Blog Posts

5 CRAFTY IDEAS FOR FALL

Tour Guide:
Day 1- Monogrammed Front Porch Rug
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 3- Seasonal Chair Cushions
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay bale- With Surprise

Joined these Awesome Link Parties
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson - FEATURED
Artsy Fartsy Mama
Shabby Art Boutique
Live Randomly Simple

4 Comments

Hay Bale - With Surprise

Witches Legs! When I saw these witch legs in Grandinroad I had to have them. The legs are very well made and will last for years. Such an easy decoration, just stick them in a pot, the ground or a bale of hay.They were a little expensive and then where to store them after Halloween, but I will find a place. They are the ultimate finish to my front porch.

Tour Guide:
Day 1- Monogrammed Front Porch Rug
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 3- Seasonal Chair Cushions
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay bale- With Surprise

The final day of my Fall Front Porch Tour. What fun to decorate for fall!

4 Comments

Fall Front Porch Tour-Day 4

9/15/2014

11 Comments

Topiaries for Fall

I love pumpkin topiaries and have often wondered if they were real pumpkins or faux pumpkins. I love both but I wanted to use them again in the future and through Thanksgiving. I have had pumpkins start to rot after a freeze and wanted to avoid that, so I purchased the fake kind from Michaels.

The other thing I wanted to avoid with using the fake pumpkins was chasing them down the street, finding them in the neighbors yard or in my case in the lake after a storm. How to put theses pumpkins together? I have lived far enough from a town in my many years of living in western Kansas and now living here in a lake community that I just don't pop in the car and go to the store, I improvise. I had my husband (who sometimes graciously helps me with my ideas) cut an old metal broom handle in two parts. I have explained how I put my topiaries together. ( tutorial here)

He put the metal post through the large pumpkin from the bottom and then added the second pumpkin the same way. We then placed the pumpkin in the jar of plaster-of-paris. The little pumpkin is just sitting on top by itself, yes I may have to chase that pumpkin down sometime. I then added a few sprigs of fall leaves and some Spanish moss.

Beautiful sunshine on my fantastic (I think) pumpkin topiaries. Lovin them!

Tour Guide:
Day 1- Monogrammed Front Porch Rug
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 3- Seasonal Chair Cushions
Day 5- Hay bale- With Surprise

Joined these Awesome Link Parties
An Extraordinary Day
Lou Lou Girls
The Style Sisters
New House New Home
Second Chance to Dream

11 Comments

Fall Front Porch Tour-Day 3

9/14/2014

8 Comments

Seasonal Porch Chair Cushions

Seasonal chair cushions, oh ya! Some people (some family too) I know think I am eccentric or just plain crazy, BUT, I love to change things up. Besides, you can't find cushions that fit these front porch chairs. So I make my own.

I cut the material using the pull string method about 1 & 1/2 inches larger than your foam that is cut to fit your chair. Zig-Zag stitch the edges especially if your using burlap. The sides that will be on the back side of the chair, press under as shown in photo (1) so that you have nice clean edges and stitch (photo (2). Place the front sides of material together and stitch the three remaining sides, turn the coverlet and press. I used Velcro on the back side for closure. Insert your foam and your finished!

Add a little Halloween pillow and ENOY sitting on your front porch!

Tour Guide:
Day 1- New monogrammed front porch rug
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay bale- with surprise

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Distressed Donna Down Home
Savvy Southern Style
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

8 Comments

Fall Front Porch Tour-Day 2

9/13/2014

2 Comments

Square Burlap Wreath

Do you love burlap for anything Fall? I have been admiring all the wreaths on Pinterest and other sites and wanted a burlap wreath, but wanted something a little out-of-the box. I have had a square wire wreath form for a couple of years, just hanging around waiting for me to decide what to do with it. (Bought while it was on sale)
Oh before I forget, I painted my front door a beautiful rich navy. I am loving it, if you look at my earlier posts you will see my door was a shade of pinkish/lavender.

