HERB GARDEN 2018

This year instead of putting my herbs up in the perennial bed, I put them in a window box outside the kitchen eat in area.  The first reason was that they were more easily accessible  for me while I was cooking.  The second, and probably more important reason was that the harsh sun up on the hill was too harsh for them.  If I forget to water them, they wilt more quickly.  I go out the back door numerous times every day and just adding a quick sprinkle will keep them growing better. 

I planted basil, Italian parsley, rosemary and mint. Using my vintage wicker window box planter kept the herbs level for easy watering.

Here, my garden boots are at the ready.

One of my sentimental favorites is Grandma's galvanized watering can.

Hopefully, without full sun all day, the herbs will thrive and prosper.

PERRENIAL BEDS 2018

I started taking pictures of this year's perennial bed on March 23rd.  Spring is on the move and I just wanted to show you some of the magic coming up outside.

This grass might still be brown but the perennials are getting ready to show.

Now, it is April 14th and the big rains are coming.

Mr. Thrifty took the week off to do some household cleaning projects.  I love the fact that he steam cleans all the carpets twice a year.  Then, it was onto the outside work.  He cut the first cutting of the lawn and filled 11-50 gallon bags of thatch.  This gives the Southern grass room to breathe to grow healthy the next season.  Power washing the gutters came next.  We were using the expensive gallon cleaning concentrate and it wasn't doing the job.  I went into the kitchen and brought up my cheap Fabuloso and it did the trick.  We did have to scrub up on ladders, but let me tell you, by the end of the day, they shined.

The next day, I finished laying the new mulch in the front beds. 

The next job was to break down the composting bin that Mr. Thrifty made out of old pallets about 5 years ago.  He filled 5 gallon buckets of compost and I threw them on the perennial bed.  See above picture.  All that rich compost is now working on that bed.

After breaking down the bin, the Mr. leveled it out and poured topsoil down for new grass to grow.   I moved the spinning composter over there and eventually, it will go in that corner, out of site.

In just 3 weeks, all the plants are coming to life.  I even have 2 sprouts of lilies of the valley sprouting up.  They are some of my favorite flowers.  Hopefully, the rich compost will encourage more growth of the plantings.

After Mr. Thrifty finished the back yard, we moved to the front.  He started digging to trench an area by the driveway that had draining issues.  I started power washing the driveway.  In 2 days, I finished 3 lanes.  I was hoping to finish the 4th lane today, but the rains started.  I needed a break anyway.  I am bone tired working all week.  I can rest when he returns to work next Monday.

I am grateful that the Mr. is so productive.  I reminded him that once the pollen passed, it was time to wash all the windows and screens.  That can wait for another weekend.

We had a deluge of rain over the weekend, so I wanted to share some photos of the lush growth happening out back.  It will be no time before the peonies are blooming.

THE MONK

I have been looking for a 'new' St. Francis since last summer.  Over the summer, both his last hand and bird fell off.  I love the rustic shrine that Dad had made, but it was time to search for a new statue.  I glued the pieces back on and set him aside.

Now, it is the first softball tournament this spring.  It is an overnight, so my catcher daughter and I drive to spend the night about 1 1/2 hours from home.  We are in a little town and little town means to me--junking holes.  As we got up the next morning, we drove in to the field, but on the way, I spied 3 antique stores.  I called ahead to alert 2 other mothers asking them if they wanted to go junking while the girls practice before the first game.  I picked them up and we returned to the stores.  I walked in and within 3 minutes, I found the Monk.  First off, he wasn't St. Francis, but I had an uncle who was a monk, so I was drawn to this statue.  He had some broken pieces and was glued back together, but he reminded me of a Benedictine monk and that was enough for me.  I gazed at the tag and he was, drumroll-$20.00.  I had my first purchase within 5 more minutes.  I want to share my new treasure with you.  I decided to place him where the St. Francis statue had been.

He had been glued back together and I was only missing the doe's tail, but that was ok.

He looks majestic up on the hill.

Amongst all the perennials blooming, I think he will be a nice addition to the garden.

I haven't decided if I'm going to put a bird nest in the platter he is holding.  I'll wait on that.

I did add the bird nest and planted a few carnations and periwinkle pansies in front.  In an arch around the back, I planted some irises. When the bed fills out, it should be beautiful.



EASTER DINNER TABLE AND PEONY WREATH IN LACED BACKED WINDOW

Sorry that I am late with my posting.  Mr. Thrifty took the week off to do some major projects-steam cleaning carpets, mowing the first time and getting rid of the southern thatch, breaking down the compost barrel and moving all that black dirt up to the perennial bed, scrubbing down all the gutters and fascia and power washing all the walkways and 4 lane garage path.  Whew!  It is a good thing that we enjoy working on projects together.  Just when I think I'm going to pass out, he encourages me to push on.  Anyway, on with the post.


As I was getting ready to dress the table for Easter, I pulled my Mom's wedding china, the estate sale lavender damask tablecloth and napkins, the Lenox bunny candlesticks, bunny salt and pepper shakers and my own silver plate silver.

In the center of the table, I laid the beautiful purple and green faux cabbages that I have in two sizes.

I also took the peony and cherry blossoms wreath and hung it on the distressed window with Belgian lace on the plain grey wall in the dining room. 

If this doesn't bring spring into the house this spring, I don't know what does?



Easter dinner table--check.



PEONY AND CHERRY BLOSSOM WREATH 2018

When I found this wreath project on Randi Garrett's blog, I fell in love.  This project called for a larger wreath, so I downsized the materials and made a 18 inch wreath instead.

I posted this centerpiece back in April.  All I needed to do now is tear down the centerpiece to create this magnificent wreath.

The materials I used for my wreath consisted of an 18 inch grapevine wreath, 9 peonies(3 of each color--hot pink, light pink and white), 3 stems of cherry blossom stems, wire cutters and a ball of twine(for the hanger on the back).

My first step was to cut off the peony blossoms to 7 inch pieces.  You could use a hot glue gun to attach them to the wreath.  I just wove them inside the wreath.  This gave me leeway to pull them out and readjust them if need be.  I kept the leaves from the peonies just in case.

It didn't take long to place the peony blooms into the wreath.

The next step was inserting some of the leaf foliage between the peonies.

Then I inserted all of the cherry blossom stems using the majority on the top part of the wreath.

Once I was done, I cut a piece of twine and made a hanger through the twigs in the back of the wreath.

Once I was done, I hung it on the front door.

I did bring it inside to see how it would look up against the white headboard bench.

I think that this project is going to spur me on to paint

armoire in my room.  I think it would beautiful hanging against the door mirror on that piece of furniture.

I guess I have my work cut out for me.