More Snips and Snails...

 With such a long time between St. Patrick's Day and Easter this year I am not used to having so much time with no decor swapping or crafting. I guess it's also because spring decor-which comes next-doesn't really lend itself to a lot of crafting. I made the one image on canvas and that may actually be it until I get decorating. I think I told you I might be using this image and color scheme as inspiration for at least part of my spring decor this year. It is something different and will probably mean taking out all of my purple so, we shall see how I feel about that when I get there. I'm also thinking large cabbage roses or ranunculus in a soft blush would be beautiful but nice faux flowers are expensive and this would probably break the bank.

I actually have it sitting in my craft area right now and it is next to this:

The "feel" isn't quite the same but the color family is so we shall see again. If I do go this route, I will probably have to find a few more things to craft because this is not my usual color way. Lol

I did get the sunroom table done and it did exactly as I thought. All of the mars and scars are still there-every part of it is just darker and that was my goal. Any furniture at my house that I have not recently painted-and there isn't much-better watch out. When I have a day with no plans I have just started looking around to see what I could paint. Too bad I STILL haven't looked at the sunroom ceiling! Lol

And then, do you notice anything?

I think I have decided that I like all of the furniture pieces where I now have them so I finally removed the sliders and they are safely back in their box until I need them again-which could be this afternoon-you never know with me! Lol

I am hosting the Easter brunch this year. Much of the family will be MIA because of travel so I'm not sure how many will be here but I started to play with some ideas for table setting. I have a dark purple table cloth which I might use but I kind of prefer the dark purple place mats because they just seem a little more casual. I love my flowered plates and those are what I usually use for Easter but I'm playing with switching it up a bit. I think the light green plates with the pretty border could work as well. We shall see.

And the winner is:

I should have known. Lol Once I saw the light green plate really wasn't represented in the florals on the other dishes, it was back to what I have always done. I really am a creature of habit. I'm actually noticing that the purple on the plates reads more "blue" so now I am even questioning the place mats. Lol I don't know about a centerpiece just yet. Daughter #2 usually brings spring flowers so that is what I use but, just in case she doesn't, I have so many Easter things that I can grab to use and, hopefully, the centerpiece will feed more into the purple and make it all look cohesive. You can probably tell that I'm looking for things to do because this is not something that I would ever worry about for more than a second. Lol I like a pretty table but, like I said, it will be casual-and just family-so it really is a non-issue.

And then, Towanda met me outside this morning-bright and early and chilly out there-yay. And that is all that was needed to get the rest of the lattice and even a piece or two of the 2X4s down. Of course, I may not be able to stand up straight for the next few weeks but the pain is worth it! I feel as if I am finally moving forward. Remember, I am a "yesterday" person! When something needs to be done, I want it done...which means I am not very good at waiting. Lol Again, if I only had the right saw!!!

Then I got a LOT of the weeding in the back done and the yard is starting to look nice again-although I am DEFINITELY going to need more flowers for the ones that are not coming back. I tore out a lot of unwanted border grass and planted it in the only spot where it is wanted. And, I got some more raking done. You would think that by now I would be finished with raking as it is spring and the leaves should all be down but, that is not the case.

And so now, I am more than ready to sit down and put my feet up and call it a day. I'm always a bit disjointed with days like this but, as usual, when they are over I am happy and feeling very accomplished!

I'm not sure when I'll be back or even what I might have to share when I am but it won't be long. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

She's Back!!!

 I'm not sure why...maybe because we are just getting out of winter and there hasn't been much yard work of late...but our old friend Towanda hasn't been around for awhile. She made an unexpected visit yesterday and, while I was very excited to see her, she had to say good-bye before her visit was officially over.

As promised, I headed back out to the gardens yesterday afternoon but I guess I didn't wait for shade because it was hot! I got going on raking up all of the stuff I had previously pulled from the gardens and then got back to using the small hand rake to pull the accumulation of leaves in the garden that were pushed up against the fence. And then out of NOWHERE-at least nowhere visible-I was in a fire ant hill. Oh my gosh-those things HURT! But, at least their sting didn't last as long as the ground yellow jacket. 

I went and got some ant spray and then some Amdro for good measure but neither of those were the fire ant variety so I was a bit afraid to go back to the same spot. I thought maybe I would give it until tomorrow so, as long as I was already drenched, I looked for my next job.