Using the pull string method of marking and cutting the burlap, I cut strips of burlap at 1 inch wide and 16 inches long. I had burlap leftover from previous projects and so I am not for sure how much material the wreath took but I would say you would need at least 1 to 1 & 1/2 yards of burlap, depending on the width of the material. Tie the strips on the wire (this was a 3 wire 17 inch form) randomly on two different wires and sometimes around all three wires. Push the tied strips close together. Since this is a square, you will need to work-in several strips to fill in the space at the corner. The picture in the middle left shows this. I then made a bow using burlap, striped ribbon and a twiggy type ribbon and placed in the corner of the wreath. I strung the letters (BOO) together and tied onto the wreath. I didn't want to glue the letters on as I wanted to use the wreath for Thanksgiving also. Tip: Spray the strips of burlap with spray starch to keep them looking fresh.

Loving my new colored door with my square burlap wreath. Fall is my favorite season!

Tour Guide:
Day 1- Monogrammed Front Porch Rug
Day 3- Seasonal Chair Cushions
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay bale- With Surprise

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Pneumatic Addict
Ivy and Elephants
A Delightsome Life -FEATURED!
Artsy Fartsy Mama

2 Comments

Fall Front Porch Tour-Day 1

9/12/2014

4 Comments

Monogrammed Front Porch Rug

I can't wait to show you the fun/work I've done on my front porch for fall! So how about a mini-tour for the next five days!

Day 1- Monogrammed Front Porch Rug
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 3- Chair Cushions Made With Burlap
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay Bale- With Surprise
Day 6- Review

I have been wanting a monogramed front porch rug for sometime now and the rug I had at my front door was a spring/summer rug. I couldn't find one in a price range I wanted. So how about a discount store plain sisal rug for less than $7.00 and do the monogram myself. The outside of the rug (hard to tell from this picture) is rubber.

I am not sure what I would do without my cutting machine. The letter I cut and used as a stencil was almost eleven inches long. I placed the stencil in the middle of the rug and used a permanent black marker to outline the edge of the letter, removed the stencil and filled inside the lines with exterior black paint.

This project was inexpensive and easy, and now I have a beautiful monogrammed rug that looks as good as a high-end one. Hoot! Hoot!

Tour Guide:
Day 2- Fall Burlap Square Wreath
Day 3- Seasonal Chair Cushions
Day 4- Topiaries for Fall
Day 5- Hay bale- With Surprise

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Vintage Chic
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Artsy-Fartsy Mama
Chic on a Shoestring Budget

4 Comments

Potting Wash Tub

9/9/2014

8 Comments

I am loving this old galvanized wash tub! I made it into a true potting soil station. I have two potting benches but they are used for anything but actually holding potting soil.

It truly was a rescue project. I had to reseal several holes in the bottom of the tub and the wheels are locked from rust and remain locked.

I used oil paint and had to paint it more than once to seal off the rust.

It is the perfect height for potting plants and it holds a large bag of potting soil.

Loving this project!

Joining these AWESOME link parties:
Carissa Miss
Lou Lou Girls
Knick of Time
The Crafty Blog Stalker
From My Front Porch to Yours
An Oregon Cottage
Songbird
Flamingo Toes

8 Comments

Halloween Welcome Flag (Tutorial)

9/5/2014

2 Comments

Time to change to fall decorations, even though today was in the 90's here in Missouri. My favorite Holiday is Halloween and I love this saying from the Wizard of Oz. I wanted to use it somehow, first I thought a front door rug, but couldn't find a plain sisal rug. I had lots of burlap left from other projects, so how about a small flag, perfect!

Here is a step-by-step tutorial of how I made my burlap flag.
You will need 1 1/2 yards of burlap.
Finished size of the flag is 11 inches wide and 16 inches long (not including the tabs). Finished tabs are 2 inches long.
Use the pull string method to mark fabric (before cutting) at 13 inches wide and the length of fabric is 35 inches long. The length is folded together (see above).
Zig-Zag stitch all sides of burlap, burlap ravels easily, this is an important step.
Straight stitch the sides at 3/4 inch.
Turn the fabric and press. At this time the fun starts....
I used my Cricut cutter to cut the letters, witches boot and hat as a stencil. I then used a permanent marker and filled in the letters and pictures but that was not black enough for me, so I used acrylic paint on top of the permanent ink marker.

