signing back in....

Hi folks!  I've been away from blogging for a bit this month and have really missed it.  I was taking some time to be still and focus on not doing anything if that makes any sense.  It's funny how during my everyday doings my thoughts would drift off to all of you here!

The garden is really full now.  I'm enjoying slowly walking through it and picking weeds here and there.  No planting goes on for me in July except for annuals.  There is always the constant moving of pots to fill in where things have fallen flat and trimming back where things look overgrown.

My old milk crate for the garden gate.

 Our first monarch in the garden enjoying the milkweed!!!  

And now some exciting news to share....I'm one of 5 finalist in the Amateur Small Garden design contest over at Gardenista. 

The winner will be chosen by the public vote.  People can vote once a day until August 15th HERE.  If you click on Amateur Small Garden you can vote for my photo...

Thanks friends!  

I will be around to see you all soon!  Hope the season is treating you well!!!   

moving moments...

I can tell you one thing....life is rolling on down the road.  Things are shifting and changing around every bend and I am just trying to soak it in before the moments move on.  The house is in flux, 2 out of 3 beans will be in school soon, the back garden is under construction with plants being moved to new homes.  Nothing earth shattering...just the stuff that makes you aware of how fast it moves and to give thanks for what you have.  

GARDEN MOMENTS

the evolution of a little bare patch that has found some new amigos 

{Goat's Beard, Knotweed, Creeping Jenny, coral bells, Wild Ginger, Ligularia}

{Balloon Flower}

{painted fern, Japanese Forest Grass, Solomon Seal,}

{phlox and butterfly weed}

 {Goldenrod}

 {Lungwort and Montrose White Catmint}

 {ornamental onion}

 {Joe Pye Weed}

{Shasta Daisy}

HOUSE MOMENTS

our little pad is finding its groove

{Before}

{and now}

ART MOMENTS
a collection of pieces

a sketch of a painting about to be started...folk art inspired

BEAN MOMENTS

my dirt lovers looking at a bug

Here is to a week of creating and finding beauty in the little things.

Thanks for being awesome!

Linking up with....Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop & Creative Country Mom's Garden Party.....thanks for the feature!

guest post at Number Fifty-Three

My friend Angela at Number Fifty-Three has an amazing blog full of design ideas, projects and all things vintage.  

 ~Via~Number Fifty-Three

~Via~Number Fifty-Three

I have always admired her simplistic sense of style that is bold in a very unique and modern way.  When she asked me to share a project on her blog I was thrilled to say the least!  So today I am over at Number Fifty-Three sharing my fairy and gnome garden house to inspire a little spring around these parts!  If you hop on over to her blog I have no doubt that you will be inspired by Angela's work!  

Happy making, baking, and growing!!

around here....cold and baking

The winds were howling last night and all I could think about was our 55 year old Ash tree.  My fingers were crossed that no large branches had broken off.  This morning a few were hanging but nothing major.  Schools are all closed yet again as the temperature could go as low as negative 35 degrees with the wind chill.  We are generally in two modes here...snow or bitter cold.

The menu this week is soup, chili and homemade bread.  My new go to bread recipe is from Honey and Jam.  It's a no knead bread which makes it easy.  The recipe calls for a lower pan in the oven with water to help create steam which in turn forms a really nice brown crust.

After bread making homemade concoctions were made with water, flower, yeast, garlic powder, and dried basil.  Let me tell you, the smell was intense but the fun was fierce!

And the baking cupboard is just about finished.  Glasses were moved and sorted and now all of our tools and ingredients are in one spot.   

I found some great removable contact paper that I lined the back of the cupboard with

magnetic strips for recipes and lists

drawers beneath are filled with cake, muffin, and loaf pans

boxes at the top are filled with birthday baking supplies and holiday baking supplies

It's nice to have a bit of organization so that we know what we have and where things are!

I hope that your week is off to a great start and that wherever you are you're staying warm!!!  

Linking up with...My Love 2 Create...Wowza Weekend Link Party

a collection and a Christmas award for you!

This is the time of year where I like to take it all in.  The little joys of the season.  The wreaths and bows that people hang to remind us that there is a common thread that ties us all together.

I wanted to thank Evi from Sexta-Feira for honoring me with this fun Christmas Award!   

1.   A Christmas Memory...

As a kid we would go every year to cut down a tree.  One year we picked what we thought was a big tree but were second guessing ourselves when the owners of the tree farm were laughing at us and were a bit beside themselves when the tree we picked broke their netting machine when putting it through.  Still confident in our decision, it was roped to our car and we were off.  The tree was in place at home and once cut, it took up the whole width of the room minus a foot or two.  It would not stand up straight so my dad enlisted the help of neighbors to come on over to rope the thing up to the ceiling and upper banister.  Mr. White with cigarette in mouth, came in laughing at what he saw.  "Geez Jer"  was all I remember him saying.  But my dad was determined and with a little help that tree was stabilized and ready for the season.  The funny thing is when some of our neighbors went to get their trees the workers at the tree farm were still talking about our tree being the biggest they had ever sold!

2.  Favorite Christmas Song...

This was a hard one for me because I do like every old Christmas song out there.  Sinatra to Bing Crosby... they all take me away to Christmases of the past.  But this one always gets turned up loud!

3.  All I Want for Christmas...

I want great memories for the beans.  As my dear friend Cara would say, just to have them look back when they have their own families and think "WOW that was awesome!" would be the best present.

4.  A Wish for 2014...

To continue to grow as a person.  For my family to be healthy.  And grow lots of stuff!

I wanted to take a minute to thank you all for coming along on this blog journey with me.  I know I've said it before but I have really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you.  Wishing you all the happiest of holidays in the days to come!  

And because I couldn't just choose a few of you I am passing this award on to all of you!  

   

Merry Christmas!