Saturday, May 30, 2009

When Friends Get Married



There's nothing better than sharing special life moments with your friends! Matt and I ventured up to Michigan last weekend to watch our great friends Ben & Megan get married. And we were given the high honor of being Host & Hostess - pretty awesome!!





As Host and Hostess we were entrusted with the HUGE responsibility of prepping the reception hall and making sure things went smoothly with the caterer, facility, florist and cake lady. We jazzed up the dance floor with gorgeous hanging paper lanterns, set the tables with the numbers, made sure the florist put the right centerpieces on the right table, set up the candles, name cards and wedding favors. It was all a piece of cake though with Megan's amazing attention to detail!



The details were just stunning! Peonies, roses, hydrangeas and orchid centerpieces, hanging lanterns, black, pink and green accents, twin boys and girls for the flower girls and ring bearers, gorgeous brides maids, handsome groomsmen, pink strawberry wedding cake with coconut frosting, monogrammed frosted sugar cookie guest favors - everything just gorgeous!


(The happy newly weds - Ben & Megan! Aren't they the cutest couple!)

I cannot say enough to explain how amazing it was to be a part of their special day - it really made us feel like an important part of it all. We are so blessed to have such thoughtful friends who would entrust with the all the little details of their special day. *happy sigh*





Here's a snapshot of us with our Michigan couple friends! So wish they didn't live so far away! :( We always have such a blast together! Love and miss you all!

Want more wedding pics? See them all here!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Garden Spotlight: Lily of the Valley



One of my favorite flowers growing in my backyard garden are my Lily of the Valley. My Great-Grandma Peggy and Grandma Linda had split these for me from their garden about three growing seasons ago - I love how they spread and how delicate and fragrant their tiny blossoms are. :)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

My Reading Spot



This is my favorite spot to curl up with a good book - with my favorite pup-dog close at hand. This window seat is just perfect - especially when it is still daylight and the sun comes shining in! And there is a vent right above the couch - so winter or summer - this is the place to be! :)

P.S. Borders has a newly marked down $1 clearance book section! I stopped by on my way back from the Farmer's Market and didn't leave empty handed! :)

I can now add these to my ever-growing reading list:

- Crib Notes: A Random Reference for the Modern Parent by Amy Maniatis and Elizabeth Well
- Walking Ollie: OR Winning the Love of a Difficult Dog by Stephen Foster
- Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Cookies FAIL



Yup, I ruined a batch of Creamy Soft Peanut Butter cookies Tuesday night. :( The recipe called for 3 eggs and I only put two in on accident - had already tried to bake two dozen before I realized something was wrong. Then tried to add an egg to the remaining batter - the results were pretty catastrophic - I am not even showing you the worst cookies - these were at least edible! :)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

What I'm Reading: The Turtle Catcher



Well, actually I've already read it - but "What I am reading" sounds like a better post title. :)

I am always looking for a good read and they are so hard to come by! I can check out 10 books at the library and maybe come to find that 3 that are really good reads.

Well this book, my blog friends, is a good read! Had it done in two days!

I love books with twisty tales, that move forward and backward in the narrative and really gets your mind working on trying to figure out the plot and puzzling storyline!

So, if you're in a reading rut - check out the Turtle Catcher by Nicole Helget.

Monday, May 18, 2009

8+ Hours of Gardening in 1 Weekend!


(Couldn't do a post about gardening without showing an update on the tres garden beds!)

So I've been a little garden crazy this weekend. My wonderful friend, Laura, called me Friday evening and asked if I had any plans for this weekend - I checked my schedule (husband ended up working awful hours 6PM-4AM Saturday and 12PM-1oPM Sunday) - so NOPE no plans! Well she had a plan up her sleeve - so off to Lowes we went Friday night and picked out all kinds of plants and shrubs for her two front garden beds.

Then woke up bright and early (ok, not so bright or early) and started hacking at the weeds and laying down landscaping fabric and planting flowers at 9AM. We worked our tushes off until about 1PM - even worked through a pretty good rain! :)

Took a break from yardwork only to detour to my coworker's house - she had told me to come on over as she was splitting and thinning all her flowers and plants. More yardwork!! :) We packed up the shovel and lots of flower pots and off we drove!