I am still waiting for the handyman to come cut off the extra 2' of fence post and the lattice from the fence that runs the 308' across the back of my yard. That is a job that I just can't do unless I either buy or rent the right kind of saw and even then, I would be dealing with some really heavy wood and just not sure my shoulders would let me do that any more.

But, the lattice was hanging off of some of the posts so I started on those. Mission accomplished so I moved on to the ones where the lattice was still attached but some of the staples and nails had worked loose. Mission accomplished. 

This one area actually has both the lattice and its supports off and this is what the whole 8' fence will eventually look like. It will still be 6' high and since there will probably never be anything behind my house, that is plenty tall enough. 

I got down to the last three on one side of the gate back in the far corner and that darn lattice is holding on for dear life. I was using a claw hammer and a crow bar but still couldn't pry it loose. Believe me, Towanda was right in there helping but try as we might, nothing budged. But, I'm not giving up. I'm going to wait until early in the day when my muscles are not quite as tired as they are now and I shall try again-and drag in my old friend as well if I need a hand! Lol

While I was out there I went in search of some blooms that definitely should have been here by now-and, not one single penta plant anywhere. I have resorted to more and more of these every year because they are pretty and give a nice show for most of the year. This year, even though our temperatures didn't get down as low as they have in the past, all of my pentas get frost bitten. And, I thought I waited long enough to trim them but it doesn't look like any are coming back. Guess I'll wait a little bit longer and if I don't see any growth, yet another trip to the garden center will be in my future. But, I did find a few blooms scattered around the yard.

I love the mock orange. I grew up in south Florida in orange grove territory and always loved the smell of the trees in blossom. Every time I pass these bushes, I stop and take a sniff even though I know-regretfully-that they have no fragrance.

I found some of what I call wild violets in the yard-not sure that's what they really are. I wish they would grow in my gardens instead of in the lawn areas.

The Gerber daisies are still happy. Once our temperatures get even hotter, they will no longer be so.

The "old" roses on the trellis also prefer colder temps but a few blooms have been brave enough to make an appearance. I cut these bushes waayyy back last year because they were just getting ugly and not doing well. I honestly wasn't sure if they would even survive my attack so I was happy to see this. I will say that I will be sad if I lose these because none of the new roses have a fragrance that can compare with the "old" rose-although, none of the new ones need the love and care that these do and I just don't take care of them as I should anymore.

The African irises and day lilies are just beginning to pop out.

There is still so much to do to bring the yard up to springtime standards but I enjoy doing it so it will get done. At least I won't have to come up with things to keep me busy for awhile. Lol

So I am now a day later than when I started this post. I was almost ready to hit "publish" when I got a phone call from an old friend and she wanted to drop in for a quick visit-which lasted all day. Lol

So, I am just now getting around to it today...after this happened.

I have wanted to redo this table in the sunroom for a long time but it seems as if every time I mention it, one of the grandchildren objects. Their reasoning is that this table holds a lifetime of their memories...and they are right. So much crafting and game playing has happened here and this table has all of the scars to show for it. If you really search, you can find the indentation of words written on thin paper without anything under it or remnants of all sorts of colors of paint where the painter was a bit haphazard-lol-or even bits of leftover glue with glitter.

I treasure all of those things as well but this table is just getting really shabby looking so I found some old-very old-stain and I think I am going to leave it exactly as it is but just give it a new coat of stain. It won't take away any of the scars but it might just give the table top just a bit of a darker color and for that, I will be happy and I don't think any of my grands will disown me.

This table has actually had a few different lives. We bought it at Disharoon Valley many years ago. It is pine and it was a walnut stain color. My husband, my three girls, family and friends used it for eating and game play in at least two different areas of the house.

Then, one day, I was looking for a large coffee table in the family room and couldn't find what I liked so I cut a bit off of the base of this table and reattached the top for a very large, round coffee table. And, I loved it...until I didn't. I honestly don't remember what precipitated the change back. I think I found a slate coffee table that I liked so now I didn't need this any more.

Thankfully I never threw away that piece I cut off so I somehow reattached the base and then decided to paint the chairs-which had also been walnut-black to "modernize" a bit and then decided to to the same to the table base.

And that table found its way into the sunroom and has served us so well ever since-until today when it was just looking a bit sad to me.

I'll let you know how it goes. I honestly don't care what it comes out like as long as we can still see all of the kids' "handywork" and it is a bit darker-no high end, fancy furniture finish needed here,

.

