Garden Loving

In between thunderstorms this past week I have been in the garden every available minute I can.

I just love this time of year.  

Finally, after so many months of winter waiting and week after week of snow filled spring days I'm finally able to dig out my shovel and play in the dirt!

I've been having a great time pulling weeds, moving plants and adding new ones.

This time of year always seems to get me so excited as plants pop up out of the ground for a little springtime sunlight and the promise of pretty flowers to come is just so energizing for me.  I crave more, and more, and more flowers!!

Talking of new plants, I picked up three new Hydrangea's for the front yard.  I love these plants so much I'm seriously considering just a garden filled with them.

I've made at least three trips to different garden centers around my home.  Each time I come home with a trunk full of new plants and I tell myself, "OK, that should be good for the year"  

But then . . . I just happen make a quick stop into yet another garden center "just to look".

Plants just jump into my trunk!

I can't help it - - I can't stop!!!!

I think I have a problem - - but at least it's a pretty problem.  LOL.

This was yesterday's trunk full.

I went to Lowe's and was very happy with what I found.

I brought home two Forever & Ever Hydrangea's

And two Limelight Hydrangea's

Also one shrub rose came home with me.  This one is called "Little Mischief"

I also picked up a handful of potting plants that I didn't take pictures of.  

On the way home from Lowe's I stopped off at my favorite garden center to pick up a few flowers that I "needed"   See what I mean - - I have a problem.

Two new pink Phlox and a Coreopsis, you can't have a garden without these two plants right?

Now as most of my work has been centered on the front yard and the veggie garden I'm ashamed to admit my backyard garden has been neglected terribly. 

Yep, It's bad . . .

there's plants in there somewhere . . .

I'm sure of it.

Looks like my weekend is going to be filled with a whole lot of weed pulling!!!!

If you just so happen to find yourself with some time on your hands this weekend and your wanting to play in a garden,  I'll give you the going rate for weed picking around here,

twenty-five cents a bucket . . . 

Now that's a deal!!

Robin

Cake Anyone?

 

I'm a BIG fan of cake. 

I can never pass up chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. 

It's just too yummy!

 



Now that you know my weakness for cake it probably comes as no surprise that I also have a weakness for vintage cake carrier's.

 

They always catch my eye while I'm out shopping.  I've seen some cute, colorful types in an array of shapes and sizes.  However type that really draws me in the most are the shiny chrome versions.

 

I have had this beauty for a few years now.  It's the perfect size for a 9X13 cake.



It has a sleek, black Bakelite handle.

And pretty detail across the dome top and the bottom edging.

 

I use it every chance I get around the house and for potlucks.  It stores cake wonderfully of course and makes it oh-so-easy to transport.  But I've also found it works great to hold veggie/fruit trays or pasta salad for potlucks.  I simply pop in a pretty baking dish and fill it up with whatever I'm happen to be bringing.  Having the lid is wonderful when your at an outdoor event.

 

I was delighted to find another on this past week to add to my collection.

It is in wonderful shape and I love the wood handle and adore the "cake" label on the front.  This one, unlike my other one, has a marking on it so I was able to look up how old it is.  It as made back in the 1950's by Lincoln Beautyware.

Of course I had to make a cake just to test it out. 

Hubby loves Key Lime pie, but being a "cake" lady my pie baking skills are limited.  I did however find a seasonal Key Lime Cake mix made by Pillsbury and thought it was worth a try.   They even have the frosting to go with it.

I baked the mix up in my favorite bunt pan for fun and drizzled on the frosting. 

Aren't bunt pans amazing. 

They make the easiest of cakes look amazing and special.

I'm obsessed with them lately.



Hubby says it's a good substitute.

I agree, that's one yummy cake!

Hope you all have a lovely day,

 

Robin

Springtime Bedroom Makoever

 

Good Morning!

 

Today is bright and sunshine filled and I'm heading out to the garden to hopefully finish up my spring clean up before our "April Showers" begin again.

 

I did want to share with you a few small changes I've made in my bedroom to make it feel more fresh and airy for spring.

 

This time of year I crave pale shades of blue and I think it works so well in the bedroom along side all the white and black that the room has on a permanent basis.

 

To add some color to my beds all white linens I added two new quilted pillow shams found at the thrift store and a new pale blue blanket for a gently pop of color.

 

Above the bed on the headboard shelf, a thrift store set of shutters was given a fresh coat of pretty blue paint.  Personal decorating staples such as a lantern, vintage books and clocks helped add another layer to the shutter display.

