Constant Care

Rubber hoses are a good thing! If I had to fill these watering cans every day to water my flowers, I might finish about ten o'clock. As it is, I can haul my hose around and be done rather quickly with my 50 + pots.

I can even fill my bird baths super quickly, too. Can you see it below? It is right behind my David Phlox and in front of the red flowers with a reflection of the bricks.

If I can talk Alex into finding the cords to his camera that he promised I can have, I will be able to take clearer pictures. Still wanting a new camera, however, his will be the right price!

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Undone

Problem: The paint can is empty. Maybe I should have thinned it a bit more for the first coat on the doors.

But I wanted good coverage! I did thin it to finish the two doors on the left and it was easier to brush on. When I get around to the other side of the kitchen I think I'll be priming the doors first, then painting. Too much tannin came through the paint. At least that is what I think it's called. I did go back and seal some edges and then put on a third coat of paint and liked that so much better as those edges didn't turn yellow.

Now for sanding and sealing this set of doors. I'm going to skip the wax and use the sealer. I know that will be easier on my wrists. They need to work for playing the piano, too.

Between coats I just might sneak in a bit of  reading. I have two more Miss Julia books in her series to enjoy and the latest Donna Andrews. Read the Laura Childs book last night. All 'fluffy' reading for summer pleasure.

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Kitchen Grows Up

It was hard, but I took down all of my gingerbread kids and hearts from the cabinet doors and around the window above the sink. My kitchen wanted a change. It looks rather stark to me. I didn't give them away--maybe later some will find new homes.

Annie Sloan was calling from all around the country. She wanted to come to my house so I went on a day trip and picked her up. There are not many places in Colorado to find her, but I did-- in Parker! In years past, many moons ago, during my college days I had a friend that grew up there. It seemed ever so far away then. But, with a stop in Denver to see my sweeties, I continued on down to Leetsdale Drive, which turns into Parker Road, drove on past Tagawa Gardens and soon arrived in Parker. Found Main Street and turned east and found a sweet shop filled with all sorts of goodies. Simpler Times Designs, where I found Annie, has a booth area in Mainstreet Marketplace.

Removed the handles, but not the doors. I'm in a bit of a rush as I seem to get this painting bug right before school begins (early in August). It's happened before, so I took the short cut. I was assured this paint will stick to anything , including hinges! The doors above have only one coat. I did two.

These doors were lightly distressed and I put up a handle as it looked before cleaning and one after. The one on the left has 31 years of fingerprints. I soaked them in ammonia and hot water twice and then scrubbed them with a stiff brush, steel wool, and Dawn.  That long oval shape had some sort of brown paint on it and it came off so it looks much better to me. I kept them for two reasons: 1. Cost to replace and 2. I didn't want to have to drill new holes.

More doors need another coat of paint. Then they'll need waxing and/or a polycrylic sealer. Right now I'm only planning to do the uppers. Tomorrow  I'll remove more handles, clean them, scrub the cupboards by the stove, and try to move the refrigerator so I can reach those cabinets. I sure do miss my painter man. He always did this kind of stuff for me.

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Celebrate!

Happy Anniversary 

to my sweeties.

 The traditional first anniversary gift is one of paper.

While enjoying lunch at the Pepper Pod in Hudson I noticed that Sarah had on a new necklace. I asked her to take it off and let me see it thinking that she had been playing with beads. Then I saw that some of the colored "beads" were actually origami cranes smaller than a dime! Didn't my smart and cute SIL, Alex, select a perfect paper present for Sarah? This past spring I was trying to relearn creating the cranes for a novel my fifth graders were reading. Those large cranes would look like monsters next to these delicate miniatures.

After the celebration meal Alex and I had to take pictures of this quilt on the wall. If you are traveling through Colorado on I-76 and need to stop for a meal, stop in Hudson. Next time I'm having the Buffalo chicken fried steak! Alex let me taste his and it was fabulous!

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Delightful Daisies

Finally, I think I'll have some of the huge daisies in my garden. I keep trying, but I usually end up with little blossoms. Our local garden center is a good one, but small, so it doesn't always have the variety I want and I settle for something else.

Found these on clearance at King Sooper's yesterday for $1.50 each gallon pot!!

I'll get them in the garden in a few days when it cools off into the 90's. At least by October?!!

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Homemade Soap

I've been wanting to try the homemade laundry soap I've seen around. After buying the necessary ingredients three times, twice for Sarah, and now for me, I made it!!

I used the pink Zote soap, because I like pink!  The lavender pieces are Downy UnStopables, scented for a fresh smelling laundry.

I only used 1 container instead of the two in the recipe below as I prefer less scent. So far, it works in my HE washer.

Laundry Soap links:

http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/04/stonegable-laundry-soap.html

http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/my-homemade-laundry-soap-is-amazing

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Purity

The morning light was amazIng! Very early before the sun could come up over the tree tops I let Buster out before the bugs started flying around and darting in and out of the flowers.

The cool air felt good and the white petunias were so pure and clean. Made my soul happy.

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Pink Makes Me Happy

There's always lots of pink in my garden. It's planned that way as I ♥ pink. Tulips, phlox, petunias, lilies, begonias, geraniums,

roses...

This phlox is one that came up from seed. Even though the next two look the same, they aren't. Apparently they mutate and the colors change.

The "mother" plant, below.

This lily surprised me after church on Sunday.  I wasn't ready with a spot in the ground this spring, so I just put the bulbs in a pot. Later this fall they can go down in the dirt.

The flowers and I enjoyed the last few days of 70's and 80's. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Next item on the summer list is a new camera as I'm sure I've worn out the one I've been using. (Or broken it).  The I-phone takes fine pictures, but it won't talk to my computer so it is a royal pain to e-mail each picture, etc.  It might be a bit before I do any more posting.

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Blooming Pots

With our 100+ temperatures, I'm amazed that my flowers can bloom in the heat! Most all came from our FFA greenhouse in May.

The petunias don't seem to mind, but the snapdragons will wilt in the afternoons. These are so different than the ones I remember pinching open when I was young.

The petunias are happy sharing with the licorice plant.

Before the rain (YES!! we had rain!) last night, I wanted to make sure I snapped the phlox. The hail didn't come so they are still looking pretty today. Very early this summer!

More pots.

Every year I splurge and buy a special variety of petunias for this pot. There's ONE plant in the light gray pot and it will continue to grow and bloom. I did learn not to give it any fertilizer last year. It just grew "leggy" and didn't stay compact.

A wee fairy found a spot in this pot.

Her name is ARIA. "With each wind that flutters through the trees, Aria uses her song to invigorate the plants and creatures of the garden. They grow and become more enchanting with every note she sings."

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