Flowers...making people and ME happy!

As many of you know, I have grown flowers for a "living" for about 15 years.  For 12 years I had my own business and now I proudly work at Central Farmers Supply doing the same thing.  My husband made a comment the other day that really stuck with me - he said, "Isn't it nice to be able to do something where people are happy to see you and appreciate what you do?"  Well, he is so right... I am grateful that my work brings other people as well as myself...much joy. 

 

It makes me happy being the "flower lady". 

 

I was browsing through some of my old pictures and here are a few I enjoyed remembering.

 

Happy Planting Friends!

 

Ahhhhh....FERNS...

Happy Spring Friends - it has been slow getting here but I think it is here to stay....fingers crossed.  Even though it has been a tad early for flowers - I can hardly wait each year to hang my ferns - it is like INSTANT happiness. 

 

Nothing "warms" up a porch like greenery - and five ferns did the trick for our front porch.

 

 

 

Four hanging...

 

 

...and one sitting...

 

 

 

 

 

 

One even found it's way in to the sunroom - perched high on an old column.  It should thrive there with lots of great light.  It sure makes me smile each day.

 

 

Next up - FLOWERS!!!  They are finding their way into my window boxes next week - I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!!!

 

I wanted you all to take a peek over at Holly's blog - Down to Earth Style - she is amazing and her ideas never cease to amaze me.  It was ironic we both decided to post about our ferns but I learned a great trick when I stopped in for a visit with her.  We all struggle with hanging wreaths on our windows from time to time - you must hop over and check out her clever idea.

 

Happy Spring, Happy Planting, Happy Diggin' in the Dirt - just ...Happy Everything!!!!

 

A touch of Yellow & a lot of Cheer...

On Tuesday - spring officially arrives and I'm so excited about that.  Today was gloomy, rainy and we didn't see the sun at all - so I thought I'd bring in my own sunshine.

 

 

It all started with this lemon pitcher and a platter that my sweet mamaw gave me for my birthday recently.  So I was bound and determined to bring the sunshine in today with a few yellow things I already had. So here we go...

 

 

A yellow owl - and some lemons and pears...

 

 

A frame I've had forever with my lil' man who is not so little anymore ;-(

 

 

Of course, I kept all my green goodies - which I have to say is probably my favorite color (for now anyway).  In the corner cabinet - a green soup tureen from my sister and the green kitchen scale was a gift from my mom.

 

 

For some reason - I have a hard time moving my blue "Ball" jars - I just love them so much - they usually stay right where they are.

 

 

The shelves are probably one of my favorite things in our home - it's just a fun place to put things that make me happy.

 

 

The grass is starting to green up out the front window...

 

 

A full shot...

 

 

...the "right" side...

 

 

...over on the "left" side of the kitchen -  the mantle that I love - Now I need to find a yellow cushion for my chair...

 

 

...Looking down from the table - I still haven't found the right chairs - but I will...someday.

 

 

I know I've shown you all my kitchen before - hope you don't mind.  It's just a happy place for me.

 

 

One of the things I like to purchase when I find them - is quirky pictures of barns or sheds.  I love the ones that look like paint by number - I have one for just about every season.  Sometime I'll share them all with you.  This one I picked up for $2.00 at the Mission Store - it was a perfect match for our home.

 

 

...an old kitchen cabinet...

 

 

 

 

 

Another gift from my papaw - was this table he made from an old door and left over fence posts - it's simple - but I love it...

 

 

It's a perfect fit over there in the corner.  As you can see those barn doors are STILL not painted - that is another "someday" project!

 

 

I hope you have a great start to spring! 

Bring on the Sunshine and the Flowers - I'm ready - are you?

 

 

Rye Grass in a Chicken Feeder

Hi friends - I've been digging in the dirt a lot lately - preparing the greenhouse for spring.  At work I've been planting some rye grass for the upcoming Easter season and I couldn't pass up planting some for myself.  This is my old chicken feeder.  I thought it would be perfect with some spring green!

