Ahhhh!!!

It has been a long summer -- long and dry. Very dry. My plants and my lawn have suffered. But this week there was a change.

Simple Sunday ~ Black Prince Tomatoes

Aren't they beauties? I picked these on Friday. I saw that there was another one ripe when I watered yesterday evening -- I simply picked and ate it as I finished my watering chores. This is my first time growing this variety and all I can say is that I am FAR from being disappointed. They have produced exactly what the seed catalog said they would -- An heirloom from Irkutsk, Siberia. The 5-oz tomatoes are found and very uniform; the color is a wonderful deep blackish-chocolate brown (you can tell in contrast to the tee-towel that the color is certainly not typical red). The flavor us as deep, sweet and rich as the color. A unique salad tomato; the plants produce a large crop and early; a good tomato for fine markets.

These particular tomatoes will be making their way into a fine salad with freshly cut basil and the rest of the mozzarella pearls for Sunday supper - what are you harvesting this week? :)

Joining Elaine for her Sunny Simple Sunday and The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday.

The Sounds of the Times!

HAPPY MONDAY and Happy July!! I thought I'd tell you a little about the sounds of my weekend.
Now to qualify what I am going to write next -- I grew up in Southern CA where fireworks, except for licensed, public displays, are outlawed. Way too much of a risk of fires. As a child I never set off fireworks and am as far away from being a piromaniac as you can get since I don't even like striking matches, lol.

The last few night have been LOUD in our area -- lots of fireworks action. It will all come to an end on the 4th -- until then, I keep thinking I am hearing the sounds of war. Do you set off your own fireworks or enjoy a display in your community?

My company arrived late last week and we have been having a time just visiting and enjoying each other's company. Over the weekend I got to go with my Dad on 2 LONG walks -- such great talks happen on walks....especially LONG ones. I love the sound of my Dad's voice -- I hope I can remember what that sounds like forever!

Flatwater Music Festival 2012

On Saturday we ventured out to enjoy the Flatwater Music Festival. What a nice time that was -- perfect evening too -- weather was lovely and enough of a breeze to keep the skeeters away.


Gigi and Gabe at Flatwater Music Festival ~ Hastings, NE

We enjoyed some great Bluegrass, Folk and Old-Timey Country & Gospel music by a variety of different bands. There were also local crafters and artists that had their wares for sale.

Aren't these wind chimes just lovely? You would not believe what a lovely, tinkling sound they made.

As I sat with my grandbaby on my lap and my 2 grown daughters to my left and my Dad and Mom to my right, I couldn't help but think what a blessed woman I am!

Fern(s)

It was second-grade. I was in Mrs. Swisher's class at Central Elementary School. At literature time she read aloud the book Charlotte's Web (oh, I hope my friend Rose isn't reading this -- she HATES spiders, lol). I instantly loved Fern -- I wasn't even sure what a fern was, but I loved this brave, spunky little girl who was lucky enough to live on a farm. Me, a city girl thought her life simply perfect. I wanted to be Fern -- what a gorgeous name she had -- so much better than Gail. Over the years, I have read this book again and again and loved getting to read it to each of my own children. I don't hear or read the word FERN without thinking of the relationship I had with Fern Arable.

All that to say that I have ALWAYS wanted a big old porch fern -- such an old-fashioned thing in my mind....big old Victorian porches adorned in ferns. Well, there are a few things were needed to fulfill that. ONE is a big old porch - got that - and the other was getting over the fear that I'd kill it, lol.

I do fine with growing vegetables and even annuals and perennials, but house plants, as I rule I kill. With the exception of my African Violets, I generally avoid plants in the house. I knew if I took on the commitment of a fern on the porch, the time would come that it would have to come into the house.

Last summer I said that *next year* would be the year I'd finally get one. Next year came around. I did do some research and decided on what kind I wanted and I even shopped (a little bit anyway) and didn't find what I wanted. Then my friend Rose (yes, the same one who doesn't like spiders -- and that is a gross understatment), came in to the office and told me our favorite little plant source for the season was selling everything 50% off. I had given up on a fern for this year but still wanted a hanging basket for my back deck. I scurried on over there. I found a perfect basket -- planted in my red, white & blue theme and scooped it right up.

As the cashier was checking me out we had a conversation about the plants she was buying at 50% -- a couple baskets like the one I bought and a FERN -- what, you have ferns still? -- do you have Kimberly ferns? -- why, yes we do -- I bought not 1 BUT 2 of the hugest, most gorgeous ferns for my porch! Wish me or maybe I should say, wish the ferns good luck -- don't they look stunning on my porch?

I am sharing at Yvonne's Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits Party! And Sweet Honey is back to blogging and posting to her Potpourri Friday.