 

To fill in rest of the empty space, a grouping of candles and some greenery was used to keep things light and airy feeling.

 

Above the bedside tables I added two picture frames.  This project has been on my to-do list for a long time.  It feels great to finally have it done and looking oh so cute just like I hoped it would.  I simply filled the frames with simple images printed from my computer until I can find something else to fill them with.

 

I also wanted to show you the newest addition to my clock collection.  It's a vintage travel clock and I love it.  

 

Hubbies side of the bed received some picture frames also to help balance the other side of the bed.  You may have noticed that I like to keep accessories to a minimum in this room.  For some reason the lack of extra "stuff" in here is very calming and restful to me.  I try very hard to keep the feeling of openness.

 

My dresser area received a new item too.

 A pretty vintage serving platter now corals my daily essentials and my go-to jewelry for easy access.

 

Above my dresser hangs a mirrored vanity cabinet which some of you may remember.  This cabinet  has worked so well for me the past few years I thought today would be a good time to highlight it in case any of you may need some ideas on dealing with a small master bath like my husband and I do.

 

Our bathroom is very tiny and has very little storage. 

Hubby uses the bathroom area, and I use this space. 

The cabinet combined with one drawer of my dresser to hold makeup and brushes is all I need to hold all my products and such.  The mirror on the back of the cabinet door works great for applying makeup and working on my hair.  I didn't take a photo, but I hang my blow dryer from a hook on the side of my dresser out of sight from the rest of the room.  And my flat iron and curling iron rest on a serving platter on the top of the dresser.

 

The mirrored cabinet has worked so well at freeing up the bathroom we're thinking of getting our middle school daughter one of her own to free up the main bathroom for the rest of us!

 

So there you have it, the new, spring look for the master bedroom.  

 

Have a great day everyone,

 

Robin

A Great Start

This past Friday I had a great trip to the thrift store. 

 One find in particular has jump-started my long term plans for our sun-room.

I've always wanted the space to be a comfortable and pretty place to sit and read or chat.  It overlooks my back yard garden so it's the perfect place to hang out and take in the pretty view.  I've wanted a fill the room with potted plants.  Then bring in vintage accessories, throw pillows and small table to accommodate breakfast or lunch. 

On Friday I was delighted to find this small scaled sofa.  I knew right away that it was the perfect piece for the sun-room.

At first I was not crazy about the flower print.  I was drawn more the classic shape and style of the sofa.  I figured a slipcover was in it's near future.

Now I'm not so sure.  It's growing on me.  I know for sure it's legs will get painted.

I can barely contain my excitement over this sofa.  I've waited so long for the perfect sofa to add to the sun-room.  Now that I've found it I can't wait to get started giving the room a makeover.  Sadly, my garden is in need of a lot of attention right now so the makeover fun will have to wait a while.  

It was fun sharing my excitement with you today though.  It will have to hold me over until after all my outdoor work is done.  You can bet I'll be dreaming up possibilities with each weed I pull!

Hope you all have a wonderful day,

Robin

Linked to:
Inspire Me Tuesday

I'm Back! Well, Sort Of!

Good Morning !

I've scrubbed,  polished and decluttered closets until I couldn't take it any longer.  The house now is sparkling clean and I've turn my attention and energy towards gardening.

It's finally warm enough to get outside and maybe get some planning done.  I keep watching the weather for the lows and it seem we may be good to go here . . . finally . . . . I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  It's been such a wonky spring.

I was all set to get to work outside until about noon on Mothers Day when my hubby threw me a curve ball.

To my delight, I unwrapped this  . . . .

The Mothers Day gift to top all others if you ask me!

It sure is an improvement over the camera I have been using the past five plus years which was this . . .

Now that I finally have a "Big Girl" camera all my plans for this week have been pushed to the side as I'm eager to play with my new camera and figure out how it works.

I guess I'm not sure if I'll be around that much this week either.  I may just take another week off from blogging and play instead!!!!

What would you do?

Robin

The Cleaning Bug

 

Good Morning!

 

 

I just wanted to pop in real quick this morning to let you all know that I most likely won't be around too much this week.

 

The weather is finally turning more spring like and suddenly find myself with an uncontrollable urge to clean and purge closets.

 

I know from past experience that when this feeling hits I've just got to roll with it.

 

Hopefully, this feeling will pass quickly since I have so many projects waiting in the wings to get started on.

 

While I'm scrubbing and vacuuming away, I'm sure you all will be working on wonderful projects for me to admire.

 

See you soon,

 

Robin