 

Let me say - this might be the Easiest seed in the world to germinate - so you must try this!

 

Here's How...

 

First find the perfect planter to your liking....

 

 

 Next fill with a good quality potting soil...

 

 

Thirdly - sprinkle rye grass seed generously on top...

 

 

...next lightly cover with germinating media such as Redi-Earth or you can use the potting soil - just sprinkle it on very lightly.

 

 

Mist with water - thoroughly wetting the soil.  Be sure and not over water if your container does not have drainage holes.

 

 

Place in a bright sunny location and in just about three to five days - you will see this - all kinds of happy rye grass growing...

 

 

 Now, can't you just see this very long chicken feeder down the middle of your farmhouse table for Easter dinner - maybe with some eggs and chicks nestled in.  Now it still has to grow in but if you plant it now - you'll have plenty of time before Easter gets here.  You will actually have to give it a haircut a couple of times.

I might add that this is a great project for kids to get involved in - it is almost like instant gratification plus you can't hardly mess it up. ;-)

 

 

Here are my baskets from last year - if you want additional info on "how to"  click here...

 

 

These were my baskets lined up on the table last year - that post is here.

 

 

You'll have to wait a while to see my rye grass this year as it is just starting to grow.  I'm blessed to work at Central Farmers Supply where I have all these goodies at my finger tips - like rye grass seed and soil and a greenhouse but you can easily find what you need at your local garden/feed store.

 

Rye grass costs only pennies - you'll just need a teeny tiny amount plus your soil - you are looking at well under $5.00. 

 

So go ahead and give it a try - you'll be so glad you did when it's time to decorate your table for Easter dinner!

 

Happy Planting!

 

Label Making...

A simple project today - but one I've been tryin' to get around to since Christmas.  My grandmother gave me some jars as a gift...

 

 

They were simple but that is what I wanted - they just needed some labels...

 

 

Some spray on Chalkboard paint and some mailing/shipping labels...

 

 

A couple of quick coats...

 

 

I added some lil' dashes around the edge with paint just to dress them up a bit...

 

 

 And they worked out perfect.  Now, I'll be honest - I was really trying to help out my hubby (wink) - see, he doesn't cook very often - AT ALL - but every once in a blue moon - he takes a notion.  Not so long ago he was gonna fry some squash - man, were they sweet!  After a little investigation - he said he mistakenly used powdered sugar instead of flour.  Oh well, better luck next time.  I should give him a lil' more credit - when he does cook - it is always good.  Thanks for trying Shaun!

 

 

And here they are - all lined up in the pantry and easy to tell the difference ;-)

 

 

All you  need are some labels and chalkboard paint - so go label something!

 

Shaun's Favorite Cake...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  Hope everybody is doing well.  I've been into projects - just not posting 'bout them - not for sure why.  I'll do better - promise.

But today - I thought I'd share with you the recipe for my hubby's favorite cake.  Now, it is not complicated or difficult to make (if it were - I wouldn't be making it ;-)

It is a simple chocolate cake with homemade icing - a recipe that my sweet grandmother gave me - one she simply calls "Easy Chocolate Cake".

I took step-by-step pictures but somehow they were all stacked on top of each other - so the written/typed version will have to do.

Easy Chocolate Cake

CAKE
Bring to a boil
-1 stick of butter
-1 cup of water
-1/2 cup oil
-3 tablespoons of cocoa

...while waiting mix...

-2 cups SIFTED flour
-2 cups sugar together

...then add
-2 eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 c. buttermilk
-1 teaspoon soda

... stir and pour first 4 ingredients over the mixture
...mix together well and place in greased pan
...Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes for a regular cake pan - approx. 50 min. for bundt pan

ICING

Bring to a boil...
1 stick butter
6 tablespoons of milk
4 tablespoons of cocoa

then add...
1 pound of powdered sugar (sifted)

...stir well

...Pour over warm cake

Now, I will have to say - that it doesn't really make a "pretty" cake - because the icing runs everywhere but oh my goodness - it sure is

............MMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!................

Happy Valentine's Day!