How to care for your fern:

Placement - Put your fern in a location with a lot of light but little direct sun. Early morning and late afternoon direct light is enough, with shade during the rest of the day. An area of high humidity is helpful, but with proper watering (see below), a fern will be fine in a drier area.

Because ferns are so fragile, it is important to place them where tBecause ferns are so fragile, it is important to place them where they will not be crowded or brushed up against. Be sure to allow them to have plenty of "personal space" so that they can spread out and expand. When a fern is crowded into a small space, it tends to do poorly.

The Pot - Use a clay pot or a hanging basket lined with sphagnum moss togrow your fern. Plastic pots aren’t good for drainage, and adequate draining is crucial for a healthy fern.

Because a fern’s roots are near the surface, they should only be grown in shallow pots (about 6 inches deep).

Soil and Mixes - Many horticulturists recommend planting ferns with a special fern potting mixture, which can be found at a nursery. Ferns require loose, quick-draining mix. It is also acceptable to use regular potting mix and add about 20% peat moss.

Watering - Over-watering kills more plants than anything else. Only give your fern water when the soil is starts to look dry. Don’t use a plant mister on your fern. It can cause the fronds (leaves) to brown and wilt.

The soil of your fern should be moist, but never wet. Over-watering a fern is a common mistake. Over-watering can damage a plant’s roots, and once the roots are damaged the plant may not survive.

Because ferns like humidity, fill a tray with pebbles and water (enough water to cover all the pebbles) and place the potted fern on the tray.

Fertilizers - Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer once a month, during the growing season. Only use one-quarter to one-half of the recommendations on the fertilizer package.

Pruning - New ferns will not grow from cuttings.

If you notice brown around the edge of a leaf, and the fern’s condition doesn’t improve after a couple waterings, cut off the sick leaf. Also cut off any dead leaves at the base of the fern.

If the whole fern looks bad, or pests have invaded, just cut the whole plant right above the soil and let it grown again.

Re-potting - Ferns should be re-potted at least once a year, and can be divided easily in more potted plants. Just remove the plant from the pot, divide the roots with a sharp knife, untangle the leaves, and place the ferns into new pots.

But how do you know when to re-pot a fern? The basic rule is this: if the roots have reached the sides and bottom of the pot, it's time to re-pot it.

Growing Outdoors - In favorable climates, ferns can also be grown in a shady garden spot protected from wind and heavy rains. Keep the fern out of direct midday sun and make sure it gets enough water to keep the soil damp. A couple inches of organic mulch (for example, chopped leaves) will help keep an outdoor fern healthy. And again, give the fern enough room – it shouldn’t come close to touching other plants.

Happy Flag Day!

I LOVE the holidays of summer -- Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day (okay, so the first 2 are not technically summer but they count as summer holidays don't they?).

Every year I plant my annual pots in some sort of *theme* -- this year is red, white & blues! I simply love these blue petunias and their white *stars* -- they seemed made just for my theme. I'll show more of my annuals in the next couple weeks.

Have I mentioned that in the summer months I only work a 4 day week? I take Thursday's off. It is my fluff my nest day and I simply love it. My current fluffing includes painting my front porch. It has been quite a job and I am really looking forward to having it completed. My antique wicker is all refreshed with a new coat of paint and cushion covers and I am looking forward to hanging my buntings and having my porch all *decked* out for 4th of July -- I'm having company. Mom and Dad are coming from Arizona and my oldest son will be here from Minnesota -- oldest son was born on 4th of July! :)

Mother's Day Musings!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

What a fabulous spring morning we have been blessed with in Central Nebraska -- hoping it is the same where you are.  This morning I have none of my little chicks in my nest -- #1 son is in Minnesota, #1 daughter is working her every-other-weekend rotation, #2 son is spending the weekend with his girlfriend and her family in another town (yesterday was girlfriend's birthday) and #2 daughter is babysitting (Keller and his parents are back to Boston for another check-up and daughter is staying with baby sister Kora). The two daughters will both make it here for supper -- in the meantime, I have grandbaby here to help me celebrate a lovely Mother's Day morning. He will help me finish my flower pot planting this afternoon.


Graduation season is in full-swing in Nebraska -- CONGRATULATIONS to both the graduates out there and their parents who helped them along the way. Yesterday I was blessed to spend the afternoon and evening with my #2 daughter. She is such a busy bee that it felt like ages since we had spend a large block of time just visiting -- we had about 5 hours of windshield time as we traveled to and from Omaha to attend the graduation reception of one of her best friends, Rachel. It has been such a blessing to see these 2 young women grow up and blossom.