SO that's it for now. We have an away lacrosse game tomorrow and I have a doctor's appointment-that I actually had no idea I had but I'll keep-on Thursday plus a bunch of errands so not quite sure when I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

It's Going to be a LONG Summer!

 I guess I got spoiled with what I would call the MOST PERFECT spring weather that we had for um, maybe a little over a week? I was in my glory with all windows wide open every day and lots of energy for lots of chores. And, just as I was getting used to that, the nineties were back with a vengeance! It was 94 as I drove to my daughter's house the other night at 6 pm for a lacrosse game!

And so, all at once my energy was sapped and I really don't enjoy the outside chores that I have to do. It is imperative to start early and stop as soon as it gets too hot or I will be miserable! With today being Saturday, I really had some "cooking" to do for the week so I decided that except for watering some things, Saturday would be indoors.

I cut my basil early in the day. I got it all washed and laid out to dry and then headed out to the sunroom to do a very simple canvas craft. It is the same kind of thing I have done many times but I absolutely love the free image I got from a blogger that I follow.

Traditionally, pesto is made with pine nuts and that is how I always did it too...until the price of pine nuts went through the ceiling. Now I use either pecans or pistachios-which aren't too far behind pine nuts in price these days-and I love it just as much.

I always feel like Mother Nature when I go out to the garden to pick something I am going to cook with and I love making pesto. It is a no-brainer. I have done it so many times, I could do it in my sleep. Until today!! I wasn't sure how much basil I picked but it turned out to be enough to double my recipe-over 6 cups of packed leaves. Since it was so much and I decided to do it in two batches not to overload the Cuisinart. Zip, zip, zip-one batch done, put in a small container and into the freezer. I love to have this stuff on hand. I not only use it as a pasta topper but I add it to mayo for a caprese sandwich. I doctor up plain pizzas with it. I even sometimes use it on a baked potato. Did I say how much I love this stuff?

And now on to the second batch. I got the basil, garlic, parmesan cheese and pistachios into the base of the Cuisinart and went to latch the top...and it wouldn't go on. I thought maybe some of the nuts were preventing the blade from going all the way down so I got a bowl and emptied everything. NOPE! Then I thought maybe there was something stuck somewhere else so I washed all of the pieces. NOPE! I spent about ten minutes trying everything in my power-including forcing it which I couldn't do-and finally gave up and got out my mini food processor and did it in that. Of course that took multiple batches but I finally got where I started to go a long time ago! So much for a no-brainer. I have put the Cuisinart aside until the next time I see my brother. It looks like there might be something wrong with the spring but I can't even manually get it to compress so I am going to give it over to him. He is much more patient than I and will let me know if it's time to retire this one and move on up! Lol

In any case. I then headed to the sunroom to do the spring craft. I am thinking that my spring decor will be even more neutral than it has been in the past. I love the feel of the walled gardens in Italy or France with all of the beautiful Mediterranean colors so we will see what I can come up with. I also have always loved pictures of doors and windows. I think that is why this image spoke to me so much. I won't bore you with the details because I have done this so many times but I did take a few pictures in case you've forgotten.

 I love everything about this image. I would love to live behind that door. I think wherever this lands it will serve as the inspiration for that room.

And, when I got that done I headed back into the kitchen to make three very large trays of roasted veggies. I really didn't need both of my ovens on today but now I have enough veggies to eat on for a very long time and if I tire of them-which I seldom do, I can add them to a plain white pizza or add them to some jasmine rice or...well, for me the possibilities are endless because I just love them so much!

So now we're here at Sunday. I got out to the back yard fairly early and got started on some edging and weeding. I have SO much more to do but the sun is now right overhead and the thermometer is reading 88 degrees! And so, I came in for some respite and lunch before heading back out after, hopefully, the sun has shifted and the shade is there. Everything is so dry out there that plants don't seem to be coming back as quickly as they have in previous years. And then again, I might be seeing the result of my over zealous cutting back-we shall see.

So that is it for me. I want to leave this post with a picture of grandson #2 and his girlfriend heading to their prom-and one of daughter #3 (his mom) with them.

And, of course, I can't forget grandson #1 at his year end formal at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

I'm off for a quick lunch and then I'm going to try to head out again. I love spring but, I must admit, I like it better when it actually feels like spring...hopefully starting again on Tuesday-fingers crossed. Stay safe and stay tuned.

It's Fri-YAY again!

