The yard needs some TLC...

Our new home needs some gardening TLC.  The house had not been occupied for over a year and had been used as vacation home only.  The yard has amazing potential, but no effort has been made other than basic mowing and edging so it would sell.  We have zero curb appeal and a lot of weeds and trimming to deal with.  I'm considering hiring some help to get a good foundation in place that I can build on. Here are some fun decorative ideas that I found on Pintrest....I love them!

1.) Hostas are one of my favorite plants, they are very striking when used as a potted plant. I'd love to do something like this for the front porch.  It is covered and shady...just what hostas love...shade.

"Hostas in a pot! every spring they return...in the pot! Add geraniums and ivy."

2.) Another favorite of mine are succulents in a big low profile pot.  Not sure where I would put this, but I love it!

"Love this container, looks like floating water lily. Of the blue-glazed birdbath pictured here, Baldwin writes: "Purple and pink echeveria suggest water lilies. White-webbed Sempervivum arachnoideum rosettes sparkle like sunlight on the surface of water, and in their midst is a flat green Aeonium tabuliforme (lily pad aeonium). A topdressing of green and blue florist's marbles enhances the illusion." Baldwin took the photo at the California Cactus Center in Pasadena, and the design by Arree."

3.) The previous owner left a old wine barrel and a lot of old galvanized buckets and tubs, I plan to do something creative with them, this is a good example of what I want to do.

"Love the bright colors of this impatient mix, it will brighten up a yard that is a sea of green grass and trees."

4.) Last but not least we have a significant slope that has been sliding down to the driveway with every rain storm. WE will be putting in a retaining wall, but I would also love something like this.  I absolutely love the different textures, the rocks and plants will satisfy that craving for texture. Love it!

If you have any ideas or photos of fun landscape installations, please send them my way.

Cheers!

Lori 

Happy Grilled Cheese Day!

A few weeks ago I made this grilled cheese sandwich from a recipe I found on Pinterest. Since today is National Grilled Cheese Day (giggle),  I couldn’t resist posting a yummy grilled cheese! Below is the link to the original recipe from the Bob & Carlene Deutscher's Kitchen. Enjoy and Happy Grilled Cheese Day! 

http://bsinthekitchen.com/beet-arugula-goat-cheese-grilled-cheese/#

Help pick the ornament design...

Sitting on the front porch with my Sweetie, enjoying a glass of wine after work, is one of my favorite ways to relax.  Looking at the large pile of wine corks that we’ve collected over the years, you would think we must be very relaxed by now…  Not with that pile of corks just begging to be turned into something cool!

Ornaments by Donna Patton

Inspiration for repurposing the corks came by looking at cork projects on pinterest and Etsy. There were many cute ideas, but I was most captivated by the Christmas ornaments. Donna Patton (not a relative for those who know my maiden name) has a great way to display the ornaments on her Etsy site: an ornament tree.  

Here is how I need your help: If you were picking out a tree decoration for yourself or for a gift, which design would you choose from the following designs…



Garland - $25.00





Simple Button Ornament - $8.00





Holiday Ribbon Ornament - $10.00





Fancy Ornament - $14.00



Thanks in advance for your help and input. Cheers!

Idea found on Pinterest...

Have you ever come across a homeless individual and felt totally uncomfortable?

I live in the city and see drifting individuals every day. I do know from my volunteer work that handing them money is not the best thing, but they do have needs that I can help with. Their lips are chapped. They are hungry. They are thirsty. They need a little boost.

Here is a simple idea that I came across on pinterest:

(http://www.joyshope.com/2010/11/i-heart-big-hearts.html)

Blessing bags….



Photo by Julie of Joy's Hope



This seems like an easy project and one that the entire family can get involved in. We are now going to keep a few "Blessing Bags" in our car so that when we do happen to see someone on the street that is homeless, we can hand them a Blessing Bag. If you'd like to make your own Blessing Bags, here is an example list of items you might include:

1 Gallon Ziploc bag to hold the items
Throat lozenges
Trial size Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
Hand sanitizer
Hand or face lotion
Packaged hand wipes
Lip balm

Tooth brush and toothpaste
Soap/shampoo

Washcloth

Comb

Band-Aids
Small selection of ready-to-eat protein rich food such as:
   Cheese and crackers
   Power bar or Granola
   Tuna in a bag (no cans requiring an opener)
   Beef jerky
One sweet item such as single serving fruit or pudding

Juice box
Plastic utensils and napkin
Prepaid phone card
Pair of men's socks

Local resource list for the homeless

This would also be a great activity to do with other families in our neighborhood. Each family could bring one of the items going into the bags (ex: toothbrushes). Using an assembly line approach we could fill the Ziploc bags in no time.  I think I’ll work on this for our next neighborhood alley party.

Let me know if you can think of any other items that might be helpful to a homeless person.

Thanks!

My new love...Pinterest!

I know many of my favorite bloggers are Etsians who use Pinterest, the online pinboard for organizing and sharing images of things you admire. I’m a big fan of pinterest and my Husband might even say that I’m totally addicted to “pinning”— check out what I’ve been pinning.

When I first heard about pinterest, I was not eager to jump on this newest bandwagon, but I have begun using it more and more lately as I’ve discovered how much fun it can be! (And, admittedly, when I recognized that it is sending traffic to my blog.)

I just found out it’s easier than ever to pin my favorite Etsy listings! Etsy has added a red “Pin It” button to the item listing pages. When you pin Etsy listings with the Pin It button, the required pin description field is prefilled with the item title and price. You can also add a note about why you like the item!

Like Etsy’s Treasury, Pinterest is a place for curating and sharing things you love, and is not intended for self-promotion. I’ve been using it to collect recipes, favorite travel destinations, clever DIY tips, etc…

Happy pinning!
 

"Pin It" to your blog........

I was reading a great blog this morning, that pointed to another blog, which led to reading another, and on to another, ...(you know what I mean) until I landed on this great blog. Julie Ann's blog, Julie Ann Art, is a wonderful collection of DIYs, tutorials, and overall blogger inspirations. She even has cute puppy photos (I'm a sucker for cute puppies). Did you see my new "Pin It" button at the bottom of each of my blog posts?  Julie Ann's tutorial showed me step by step how to add the button. It was easy to follow her instructions and understand her screen capture images even with my limited HTML skills.  Check it out!