I made the fabric flowers (many tutorials are on the web for these) and sewed them on the flag.

Time for the two tabs to go on. I had previously cut the tabs and zig-zagged the edges. They are 2 3/4 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches long. Fold tabs.
Fold over the top edge of your flag (to the inside) so the total length is 16 inches long and place the tabs inside the edge of the flag (3/4 inch) and stitch the top of your flag. I sprayed the flag with shellac or a water repellant could be used. Finished!

AND

How about decorating the back, so as friends leave your home they have a laugh!

Happy Fall!

Joined these AWESOME link parties:
Stonegable
Vintage Chic
Shabbilicious
Liz Marie Blog
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
The Charm of Home
The Cottage Market-Junkin Joe
Boogieboard Cottage

2 Comments

Moon Flower (Vine)

9/2/2014

0 Comments

What is this spectacular flower with beautiful dark green heart shaped leaves, that only comes out at night? Moon flower vine, yes I know some people further south than Missouri or at least where it doesn't freeze may call it a noxious weed. I love white and this is a spectacular huge blossom! It loves the heat and doesn't bloom until August here in Missouri.

We start the vine from seeds. My very handy husband (thank goodness he is a yard person) built a trellis that is 12 foot high and we painted it the color of the siding, so when this beautiful vine isn't growing, the trellis blends in with the house. We have planted it in this same spot now for several years. You can see the eve of the house and it actually grows above the trellis. We do have to keep the vine from overtaking the bushes and flowers in front of it though. Once it freezes, this vine is a goner.

This little guy was on the trellis earlier in the summer, before the vine started really getting big, otherwise we would not have been able to see him. I love frogs.

0 Comments

Ornamental Black Pearl Pepper

8/29/2014

0 Comments

Can you eat them?

Yes, they are edible. No, I haven't tried them. My understanding is that they do lack the flavor of peppers grown as a true vegetable though.

This variety of ornamental pepper is called Black Pearl.

Black Pearl grows rapidly and outgrew this hanging basket by the first of July. So I replanted the plant in its own pot. They thrive in full sun (which this was) and humidity, which we have here in southwest Missouri.

The sun turns the leaves this awesome purple and the pepper is ripe when it turns a beautiful shade of red. It is now a gorgeous specimen plant!

0 Comments

Fall Outdoor Decor

8/25/2014

0 Comments

Fall outdoor decorations over several years.

Fall is my favorite time of year and I love to change up the decorations from season to season and year to year. One of the many reasons I love to blog, it is like a diary for me. The year is stamped on each picture.

The large pot has a white mum and witches legs stuck in the side of the pot. I used a cutting machine to cut the vinyl white spots for the large pot, the two smaller pots have painted circles.

This photo has a little Photoshop magic. The scarecrow, galvanized bucket full of fall pansies and ornamental pepper, and stone posts were actually in our yard but I used an old stone house from Vinland, Kansas for the background.

This photo has a beautiful baby girl, my granddaughter, but besides that a gorgeous mum in an orange pail with an old wheelbarrow tipped on its side full of pumpkins.

Scarecrow with orange pail full of a mum and pumpkins on front porch. This photo also has the picture of my fall topiary. See below.

Letters from Hobby Lobby that I painted and put on the pumpkins which sit on two stools made out of barn wood.

And finally by fall topiaries last year, 2013. I had made them over ten years ago. Directions of how I made them here. I have made topiaries for every season and placed them in the urns. But alas, it was time for them to move on- to the trash dumpster.

Joined these AWESOME link parties:
Yesterday on Tuesday
One Krieger Chick
Savvey Southern Style
Creations by Kara

0 Comments

Concrete Leaf Pond Spitter

8/22/2014

4 Comments

This pond is several years old as well as the hardy lily, umbrella palm, gold fish and the concrete leaf used as a spitter/fountain, an established pond that has developed its own ecosystem. The leaf has a hole drilled out with a cement bit (carefully) to put the tube through the leaf that is connected to the pond pump. I added the dragonfly from a broken chime. The pond sets on our back deck and receives afternoon sun. We do put a heater made for ponds in it during the winter.

