green trends and hope

I have been noticing a bit of a trend in my borders as things are starting to grow and bloom.  Lime green.  It seems to wake up the darkest areas of my garden.  Similar to how the garden lightens our spirits and brings us hope.

As I was driving down our street this Memorial Day weekend, I paused and sent silent prayers when passing several of my neighbors' homes.  Fallen Soldier Flags hanging from front porches to honor their loved ones who lost their lives serving our country.  

And wouldn't you know it....most of these homes have spectacular gardens.  

A song I have been enjoying that brings me a bit of hope and happiness... 

The Head and The Heart...Lost In My Mind

foliage....Jack Frost and Solomon's Seal

I was worried about my Weigela {Fine Wine} shrubs as they were looking a bit tattered from the winter so when they started blooming it was extra sweet!

Climbing hydrangea, Carolyn's Gold hosta, Japanese Forest Grass, Snow on the Mountain, Epimedium Sulphureum {Barrenwort}, 

any day these peonies should be bursting

Adding some color to our little front porch.  Pillows, table and stool were all bought at Home Goods for under 100 bucks.  I potted up a fern and brought out my orange chair and lantern to finish it up.  It's a nice change.

One of my favorite miniature hostas is Carolyn's Gold.  Here with sedum {Lemon Coral}

Joe Pye Weed looking strong after being stepped on by a bean!

Baptisia {false indigo}

experimenting with views 

A new plant for me this year...Delphinium {Belladonna} paired with phlox {Red Riding Hood}

Snowball Viburnum 

geraniums with Bee Balm

Lilacs are blooming

growing some peas up front in my sunny flower bed

Did I mention that the boxwoods that I planted in my containers by the front door did not make it through our winter...done..fried.......containers are now filled with begonias!

Brookside Geranium and behind my new Anise-Hyssop {Blue Fortune}

some more lime...Creeping Jenny and sedum

Strawberries from my sis and Mexican Petunia with sweet potato vine

Blue Star 

So as I move plants....apply compost.....plant seeds....water...weed...split...add more.....I look onto my garden with hope.  And when hope is answered with the smallest of victories it is replaced with happiness!

THANK YOU to all who have served our country.   

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

MAKING Mondays {Fairy Herb Garden Teacher Gift}

Ok, I know I've done this all before but it just so happens that this came in very handy this weekend!  This project was inspired by a Fairy and Gnome House I made last year and one made by a very special friend.

 Miss Sue is my next door neighbor.  She is more than that really.  A friend who has not only taught me about the garden but about life from our over the fence chats.  My beans love looking on to her garden from their bedroom window.  Everyday they knock frantically in hopes that she will turn around and do a happy dance!  She is old school Greek which I relate to quite well as my Pop is old school Italian!    It is just a blessing to have someone like her right next-door.
  

Miss Sue's herb garden

Now with the oldest of our 3 beans finishing up her first year of preschool, I thought that a fairy herb garden would be the perfect gift for her teacher.  A thank you to a wonderful teacher who created a loving learning environment for this fairy!

{Fairy Herb Garden Teacher Gift}

Materials...

~pot

~soil

~herbs (we used basil and oregano)

~stones

~small house (we picked ours up at a hobby store)

~a fairy or a gnome for a little boy 

(we picked this up at our local nursery)

~natural twine

~sign and paint pen (both from the craft store) 

Thank you for helping this fairy fly!

made sure to leave some space for them to fill in as the season goes

A simple end of the year gift for all of those incredible teachers out there!

And to all of my blogging buddies...thank you for inspiring me!
Chasing after my beans keeps me on my toes and about knocks me out at the end of the day!  Being able to visit your blogs reminds me of the many treasures that life offers everyday and refuels my creativity!  It has been a cool adventure for sure!

Wishing you a week full of good things!

bits of happy...the start of the 2014 garden

This time of year my art is no longer created on canvas with paints, it's created in the garden.  Looking for color combinations, textures, and forms.  

foam flowers and goat's beard

{white spots are organic smelly critter repellent}

the start of our new patio with my corky red chairs

This kitchen garden makes me happy!  Stepping out our kitchen door to get some herbs and greens for meals makes everything good.

a fun place at our local nursery...thought this was a great place to get lost!

and the beans....playing away!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing everyone!

Here is to a great weekend!

Partying at....

Fishtail Cottage

good day sunshine

Hey folks!  We had the most glorious sunshine today!  Popsicles, sprinkler time, and good old dirt digging! Things are popping on through in the garden though we still have a bit that is delayed from the cold spring temps of April.  I have been working like a dog trying to get the start of the season up and running around here so I apologize if I have not been around for a visit.  That and a pretty nasty bug that I'm just getting over! 

herbs in

The beds are waking up!

containers are being made...Torenia Hybrid, Plectranthus, Millium "Flashlights" {annuals for shade}

color blocking with Coleus 

my tulips

more tulips...my favorite

Another construction area in the garden....a whole new vision...to be continued on this one!

nature adventures with the beans

And a while back I talked about trying new recipes from my Aunt Tina's cookbook.  Here is our latest one and it's another keeper!

Turkey-Stuffed Shells

~ 12 oz package jumbo shells
~ 1 lb ground turkey
~ a dash of olive oil for the pan
~ 1 10 oz package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
~ 2 medium size onions
~ 1 8 oz container of ricotta cheese or you can use cottage cheese
~ 3/4 cup of parmesan cheese
~ 4 tbsp. of butter
~ 3 tbsp. of flour
~ 2 1/4 cups of milk
~ 1/2 tsp. salt
~ 1/2 a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese


Boil your pasta shells.  Meanwhile, in a pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle in your olive oil.  Cook your onions for a few minutes and then add your turkey.  Stirring occasionally until the turkey is brown and the onions are tender.  Remove the pan from the heat and stir in....spinach, ricotta cheese, and parmesan cheese.

In a saucepan over low heat melt your butter and stir in flour until blended.  Cook 1 minute.  Gradually stir in milk and salt.  Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce boils and thickens.  (you may need to add a hint more flour if it is not thickening) Pour half of the sauce into a 13x9 inch baking dish.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Drain your shells.  Fill the shells with your turkey mixture and arrange them on the sauce in the baking dish.  Pour remaining sauce over your shells and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes or until mixture is hot and bubbly.  Turn oven control to broil. Broil your stuffed shells for no longer than 5 minutes until the tops are brown.  And enjoy!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!