How does your garden grow......

My garden is growing great!  It's definitely the year of the garden.  Most strawberry  growers around say they've never had a crop like this and they say the same about the other fruit crops including peaches.  I'm so excited because I'm trying to freeze enough to last through the winter.  I just read an article about how much more benefit you get from eating local produce versus the stuff they ship in from all kinds of places.  I already have 2 big bags of strawberries to use in my smoothies this winter.

I'm so excited.....look how big my first tomato is getting.

And look what's growing that will be chopped and eaten with those delicious tomatoes.

This is basil in my herb garden, along with thyme and oregano.  Back behind is the ever-important rosemary.  And, of course, lots of chives.

Here are a few more important veggies.

I tried the squash and cucumbers in containers to see if I could fool those darn squash beetles.  They are my biggest problem in the garden.

Check out my lavender.  Isn't it incredible????  You're supposed to cut the lavender right before it blooms but not sure how big it's supposed to be.  Think I'll wait until the first bloom and then harvest.

The next is a wild flower that I dug from my Uncle Ivin's old house way out in the country near Buffalo.  He owned his family's old home place until he died about 10 years ago.  He was my mother's cousin and they lived very close until my mom's parents died in the flu epidemic about 1918.  Ivin's mom had lived in the house until she moved to be near him and they just kept the farm.  That's where we always went for family reunions.  When he died and the house went on the market we went and dug some flowers and I'm so glad I did.  I also have purple hyacinth beans that I save every year that originally came off his screened-in porch.  They always make me think of him.

This is my old bike with a basket of flowers.  It's set in my yard for lots of years now.

Went to a few garage sales today but pickin's have been pretty poor.  I did find some linens that were wonderful and a baby quilt that had a handmade patch on the back that said "handmade for baby Joshua by great grandma somebody in 2005".  Honestly, who could sell something like this?  Couldn't believe it.  Washed them and hung them on the line to brighten.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's day weekend.

A productive week....

Managed to get a lot done this week.....thankfully.  The weather cooled a little so I could work in the garage.  It seems so early to be complaining about the heat but it's been darn hot in southwest Missouri.  Just seems like one week we had the heat on and the next, it was the AC.

My garden looks amazing.  Everything is growing so fast.  My lavender is almost ready to harvest and it's huge.  Maybe I'll have enough to bundle for sale.  The same goes for my sage (not the g'son but the herb).  It is just a huge bush this year.  The herb garden also includes thyme, oregano, chives, basil and mint.  It's just a great year for growing things.

This is one of my projects from this week.  It's a little French table that would be great by a bed.  It has a little blue in the paint and goes with a lamp that I redid with the same blue.  I'm really loving this soft blue.

Don't know why the first picture looks so pink (I'm sure it was nothing I did).  It's definitely not pink. 

This next picture is the lamp I painted.  I also made the shade with one of the frames I brought back from Vermont.  It has been so difficult for me to give up my shades.  Maybe I should quit using fabrics that I love.

The fabric just has a hint of pale blue in it and the white part on the lamp is milkglass.  That's another problem I have.....I love lamps.  I have them in every nook and cranny of my house.

Another love of mine are the battery candles I sell at Leola's.  There are several on my back porch right now in Mason and Ball jars.  They are so peaceful when the sun starts to go down.  I sometimes use a lamp but there are times when I just want mellow lighting.  The g'kids all use one in their bedrooms for nightlights.  When I'm having company, I'll put some on the rock ledges and in the potting shed.  They have a total candle feel but no worry about fire.

My 2 bunny friends that seem to enjoy hangin' in my backyard.  Luckily, there's lots of  clover out there so they've left the lettuce alone.

Well, I'm working tomorrow so guess I'd better get things together......oh, and watch American Idol.  Have a good rest of the week!

Another beautiful weekend.....

It's been a beautiful Saturday although a little too warm for me.  Woke at 5:30 this morning so Jean, Judy and I could take off for a great farm sale way down in the boonies.  It was a gorgeous drive and so worth the early wake-up.  I loved it because these girls specialize in primitives and that's what I love.

We found several things and they all fit in Jean's car.

It was a great sale and a perfect day for it.

Then we had to stop at Tattered Treasures in Lebanon.

When we came back to town, I got to see Sage play a little tennis.  It was so hot but kids don't seem to notice.

Tonight is the night for the big moon so going to try to get some pictures.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another hot one but I don't have to go anyplace and the AC is cranked up.  Of course those weeds in the garden are getting bigger every day.

A beautiful weekend.....

Worked hard the last few days trying to get the yard and garden finished and some furniture ready for Leola's.  I'm feeling so good after digging chickweed the last few weeks....thinking it's under control for awhile, anyway.  Needed new furniture for Leola's so decided to work some in the garage while the weather is so pleasant.

Love this little table.  It goes to Leola's tomorrow.



This is a small rolltop desk I did for Judy.  We didn't like the knobs so she's replacing them and think it, too, will head to Leola's.

Jean, Mary & I headed to Mansfield today to go to their big festival at Baker Creek Heirloom Seed but we were just a week early.  I thought for sure it was this weekend but I was wrong.  It was ok because we enjoyed our afternoon anyway.  There's nothing for me like getting out into the country to clear my mind.  I thought about applying for a job......I'd like to live there.  Then I wouldn't have to deal with people like AT&T.  Life just gets so difficult sometime (I know....I digress).

They have so many seeds that it's hard to make a decision.  Their seeds are pure and have not been cross-pollinated.  I love their heirloom tomatoes.  They're not only tasty but they last so much longer into the fall then a regular tomato plant.  They're just hardier!

It's just a wonderful place to spend a Sunday afternoon.  By the way, next weekend is their spring festival and there's lots going on. 

This was an herb garden.

 Sister, Mary, checking out the jail.

Sister, Jean!

Hope everyone has a great week.  



Check out this fun blog......

I love Danavee's blog.....she almost always makes me laugh & she's having a give-away. 
http://eevanad.blogspot.com/.  Enjoy!