This is the fourth post in a series of using concrete leaves in my garden. Complete instructions to make the concrete leaves from a previous post is here.
Fairy House Roof Made From a Concrete Leaf here.
Concrete Leaf with Flower here.

Close-up of pink hardy lily.

Three bright orange goldfish call this little pond home. They are so tame, they will kiss your finger as you walk by, of course they like to be fed at that time. It is important to have pond plants for the fish to hide and get out of the direct sunlight. The size of your pond will determine how many fish and plants are appropriate.

Ponds with fish need water movement and the faint sound of water trickling down the side of the leaf is peaceful. The little pump also helps filter the water and help to establish the ecosystem of a pond. I clean the pond every year in the spring but take out any leaf debris all during the year.

The concrete leaf is made from a canna leaf that sits perfectly on the edge of the pond.

4 Comments

Mushroom-Zucchini Pork Casserole

8/19/2014

6 Comments

Not another zucchini recipe, NO!
But - believe me this is excellent and. . . . .
If you are lucky enough to have a local farmer, like R-N-R Farms here in Shell Knob, MO, offer USDA inspected farm fresh beef and pork direct to the consumer, with no antibiotics or hormones added then be sure and support that farmer or merchant because their meat is exceptional.

Notice that there is no grease left in the pan.

Ready to go in the oven.

Mushroom-Zucchini Pork Casserole

1 lb. uncooked ground pork
3-4 small zucchini or 1-2 large zucchini
5-6 large portabella mushrooms
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. sour cream
Corn bread stuffing mix
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup water
2 Tablespoon Butter (melted)
Parmesan cheese (grated)

1. Slice zucchini and mushrooms and set aside
2. Brown pork in large skillet
3. Put zucchini and mushrooms in with cooked pork and place lid on pan to steam
4. Bring water to boil, dissolve bouillon in water and stir together with soup and sour cream
5. Place cornbread stuffing in sprayed 9 x 12 casserole dish
6. Drizzle melted butter over stuffing mix
7. Spread pork and vegetables on stuffing mix
8. Pour soup mixture on top
9. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, uncover and continue to bake until mixture is bubbling in the middle
10. Serve with grated parmesan cheese

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
A Delightsome Life
Domestically Speaking
Dolen Diaries
Savvy Southern Style
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

6 Comments

Mason Jar Solar Light On Old Oar

8/15/2014

4 Comments

Here in Southwest Missouri, on beautiful Table Rock Lake it is not uncommon to see more trucks with a boat attached at the local grocery store than cars. Old oars are in abundance here, so what a perfect repurpose of an old oar, make a solar light décor for our yard.

Notice the beautiful turquoise of the jar and the condensation inside the jar, this has all occurred in the last two years, since we hung our jar/oar décor. The newly purchased jar and solar lid were attached by hubby to the oar with a U-clamp.

The solar jar/oar décor hangs on the 2nd deck level and illuminates the garden below of the night. A small bird bath sits on the rail above the oar and there is a bird acorn feeder by the oar. (See the first picture)

Joined These Awesome Link Parties

Jennifer Rizzo

4 Comments

Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hummingbird Moth)

8/12/2014

8 Comments

We have been seeing this beauty at our tall phlox over the last few weeks, as have many gardeners reported also.

Photo by Jim McCormax

I wondered though, what he looked like as a caterpillar and to my surprise he turned out to be a hornworm, I wonder how many of these I have squashed over the years thinking they were the dreaded tomato hornworm.

BUT, there is a difference in these caterpillars . . . . . . .

To the left is a picture of a tomato hornworm and the above picture is a Five-Spotted Moth that it morphs into.

