdown continues. 10 more working days at the Mouse Factory. Then it's home and unemployed... but I'm looking forward to it.

While the drive is horrendous, I do like that I'm only two exits away from Ikea. I've run over there whenever I can. Last Thursday was one of those days. I like browsing there for the ideas. Once and while I come across something I can't resist... and if it fits my budget, it comes home with me, like this pretty little pot.

It's sort of a shabby chic and appeals to my girl side. It's a metal pot with rose decals inside a metal basket. I do think it needs to be roughed up a bit. Maybe a little sand paper, but that will have to wait for a couple of weeks.

A new pot, of course, calls for a plant flowers, so on the way home Friday, I stopped at Walmart. Not a lot to choose from, but this sweet pink Cyclamen will do just fine. It's green and it's growing.

Now I just have a find a new home for it. The kitchen counter just won't do.

Hope you're all enjoying this lovely Sunday afternoon.

Linking to:

Claudia's A Favorite Thing link party at Mockingbird Hill Cottage
The Sunny Simple Sunday Link Party at.. where else, Sunny Simple Life

The countdown continues. 10 more working days at the Mouse Factory. Then it's home and unemployed... but I'm looking forward to it.

While the drive is horrendous, I do like that I'm only two exits away from Ikea. I've run over there whenever I can. Last Thursday was one of those days. I like browsing there for the ideas. Once and while I come across something I can't resist... and if it fits my budget, it comes home with me, like this pretty little pot.

It's sort of a shabby chic and appeals to my girl side. It's a metal pot with rose decals inside a metal basket. I do think it needs to be roughed up a bit. Maybe a little sand paper, but that will have to wait for a couple of weeks.

A new pot, of course, calls for a plant flowers, so on the way home Friday, I stopped at Walmart. Not a lot to choose from, but this sweet pink Cyclamen will do just fine. It's green and it's growing.

Now I just have a find a new home for it. The kitchen counter just won't do.

Hope you're all enjoying this lovely Sunday afternoon.

Linking to:

Claudia's A Favorite Thing link party at Mockingbird Hill Cottage
The Sunny Simple Sunday Link Party at.. where else, Sunny Simple Life

A Bath in the Front Yard

Finally, it feels like Spring has sprung and I can finally start planting the garden. I've been chomping at the bit to get moving, so welcome to...

 

This place came with two claw foot bathtubs. One was intended for the bathroom remodel. That never made it for lots of reasons. The other, without feet, was going to be a a fun and funky plant container. Well, finally...

I had hubby and son move the tub to the front yard late last year. I planted some tulips around it and waited and waited for Spring so I could fill it with dirt and plant some lavender. In a few months those pretty purple flowers should be overflowing the tub. 

I'm not much of an artist, so my sign isn't quite what I was hoping for, but I'm sure it will weather out with time. 

I'll be planting out on either side of the tub. It already has lots of poppies, and I'll be adding some yarrow, rosemary and of course, lots more lavender. It will be sort of a rough and tumble Mediterranean look and hopefully stand up to a hot, dry summer. As I mentioned before, water is going to be scarce this year.

It's it fun way of re-purposing something that would otherwise be destined to the dump.  Besides, fun and funky is the look I'm going for. Hope you're gardens are blooming, too. 

Linking to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Finally, it feels like Spring has sprung and I can finally start planting the garden. I've been chomping at the bit to get moving, so welcome to...

 

This place came with two claw foot bathtubs. One was intended for the bathroom remodel. That never made it for lots of reasons. The other, without feet, was going to be a a fun and funky plant container. Well, finally...

I had hubby and son move the tub to the front yard late last year. I planted some tulips around it and waited and waited for Spring so I could fill it with dirt and plant some lavender. In a few months those pretty purple flowers should be overflowing the tub. 

I'm not much of an artist, so my sign isn't quite what I was hoping for, but I'm sure it will weather out with time. 

