A Smile In a Jar...

Happy Summer Friends! 

Well...I'm back in the smile spreading business again... Yes, it is time for beautiful fresh cut flowers from the garden.    Growing these beauties is one of my favorite things to do and the best part about it...EVERYONE sure is happy to see you coming with these in tow. 

Zinnias, Gomphrena, Coleus, Hydrangea...

Cosmos, Ferns...

all types of greenery and Sunflowers just to name a few.

A smile in a jar...

...all packed up and ready to brighten someones day!

Like I always say...Grow and Share Flowers...

It is Good for the Soul!

Have a Happy Day!

Cathy

"And The Stone Rolled Away"...planter project...

Hello Friends....sorry I haven't been around but it is spring time and you know what that means for me...it is GREENHOUSE Growing and BASEBALL Throwing time.  Working everyday and loving my work and spending all my spare time watching my sweet young man play ball.  

But I do have a special little project to share with you today.  Now, I can't take credit for this...I saw a picture of this a couple of years ago but we decided to make some this year at the greenhouse.  We have had a tremendous response to them and the best thing is....no profit is being taken from the sale of these pots...all money is being distributed through Random Acts of Kindness.  God gave us the greatest gift and Jesus paid the ultimate price....but He arose and He is Alive and it is the Easter season and I am so thankful. 

This is a wonderful project to do with your children or grandchildren, Sunday School class or make one for your Easter table setting.  All you need is about a week of growing time so there is still plenty of time to do this for Easter this year.  So here we go...

You will need:

*container - any kind will do

*potting soil 

*annual Rye grass seed - just a handful - less than $1.00 per pound

*some sticks

*twine

*rocks - small for the pathway

*stone - one appropriately sized for the opening of the tomb

*smaller pots to make tomb

First fill your container with potting soil leaving a couple of inches at the top...

 

Bury smaller pots in soil placing some of the soil up into the smaller pots to cover up the plastic.  Of course you could use a jar or small terra cotta pot.  We were recycling ;-)

 

Next mound soil over top of smaller container packing tightly so that it will stay on...

 

My friend Melissa was my hand model - thank you!

 

Next, generously sprinkle rye grass seed over the top and down each side of the tomb.  Do not sew grass in front of the tomb.

 

Now gently cover seed with soil.  We used germinating medium but potting soil is fine just be sure and not cover it to thick.

 

Next, place small rocks all the way to the back of the tomb and to the front of the container...

 

Now lightly mist soil being careful not to spray to hard as that would displace your soil and seed...

 

Take your sticks that you have gathered from your yard or near by trees and begin to assemble the crosses...

 

Using the twine, just criss cross it until the sticks are firmly secure... 

Make 3 to place on top of the mound...

 

Lastly, use a large stone to place to the side of the tomb.

 

In just about 4-5 days it will look similar to this...it really does grow so quickly if placed in a very bright location or even on a porch under cover...

You will need to trim it about every 3-4 days so that you are still able to see the details of the container...

 

This project is simple, inexpensive, sweet and so symbolic...

 

I do hope you have time to try this with your family.  It is something I know you will all enjoy!

Happy Easter Friends...

Cathy

First Project of 2017...

Happy 2017 Friends....hope you are off to a great start!  This is the month I just seem to kind of "chill" if you know what I mean.  It  seems like I just breathe a little more this time of year.  It gets dark early - so farm work has to stop, we eat supper at a decent hour if my young man is not playing in a basketball game.  I have always cherished the month of January simply because there seems to be a little down time.  

But with the start of the new year and cleaning up after the holidays....I am always ready to refresh something in my home.  So as usual...it just happens to be another piece for my kitchen.  Actually when I found this piece I had no idea where I would put it.  I moved it around a few times before I settled on this spot.  But I have to say...in this space...it was the perfect fit! And all those little cubbies could serve a purpose instead of just being dust collectors. 

Well...here she is in all her glorious "brownness".  I found this piece a couple of months ago at our area peddlers mall for $30.  Score!!!!  Now it was rough - just a simple handmade piece...but the lumber would have cost me more than that!

It actually had one more set of boards in the back...but I simply unscrewed one across the top and two down the sides to make it a bit more narrow.  I then cut off the support pieces with a reciprocating saw.  Took less than 5 minutes to do all that!  Now that is my kind of fix!

 

Worst part about it was trying to paint in all those nooks and crannies!  Serious. Hand. Cramps!  I painted in the corners and rolled on the rest.

 

After a couple of coats I did end up distressing it a bit (not shown here...oops).

 

Here you can see the sanding....Now....Just trying to decide what to fill it with.  I must confess....I love stuff but sometimes things like this make me nervous...just to much going on.  I see other people layer on top of layer and it is GORGEOUS but I must say it scares me a little.  I suppose I just don't like cleaning around it all...what about you?

I went to my pantry and pulled out a few things...like cookbooks, my basket of potatoes, a little chicken feeder I had...

 

 ...bowls...baskets...some greenery...

 ...and that is about it!  Now on to the top.  I reused a chalkboard I had and my new blue buckets were a Christmas gift - I just love them...especially since they are from my mamaw Ruby!

Some greenery tucked in the buckets...

My scale with oranges...

A lamp for coziness...

 

...and that is about it.  Inexpensive, cute and functional....that sounds like the perfect blend to me!

 

And on that chalkboard is my favorite scripture.  A scripture we should all try to live by each day.  I know I am thankful for Forgiveness!

 

Have a blessed 2017 friends!

Create a little something that makes you smile!

Cathy

My Christmas Kitchen...

...Hi friends...hope this day finds you well!  My Christmas kitchen is ready for some holiday baking...but... even though my kitchen is ready....I'M NOT.  Oh my stars...it is sneaking up on us isn't it. 

I thought I would show you some bits and pieces of the kitchen.  I'm sure you have seen these things before but I love to show my kitchen 'cause it is easy to change up for the holidays.  Lots of shelves and nooks and crannies to display treasures that mean so much to me.  

Hope you enjoy your look around and when you get to your holiday baking....bake some cookies for me....please!

My Shelves...

 Red Enamelware from my mamaw, Cleo...

 ...and little houses gifted to me as a housewarming gift from my sweet momma.

 A little tree filled with ornaments made by me plus some sweet finds from my friend, Pam.

 This tree is tucked in an old flour sack that I had....just happened to be the perfect color for my kitchen.

 You all have seen these for years but they are one of my prized possessions....my carolers handmade by my grandmother, Cleo.  Her hands are so crippled with arthritis now but she blessed us with her amazing talents for many years.  I treasure these.

 My hutch filled with platters and pitchers from yard sales and second hand stores....

 I was tickled to death when I found this snowy barn on fabric...already framed and everything - for just a few dollars.

 My pretty red pitcher made by a local potter and gifted to me by my husband.  I must say... I love him dearly but he is not really a gift buyer.  So when he brings me something...it is extra special. 

 Of course, my little man who is not little anymore...

Hope your holiday home is warm and cozy and filled with things you love!

Merry CHRISTmas friends and may your days be very merry and bright!

Cathy