Daisies growing in the garden

Raise your hand if you like flowers. There’s something so special about growing flowers in your yard and garden. But if you can bring them inside, that’s even better. They offer not only something beautiful to look at, but they give off a lovely fragrance as well. A number of years ago, I began planting a cutting garden so I had flowers to bring inside without using my shrubs andRead More →

Picnic basket with scale, vase and wreath.

I remember my first vintage basket purchase. It was found at a yard sale over 10 years ago. I’ve always been drawn to baskets, but this was my first vintage find. It’s been a love affair ever since. I’m especially fond of the 50’s and 60’s wicker style baskets. Many vintage baskets have a wooden, hinged lid. Some have pull out inserts, while others have wooden stands for separating layers.Read More →

Roasted asparagus with garlic slices.

Ahhh Asparagus.  It’s such a wonderful spring vegetable.  Loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin K, C and folate, as well as potassium, fiber and phytochemicals.  This perennial plant shoots up in the spring for just a month or two and then it is gone for the year. It is easy to grow in your garden but it does take a dedicated area that cannot be planted with anything else.  IfRead More →

Spring wreath on door.

Now that Spring is here it’s time to refresh our home decor.  Time to replace heavier bedding and blankets.  It’s time to set up the outdoor cushions.  And it’s time to replace the sweater wreath.  So let me show you how to make a new spring wreath for your porch or front door. There are so many wonderful spring flowers that you can use to make a new spring wreath. Read More →

Plates on a table

There is something wonderful about a treasure hunt.  Do you remember going on Easter Egg hunts as a child?  Very seldom did we find the golden egg but we always came home with treats.  Or do you remember scavenger hunts where you ran from house to house looking for designated treasures?  These days I’m on the hunt for vintage collectables. Some of my favorite items to collect are vintage picnicRead More →

It’s finally time.  Asparagus season is here and the newly harvested vegetable is starting to trickle into the stores.  This bright spear is only available locally for the next month or 2 and we eat it in everything.  We grill it, steam it, roast it, bake it, stir fry it and even microwave it.  These yummy stalks are the star of my Soup of the Month for May… Asparagus, ChickenRead More →

Herb garden sign with various pots of herbs

It’s time to get the herb garden growing.  I have plans for a creating a new Kitchen Garden this summer but it’s not going to be ready for this season.  So I’m planting herbs in my old bed one last time. Some of my herbs are perennials such as the sage, lemon balm and oregano.  Others need to be seeded directly or grown in containers and transplanted.  I use bothRead More →

Garden Shed in yard with area of dirt and missing tree.

This year we had to say goodbye to an old friend.  The huge tulip tree in our backyard died last year and we had to take it down.  We planted that tree the first year that we moved into our home 28 years ago.  It started as a twig and it grew into a beautiful but massive shade tree.  Our kids and family grew up under the shade of thatRead More →

Garden Markers in a bucket with a plant and birdhouse.

I live in an agricultural area and that means that when you drive outside of town you will see crops growing.  Many of them are easy to identify such as corn and wheat.  But oftentimes I will see some plant that I am not sure what it is.  Especially if it’s in the early stage of growth.  And inquiring minds want to know!  Sometimes the farmers will post labels alongRead More →

A slice of cake with Rhubarb sauce and whipped cream. A bowl of strawberries are served with it.

You can always tell that it’s spring when the rhubarb is growing. If you harvest it in small batches, you can oftentimes keep it growing into the summer. This way you can make it last for quite awhile. My rhubarb go-to recipes include Rhubarb Pie, Rhubarb Cake and Rhubarb Jam. Today, I’m sharing Rhubarb Sauce made 3 Ways. These are my favorite recipes for Rhubarb Sauce. The first is theRead More →