Lilac Time

 

I might say this every year, but this year really is the best show ever for my lilacs.
 

This bush is full and lush and fragrant.
 

It droops from the flower's weight...

 

and a small breeze sets them in motion.

 

The white lilacs are a sturdier sort.

 

Proud and tall
For years I enjoyed  only one flower from this very bush.
 

Freed from it's overpowering companions... another lilac that blocked the dining room windows, and a
evergreen that blocked the sun, it too is full and covered in blooms.
 

Here's a view across the lawn...wish this show would last till next week ;-)

 

Even makes my "vintage garden house" (aka, my falling down shed) look all pretty!
Have have a great weekend my friends, enjoy this beautiful day!

Planting in a Grapevine Wreath

 

I am so close to finished in the yard...I have worn myself out...(Sorry Lynne, you warned me!;-)
My only injury is a painful sunburned elbow.  I always wear a three quarter sleeve, I just do, but wore a raggy short sleeved shirt while I dug out the garden for planting.
Go figure.  Just wanted to share this little project.  I've been doing this for years, but had my camera close by this time.

 

This wire, covered in plastic is available in the floral dept at Michael's.  I had a scrap at home, but chicken wire would work equally well.  Just bend a piece over the bottom half of a grapevine wreath.  I folded the sides like you would wrap a gift.  I also used floral wire to secure it onto the wreath.


 

Super Moss to the rescue!

 

I lined both sides with pieces of the moss.  I put wrong side out in the back just cause it looks prettier.

 

Then my gardening secret weapon...the coffee filter.  I use then in the bottom of pots and window boxes...anything that has a hole the soil can leak out of.  I used two to line the space.



 

Fill the space with potting mix.
I used some leftover flowers...but trailing vines of bacopa are beautiful...as is ivy.

 

Plant as you would any pot.  To secure, I covered the soil with additional moss and wired it all together to secure it. Keep an eye on this wreath since it dries out very easily.
Such a pretty addition to the pots and hanging plants.

 

This baby is clean as a whistle and the birds are sooo happy.  (never mind my boom box...I love working to music in the garden!) The little ones love to play in this water too, with supervision, so I try to keep it extra clean.  (One year at Easter, one of the kids emptied their bubble liquid into this fountain, funny, but not for the birds that depend on this water source!)

Sweet p. update...as she is almost one year old, the words are coming fast and furious.  Mom, Dad, hi, yeah!, here kitty kitty, dog, star, ba for bottle, deetdee for binky and hey! She also signs...baby sign language..for again, all done, and bird.  She does the itsy bitsy spider, if you're happy and you know it, Penny gives high fives and big wet kisses, even to Grandma on the Ipad.  She has filled my heart this year with a love that is only known to other grandmas.  I can't wait to have her here.  Can't wait for the whole family to be together!

To all my friends, thanks for your kind comments and emails.  It means so much to me that you care!

Thanks my friends for stopping by.  Enjoy this beautiful day!

Progress

clean pond...



grandma's got a brand new bag!




these boots are made for planting...

A few finishing touches on the yard and then it's my sweetheart's turn with the powerwasher to spruce up the deck and playhouse. Yesterday was picture perfect...the best day of the year weather wise. I listened to John Denver and James Taylor and sang while I worked. Not everything inside is going as smoothly. I might have broken the disposal with a rock...and the bracket holding the shower massage broke in the main bathroom... As Roseanne Roseannadanna always said, It's always somethin'!

My last day outside, except to water... Projects await for the birthday girl! Enjoy this beautiful day my friends and thank you for stopping by.

Love, Penny




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Amazing $5 Bag

 

I haven't posted about my recent rummaging...but I had to show you my amazing $5 bag.
At rummage sales around here, the last day of the sale usually includes a bag sale.  You pay $5 for everything you can fit into the bag.  I got some great stuff.
The clock, it has a domed glass, perfect for a little assemblage, and the oval shape is cool.
Another breadboard...yes, a new collection,  a galvanized funnel, 2 heavy metal flower frogs!
I didn't have any since they are always so expensive.
Two Martha Stewart brand table runners, navy and off white...a new package of Halloween tissue.

 

I just get giddy about treasure such as these!

 

The bag was heavy!

 

This was a cool find.  Someone started to make the wreath on the cover of this Martha Stewart Living magazine. Included in a large plastic bag was the magazine, dozens of embossed and cut green velvet holly leaves, a large metal ring, 2 yards of fusible interfacing, one yard of white velvet.  Score!  

 

I liked this Autumn hued fabric..it will make a cool pillow for the fall.

 

Two beautiful books...I especially like the one about New England.  Fun fact... my sweetheart was born in Massachusetts!

 

I set out the flower frogs with my small collection of vintage gardening nozzles...

 

and my breadboard with the others in my painted tool carrier.

At the outdoor section of the same sale I made a beeline to these crib rails.  They had a $2 price tag and I have been looking for some after seeing them used to display vintage linens.  I went up to the gentleman in charge and he said," $2...but everything is half off!"  I got them both for one dollar.  As my sweetheart walked them to the car, another man came up and said in surprise..."Somebody bought them!!!"  They were from his grand children's crib that was no longer deemed safe.  He brought them thinking, who would be interested?...
I told him I was so excited to find them and he gave me a big hug.  When I told him how I would use them he was thrilled.  I just love fun at the rummage sale.

Speaking of New England, I'll be on golden pond today...OK, it's just our little pond that needs some attention.  It will be in the 80's today and I'm sure to get wet. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by my friends, and enjoy this beautiful day.

Weekend Update...

 

I'm starting with the finished results of the deck repair.  It's is hard work and not in the comfort zone of my guys, but they did a great job.  If we could afford it, this would have been a great year to replace the decking.  That is not to be, so only the worst of the boards came up and were replaced.  It was so cold on Saturday, I worked outside in my winter coat.  I redid my flower pot wreath, no photos...sorry but I was working as fast as my frozen hands would go. 
You cannot craft in gloves, and my hands actually hurt from the cold. .

 

It always looks bad during the process...
Honey will power wash the whole shebang and it will look great

 

They were troopers.  Mike and Jon both helped their Dad and he was so thankful.



The work in progress is not pretty, though I put together some of the prettiest pots ever.

I'll show you some when it warms up a little.

 

Mother's Day found us at the cemetery to pay respects to Mom.
I average 3 to 6 good cries on Mother's Day...
 

We walked in, since it is crazy busy on Milwaukee Ave. and almost impossible to get in or out.
The two largest Polish cemeteries are on this Polish main street...where it's all going on!
Back in the day, and maybe still today...you could live your whole life on Milwaukee Ave.
 and never once speak English.
The police helped us cross the street and we were able to walk through the cemetery and leave faster on foot than by car.

 

It was a beautiful day.

 

My silly guy making me laugh after a good cry and "talk" with Mom and Dad.

 

More work at home, but we have accomplished so much.
The yard and gardens are just about ready for guests.  Still to do...
The pond needs a cleaning and the little garden needs to be turned and planted.
Last night we had a frost warning...
So all the potted plants were covered.

 

Thank goodness for a king sized sheet set!

 

This morning...the lawn was covered in frost.  I'll wait till the sun warms things up this morning before removing the covers.

Plans, lists, secrets...all to be revealed after our celebration.  Counting down the days...Will I ever finish in time?  No!  It's fun trying!

Have a great day my friends, and thanks for stopping by.