Teary Eyed Gardening

Yesterday while planting my zinnias and tomato plants, my husband gathered seeds from dried 

stalks taken from my father’s last zinnia bed.


I planted those seeds yesterday, and truth be told, afterwards all I wanted to do was lie down in the middle 

of our backyard and cry.


What will I do if they don’t grow?


In years past, my father and I had lots of conversations standing at my zinnia beds.

In those gardening conversations, he always began his advice by clearing his throat and saying,


”Sister, you might want to…”


And then I would look him in the eye and smile like I knew what I was doing, and he would laugh.



Everywhere I looked yesterday was a place he had stood and given me gardening advice.


As much as I teased him, I listened to every word.

There are the two mountain laurel trees he planted along my driveway, that only bloom once a year.



They are blooming now and it is amazing.

This is not a sad tale, but rather a tale that feels sad.

That makes perfect sense to me.



And besides,  there is work to do in the garden.

So I best get to it.

Projects in the Yard

Pallets of Pavers

I have worked so hard in my yard this weekend, I can’t feel my feet.

I am smiling because I planted my zinnias and tomatoes, but I can’t feel my feet.

Why?

When I work outside, I do a lot of walking back and forth looking for things I have lost-

like my tools, or my phone, or my water, or whatever has distracted me and caught my attention.

And then there are the projects.

Today we had someone take up a large patio area in our Esperanza Garden which borders  two sides of the

little house in our back yard.

Our Esperanza Garden is rustic and simple and full of talavera pottery.

Years ago, that patio was all done in limestone rock that looked like caleche.

Esperanza Garden


The rock was my idea, and it was a mistake.

It looked pretty at first, but over the years it trapped leaves and dirt, it became

discolored, and  it could not be cleaned.



The new patio is being done in adobon pavers from Mexico, and I love it. 


Photos will follow once it is done.

That’s something else I couldn’t keep up with in the yard- my camera.

Now I must go do something about my feet.

*****

You must read this post about one of my previous projects in the yard.

Have you been working in the yard this weekend?

 

Thoughts of Home on Thursday #3

Welcome back to week #3 of Thoughts of Home on Thursday. 
To celebrate, we are hosting a giveaway each week for a month.  Anyone who links will be eligible to win.
Linking more than one post means you have multiple chances to win.

  This week's giveaway is hosted by  
Laura of White Spray Paint, and It's All About You. 

The giveaway includes a Lilly Pulitzer wristlet, a turquoise statement necklace, creams for your face and skin, scented bath soap, a turquoise mercury glass candle , and a journal for all of your dream planning.

In features this week, Monica of Prince Snow Farm shares her Garden Plans for 2016. She is the gardener I long to be. Trust me, you will use this post to assist you in your own planning.

Mary Alice of Chateau Chic, whose posts always calm my hectic thinking with her beautiful approach to her home and life, inspires us once again in Tour a Cottage Kitchen.

And if you have never visited Yuni at Love Your Abode, you are in for a treat. Her Crudite Platter is simple and stunning.

Lisa of Hospitable Pursuits takes us along on her forever home building journey as she plans and makes stunning selections for her master bedroom.  The resources she provides alone, make this post a keeper. 

And now for Week 3 of TOHOT.

We ask that you please,

1.  Link back to this post and follow your hostesses at any of our blogs.

Laura at Décor To Adore

Stacey from Poofing the Pillows

Jemma from At Home With Jemma

Laura at White Spray Paint
2.  Share up to 3 of your favorite posts,
remembering to not link advertising or shops.
3.  Visit one another and comment.

By linking up you are providing permission that Thoughts of Home on Thursday can feature your post and accompanying photos on future blog posts or other forms of social media such as Facebook and Instagram. A link back to your blog will always be provided.

Thank you for joining us this week! We can't wait to see what you have to share.

An InLinkz Link-up

Giveaway at Thoughts of Home on Thursday #3

The main message of Thoughts of Home on Thursday is that it is about

YOU.

It is about you, the bloggers that bring us all into your homes with graciousness and kindness and an attitude

of hospitality.


It is about your love of home, and cooking, and creating, and gardening, and

as a result, inspiring everyone who has the pleasure of visiting your blog.


Thank you!

And to honor that and because spring is coming and because I found the necklace first- and then it all

started to make sense-

this TOHOT #3 Giveaway was created.



The Giveaway includes a Lilly Pulitzer wristlet, a turquoise necklace, face and body lotion, scented bath

soap, a mercury glass votive and candle, and a journal for your dream planning.

All you have to do to enter, starting tomorrow , is link up to 3 posts for 3 chances to win at

Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

Hope to see you there!

The Anti Paint tutorial blogger

 

A while back, I opened door number 3

and joined the world of DIY painting bloggers, whose work I completely admire.

Truly, I do.


Now granted,

this admiration  usually occurs from afar, while sitting in my chair, my laptop perched in my lap, with the AC

blasting.

As I click on page after page of DIY painted perfection, I am usually mumbling, “…how in the world did

she do that?”.

I am the Anti Paint Tutorial Blogger.



