Funks Grove

We packed up the car and took a trip down to visit Auntie E!  She took us to Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove Illinois.  I wish our town had a children's area in the middle of the forest like this!  Mud pits for digging, zip lines, cabins, tire swings, sand boxes, and pots laid out by the stream for cooking. Basically, every kid's dream!

For the big kids there are miles of beautiful prairies, a magnificent bird sanctuary, and native gardens.

The barn is set up with old rockers to take in views of the prairie.

My new bird watchers!

And the youngest explorer of the group!

And since I am on the subject of my sis, I am going to take this moment to brag about her!   She is a passionate gardener who has shared her love of gardening with her students through their school garden program.  Keep up the mission E!!!  You Rock!

garden inspiration

Craig Bergmann

I couldn't resist sharing his work one more time!

Happy Gardening!

I'm getting heavy....

Ok folks, I'm getting heavy in this post.  As I continue to educate myself on GMO's in our food supply, I can not sit back any longer and remain silent.  As a mother I want the best for my kids, as does EVERY other mom that I know.  And that means knowing what is in our food.  

GMO's Defined

Most of my readers are Earth conscious people that I admire for their beliefs and their love for the environment.  Unfortunately, here in the US we are in the midst of something very frightening that stands to not only threaten our environment, but the health of our family and friends.  Major corporations are using harmful pesticides that are altering our crops and killing our bees....

what's killing our bees

As a mother to a little boy who has many food allergies, I am blown away that there are not more people connecting the dots between these practices and the growing number of children inflicted with food sensitivities.

via-antigmofoods.com

If there is another march I will walk. I will walk for ethical practices when it comes to our food supply.

Join the movement....Food Democracy Now

Non GMO brands....HERE

At Realfarmacy.com they gave a list of brands to be aware of....

Education is power.  And with it I believe that we can change the course we're on!  Peace!

side yard SOS

The kitchen table is where it happens.  The stories, the laughter, and the memories.  Which would explain my frustration with this.....

One of our main windows looks out on to our south facing side yard.  We pretty much look at our neighbor's house.  And yes that is our air conditioning unit too!  As I have said before, when you live in the burbs you have to deal with the "suburban circumstances!"

  The patch to the left is our neighbor's and we are to the right.

The jungle is part of our veggie crop.  Tomatoes, peppers and carrots.

The idea is to create our own little secret garden that leads you to our garden gate.  I would like to take advantage of this sunny spot for more flowers.  And I have promised my 3 year old that our secret garden will have butterflies! 

So with the three beans in tow today, we hit the nursery for some Captain Yews to act as a screening for the side yard.  Might I add that loading 3 small children in a minivan with 3 medium sized trees and a stroller is just hilarious!  I now know that I can do anything!

via-Willoway 

 I won't bore you with my list of to do's here, but much of the transplanting has already begun thanks to J taking the beans to the park so that I could get digging!

Some lovely inspiration to push me along and to remind me to be patient!

 via-Fine Gardening

 source unknown

via-Houzz

 via-Oregonlive.com

via-Oregonlive.com

It is going to take time to transform this space, but I am up for the challenge and ready to hit it!  

Wish me luck!

partying at...Fishtail Cottage

taking it slow

I have been taking things a bit slower these last couple of weeks as I have been getting over being sick.  Making myself go to bed early and taking things slow have helped me get my energy back for the most part.  I want to apologize if I have missed any of your posts...I'm finally getting my groove back!  

Every summer I host a party for my girlfriends.  We laugh, eat, and laugh some more!  We are all over the place in life.  Some are in the city and others of us are in the burbs.  Working, stay-at-home moms, and the list goes on.  It feels really good to reconnect with my friends. And I always try to make it special when they come here because they are so important to me.  This year I used jars to decorate and stayed with white flowers for the table.  Lilies, snapdragons and bottles wrapped with twine.

 For some extra lighting I hung mason jars with clear stones and placed one round LED light inside for a soft glow. 

 I visited a new nursery today that I read about in the local Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. In keeping with the "taking it slow" theme, here are some pretty plants on my stroll through

 The Hidden Gardens.

Partying with...Fishtail Cottage

Happy Weekend Everyone!

some summer things

Nothing better than telling the beans to go outside and pick their own vegetables for lunch.  Makes me feel good as a mama to watch their little feet hit the floor running to see who can pick theirs first!

You may remember our barn...

The barn got freshened up with a couple coats of paint and the clematis "Victor Hugo" is now climbing my homemade coat hanger trellis.  

A new addition is making me sing and go figure it's orange!  Butterfly weed paired with Blazing star in the front sun garden.  

Hemlocks, Blackhaws, Green Mountain Boxwoods, Rose of Sharon and Little Princess Spireas filling in along the patio.

And this guy!  

Loving his watermelon!

Linking up with...Fishtail Cottage

and the giveaway goes to......

Congrats to the creative Beth at Mossberry Cottage!!! The traveling book and Arbonne goodies are coming your way!!!  Thanks to everyone for leaving such lovely comments on the giveaway!  I hope to do another Arbonne giveaway soon to support my pal Kim and to pamper you all with some natural goodness!!! Have an outstanding week where ever you are!!!! 

via-tinywhitedaisies