Summer Garden Tour

I love plants.  They are my friends:-)   I bought a few last year at the end of the season and it just tickles me to see them in bloom! 

This gorgeous Hollyhock has just begun to bloom.

This is the first year we've grown lettuce.

Fast tomatoes!

Here's part of my patio last summer... I just picked up some coleus today.

I would have rows of hollyhocks if I could.

How's your garden growing?

Quick and Easy Ruffle Shirt

I started with this pink shirt (Gap Outlet, $3- years ago) that was too big and I've never worn it.   

(mess = trying to decide what other shirts to re-purpose)

I put a favorite shirt that fits (Target a few weeks ago) on top to use as a pattern and cut the sides leaving a bit for a seam allowance.

Then I cut the bottom edge off this cream shirt, to make a 2 1/2 inch wide strip.  I gathered it into a ruffle and pinned and sewed it onto the pink shirt.

I also cut the collar off the white shirt to use as a new neckline to cover the fraying top edge of the ruffle piece. 

 Voila! 

Quick and easy ruffle shirt  (maybe I should clean my kids' slime off the mirror first? ha!)

Since the pink shirt was too big, afterward I also adjusted one of the arm straps so the neck would lay flatter.  I'm likin' it.

Mashed Potato Recipe for Sunday Menu

On the Meal Planning Menu's for Sunday I usually serve my roast with mashed potatoes.  I wanted to share this yummy (and NOT healthy-- you have been warned) mashed potato recipe.  I don't make this all the time, for that reason, but it's a treat for a special sunday dinner.

Cream Cheese Potatoes

2 & 1/2 lbs potatoes, such as russets or Idaho, peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 cup milk

4 ounces cream cheese

1 small onion, finely chopped

                                             Salt, to taste

                                             2 tablespoons shopped fresh chives (optional)

In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and season with salt. Cover pot to bring potatoes to a quick boil, and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and return them to the hot pot to dry. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat milk, cream cheese and onion over medium-low heat until cream cheese melts and mixture bubbles. Pour into potatoes and mash to desired consistency. Add a little extra milk for softer potatoes. Season with salt and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped chives. [from Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals 2 cookbook]

I've been busy with a 5 year old's birthday 

and a Boy Scouts Fundraiser this week, but now that those are done I am going to try to squeeze in some painting next week.  Chao!

Go-To Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I have an obsession... 

 My husband keeps trying to get me to kick the habit, but I CAN'T.    I've had a love affair with baking chocolate chip cookies ever since I mixed my first batch.  

Here's the easiest and EXTREMELY delightful recipe:

 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter at room temp

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

        (cream together)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

11/2 to 2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups oatmeal

semi-sweet chocolate chips-- as much or as little as you want!

Bake 350 for 8-9 minutes. 

This time I used semi-sweet white chocolate chips for a twist.

Since they have oatmeal I believe they qualify as a breakfast food:-)

Enjoy!

{Frugal} Front Porch Fun

I've never really done anything exciting with my front porch so I thought I'd give it a go this year.



Using inexpensive Terracotta Pots I knew I could spray paint them and add my own little touches without breaking the bank.
Here I spray painted the small ones Green Apple from Rust-oleum

p.s. This what your picture looks like when you take it late at night.

Mod Podged with paper and then sprayed with a Clear coat of lacquer. Hopefully, to at least make somewhat water proof.
I had these metal alphabets letters and I took paper clips and unfolded them to make hooks!


This one I put vinyl stickers on.
On the bigger pots I spray painted Lagoon, also from Rust-oleum ( I love teal) and also Mod Podged. This one I added that cute little seed packet to the front!

To make these "rulers" I took the little label cards that come in the flowers from the store and Mod Podged this cute ruler paper over it! Now maybe I will know how my Garden Grows!



FYI. Terracotta pots make excellent chalkboards and even if you spray paint them a color you can still write on them with chalk!


The big pot that I added the "Bloom" too with metal letters is also home to a vintage ruler I had laying around my office.
The number one way to frugal-ize (I'm sure that's a word ;) your space is to use things around the house. I took scrapbook paper and some frames, easy-pesy.




I added this cute frame to this pot by tying the ribbons to the handles.



A bird cages from the thrift store to hold a pot.

Another frame laying the house that finally has a home!


Well, I think I need a new picture but there you go.