Jay & Rae met when we first moved to Nebraska in 2006 - they were instant friends. Rae was the daughter of our then Pastor. They moved to Omaha about 3 years ago and that hasn't changed a thing in their friendship except they appreciate the time that they have together so much.

Jay & Rae doing flips in the church basement

Back in November 2010, when Jay's friend committed suicide, Rae came from Omaha - newly licensed driver and icy conditions, she made that 5 hour round trip alone to be with Jay -- I was so grateful to both Rae and her parents.

Hamming it up for the camera

Every summer they made the trip to Missouri for church camp -- what wonderful memories they have of those weeks at camp.

Camp, Summer 2010

Rachel's Graduation May 2012

Now they each move on to a different season in their lives -- knowing they have been blessed with a very special, life-long friendship.

Rachel's Graduation May 2012

In The Merry Month of May!

Super Moon photo credit

What a WONDERFUL month May is shaping up to be. Do you have plans to get out and view the SUPER MOON this weekend? I sure plan to.....I have lots of plans for this month. Starting with VACATION -- I am taking off some time from my job. Some of that time will be vacation and some will be STAYcation -- I am looking forward to BOTH. I have plans for flower planting and porch furniture painting and graduation receptions attending. Leisure mornings with a cup of coffee in hand, lunches and dinners with friends and working on some cookbook reviews. Ahhh!

Look for a Low-Carb Living post next Friday. Enjoy your weekend!!

10 Things I LOVE About Spring!!

HAPPY MAY DAY!! Okay, so I know that spring is in full swing -- has been for a while. That said, until April 17, I really didn't have much time to notice. I've been making a point of noticing since then.

I do have to admit that I usually don't think of myself as a *spring person* but as I thought of my list, I found that there are TONS of things I love about spring besides that winter is finally over. This list is both random and in no particular order - just what popped into my noggin.

Longer days - the longer days do come along kind of gradually and then Daylight Savings Time starts and there seems to be so much more day for spending.

Sleeping with the windows open - Sleeping with windows open only happens in Nebraska in the spring and fall months -- too cold in winter and too hot in summer. I love hearing the outside sounds -- a distant train, crickets, leaves rustling in the breeze, thunder in the distance.......

Spring Cleaning - YEP, I even love spring cleaning. That doesn't happen until tax season comes to an end but once it does I LOVE digging in and cleaning up. Organizing, clearing cobwebs and rearranging things are all things I enjoy.

Green – the entire greening process of the grasses and leafing of the trees! Seems like the prairie goes from black and white to GREEN in a flash.

RAIN – we sometimes get some more severe weather in the spring . Although I love a good thunderstorm at times, the soaking, gentle rain is my favorite. The robins out hunting for worms are such a fun sight.

NO Coat (or scarf, or gloves, or hat) – Okay, this is the Southern CA girl (I was raised in San Diego) showing. I HATE coats and all that goes with them, lol. Mostly I hate being all bundled up and then going into stores and such that are warm -- do you hear the menopausal, hot-flash prone complainer that I can be, lol.

FLOWERS ~ My dear Grandma instilled such a love of flowers in me -- like me, she had many favorites but Irises were pretty much at the top of the list -- MOST of the spring flowers are on my list but Irises do have a special place in my heart.

More time OUTDOORS ~ Running, walking, biking, gardening, puttering in the yard, sitting on the porch or deck with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, lunch or even supper on the deck......I just love being outdoors!

Sale season ~ No matter what they are called in your neck of the woods - garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales, tag sales -- spring is when the season opens for the year. Also, spring is prime time for thrift shopping. Gotta love that!! I am 2 (TWO) sizes smaller than I was last spring/summer so I have been a shopping fool :)

Sunrises, Moonrises, Stargazing ~ and just about any other times on the porch w/cuppa in my hand. Really enjoying my wicker furniture find from last fall and getting in lots of porch time this spring!

So there is 10 and I didn't even mention baseball, gardening, sandals, baby animals (REALLY have enjoyed seeing the calves this year) or any of the other wonderful things that warmer weather brings :)

Get out and enjoy what is left of spring -- better start thinking about my summer list :)

10 Things I LOVE About Winter!

Okay, remember way back at the beginning of Fall, I posted my 10 Things I LOVE About Fall list? That was so easy for me to come up with off the top of my head -- I truly do love fall. BUT I felt a little convicted - after all, I am to find joy in all circumstances (in Philippians, Paul exhorts his readers to be joyful 16 times)...that means EVEN winter. I don't hate winter, but having been raised in San Diego, winter on the Nebraska prairie tends to still scare me -- especially the driving in it part, lol. Then there is the whole TAX SEASON thing -- those things aside, I was able (with some thought, lol) to come up with my list for winter.

1. Snow – okay, I am not talking about driving in it or even shoveling it, but there is something very quiet and serene about snow. For that reason, I love it.


