Trying Something New

On a whim I bought some paints, cheap foam brushes and a clay flower pot with the intention of painting a sunflower on it. Now, I've never been an artist, and probably never will be. I'm not sure why I thought I could do this. I figured I could always spray paint the pot if the sunflower didn't work out.

So with being off work yesterday for July 4th and having the house to myself for the morning I got out my stuff and found a "How to paint a sunflower tutorial" HERE. I love this website lots!

I didn't really buy the right colors and definitely not the right brushes, but I carried on. I only bought yellow, green and brown paint colors and the green and yellow I chose are a little weird. If I had found the tutorial before going to the store I would have made better choices!



I started out by drawing the center circle of the sunflower with a pencil.



I painted it with the brown paint and made the petals with the pencil.



With a black sharpie I outlined the brown circle and then started painting the flower petals. It was hard at first but once I got the hang of it, it went pretty well.



Then I added the stem and leaves and did a little highlighting. Again with just my three colors.



My opinion: I can tell its a sunflower and so I'm happy with it.



I'd like to try again and this time I'll buy the right colors and some better brushes.

Did you know the clay saucers cost almost as much as the pot? I found this "apple green" plate for a dollar which even matches the weird green paint I used for the leaves and stem!



Can you believe I did a craft that did not include the sewing machine?!!!

Two Birds in the Hand....

are worth one in the bush:



This very young bird has been sitting in this bush. I don't know if he is still being fed. There is no nest in this particular bush. So, maybe he/she tried to fly away, but wasn't able to yet? Not sure.

Our yard must be the nesting paradise this year! There are angry mama birds everywhere with worms hanging out their mouths. There are twigs stuck into birdhouses. They just like it here I guess.

A Little Farmhouse Magic

A shady spot.



Since this picture was taken, the Petunia finally died from lack of soil for its roots. But, it thrived for a couple of months on practically nothing. This reminded me of Jesus's parable about the seeds being thrown on different kinds of soil. This poor Petunia's seed was not thrown on good soil!



The chair planters are filling in some. Even since this picture was taken a few days ago, the plants have grown very much.



Still supporting our team!



Brown Eyed Susans.



This year we have not spent a lot of time in the yard or garden due to many things. We have tried to make things more low maintenance also. Hubby moves the sprinkler around to different areas of the yard almost every day and I walk around with an empty gallon milk jug filled with water giving sips to my hanging baskets and a couple of newly planted perennials. The mulch we put out this year has helped tremendously in the weed control problems and with moisture retention.

There's a heat wave on the way this weekend. Triple digits for 4 or 5 days in a row. Sewing inside is planned. How about you?

Empty Nest

The angry birds' babies finally flew away or something happened to them. The angry birds had really gotten out of control to the point I avoided going outside at all. Then all of sudden, one morning, all was quiet on the western front... I mean the western side of the farmhouse.

Upon further inspection I found this:



Meanwhile the birds using these birdhouses have stuffed it until twigs are sticking out the holes! I think they should do some serious decluttering.



Now, I can water this hanging basket that is located beside the empty next without being bothered!

Roasted Squash and other Healthy Summer Veggies

You know in the South, if you stand still too long someone will bread you and fry you! I love breaded and fried things such as okra, squash, green tomatoes, and eggplant. But, I don't really need to be eating that stuff on a daily basis and besides that, its pretty labor intensive to stand at the stove and bread and fry a bunch of veggies.

Roasting squash in the oven is one alternative that's really easy and tastes pretty good too. I spray a cookie sheet with olive oil flavored cooking spray and lay the squash that have been washed and sliced lengthwise on it like this:



Then I sparingly sprinkle some salt on them and liberally sprinkle some black pepper on them. Some people might like to put other spices such as onion powder or garlic powder. Some chopped up onion sprinkled on top would be good too, I bet.

Then I baked them on 375 for 20 minutes on one side. After 20 minutes I flip them over one by one with a fork and sprinkle my seasonings on the other side. Then, 20 more minutes on that side and you have roasted squash without any added calories.

Be sure to eat them as soon as they come out of the oven for optimal flavor and taste. Once they get cold, they aren't nearly as good.



Another tasty low calorie food that's easy to do this time of year are sliced cucumbers in vinegar. As you can see we like a lot of pepper on our food.



My supper last night: fresh corn on the cob, freshly dug potatoes (just boiled, not fried), meatloaf (one palm sized serving), cucumbers and squash.



I hope you are enjoying some of summer's bounty, while its available!

Famous Last Words

Yesterday's post contained some of my famous last words, "They never bring salad, fruit or water...."


Today they brought peaches!



I peeled one and had it with my lunch. Yum!

Does This Look Like a Diet to You?

When you work in an office with really nice people, this is what you find in the break room when you least expect it!!!

I have been being so good about my eating for about 6 weeks now and have lost a few pounds. No way did I eat any of these chocolate cream doughnuts, M & Ms or chocolate chip cookies.

But, just so you will know what I'm up against.....

They never seem to bring salads, fruit or water....

Glimpses of Home

A sweet blog reader sent me a hand made pin cushion. The free motion quilting is very nice!



Working on Cheddar Bow Ties:



A Sweet note from a friend:



Flying Geese mug rug in progress:



REJECT!!!
(will try again tonight)



My weekend project, a patriotic table runner and napkins:

Angry Birds, Tractors and Tomatoes

The farmers have been working in the field behind our house this week. The outcome: Sweet Potatoes. So far they have been alternating cotton and sweet potatoes every other year.





We have way less in the way of a garden this year. Last year we grew tomatoes from seed and had a large garden. This year, due to many things, these are all we have. But we will enjoy having fresh tomatoes later on this summer.



THIS is an angry bird! We used to call them Cat Birds because they would land on the backs of cats to keep them scared away from their nests. But, I've never had birds attack me. Its gotten so bad that we can hardly go out to water plants.




The birds' nest full of babies is in the bush here behind the hanging basket. Its also located right under the kitchen window.



I think I'll carry an umbrella this morning when I go out to water my plants! I will be so glad when those baby birds get big enough to fly away!

Photo of the Week

The farmers plowed the field behind our house in preparation for planting yesterday. We don't know what is going to be planted, but maybe sweet potatoes!

We caught sight of this totally white cat walking across the virgin soil this morning.

Number one: I bet his little paws were dirty afterwards

Number two: No camouflage at all. Glad there wasn't any prehistoric birds soaring by to pluck him out of there!

Happy Friday!

A Day in June

June 6, 1980 was a special day for me. It was the day my first born child, my daughter, Lori, was born. The most beautiful sound in my memory is her first cry.

Happy Birthday Lori!



My gardening gear:



I transplanted some Vinca vines that had rooted themselves in odd places into this window box with Daisies that survived the winter. I like the way they hang over the edge of the porch. A zero cost plant!



The Hydrangeas that I bought on the orphan (clearance) table last summer have survived the winter and started growing. These have pink blooms instead of the standard blue ones. Although, I've read that the soil determines the color.



I love to see hydrangeas planted in front of a fence. I don't have a fence yet, but this small section of fence works for now. My plan is to propagate more of them from these two. I have read that this is easy to do.



I hope your June is progressing nicely!