We took home a good 1/2 truck bed full of hostas, ferns, money plants, and tons and tons of black eyed susans. Our neighbors said it looked like we had a jungle in our truck! The ferns did give it a jungle feel! I am excited - never had ferns before and these are just lovey!

Sunday started off pretty slow. Stayed home with Matthew until he headed back to work, then got my hair cut, browsed through the new Ace Hardware - very nice - didn't know they had kitchen stuff! And headed back over to Laura's to finish up the garden bed in the backyard - I brought over from starts from my bee balm, lemon balm, mint (I gave her warning), and some of the black eyed susans from my coworker. We finished up the backyard in an hour or two then it was back to my place where I proceeded to plant EVERY single one of the plants we took home with us from Connie's. Thankfully, where I put them was shady so it was a pleasant time digging in the dirt. Now Matt will just have to through and straighten up the edges of the new garden bed - but it already looks fabulous - even with some of the plants looking a tad droupy from their trip.



(Here they are all! A good 8 feet or more of new plants!)



Here's a shot of my wrap around flower gardens - tried to fit them all in one pic. :) I am loving our backyard oasis in progress!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Rain Barrel Installed



We finally got our rain barrel all set up! Only took a good 5-10 minutes of listening to ear splitting screeches as my hubby cut through the gutter with his new hack saw. Fun.

The barrel is already completely full with the rains we had last week!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Here's Your Sign



I love garden signs! Especially little embossed ones like this! Perfect for my mint patch. Found it at Joann Fabric along with a Thyme sign - which I didn't grab - they had Rosemary, Basil and Sage too!

Now my neighbors know I am growing mint and not weeds. :)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Columbine in Bloom



The purple Columbine Flower I got from my Grandma is doing splendid in it's third year in my little side garden! Just look at all those blooms!!

I've got quite the columbine collection now - pink ones, purple ones and I just picked up some red and white ones from Lowes - they were 50% off!

(That is thyme growing so close next to the columbine...no idea what to do with it - but it is growing. LOL!)

Any good recipes anyone??

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Sew Happy!



Been busy sewing up a storm! I made these projects for Mother's Day - everyone got their goodies the day before (Saturday) when I was in town, so this post is a little dated now - but wanted to share my growing sewing prowess with you all. ;)

The clothespin bag above was a gift for my Mother-In-Law, Sue!



The grocery bag tube was for my Great-Grandma Peggy and Grandma Linda.





And the tote was for my mother! The strings are to roll up and tie the bag so you can keep it in your car for grocery runs!

Happy Mother's Day! Love you all!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Paw Prints on My Heart



Lola has this cute thing where she sticks out her tongue just so and then looks at you with absolute adoration. See it?

Oh yeah and she has a little buzz cut if you can't tell. Have to get her in the groomer so they can undo the damage we did - so she may be sporting an even shorter look here soon!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Three Gardens To Grow In



My wonderful husband is becoming quite the handiman! He built two more lovely garden beds for me this year! Now I've got two 4x4 beds and one 2x4. I was thinking to plant all the little things like carrots, lettuce, etc in the smaller bed - but now I am thinking it would be an excellent strawberry patch.

What do you think?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

All Fried Up



The morels mushrooms have all been fried up and ate! Yum! Now I have get over my tick fears and go out and find more!

Fried Morels:

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 to 1 cup or more of flour (depends on how many you are frying up)
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Butter
  • Morel mushrooms


  • Instructions:
    1. Heat frying pan till hot.
    2. While pan heats, prepare flour mixture in a square or rectangular container. Mix all the flour with optional amounts of salt and pepper.
    3. Melt 1/4 stick or 2 tablespoons butter in pan.
    4. Dredge morels through flour mixture until well coated.
    5. Fry until golden brown on both sides.

    I've found that it is easier to cook up morels in small batches - 6-10 at a time. Otherwise you have to keep adding butter and then the flour mixture starts collecting and burning in the pan.