2. Hot Beverages – Yes, coffee is an important one and I am LOVING Gingerbread K-Cups but also hot tea, hot cider, cocoa – YUM – a warm-up in a cup!

3. Soup – The poster-dish of all comfort foods! The entire process of soup is warming – the simmering, the sipping.......


4. Quilts - Not just having them stacked for covering with, but having the quilt frame up and hand-quilting away the long, house-bound days.

5. Books - No guilt that I should be weeding or mowing or some other productive activity...that is why I am a winter reader more than any other season. I can lose myself in a novel guilt-free. My favorite indulgence -- reading in bed - under the warm quilts! Here is my PINTREST Winter Reading List. Anything else you want to recommend to me?

6. Seed Catalogs - Oh, the fun to see them in my mailbox and to dream about what I will plan and plant when spring finally arrives.


7. Flannel Jammies - I do, I do - I LOVE snuggling into a well worn (softened) pair of flannel jammies! (Not a fan of flannel sheets though -- jammies are my limit, lol).
8. The string of holidays that winter brings - Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day and finally St. Paddy's Day - not to mention the birthdays -- youngest sister, youngest son, my dear daddy and now grandbaby will be joining that club. LOTS to celebrate!

9. Cardinal sightings -- when the world has turned to black and white the streak of scarlet is so easy to see. I love the little red boys and although the one who lives in my area is around year-round, it is in the winter months that I see him the most.

10. A new year - that new-again feeling of January - fresh starts and resolutions -- LOVE it all!


Okay, now it is YOUR turn -- I'd love to see your 10 Things I LOVE About Winter list! HAPPY first day of winter!!

Call me a COPYCAT!

Yep, that is the truth - I am pretty good at copying! I am thinking that is why I ♥ Pinetrest so much -- LOTS of wonderful ideas at the ready for COPYING!!

When I heard that DebbieDoos was hosting a holiday copycat event, I knew EXACTLY what I would be bringing to the party!

Months back I spied this photo on Pinetrest....

LOVED IT!!!!!

Then I saw this Pin....


I wasted no time, even though it was only September, I visited the Tractor Supply Store and purchased the largest galvanized wash tub I could find!

Here is my copycat version...




Now, why I hadn't thought of this idea before is beyond me - I am always using buckets and such for unconvential purposes -- oh, well, I am glad I *found* this idea to copy -- I've gotten lots of great comments on this tree and am thrilled with the way it turned out!

Editing to link up at Honey's Christmas Tree part of the party!

When Love Was Born!

I have found so many wonderful CHRIST centered CHRISTmas songs by contemporary artists that I just love. I thought that I'd share on Sundays in December the ones I've picked as my favorites.

This first Sunday, I am sharing When Love Was Born by Mark Schultz.

When Love Was Born

Starlight shines, the night is still
Shepherds watch from a hill
I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born

Perfect child gently waits
A mother bends to kiss God's face
I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born

Angels fill the midnight sky, they sing
Hallelujah, He is Christ, our King

Emmanuel, Prince of peace
Loves come down for you and me
Heaven's gift, the holy spark
To let the way inside our hearts

Bethlehem, through your small door
Came the hope we've waited for
The world was changed forevermore
When love was born

I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born

Please go to the end of the page and turn off the blog music to fully enjoy the link.



Linking to Spiritual Sundays!

To Burlap or NOT to Burlap!

Burlap -- it is EVERYWHERE. I really thought I was going to jump on the bandwagon. After all, you all are making such wonderful things with it -- all you have to do is enter the word burlap in the search on Pinterest and you'll get a bazillion ideas for gorgeous things to make with it. I bought yards of it on sale at Joann's Fabric a few weeks ago thinking I would do a table runner or two to use with my Christmas decorating.

This PIN was my inspiration!

Only problem was when I actually went to work with it -- I HATED IT!! Really, I found it stinky and scratchy and I didn't like it one bit -- I feel better for saying that but hope I haven't alienated you burlap loving folks! I won't let what I bought go to waste - I'll find some way to use it in the garden next spring. But now I was left with no inspiration for my tabletops.

I really didn't want to spend any more money so I opened my craft cupboard and started rooting around. What I had there was a stack of these......


I buy these dish towels in bulk from Colonial Patterns for my embroidery work. I love these simple, red-striped cotton towels. Could they be turned into a runner? Well, I lived with that idea for a couple days and then I started cutting and sewing. I am very happy with the final product -- well, that should read products -- my sideboard, kitchen island, dining table and upright grand piano top are all sporting runners. I think they capture the old farmhouse feel I adore!






Joining the lovelies Susan and Marty for Met Monday and Tabletop Tuesday!