I'll be planting out on either side of the tub. It already has lots of poppies, and I'll be adding some yarrow, rosemary and of course, lots more lavender. It will be sort of a rough and tumble Mediterranean look and hopefully stand up to a hot, dry summer. As I mentioned before, water is going to be scarce this year.

It's it fun way of re-purposing something that would otherwise be destined to the dump.  Besides, fun and funky is the look I'm going for. Hope you're gardens are blooming, too. 

Linking to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Lilac Heaven

Just a few days ago my lilac buds were closed tight. Today...

I'm in lilac heaven. The scent is beyond description.

But it's so short lived, so if you'll excuse me, I'm joining the bees and filling my face with this lovely smell while I can.

Just a few days ago my lilac buds were closed tight. Today...

I'm in lilac heaven. The scent is beyond description.

But it's so short lived, so if you'll excuse me, I'm joining the bees and filling my face with this lovely smell while I can.

We're Waiting!

I'm up to my eyeball working on a new site, but after hours sitting in front of computer I just had to take a break. I ran outside for a little walk and tried to avoid this unhappy mob...

They just want to go back to work, back to the gardens. They've been patiently waiting all winter.

Soon my friends. Promise!

I'm up to my eyeball working on a new site, but after hours sitting in front of computer I just had to take a break. I ran outside for a little walk and tried to avoid this unhappy mob...

They just want to go back to work, back to the gardens. They've been patiently waiting all winter.

Soon my friends. Promise!

It's Spring and I'm Heartbroken!

I know, who can be heartbroken on such a beautiful day?

Just three days ago it's snowed.

But now the poppies are exploding.

The lilacs are just about ready to bust open, too.

Even my beloved roses are showing tender new growth.

And therein lies my heartbreak. I love roses and I wish I could have more. But this is not the year.

We've had a dry spell for quite awhile and even the recent rain and snow hasn't done much to help. That's the downside of living a rural life (wells and such).

The hubby and I had already decided that we're not putting in a vegetable garden this year and just concentrate what water we do have on keeping the orchards alive.

So an unexpected trip into town today and a stop at Lowe's had me so tempted to pick up a couple of rose bushes. Why do they put those pretty plants near the entrance so there's no way around them?

It broke my heart to have to pass them up, especially the new Burgundy Iceberg roses. Soooo pretty!

Instead I headed for what I stopped for: 5 new English lavender plants. They'll be part of my small Mediterranean -- and drought tolerant -- garden I'm working on this weekend.

Luckily, I love lavender (and most flowers) almost as much as I love roses.

I know, who can be heartbroken on such a beautiful day?

Just three days ago it's snowed.

But now the poppies are exploding.

The lilacs are just about ready to bust open, too.

Even my beloved roses are showing tender new growth.

And therein lies my heartbreak. I love roses and I wish I could have more. But this is not the year.

We've had a dry spell for quite awhile and even the recent rain and snow hasn't done much to help. That's the downside of living a rural life (wells and such).

The hubby and I had already decided that we're not putting in a vegetable garden this year and just concentrate what water we do have on keeping the orchards alive.

So an unexpected trip into town today and a stop at Lowe's had me so tempted to pick up a couple of rose bushes. Why do they put those pretty plants near the entrance so there's no way around them?

It broke my heart to have to pass them up, especially the new Burgundy Iceberg roses. Soooo pretty!

Instead I headed for what I stopped for: 5 new English lavender plants. They'll be part of my small Mediterranean -- and drought tolerant -- garden I'm working on this weekend.

Luckily, I love lavender (and most flowers) almost as much as I love roses.

Fried Green Tomatoes Breakfast

The hubby reminded me this morning I had a few tomatoes to be picked out in the garden. While I was out there picking the ripe ones, a green one caught my eye. Hmm... how about a friend green tomato for breakfast?