    I've had recipes where the morels were dipped in an egg mixture before being dredged in the flour but find that you lose a lot of the morel flavor and end up tasting more egg. If you soak your morels in salt water prior to cooking (to kill of any slugs, etc) they are wet enough that plenty of flour ends up sticking. Or if you rinsed your morels under water first they would be wet enough as well.

    Would love to hear about other recipes! Anybody have any good ones? I've read about a morel and asparagus omlet - but haven't tried it yet! Let me know!

    Monday, May 4, 2009

    A Not So Subtle Hint



    Trying to convince my husband that he needs to go back to the antique shop we visited over the weekend and buy this ADORABLE doll-house.

    Knowing my luck I would end up having all boys. But if I did - we could sell it later or give it to friends for a birthday or something.

    Come on, my love, it is an amazing deal. Most doll houses cost $100's.

    Pretty pullleeeezzeee???

    Perhaps there will be a surprise waiting for me when I get home this week. Hmmm??

    Sunday, May 3, 2009

    2009 Johnson County 5th Annual Garden Celebration!



    Made it out the 2009 Johnson County Garden Celebration for a little plant shopping this weekend! I love the Garden Celebration! So many great plant finds, lots of info - so much fun!



    The vendors are all so helpful - ask any plant question and you're bound to find an answer - and you get to learn about lots of nurseries you may not have known about before - I have a few new places I need to venture out to now!

    Winton's Iris Hill
    7131 E. 550 S.
    Franklin, IN 46131
    Open 6 days a week from Apr. 15-Sept. 1)
    Closed on Tuesdays
    Hours: 10Am-7PM
    Perennials - $2.00 & Up
    5 acres of Daylilies, Irises, Hotas Perennials and Display Gardens

    Cool Things for the Garden
    6895 St. Rd. 39
    Martinsville, In
    5 miles north of SR 67
    Open most weekends, but please call ahead to make sure: 317-996-2746
    Fri. & Sat. 9AM-6PM
    Sunday 1PM- 6PM
    Nice assortment of hard to find annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs suitable for the central Indiana landscape.
    Bring your container to the nursery to fill with plants of your choice.
    www.coolthingsforthegarden.com


    Though one vendor in particular caught my eye - they had a handwritten sign posted that told everyone, "No pictures!" Nice, considering I am the one loon with the camera. I am not taking pics to steal your bird feeder ideas, lady, I am taking pics for my blog to spread the word about this great event and all the great vendors that are there. Goodness. Are you that insecure about your "crafts" that you are paranoid about people stealing the idea? Puleeze! Get a patent.

    Well this year you are NOT in my pics, so no worries - no one will see your little bird feeders - so now no one will come looking for your booth next year - oh wait, is that what you wanted to happen? No? Oops. Yeah, it is called free advertising, hon. And now you're missing out. Darn.

    Ok, rant over.



    Here's what I came home with! A lovely pink columbine and blue salvia! Spent only $6.50 all together! I should have grabbed the cilantro and catmint I found for $2.25 - thought I would get a better deal at Lowes - not the case though - they were $3.25 at Lowes - go figure! You win some and lose some in bargain hunting!

    The guy with the good deal on the herbs is said to also be making an appearance at the Greenwood farmer's market - will have to make it out to the next one!

    Friday, May 1, 2009

    Quote

    If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

    - Anne Bradstreet

    Monday, April 27, 2009

    The Hunt is On! Morel Season is Here!



    Matt and I headed out on a little adventure this weekend and came home with lots of lovely finds! We found a grand total of 27 morels - but they are a hefty bunch! The biggest measured at 7 inches and the smallest was two! Lots of 3-5 inchers!




    Here's our cat for size comparison. ;)



    Now I have the thrill of the hunt streaming full in my veins - can't wait get another chance to head out and look for more!

    Check out our full album of pictures here!


    Read my husband's rendition of the trip on his blog!

