When summer hits, and flowers are blooming, I like to make bouquets to give away. And that means I’ll need vases to put those flowers in. Throughout the year, I save glass food jars to use for my flowers. But just giving a bouquet in a pickle jar is not very attractive. So over the years, I’ve found ways to make these simple containers special. Here are some of myRead More →
If you’ve been growing flowers in your garden, now is the time to start making flower bouquets. I grow a cutting garden every year specifically to have flowers for myself and to give away. I want to share some simple tips for arranging flowers. If you don’t grow them yourself, you can pick up bouquets at your local farmer’s market and the grocery store. Simple Tips for Arranging Flowers…Read More →
Summer is the perfect time to explore new vegetables. Whether you are growing them in your garden or selecting them at the farmer’s market there is such a wide variety of options available. Marinated vegetables is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the garden abundance. You can use any type of vegetable for this side dish. So try your favorites or add in something new. You can make itRead More →
One thing that I love about gardening is the ebb and flow of the produce. Spring in the garden brings you peas, asparagus and rhubarb. When we move into early summer we begin to see apricots, beans and lots of leafy greens. As the summer progresses it’s time to harvest raspberries, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. Did I mention zucchini? Lots and lots of zucchini. That’s for another day. Today isRead More →
You’ve been waiting and waiting for that garden to grow. You planted and fertilized and watered and now you are finally seeing the results of your hard work. Slowly the produce starts to ripen and you are enjoying the “fruits of your labor” But then something happens. The fruits and vegetables start to ripen more rapidly and all at once you have a massive amount of produce to handle. HowRead More →
Do you have a potting bench in your garden? A place where you can plant seeds and pot your flowers? This is something that I have been thinking about for some time. While I do have a potting bench in Pinecone Cottage, I don’t really want to be dragging in potting soil and water. So I decided to create an outdoor potting bench. I’m using an area behind my gardenRead More →
With July comes an abundance of fruit and vegetables from the garden. So I am going to use some of my delicious produce to make July’s Soup of the Month. Chicken Enchiladas are a family favorite and Chicken Enchilada Soup with Fresh Salsa mimics the taste of this wonderful dish. You can find all of the produce needed for this soup at your local farmer’s market even if you aren’tRead More →
One of the best birthday presents I ever received was a table. Actually, it was a Turquoise Table. And I love my table. Have you heard of The Turquoise Table? It’s a book and movement by Kristin Schell to help connect people and build communities. The premise behind the Turquoise Table is to set a table in your front yard and then be available to your neighbors. I have beenRead More →
Don’t you just love a good porch? It offers a great way to enjoy your yard and garden on a warm summer night or a crisp fall morning. Whether you have a massive wrap around, a full size or a postage stamp size porch, they can all provide wonderful benefits. These 6 tips for decorating your porch can help you to make the most of this space. Here are someRead More →
I am a fan of chalkboards. You can frequently find them sprinkled around my house. They include a vintage kids chalkboard, a large picture frame chalkboard and lots of small chalkboards. For some time now, I have been wanting a chalkboard sign for Pinecone Cottage. So I want to show you how to make a garden chalkboard from an old tray. I found this tray several years ago at aRead More →