 Sometimes the days go slowly but the weeks always seem to go quickly...not sure how that happens but...in any case, it is Friday again and it has been a busy week. We have had six lacrosse games this week-two for the boys and FOUR for the girls-after tonight. The girls last game is in Tallahassee and they are so tired. I'm pretty sure this should be a game to forfeit as they will be playing an established team who hasn't had anywhere near as much "play" this week but, that probably won't happen. I haven't done anything more than observe and cheer but I am exhausted and will be missing this game tonight. My daughter will be going so she will keep me in the know. The boys also have a game tonight that I will be missing so I actually have a night off...wish I could say the same for the day but it is time to face the music and catch up a bit on my cleaning. Since we are supposed to hit over 90 degrees today, most of my catching up will be inside! I've already vacuumed and cleaned all of the stainless and hard surfaces in the kitchen. There is so much more to accomplish before I can actually yell Fri-YAY but, as they say, the longest journey begins with a single step. Lol And, there is always tomorrow!

I think I just have the porch and bathrooms to show you and our Easter tour will be over so let's go.

I still need to get back to the garden center and get a few more spring plants but, for now, this will do. It is so hot right now that I think anything I put here will just burn off quickly no matter how much I water. We are supposed to get some cooler temps again next week-can't happen soon enough for me! Summer heat is NOT my friend! Lol

I love that little metal sign that I found in the "Secret Garden" area of Winter Park so many years ago. It really is so pretty. I probably should find a spot for it inside as it kind of goes un-noticed out here. Hmmmm

Moving into the guest bath. I changed up a few things in there this year but kept the shelves as the area for most of my vintage stuff. I really love those things but the colors just don't work for me in other parts of the house.

I'm actually loving that $Tree lantern-$5 from the Plus store- here on the counter. I think I started it there in February for Valentine's Day and have just changed out the color of the candle since. It might become something that I will continue to do because it is one less thing to change and store in between uses. I'm trying to find more things like that to make my swaps just a bit easier. As long as I have candles and candle rings, this one will be a no brainer. And, it lights every night which gives the bathroom a pretty glow.

I saw more of those lanterns the other day so I grabbed one in old gold and another black so you will probably be seeing them soon. I have actually already added the gold one to the TV unit in the family room where so much of my other gold has ended up this year

I love that "bunny egg" and I think I like it better in here than in the dining room where it was last year. I think it goes well with the bunny couple that I haven't used for a few years because I didn't know where to put them. So happy they have found a home.

And, I'm sure you get tired of hearing it but, just a nod in the main bath.

So that is the house for Easter this year. In all honesty, right before I came here, I was trying to do another Easter craft that I saw and liked. I actually just saw the image. It was free and filled all of my "loves"-dapper bunny family, lots of script and postage stamps and cancellations. It was a free download so I downloaded it but, the original was 10"X10" so it wouldn't print on a standard 8.5X11" without losing a lot of what I love. Luckily, I know how to change the size and decided to go with 8.5X8.5. I even found an 11X11 round of wood that it would have been perfect on and was getting super excited about all of the possibilities for embellishing it until...no matter how many ways I tried to resize-and it did-when it went to the printer, it went back to its original size and cut off what I loved. I'm not sure why that happened but the next time I see one of my "IT people"-aka grands-I will see if we can get to the bottom of it.

A lot of pictures were taken this week but, honestly, they all kind of look alike so I'm just going to throw out a sampling. I love the large team banners that hang at the stadium. They have the team banner and then individual seniors below. Hard to believe that next year we will have another senior!

This is my grand daughter's oldest friend. They were actually born in the same hospital in Lakeland hours apart. The families didn't know each other there but had mutual friends and it was serendipity when they both moved to Ocala and only live a few blocks apart. She goes to another high school here in town and we were playing them tonight. It is actually the team my grand daughter played on last year because her school didn't have a girls' lacrosse team. So, they are all just friends and it was a fun night getting to see friends old and new.

And what a beautiful sky!

And, make note of the mascots. They are actually students who are doing this to earn some of their volunteer hours. Grand daughter #5 has wanted to be a mascot for years-before they even actually had them-so she is beyond excited that she will have her chance next week at a softball game. It would almost be worth going to that game just to see that but I find baseball and softball kind of slow and boring so we shall see. Lol

Sure hope she gets the costume on the right because, honestly, the face of the guy on the left is just plain scary!! Lol

So that is it for today. I'm going to get back to my list and see how much I can get done before I decide to call it and relax and enjoy my Fri-YAY. Not sure when I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.