My Garden Diaries

Sunday, September 1, 2013

liking

Watching my son explore the river.

Having the beans keep track of the busy butterflies while mom runs to get her camera!

Our fresh tomatoes.

The sweet little reminders in the garden!

My hands down favorite annual of the year...Wendy's Wish Salvia.

Browsing Fine Gardening Magazine for inspiration.

via-Fine Gardening

via-FIne Gardening

Our insect habitats!

The farmers throwing their monthly garage sale.

Where I scored this solid...I mean solid..oak table for the girls' room. Refinishing in progress!

Inspiration for their space.

source unkown

And the start of autumn's colors.
This photo taken by my daughter!

What are you liking these days?

Happy first day of September!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

garden wreaths for kids

Don't you love it when a project takes on a life of its own!?!

I have been working on a fall wreath, so naturally, my daughter wanted in on the action! I cut some extra chicken wire for her to work with and she was off! She gathered things from the backyard and when I caught up with her this is what she created....

A simple nature wreath for all the beans out there!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Birthday Beginnings...

We are throwing one birthday party for all three beans this fall. Their birthdays happen to all land around the same time and for now they enjoy it! No surprise that the theme this year is a "Garden Party." In an effort to stay on track with getting ready for their special day, I have begun making some decorations. I have really been inspired by my pal Carol from the fantastic blog Art and Sand. Her goal for the month of August is to "use what she has." I'm challenging myself to do the same for the party. Saving money and consuming less.....what a concept!

So first up are these burlap flowers. I have seen different flowers made from burlap and I happened to have some left over from a party this summer. I also grabbed some fabric scraps and buttons from my collection and here ya go..

Burlap Button Flowers! Not sure where they are going yet and I have several more to make but they were free! I will be doing little bits about the bash to try to stay ahead of schedule!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!

Monday, August 19, 2013

date night

We don't get out much with three kids under the age of 4, so when we do, we savor every moment!

Our date night was a concert located at the beautiful Northerly Island in Chicago. I'm proud to call Chicago our city. The people...the music..the food!

We went to see these amazing folks....Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks Band and The Black Crowes

If you've never heard this woman sing, I hope you'll give her a listen, because she is what good music is all about!

It was a cool night on the lake with a lovely crowd. People kicking back and dancing the night away!

And me with this guy....sharing our love of music once again!

Here is to all of those little moments this week that make life sweet! Have a good one!

Monday, August 12, 2013

around here....

around here...

the beans help Gramps harvest vegetables from his garden.

around here....

I look for color among the fading areas of the garden.

around here....

I visit other gardens to study what is blooming.

Lobelia "Monet Moment"

Blue Paradise Garden Phlox

Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush

Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster

Blue Fortune Agastache

around here...

sisters are making music together.

around here...

I'm working to create as many unprocessed snacks as I can for my beans.

Oatmeal Bites

Oatmeal Cookie Bites...

1 and 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

4 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 and 1/4 cups flour

1 1/2 cups oats

1 cup raisins

1 cup chopped walnuts

Beat wet ingredients in a mixer. Slowly add the dry ingredients and walnuts (good with or without nuts!) Mix the raisins in by hand. I like to make them small for the beans but large are awesome too! Cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.