I was part of a DIY team, in my own driveway, (with two of my daughters),

who have become very, very

BOSSY.

Five minutes into our project,

I was quickly demoted to third string painter,

and I was even accused of

“…trying to get out of things,

or skipping important steps in the painting process…”

Well, I never!

My first task was to

apply the primer to a campaign dresser that will

belong to Daughter #3,

once it is painted in a turquoise color called Beach Towel

and its brass fittings are all shiny and gold.

Easily distracted, I wondered if Zinsser makes

under eye concealer.



I am a slinger by trade, and when I complained about the primer, whose directions I did not follow,

I was then told to work on the campaign chest hardware.

This was a very hard job.

The previous owner of said campaign dresser

had spray painted the hardware with black paint.

(Truth be told, I don’t blame them…I feel their pain.)

This job involved dangerous, toxic chemicals,capable of removing layers of paint and skin.

(I did read those instructions.)

Daughter #3 had started this job,

all while I shouted out non-stop, possibly irritating warnings of

“Danger! Be Careful! Wear your gloves!”

I was demoted from this job

when they caught me trying to dip said hardware in my silver cleaning

liquid in the kitchen

(with the AC blasting).

The big reveal follows.

There really is a project plan.  I’ll let you know

when they let me know…

I wonder what my job will be tomorrow?


********

Reveal

Here’s my story:  I have painted lots of furniture over the years, but a slinger personality, directions, and multiple steps don’t often mix .

I like it that way.

I hope you enjoyed this crazy White Spray Paint re-post.

Finds and Favorites

Without a doubt, a key element in my ongoing search for interesting to me, eclectic things

for my home is price.


Lucky for me, I love the search, I love the surprise in it all, and I love that the head of David above cost $2

and that the brass shell was 50 cents.

And yes- as you know- things in this price range usually require some tender loving care and adjustment.

David’s stare was a little scary, but white spray paint cures all.

And for any of us who have ever faced a blank bookshelf

wondering where to start,

Poppy of With a Dash of Color has the solution. 

You are not going to believe the simplicity of it all.

And, if you are interested in a uniquely White Spray Paint strategy

for spring cleaning,

you may want to read this Dear Daughters: Spring Cleaning for the Exhausted post.


Have a great weekend!

Thoughts of Home on Thursday #2

Welcome back for week #2 of Thoughts of Home on Thursday.  When you begin something new, you never know how it will turn out. We had very high hopes for our new gathering last week but you all blew us away! You honored us with your presence and you shared such sweet supportive comments. We intended for this to be a nurturing and creative place and you made it just that.  

To celebrate we are hosting a giveaway each week for a month.
Anyone who links will be eligible to win.
Linking more than one post means you are eligible for multiple entries.
This week the giveaway is being hosted by Stacey of Poofing the Pillows. The giveaway includes a subscription to Cottage Journal along with other sweet home items.

It's not quite gardening season outdoors but Jane at Cottage at the Crossroads brought blooming pink primroses indoors and put them inside a cloche. This made for a stunning combination. 

Infuse with Liz decorated the plate rack in her eating area for Valentine's Day and the result is just adorable. It's a little bit old fashioned and a little bit modern with the lights. 

At Simply LKJ, Lauren prepared and shared a recipe for Lemon Tagliatelle with Toasted Pine Nuts and Arugula. This dish of fresh flavors blended with pasta looks delicious! 

In A Sweet Pairing, Terri at Our Good Life inspired us to think of simple things we can do at home to make it cozy and special. She and her husband love to share a little popcorn with wine at night. 

Gentle Suggestions:

1.  A link back to this post or any of the four hosts websites would be greatly appreciated as it will help new friends to find us.

Laura at Décor To Adore

Stacey from Poofing the Pillows

Jemma from At Home With Jemma

Laura at White Spray Paint

2.  Please share up to 3 of your favorite posts.
Please link to a specific post.
Kindly remember not to link advertising or shops.

By linking up you are providing permission that Thoughts of Home on Thursday can feature your post and accompanying photos on future blog posts or other forms of social media such as Facebook and Instagram. A link back to your blog will always be provided.

3.  In the spirit of camaraderie we encourage you to visit one another.We thank you so very much for gathering with us and hope to see you each and every week at
Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

We can't wait to see what you share!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Garden Chores

Entrance Patio to the Little House

*****

It’s time to get to work.

I can’t delay another day.

Tomorrow we are going to irrigate the yard, after I fertilize.

I have shared before that our yard is an acre in size.

The only way to water completely is to irrigate.

After that, I am going to finish pruning, trimming, and cleaning.

What needs to be cleaned?

Everything -

including Big Daddy.

Wish me luck!

This is my goal.

I want to be able to sit here and relax when it is all done.

Do you have any garden chores planned?

*****

Linking to:

Cozy Little House, Tweak it Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life, Inspire Me Tuesday

Dear Daughters: You May Not Recognize The Messenger

                                                                            

Dear Daughters,

You may not always recognize the messenger.

Those are often the messages that are the sweetest and the most profound.


I know this to be true.


I wasn’t even watching that particular episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

I was just walking through the room.

