April 2010 ~ Gallery For Home

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Magnificent Mint Mojito

I'm waxing a bit poetic, but if you like mint, rum and lime, this Cuban cocktail was made for you. It's refreshing on a hot day with just the hint of a citrus bite to keep it interesting. On Kentucky Derby day, this wonderful little drink makes a nice change from the traditional mint julep, especially if you aren't into bourbon.

A classic recipe follows. Mint and limes are essential for a

Tulips

12:10 PM Country Living No comments

Last fall I planted our first tulip bulbs in the yard. The variety is called 'Triumph' and came from Van Bloem Gardens.

It was pure joy to watch her rise up from the spring ground and say hello. I think even dear Hubby said hello back.

This fall, I'm going to make a point of getting many more bulbs to plant around the yard because there's nothing quite sweeter than to see that little sleeping bulb come up in the spring and blossom into a beautiful flower.

Happy weekend dear friends. xo

More Spring Blooms

4:00 AM bulbs, garden, spring No comments

Spring activities in the garden this year have been rather slow mainly because it is still early weatherwise for us but also because we have our house on the market. We had hoped to be moving in time to establish a garden at the new house but that doesn't look like it will be happening. I am plugging ahead working on the area we started last fall so there has been minor improvements there.

Atop the Desk

5:31 PM Office, Organization No comments

I know it's popular to display scales like this one in kitchens, but I thought it fit in perfectly right here. Love the scalloped base and metal green hand. Aside from Poppy, it's my favorite new addition to the desk space.

Some plain white index cards sit on top and serve as convenient notepads. We can never have enough of those. Same goes for pens... they disappear as fast as socks do around our house. I stock up on cheap clear Bic pens from Target. I like them all matching.

The stone dog wears my watches like a fancy schmansy collar. He looks downright puffed up about it too.

Mr. Man can be found in a variety of unusual poses throughout the day. He's actually a fun accessory to have around.

I borrowed the #7 crock from my kitchen to display a single Clematis bloom. And underneath it sits a box with blooms all it's own.

And these are a few of my favorite desk things.

It's Coming Together...

3:03 PM No comments

So I've been racking my brain to come up with a meaningful theme for my 200TH POST GIVEBACK... After much thought I've decided to give a selection of some of my most favorite things to the lucky winner...

Here's what you'll get if your name is drawn...

My all~time favorite candle in the entire world from where else... Anthropologie! If you've never walked into Anthro and caught a whif of their Volcano candle, well you're in for a sensory treat.

My favorite CD in the universe, Bird On A Wire by Toby Lightman. I can hit replay all day on this one.

Three different shower gels by Philosophy. I adore Philosophy. These smell so good you will want to literally eat them.

A brown and white transferware butter pat. Yummy.

An assortment of teeny watch faces. I am addicted to these.

A fab flower frog from my personal collection. I hope you treasure it.

French script stamped seam binding. Say that three times fast... I love me some seam binding...

Three fabulous gift tags in the French theme of course...

Some surprises are bound to find their way into the mix as well...

PLEASE BE SURE AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE ORIGINAL GIVEBACK POST TO ENTER. COMMENTS LEFT ON THIS POST WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAWING.

Good luck everyone!

Joan of Arc

8:11 AM Recycled Beauty, The Farmhouse No comments

Meet Joan. I've known her since I was a little girl. This Italian bust of marble and alabaster used to sit on a table in my Grandmother's foyer in California. Before that, she came from my Great Great Grandmother's house in Chicago.

Growing up, I didn't know her as the tragic and heroic figure Joan of Arc. She was just the pretty lady that greeted us in my Grandmother's entry.

For now, she's on our bedroom dresser. Eventually, I would like to relocate her to the living room downstairs, but will need to find a table strong enough to support her.

Hubby wasn't all that crazy about Joan when she first came to live with us. She reminds him of his parochial school days.

But I think she's growing on him.

What Does Not Belong in Your Compost

4:00 AM composting, recycling No comments

Composting is the ultimate in recycling. Food scraps and vegetation are easily turned into the highly desirable soil amendment known simply as compost. Compost can be used as a natural fertilizer for all garden beds, as a potting medium for most container plants including houseplants and even scattered through out the yard to act as a fertilizer for grass and other ground cover. There simply

April's Bird(s)

5:08 PM Furry and Feathery, Office No comments

Can you spot any changes to my office below? One of them is standing on the edge of my desk.

Meet Poppy.

He's only been with us for a couple of weeks,

and already he thinks this desk belongs to him.

Remember my bird calendar? This month's parakeet is strikingly beautiful.

And, well, poor Poppy is a wee bit jealous...

and tries to vie for April's slot.

How to Grow Potatoes in Potato Planter Bag (3)

4:00 AM container gardening, vegetables No comments

Once the potato foliage begins to die back the potatoes are ready for harvesting. They can be harvested earlier as we do if you want the new, small potatoes. Don't expect a huge yield of potatoes. We grow mainly for the new potatoes and a bit of fresh eating, not for storage. Potatoes routinely are on sale $7.99 for a 50 lb bag. I can't grow enough for what we would need to store through the