Each summer I like to create a table setting with a carved watermelon centerpiece. I missed last year but I couldn't let this summer get away without trying a new one. They are just so much fun to do! (You'll find the table setting below here: Summer Table Setting with Carved Flower Garden Watermelon Centerpiece) Two summers ago I carved this whale centerpiece. You'll find the tutorial for … [Read more...]
Summer Dining with an Edible Flower Garden Centerpiece
August 22, 2013 by 72 Comments
Welcome to the 258th Tablescape Thursday! Summer is winding down but it's not over yet. Are the stores in your area still stocked with yummy watermelons? They are still available here. It just isn't summer without cutting up a juicy, sweet watermelon or ten! I read an article the other day where someone made the claim that seedless watermelons don't taste as good as watermelons with seeds because they … [Read more...]
Cleaning Those Hard to Reach Windows
August 20, 2013 by 30 Comments
Back in May 2012, Nathan with Fish Window Cleaning sent me a can of Fish Foam, their fab window cleaner. You may remember I tried it on my windows, and loved the results. I didn't think they were that dirty but once I saw how they looked after cleaning, I was pretty impressed! Amazing how windows can look clean but the grime is there dulling the view and blocking the light. I loved how much more light came … [Read more...]
Create a Small, Sun-Loving Perennial Garden
August 19, 2013 by 69 Comments
Welcome to the 238th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I did a little more planting and if the rain will let up, I'm headed to a nursery today in search of plants for the large planters I purchased recently for the porch. I'm in a bit of a conundrum, though. Two of the nurseries I have talked to told me they will be getting large shipments in for fall, so I'm trying to decide: Do I … [Read more...]
New Lattice Planters for the Porch
August 16, 2013 by 68 Comments
You know those days when you run and work, work and run, but at the end of the day you're not real sure what you've gotten accomplished. Lately some of my days are feeling that way. I'm kind of in never-never land or maybe a better term is landscaping limbo. I have about forty-eleven projects running through my head and some require decision making, some require additional money and some require input … [Read more...]
Dining in an English Country House: A Visit to Chatsworth House
August 15, 2013 by 52 Comments
Welcome to the 257th Tablescape Thursday! Have you ever visited Chatsworth House? Unfortunately, I've never been to England but I'm determined to get there one of these days. Chatsworth House is a large country house located in the county of Derbyshire in the East Midlands region of England. It was built beginning around 1553 but went through a rebuilding process beginning in 1696. Chatsworth is home to … [Read more...]
Table Setting Ideas for Fall & Halloween
August 14, 2013 by 66 Comments
Today I was on a mission, unfortunately my mission failed. I was trying to find small-to-medium size cookie cutters in the shape of flowers. I struck out in Michaels, Party City (it was next door so I gave it a shot), Bed, Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn and the Dollar Store. The cookie cutters I found today were either way too big or were in large sets and were too expensive. I finally gave up and decided to … [Read more...]
A Landscaping “To-Do” List and a Surprise “Before and After”
August 13, 2013 by 150 Comments
I've been putting off a major landscape renovation for several years. I knew it would have to start with some serious tree removal and the process would be expensive and emotionally taxing. I hate cutting down trees but there is no shortage of trees in my yard, my neighborhood or this area. If anything, as I drive around my area I see so many houses in the same situation mine was in--buried behind and under … [Read more...]
Adding Color and Whimsy to the Garden
August 12, 2013 by 80 Comments
Welcome to the 237th Metamorphosis Monday! This weekend was a first for me. It was the first time I've ever planted annuals in August. When I went shopping, I wasn't sure if I'd find any since I've never shopped for them this late in the season. Surprisingly the usual places (hardware stores, big box discount stores and garden centers) do have them, even in August. The selection isn't what it is in mid … [Read more...]
Make a Lantern for Summer Parties
August 10, 2013 by 38 Comments
Recently, I came across a photo in a poplar store catalog featuring some pretty candle lanterns. I loved the lanterns, especially the handy rope handle, so I decided to make my own but with a few changes. The supplies needed for this project were: a 1 1/2 pint size, wide-mouth jar and a 1/2 gallon jar (Ball canning jars work great), candles, sand, hose clamps, rope, shells, … [Read more...]