My great grandmother and grandmother -- both from Arkansas -- made fried green tomatoes every summer while I was growing up. The hubby and kids don't get it. Oh well, their loss! Just means more for me ;).

Now my two Southern grandmothers would be appalled that I don't fix 'em right, but I think all that flour and cornmeal just gets in the way. I just like mine fried up in a little olive oil and butter with salt and pepper.

Yes, just right. Now that's the way to start your day.

Oh yeah... just right. I love the tangy, meaty flavor of the tomatoes.

I'm thinking maybe a fried green tomato lunch. How about you? Want to join?

These are the mornings I love. No rush (at least not too much) and a chance to doing something I haven't done in long, long while. When I was working at the "job," I would have grabbed a can of protein drink to slug down while I was make that hour long commute. Maybe my muse isn't so far away after all (at least I'm hoping she close by today because I have lots of product descriptions to write).

Enjoy your day, everyone!

Linking to:

Women Living Well
Wow Us Wednesday

The hubby reminded me this morning I had a few tomatoes to be picked out in the garden. While I was out there picking the ripe ones, a green one caught my eye. Hmm... how about a friend green tomato for breakfast?

My great grandmother and grandmother -- both from Arkansas -- made fried green tomatoes every summer while I was growing up. The hubby and kids don't get it. Oh well, their loss! Just means more for me ;).

Now my two Southern grandmothers would be appalled that I don't fix 'em right, but I think all that flour and cornmeal just gets in the way. I just like mine fried up in a little olive oil and butter with salt and pepper.

Yes, just right. Now that's the way to start your day.

Oh yeah... just right. I love the tangy, meaty flavor of the tomatoes.

I'm thinking maybe a fried green tomato lunch. How about you? Want to join?

These are the mornings I love. No rush (at least not too much) and a chance to doing something I haven't done in long, long while. When I was working at the "job," I would have grabbed a can of protein drink to slug down while I was make that hour long commute. Maybe my muse isn't so far away after all (at least I'm hoping she close by today because I have lots of product descriptions to write).

Enjoy your day, everyone!

Linking to:

Women Living Well
Wow Us Wednesday

Pumpkin Patch

Elaine over at Sunny Simple Life is getting a yearning for Autumn. I don't know if I'm quite with her yet. I've been enjoying the mild summer we've had so far, so unlike many other folks around the country. Of course, here in Southern California the worst of summer doesn't happen until well into Autumn. Ugh!

However, Elaine will be happy to know.... the pumpkins are coming, the pumpkins are coming!

The pumpkins are turning orange... yeah!!

Our little pumpkins are turning orange. I didn't expect it yet, so maybe Autumn is closer than we know. At least pumpkin pies... pumpkin cookies... pumpkin bread... pumpkin muffins... pumpkin seeds... pumpkin cheesecake... baked pumpkin.... ahh, all delish!

In the meantime, Elaine is busy over at Sunny Simple Life with an end of summer giveaway. Stop over and take a look. The trays she found at Goodwill are sooooo cool.

Enjoy the rest of summer while you can!

Elaine over at Sunny Simple Life is getting a yearning for Autumn. I don't know if I'm quite with her yet. I've been enjoying the mild summer we've had so far, so unlike many other folks around the country. Of course, here in Southern California the worst of summer doesn't happen until well into Autumn. Ugh!

However, Elaine will be happy to know.... the pumpkins are coming, the pumpkins are coming!

The pumpkins are turning orange... yeah!!

Our little pumpkins are turning orange. I didn't expect it yet, so maybe Autumn is closer than we know. At least pumpkin pies... pumpkin cookies... pumpkin bread... pumpkin muffins... pumpkin seeds... pumpkin cheesecake... baked pumpkin.... ahh, all delish!

In the meantime, Elaine is busy over at Sunny Simple Life with an end of summer giveaway. Stop over and take a look. The trays she found at Goodwill are sooooo cool.

Enjoy the rest of summer while you can!