I'm thinking of being more careful about what I squash from now on, even though I don't think (after some research) these beautiful moths eat tomato vines.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Fishtail Cottage
A Delightsome Life

8 Comments

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

8/7/2014

10 Comments

Look at this beautiful soft yellow flower. It grows on a very vigorous climbing vine. If you look closely at the center of the flower you will see that it is actually a very deep color of red and not black as the name would have you believe. I have grown these flowers now for three years and was fortunate enough last year to have found one with orange flowers. I have gotten these vines from local nurseries and understand they come in several colors.

This year I grew the vine in an old iron kettle/pot with a trellis in front of the garage. In years past I have grown them in hanging baskets and trained the vines to grow downward, yes that is possible. It makes for a beautiful addition in a hanging basket.

It is now August and the vine is getting pretty leggy. It also has a morning glory growing in it accidentally. I have to keep the vine from growing into the garage. It has been quite a showstopper but I don't think I would plant it again in this pot nor in this spot again. I really liked it better in a hanging basket and may try that again next year.

10 Comments

Unusual Bluebird Home

8/1/2014

2 Comments

This sun hangs above our side door into the garage, we go in out of this door frequently all day. What a surprise to find a family of bluebirds using it for a nest!

I could never get a picture of the babies, but I saw and heard them. Really!

The female bluebird feeding her babies.

I think he is looking at me taking his picture.

This is the female sitting on the highline, just before sundown with a worm for her babies. She is waiting for me to leave.

2 Comments

Vintage Bicycle Garden Art

7/29/2014

22 Comments

I have been dreaming of a vintage bicycle with a flower basket, ever since I saw that very first one years ago. I am a huge fan of whoever that first person was to use a bicycle for yard art? Finally . . . . . . . .

I found that special one! A junk yard full of everything junky that a person like me loves on Highway 44 in Sarcoxie, Missouri. I spent more on gasoline than I spent on the bike in finding this beauty. (Sarcasm)

My husband straighten out the handle bars, took off the basket that we did try to salvage, but was just to twisted and took off the tires. Yes, I know what the meaning is for a white bike, but I love white. So several cans of white spray enamel paint for outdoors later . . . . . . .

She was done and placed in the rose garden. I love her!
I had a sign made with my website information and also put in a solar light near the sign to illuminate the sign and bicycle at night.

Look at this unusual cogwheel. Stars, quite unique.

A basket that can be changed out seasonally was filled with vinca, sweet potato vine and cypress vine. I have boards on Pinterest and Hometalk of the type of bicycles I admire, I would love for you to check out!

I wanted to share a new Facebook friend, Rochelle Rodger McCall from Wakeeney, KS, vintage bike and cute, cute display. I especially love the suitcase and the funnel on the tree.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
One Kreiger Chick
Domestically Speaking
Redhead Can Decorate
A Delightsome Life
Fishtail Cottage
Revisionary Life
Jennifer Rizzo
Songbird

22 Comments

Summer Fresh Peach Cobbler

7/22/2014

6 Comments

What a yummy way to enjoy fresh summer peaches. My family loves this cobbler.

Layer of crescent rolls

Layer of fresh peaches

Ready to go into oven

Let's Eat

Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe
3 cans crescent rolls
6-8 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 can Sprite
1 tsp. cinnamon

Grease 9" x 12" pan
Place 1 1/2 cans of crescent rolls on the bottom of pan
Place peaches on top of bottom layer of crescent rolls
Shake cinnamon on top of peaches
Melt butter and mix with sugar, heat mixture in microwave for 2 minutes
Pour 1/2 of the butter/sugar mixture on layer of peaches
Place the other 1 1/2 cans of crescents on the top of the last layer
Pour the rest of the butter/sugar mixture on the last layer of crescents (make sure all of the crescents are covered with mixture)
Pour can of Sprite over all the mixture (the mixture will be soupy and I always take precautions for the possibility that the cobbler may run over the edge while baking

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until center is bubbling. I do put a loose piece of foil on top of the cobbler until about the last 20 minutes, that way the cobbler doesn't get so brown. Serves 10-12.