    Links about morels and morel hunting:
    Preparing for the Hunt
    Tricks and Secrets of the Trade
    How to Find Morel Mushrooms - E-How

    Saturday, April 25, 2009

    Bloggers Make the Best of Friends



    Oh, thank goodness for the sunshine! I thought I was going to have to spend the rest of spring in that dreary funk we had going on there for a while!

    Managed to make it outdoors after work Thursday and get these puppies in the ground finally! My good blog pal, TMC from Return to Rural was kind enough to pass along these black-eyed susan transplants from her friend's garden to mine. She's marvelous I tell you - just marvelous!!

    And here's a few more much-deserved blogger shout outs:
    I love my blog pals! You are all so great! Thank you!!

    Friday, April 24, 2009

    Muddy Road

    Our yoga instructor read us an old Buddhist parable that illustrates the challenge--and the value--of letting go of the past last night before we started our class last night. Was something I really needed to hear. Funny how you hear stories like this right when you need to.

    -------------------------------------------------------

    Two monks were walking along a muddy road after a rainstorm when they came across a beautiful young woman. She was wearing an exquisite kimono and was looking very concerned at the prospect of crossing the muddy road. The older monk immediately whisked her up into his arms, carried her across the road, and set her on the dry bank opposite. The young woman smiled her gratitude, and the monks went on their way. After several miles of walking, the younger monk could restrain himself no longer.

    “We monks have taken vows. We are not even supposed to touch women, especially not young and beautiful ones. Why did you pick up that woman back there?”

    “Have you been carrying her all this time?” asked the older monk. “I put her down many miles ago.”

    Thursday, April 23, 2009

    Getting the Gardening Bug



    Hoping for a few nice days here soon - I have a terrible gardening bug. I've got two more gardens to plant and all these bulbs to put in the ground....goodness!

    Tuesday, April 21, 2009

    Daffodil Love



    Loving all my daffodils this year! They are really going crazy with blooms. I cut 9 flowers Easter weekend and bundled them in threes for my mother-in-law, great-grandma and mother. And I already have another good dozen blooming this weekend!



    Though one set of daffys really stuck out - these two blooms have such short cups! And such an intense orange around the rims! A different variety of bulb must have snuck it's way into my bag.

    Any of my garden-savvy readers have an idea of what kind of daffodils these are?

    Monday, April 20, 2009

    Rhubarb Flower Stalk Mystery



    We had a rhubarb patch when I was little and have lots of great memories munching on tart stalks dipped in sugar and so we set out last year to recreate a little of my childhood yard and planted our own.

    This is our rhubarb patch's second year and, my, has it grown! (it's kinda crowding out my daffodils - may have to relocate the daffys to a more roomy locale). Though one thing has surprised me - it is blooming! Huh, I don't remember rhubarb ever doing that. There's this giant stalk in the middle of the patch with large cauliflower-like buds. Showbiz, our pup dog, even thinks it's odd - :)! (I love it when our pups sneak in my pics!)

    With a little research (gotta love the internets!) I've found that this stalk is bad. Well, at least it is if I want to harvest the other stalks because the flower stalk will take away nutrients from the rest of the plant. Gotta get my butt out there and cut that baby down to the crown!

    More info:

    Rhubarb Flowers Blooming or Bolting?

    Sunday, April 19, 2009

    What's On The Needles: April 2009



    Had a pretty non-existent weekend. Worked a conference until 10:30 Friday night and Noon until 9:30 PM Saturday. Thankfully, I had Sunday off, but was so wiped that I've done next to nothing.

    Did made it up bt 10:30 to get in a little gardening before tuckering out. Though I was only able to plant my dahlias and maywood lily tree. Still have a LOT more to go!

    I did use my time wisely on Saturday and knit this whole half a scarf in moss stitch while our attendees were in session. That's a lot of knitting - at least a good 3-4 hours worth!! Even found a few fellow knitters while I was at it. :)

    Saturday, April 18, 2009

    Indiana House Rabbit Society Easter Egg Hunt 2009!



    Thought I would give you, my lovely readers, an update on how the Adult Easter Egg Hunt (& Fundraiser for the Indiana House Rabbit Society) went Easter weekend! We got lost on the way as always - that happens. And ended up there too early - which was fine because were able to run into a posse of good friends who showed up - woohoo!! :)


    (Registration - they had upwards of 70 people come out this year!)


