Jasmine

The pretty Yellow Jasmine vine is in full bloom around our front door. The sweet fragrance gives a warm welcome.

Yellow Jasmine, also called Carolina Jasmine is common in the south. Easy to grow and a hardy plant, you will often see it vining around mailboxes, fences, or a trellis. I have found that it grows in sun or part shade.

(Interesting fact)...Yellow jessamine has been used by herbalists to treat eye ailments and as natural, perfumed hair oil. The essential oils of the plant are extracted for use in the perfume industry, since the pleasant odor is difficult to reproduce synthetically.

All parts of this plant are extremely poisonous if eaten; however, the bright yellow spring blossoms are a source of nectar for butterflies.

A painting

I've had this block of wood on my art table for weeks, and I've finally decided to do something with it. (Galen's always cutting wood for different projects in his shop and sometimes he'll bring a piece in and lay it on my art table.)

Here's what I came up with.........flowers!

And my inspiration?................

my sofa pillow.

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, and it should look great hanging in the living room or dining room since the colors came from the pillow.

Hmmmmm.......I'm thinking maybe some note cards next.

I brought in a bit of sunshine today!

Please don't feed the dust bunnies

I see little dust bunnies everywhere, hiding in corners and under the furniture.

Maybe it's time to do some cleaning.

A little polishing here...

A little dusting there...

A little scrubbing here...

a little sweeping there...

and we're done.

That didn't take very long. Right Otis and Riley?

Whatever you're doing today, hope you enjoy it!

Yeah!

Jury duty is over!

I was at the court house for two days and both days I was picked for a jury ~ two different civil cases involving car accidents. The cases went fairly fast and we were able to come to a quick verdict (the first case we came to a verdict in about an hour, the second case in about ten minutes). Then we were dismissed. Yeah!

It's over, and I shouldn't be called again for at least two years!

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I just wanted to tell you about the 4H artisans show that we had on Saturday. It turned out to be a great day! Lots of vendors and lots of great things! We sold one of our big marble chasers to a very happy little guy.

Do you see those wind chimes on the right of the photo above? I just had to have one. And now it's hanging on the back porch tinkling in the wind.

If you want to see more photos on the show, go here. What a fun day!

Jury Duty

I've been summoned for jury duty.

I'll be back soon.........hopefully.

Enjoying the sun, and an award

After days of rain, it's nice to enjoy some sun...

and a few blooms around the garden.

Strawberry blooms!

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And, I received a special award from Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses. I must confess though, she gave this to me a few weeks ago and I just realized I hadn't posted on it. (I'm sorry, Rhondi ~ sometimes I think I'm losing my mind!) You are the sweetest, and to pass this on to me means alot.

Thank you!

Hope you all have a sunny day today!

Time for planting

I picked up some seed packets at the garden center and I'm ready to go! I love this time of year when we can get out in the garden and plant our veggies and flowers for the season. Digging in the dirt is one of my favorite pasttimes and great therapy.

I've read that more and more people are planting vegetable gardens, and that when the economy is down, seed sales spike. Not a bad idea. Get that home grown flavor and save yourself some money at the supermarket.

I'm off now to dig in the dirt.

Have a great day!

Getting ready

This is what my dining room table looks like right now.

We're getting ready for the artisans show in Wilson on Saturday, and hubby and I have been very busy. The dining room table is filled with marble chasers and other wood crafted items that we will be taking along.

Here is a "little red hen" bird house that Galen carved out of wood and I painted. We also have a cardinal, a blue jay and a few other interesting birds.

I found this gnarled piece of wood in the back yard and wanted to use it for something. Isn't it great looking?

Here is what we decided to use it for.

I painted a bunch of signs, too. They're scattered all over my art table.

We're looking forward to a fun time on Saturday. Dan Finch will be there with his pottery and his blue bird houses and blueberry bushes. Also, vendors with handmade jewelry, metalwork, and lots of garden items.

So if you're in the area on Saturday, stop by!

Rise and shine

Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself.

~Elbert Hubbard

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.

~Lorraine Hansberry

I'm home from PA and trying to get back in the swing of things. It's been an emotional few days but everything went well, and it was good to be with the family.

Being home now I feel a bit of emptiness inside, so today I will take time to sit and think while I catch up on piles of laundry.

And while I sit and think, my wonderful friends and family come to mind. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and support. It means so much. You are all so special to me. I will be around soon to visit you and catch up on all I've missed.



So I will refill my coffee cup, fold some laundry, and then sit awhile with Otis and Riley.

I think Otis and Riley have the right idea!

A tribute to my father-in-law

As sunny, warm and beautiful this spring day is today, it brings with it some sadness for our family. We got word early this morning that my father-in-law passed away. Even though we knew how serious things were, it's now a bit hard to accept the realization that it's happened. Death is so final.

He was a good man. A giving and caring man. He had a sense of humor and a very strong faith which carried him through hard times. He had a love for music and travel.

It will seem strange going back home and not having him around. How life can change in an instant.

We will be travelling to PA this weekend to make arrangements and be with the family.

He will be greatly missed.

Decorating and color

I've added two more decorating books to my collection of many. New Decorating (Better Homes and Gardens) and Great Color & Pattern Collection with Betsy Speert.

I got these on the clearance table at the Barnes and Noble Book Store. Originally $20 and $24, I bought them for $5 and $8!

Both books are packed with decorating ideas and how tos on creating a room that's filled with pattern, texture, and any color from the color wheel! Choose your palette and find how to mix other colors to make it work and to have a visual balance in the room.

I scanned a few pages for you to see.

Some dos and don'ts for a dining room table. They suggest using a pretty table scape to make the room more inviting when the table is not in use rather than the minimal accents you would use at mealtime.

Patio and garden ideas.

Of course, I find in my decorating, that I will use whatever I have around the house. I think using the colors you love and being surrounded by the things you love will make the most inviting room of all.

Create something beautiful today!

March

I turned the page on my Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Calendar from February to March and found some fun and interesting facts.


By the way on Sunday March 8th, Daylight Saving Time begins. Yeah! Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead. "Spring ahead, Fall back", remember?

Did you know that seeing a robin in the garden is a sign of good fortune.

March 26 is New Moon. Plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground from the day the Moon is new to the day that it is full again.

There is a Vernal Equinox on the 20th.

Of course, St. Patrick's Day is March 17.

And, as I mentioned before, the weather in March is very fickle here. Right now it is 22 degrees and there are icicles hanging from the Lady Banks Rose on the back porch. This weekend coming we are to have sunny warm temperaures high in the 70's.

I am SO looking forward to the weekend!

In like a lion

Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

March has come in like a lion. It's snowy, cold and windy. Hopefully by the end of the week it will be warm again.

Oh, the fickleness of March weather.