Joined these awesome Link Parties:
Domestically Speaking
One Kreiger Chick
Cupcakes and Crinoline
Redhead Can Decorate

6 Comments

Container Garden Featuring Swiss Chard

7/18/2014

8 Comments

I love the combination of flowers my daughter used in her old tin container. My husband said his mother had one similar to this and she used it to boil water in to wash clothes.

Kristin has used Swiss chard for height and then purple ornamental pepper and moss ross in the front, I'm not sure but I think the lavender flower is a pinta flower. The use of the purple ornamental pepper and lavender flower on either side of the Swiss chard was perfect.

The choice of the flowers has done very well where this container sets as it gets direct Kansas sun in the afternoon. The perfect choice for her front porch!

Joined these awesome Link Parties:
Domestically Speaking
One Kreiger Chick

8 Comments

For the Love of Gardening

7/15/2014

0 Comments

Discovery. Yes, that is why I love gardening. There is something new everyday in a garden, like this little impatient that came up all by itself through a crack in a concrete leaf, that leaf has set in this same spot for several years.

The European Ginger that surrounds the back of this concrete leaf, which is under the steps from an upper deck has a story all its own also. The ginger was ordered more than twenty-five years ago from a garden catalog, planted in western Kansas (and actually flourished) where we raised our children in a Victorian home and then moved to a garden spot in another garden in the same town, until we built our home here in the Ozarks. Then another move here to the Ozarks.

Or, the discovery of a grasshopper that reminded me of Jimmie Cricket on a bog planting of lemon grass.

0 Comments

Steampunk Yard Art

7/11/2014

8 Comments

My definition of Steampunk Art: Adventurous Spirit, Steam Power, Gears, Whimsical, Inventive. A contraption of gadgets and gears all in a manner of assorted nonsense that intertwine to create a machine that is not only functional and practical, but unique and striking.

This contraption that a friend of my husband's family made years ago is the ultimate steampunk art. My husband said he and his brothers loved playing with this car for hours.

And whatever it takes to hold the whole thing together . . . . . .

Is now used for yard art!

I filled a vintage colander with Vinca and placed on the seat.

A hyper tufa container that I made several years ago, filled with chives sits on the front of the car. The car itself sits on a rock shelf just outside one of my gardens.

Joined these awesome link parties:
Fishtail Cottage
Just A Girl and Her Blog

8 Comments

Queen Anne's Lace and Poppy Mallow

7/8/2014

0 Comments

Queen Anne's Lace, just the name sounds enchanting to me. I can just imagine a bridal bouquet made with only them.

Light, airy, and so delicate looking, with little flowers making up each part of the bigger flower. Beautiful white, alas, though they don't last long once picked, only a couple of days in a vase.

Poppy Mallow, adding that little bit of color to the white of Queen Anne's Lace.

Five petals of jagged edge color along roadsides and meadows.

Beautiful wildflowers in a depression glass vase for our home. The Perfect Shabby Chic Flower!

0 Comments

Sweet Summer Coffee

7/6/2014

0 Comments

Sweet summertime in the beautiful Ozarks. I love mornings, the faint night sounds can still be heard, the coolness of the morning, dappled shade and coffee. A shabby chic tablecloth from my collection of tablecloths, and . . . . .

A fresh picked hydrangea, a sprig of ivy in a little bottle and my granddaughter who loves mornings and coffee too.

We must include her doll!

Sweet Memories to cherish!

0 Comments

Container Gardening Ideas

7/2/2014

8 Comments

Container gardening is so popular today. What makes it so interesting is anyone can have that little bit of sunshine even on a small scale, large scale and planted in anything you can find for a container. How awesome is that! I tend to go for any vintage or junk container and love to see other ideas from awesome sites on the internet, just driving in neighborhoods and in the country to see what other people have used for container gardening.

But what about Silver Dollar City Theme Park, near Branson, Missouri. Yes, my kids, grandkids and my husband are roller coaster addicts, but me, no I go for the beautiful gardens. The gardens are so well groomed and colorful, I enjoy walking around the park and enjoying all the beauty. The funnel cakes and a bench are pretty awesome, too.

Combination of several different plants in containers.