And then I heard it.

And I haven’t stopped listening since.

Over and over and over again.



Sweet girls, everyone hears things differently.

I guess our hearing is like our sight.

It really is all in the eye of the beholder.


So my Messenger that Thursday night visited me via Grey's Anatomy.

I was pulled up short, and then I smiled at the miracle of it all.







If you like, take a listen , and hear what I heard.

 
I love you,
Mom


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Thoughts of Home on Thursday #1

Welcome to the delightful beginning of

Thoughts of Home on Thursday!

We are so happy that you have joined this gathering. Our intent is to be a nurturing place of creativity and inspiration.

Each week we hope that you will share your decorating ideas, recipes, thoughts on gardening or simply what inspires you.

Each link up will be featured on all four of our blogs.

To celebrate we are hosting a giveaway each week for a month. Anyone who links up will be eligible to win. Linking more than one post means you are eligible for multiple entries.

This week the giveaway is being hosted by Laura of Décor To Adore.

The giveaway includes a one of a kind flea market apron, mug, loose leaf tea, strainer, decorative accent piece, and a $20 gift card to HomeGoods/TJMaxx/Marshalls tucked into a darling coin purse.

This week’s selections that truly captured the essence of home:

*Please note that as this is our inaugural post we have selected a post from each of our four blogs. In the future weekly selections will highlight four guests who link up the previous week.

Decorating:

At Home with Jemma shares How to Decorate With Faux Flowers & Wreaths.

Recipes:

An easy and delicious dessert recipe perfect for Valentine’s day from Décor To Adore ~ Raspberry Orange Trifle.

Gardening:

White Spray Paint offers fantastic ideas in Raised Bed Gardening Tips.

Inspiration:

Poofing the Pillows provides inspiration in A Fresh Look at Our Family Room.

Gentle Suggestions:

1. A link back to this post or any of the four hosts websites would be greatly appreciated as it will help new friends to find us.

Laura at Décor To Adore

Stacey from Poofing the Pillows

Jemma from At Home With Jemma

Laura at White Spray Paint

2. Please share up to three of your favorite posts.

Please link to a specific post.

Kindly remember to not link to advertising or shops.

By linking up you are providing permission that Thoughts of Home on Thursday can feature your post and accompanying photos on future blog posts or other forms of social media such as Facebook and Instagram. A link back to your blog will always be provided.

3. In the spirit of camaraderie we encourage you to visit one another.

We thank you so very much for gathering with us and hope to see you each and every week at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We can’t wait to see what you share.

An InLinkz Link-up

http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=605764" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up

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Walk Away Renee Watering

    

My husband has a different method of watering plants than I do.

Past experience shows that he is a SPRAYER,  as in spray the plants in their face sprayer.

    
If I were thirsty, being sprayed in the face would get on my last nerve.

Recently, standing in the yard while my husband watered, I pontificated about all of my

amazing gardening theories, including proper watering.

He listened for two seconds,

and then he walked away.


I may have lost my helper.

       Which caused me to think about Walk Away Renee -the Four Tops version.

Does anyone remember that song?

 
Here's a little of what I said.


*  I think thirsty plants/people want a long drink of water.

They don’t want to be sprayed in the face when they are thirsty. 

They enjoy spraying for fun , but not to quench their thirst.

*  I think miracle blooming products are like steroids, eyelash extensions, hair color and

other faux beauty products (that I have been known to enjoy) ; however, their dramatic

results are fleeting.

* I think cutter ants, that have stripped most of my rose bushes, at one time or

another over the years , are a worthy opponent. 

Why?

They work harder at their

gardening than I do.


Do you see why he walked away?


*****

Come join us tomorrow at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

Write about and link whatever moves you.

I always do .

 

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Raised Bed Gardening Tips

Zinnia Garden 2015

 

It is that time of year!

As soon as this latest cold spell ends, I plan to prepare my raised beds and do my spring planting.


This year I will plant what I always plant- zinnias and tomatoes.

Without a doubt, the results are one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Here are the steps I follow to get ready for planting.

 

1.  Look up.

Walk your yard and look up.

You are looking for sunlight. 

This is something my father taught me.  My seeds’ growing season will be a disappointment

if they don’t receive at least 6 hours of full sun throughout the day.

 

2.  Clean up.

The soil that is in my raised beds now grew last year’s crop.

I need to till it by hand, remove any debris, add in new bags of gardening soil (I use Miracle Gro gardening

soil), and till it by hand again.



3.  Hold the soil loosely.

There is no packing in raised bed gardening.

I liken it to the folding we do in mixing cake batter-

the gentler the better.

 

 4.  Check the temperature.

I live in zone 9 (note the arrow above).

The planting season for zinnias in zone 9 begins in March and ends in August.

I begin planting at the end of February after colder weather is not expected.

5.  Continue walking the yard.

In South Texas we have been blessed with a few rainstorms this past year.

Everything of course grows after a good rain-

including trees .

Before starting your raised bed planting this spring, make sure the sunlight you are counting on hasn’t

changed.





This will be your reward.

*****

Linking to:

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Tuesdays At Our Home