    (Our little posse - counted our eggs after the hunt!)

    This year there were 2,500 eggs hidden a wooded area of West Clay Park - last year only 500 were hidden - so yay! Out of our group of 6 people we found between 40-60 eggs a piece - my husband however - found a grand total of 5. LOL


    (Matt and his five eggs. :))

    Anywho - everyone had a blast and Jessie even found a ticket in one of her eggs! Yay, for prizes!!

    Click here to see our full album of fun pics from the egg hunt.


    And if you want to come out and participate next year - make sure you join the Indiana House Rabbit Society on Facebook and check out their website to stay up-to-date!

    Tuesday, April 14, 2009

    Mid-April Garden Update



    Gotta keep my thoughts on the warmer weather ahead despite all this chilly rain!

    Check out my radish seedlings!! My peas are also up as well - though no sign of carrots or lettuce. Hmmm?

    Hopefully some decent weather gets here soon I have lots of gardening work to do!
    • Plant one more 4x4 garden box
    • Plant a 4x2 garden box
    • Dahlias planted
    • Bleeding Hearts planted
    • Day Lily Tree bulb planted
    • Gladiolas planted
    • Other bulbs I picked up and need planted in April/May
    Seems daunting huh??

    Monday, April 13, 2009

    A Very Special Icing Recipe



    Called my Great Grandma Peggy on the way home from yoga one day a few weeks ago and asked about her icing she always put on the Angel Food cakes she would make (my all-time favorite cake). She told me the recipe and so I set out to make it - took me a time or two to get it right, but it turned out delicious! Though it wasn't not quite the same as hers - she has that grandma touch that makes everything 50-times better!

    (Sorry to the taste-testers on the first batch, though I had heard good things, I knew it wasn't right...I had used a different kind of margarine and I could taste the difference even if no one else could.)

    Great Grandma Peggy's White Icing

    Ingredients:
    5 tablespoons flour
    1 cup milk
    1 cup sugar
    1/2 cup oleo (she uses Imperial - the stick kind of margarine)
    1/2 cup Crisco (white, not butter flavored)
    1 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions:
    Heat flour and milk in a saucepan on the stove until mixture thickens.
    Cool in the refrigerator for one hour.
    Add sugar and vanilla to mixture.
    Combine oleo and Crisco and add to mixture.
    Beat together until smooth.

    I haven't had the icing on anything other than Angel Food Cake (which is what is pictured above - just in cupcake form - directions for the cupcake version should be on the side of the cake mix box) - on which it is DIVINE, but experiment as you chose! :)

    Also, if anyone knows where to find the "Hospitality" brand of Angel Food Cake mix - please let me know. That is what my Grandma always used until the Kroger in our hometown stopped carrying it. I couldn't find it at the Kroger on my side of town - but keep your eyes open if you're in the Indiana/Indianapolis/Franklin/Lafayette area and let me know if you see it - if I find it I am supposed to pick her up a few boxes and I would love to be able to find it for her!

    Saturday, April 11, 2009

    Rain Barrel 101



    So, I made myself a rain barrel at Invoke Yoga Studio's Go Green Rain Barrel Workshop! :) I even drilled (most) of the holes myself...I was a little wary of drilling the hole for the 3/4 inch spout because it had to be just right or the spout wouldn't fit in right. Was actually pretty easy to make and I can't wait to go out and buy myself a 7/8 drill bit, water sealant caulking, a female connector - which you cannot see in this picture as it is inside the barrel connected to the other end of the spout, screen and a few more food-grade barrels (which is the hard part to find, I guess). So, if anyone knows where I can get my hands on a few (3-4 more) let me know!

