randomness

Ok, so it has literally been raining nonstop here and they are calling for more severe thunderstorms tonight.  It's enough to make me crazy!  Crazy because I would love to get out in the garden but even more crazy because I find myself watching the sump pump like a hawk to ensure that no water thinks of soaking the new walls that were just put up from the last go around!  Which leads me to this post of random pictures I have collected over the past few weeks.

Refinishing and sealing an old crayon drawn cabinet to use for my gardening supplies on the back patio....

Watching the budget by splitting and planting grasses in pots for the patio...

Admiring a couple quick combos while on a walk...

Catmint and Knockout Roses

lime green Coral Bells paired with Hostas and Phlox

A sweet little front yard garden...

And the beans first music festival to see this guy...

their talented Uncle John

The fresh air combined with amazing folks and great music made for a perfect day.  

Dancing, skipping, and singing are all you need sometimes to make life super sweet! Ha..and a little less rain!
 Hope it is lovely where you are!

meet me at the garden gate

Our favorite song to dance to with the beans is Garden Gate by the Black Crowes......

Come on in and see what's growing!

Wishing everyone a very wonderful weekend! 

Linking up with....Fishtail Cottage

Palette Path

We have some of our veggies growing in pots by the house.  The area is, well, blah!  So I grabbed some palettes from my Pop and set to work.

So there ya have it!  A quick weekend project spruce up!  Hope your weekend is rocking!  Off to hear my brother play at a music festival by the river!  Cheers!



Linking Up Here...I Should Be Mopping The Floor & An Oregon Cottage & Chicken Chick

blooming and baking

Blooming...

 my new addition...False Indigo

Tiarella "Spring Symphony" (Foam flower) 

 grasses, sedums and yarrows are coming in

 Solomon Seal

 

 Bleeding Heart and potted Begonias in the shade garden

 I can't remember the name of this dwarf shrub in the front garden but I am inthralled with her blooms!

Anemone Sylvestris

our peas

And a pot of happy up front! 

Baking...

We have been busy baking for Mother's Day! These are our go to coffee cake blueberry muffins.

(One of my helpers thought I wasn't looking!)


Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins

-recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa-

Ingredients 
12 tablespoons of butter (at room temperature)
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 eggs (at room temperature)
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt

2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of blueberries

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place paper liners in your muffin pan.
-In your mixer beat the butter and sugar for 5 minutes until fluffy.  With your mixer on low slowly add the eggs, vanilla,  milk, yogurt, and sour cream.
-Now add your dry ingredients and fold your blueberries in with a spatula.
-Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day everyone!  

Linking up with Sarah's and Tootsie Time...Flaunt your Flowers

 

kids

Kids don't need much.  Really.  Just hand them a hose and some dirt and they're content for hours.  Simplicity Parenting is one of the best "parenting" books that I've read to date.  Kim John Payne's philosophy is simple.  Less is more.  "Using the extraordinary power of less to raise calmer, happier and more secure kids." The idea of less stuff and less screen time for kids is something that I'm very passionate about.  Why am I passionate about this?  As a former teacher turned mama, I hate the idea of children being exposed to too much too soon.

                     The good news is there are many that feel the same way, and they're using their creative talents to get the message out.

Elfin Trail is a beautiful shop filled with whimsical handmade toys for children.  My friend Amber at Mindfully Green is hosting a giveaway on her fantastic blog for a voucher to Elfin Trail. Here is part of Amber's recent interview with Ange from Elfin Trail.

2. I love how all of your items evoke imagination and keep the child deeply rooted to the earth, this makes your items so unique and individual. Was this your intention?

Absolutely! I’m passionate about childhood, protecting that fleetingly precious time of wonder, imagination and play. I find it heartbreaking - the current culture of rushing kids through childhood - educating them faster, filling their time with adult-directed, scheduled activities, bombarding them with marketing messages and adult concepts and facilitating hour after hour in front of a growing range of screens. In my own small way I’m trying to remind people that imaginative play is profoundly important to children.

Peg Doll Kit from Elfin Trail

In a world moving at great speeds, it is always refreshing when you find those people who take it slow and cherish the simplicity that comes with childhood.   I do hope you will jump over to see what these amazing women are up to!