    I want to set up a system of barrels on the west side of the house, inside the fence - under our downspout. That side is always mucky when it rains and we never use that area...so I think a few rain barrels would be perfect! We can connect the rain barrels through the over flow hole I made at the top of the barrel - you can see it in the picture above - using a connector and some hosing. The thing I need to remember is to stagger the height of the barrels using a foundation of bricks or concrete blocks and stagger the over flow holes in each additional barrel so it is lower than the first connecting barrel..and, of course, to insert a spout on each additional barrel.


    (Here's a visual of how barrels can be connected - see how they are at different heights? Image from http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rbfaq.htm)


    (Here's a picture that illustrates how my rain barrel will work - see how the down spout is raised so it just pours in? And how the rain barrel itself is raised on a layer of brick to increase water pressure through gravity. Image from : http://www.metrocouncil.org/Directions/water/water2007/yardcare.htm)

    Not so excited about the color - but we were told that we could use clear plastic primer to coat the barrels and then paint them whatever color we choose, though I have a vision of creating some sort of lattice screen with some sort of climbing flower or plant.

    To get the water out, you can attach any sort of hose, soaker or otherwise, or simple fill a watering can. As long as the barrel is raised on top of a layer or two of concrete blocks or bricks you will have enough water pressure to reach the end of your hose - though of course it won't be anything crazy - but we were told it does reach the end of a soaker hose.

    Another thing to note is what to do with the barrels in the winter season. You will definitely want to empty the barrel of any water as the barrel will expand and probably sustain damage if the water freezes inside.



    Woohoo! We have our first rain barrel!! I love going green! First recycling, then our compost bin and now our rain barrels! Love it!!

    Thursday, April 9, 2009

    Full Calendar = Happy Me

    If you've read my blog for any amount of time I am sure you have come to the conclusion that I like to do things. Picnics in the park, wine tasting, classes at the library, yoga, sewing, gardening, etc.

    Well, I am happy to announce my calendar is filling up once again with all sorts of fun and exciting things that are going on in and around Indianapolis!

    This month I've got:

    The Go Green Challenge at Invoke Yoga Studio
    I'm jumping into this workshop series a little late - I've already missed their first session, Gardening & Composting 101, but I pretty much have those things under my belt already anyways so no grief was shed.

    But I am excited to say that I am headed to the free For the Love of Water & Rain Barrel making 101 Workshop this Friday! (space is limited - click the link above for registration information.)

    Tyler & Laura Henderson will demonstrate how to make a rain barrel from a 55 gallon plastic drum. Watch and learn, or make one to take home.** Tips and suggestions for conserving water use will also be discussed.

    I get to take home my very own rain barrel! ($50)!
    Eeek!! :)

    2nd Annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt
    I loved searching for eggs when I was a kid, so why not relive the feeling with the 2nd Annual Indiana House Rabbit Society Adult Easter Egg Hunt?! I'll be hunting for hidden eggs and hopefully winning some great prizes!

    Saturday, April 11th at 2:00 PM
    West Park in Carmel
    $5 fee to participate
    100% of the registration fees will be used for food, supplies and veterinary care for rabbits in foster care.

    Participants must be over 18 years old and bring a container to carry collected eggs. Registration will be from 2 to 3 PM. Egg collecting will begin promptly at 3 PM and end at 3:30 PM. Eggs will contain candy, gifts and prize tickets. Prizes will be distributed beginning at 3:30 PM. All eggs must be returned at the end of the event.

    Herbs For Your Garden at the Greenwood Public Library

    Saturday, April 18 (10:00 a.m. - 11: 00 a.m.)
    I get to learn a little about the most popular varieties of herbs, tips and tricks on successfully growing them and some recipes and ideas on how to use them in my kitchen.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    So there's a lot going on for me in April! Not to mention the spattering of birthdays, social events, business workshops, and the yardwork to do (two more gardens to plant!). Love it!!

    A Little Lola In My Life









    This little chihuahua is the best pup ever!

    Monday, April 6, 2009

    Spring, where art thou?



    It's feeling pretty chilly here in the Hoosier state...just when I thought spring was on it's way. Brr!! Here's some pretties from my garden to cheer you up though! They are calling for 60's later this week! Thank goodness! I don't know how much more of these 30 and 20 degree weather crud I can handle. Brr!