Garden enchantments or oddments???????

My 'pet' caterpillar

(soon to be Gulf Fritillary butterfly)

 is doing fine.

 Eating ferociously on the passion vine leaves.

I guess I should give him (or her) a name.

Any ideas????

------------------------------

Walking around my garden this morning

I was thinking

What can I do with this stump in my yard?

I actually have two stumps I could make projects out of.

They are home to little creatures,

and sometimes I see a little garter snake.

I think I will make planters out of the stumps.

I guess that's another project where I will need help from my DH.

He'll just get out his trusty chain saw and hollow out the middle,

enough to put soil in, and then I can plant

my 'hen and chicks',

and let them spill over the side.

Any other ideas?

Fairy house maybe?

----------------------------------

I don't know why,

but I am enchanted by little things like

tendrils.

Maybe it's because of it's spiral form.

I guess it doesn't take much to thrill me!!!!  LOL

------------------------

My Blue Bottle Tree

I love my blue bottle tree

my DH built for me awhile back.

I need to get busy acquiring more blue bottles

for another one!!!!!!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Enchantments and oddments...

Saturday morning my DH made this table.

(enchantment)

The base is metal and was found in a dumpster,

by his father.

(oddment)

We bought an 18 in. wood round,

attached it after staining it.

 (enchantment)

The top sort of looks burnt.

(oddment)

But we like it

(enchantment)

-------------------------------------

My son came to visit,

(enchantment)

so he and his dad wanted to go fishing...

no boat, no wading,

just relaxing on the pier,

(enchantment)

on the Laguna Salada,

near our home.

It was very calm waters.

(oddment)

 

 This fish was a keeper,

but it ended up being

catch and release day,

Lucky little black drum.

(enchantment)

 ...watching, waiting...

(enchantment)

 ...twinkling stars on the water...

(enchantment)

 

...rust and barnacles...

(enchantment)

 

...wooden pier texture.

(enchantment)

This is one of the bait shops

that has been open since the 1940's.

(enchantment)

How it survived the many hurricanes,

I will never know.

(oddment)

I thought this photo may make a good painting.

Lots of character.

(enchantment)

_______________

Then at home we were entertained by the birds...

(enchantment)

Cooling off on a warm day...

(enchantment)

Just one hummingbird?

(oddment)

...he thought he would have the feeders to himself,

(enchantment)

...then the other birds (orioles, about a dozen) showed up.

(oddment)

Cute little bird, waiting his turn at the feeders.

(enchantment)

He hung like this for the longest...

(oddment)

So fun to watch so many.

(enchantment)

Hope your day is filled with

enchantments and oddments.

It makes for an interesting day.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Oddments from the sea

Last week my friend Karen and I

had a 'beach' day.

The weather was gorgeous,

not too hot.

Still wore lots of sunscreen though.

I love walking along the beach,

talking, looking for treasures.

There was lots of fresh sargassum on the beach.

It brings in lots of treasures,

little crabs etc.

It's very interesting about sargassum...

and you can read more about the

Sargassum Summer here....

http://www.brosnancenter.com/sargassum-summer.html

I found these....

Barnacles (don't know what kind),
 a shell, and a sea coconut.

The sea coconut is like a sea bean

but the bean is flat, unlike the sea coconut

which is round like a ball.

Now speaking of coconuts...

I actually found a real one...and it was whole.

I loved watching the little designs that the water made

as it went back out to sea.

Here's my friend Karen

savoring the day with me

 watching the water

and carrying her little bucket of treasures.

Drift wood is a real treasure...

This piece ended up in my garden beds.

After our treasure hunt, we read our books,

talked some more, had our little picnic,

fed the seagulls, took in all the beach sounds and sights,

and more.

On the way home we stopped in a shell shop

on Padre Island.

Get out in nature,

go to the beach...

wherever you go...

enjoy the little things and

make it a good way to...

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Imperfect = Perfect 'Tea Day'

Today for Tea Tuesday

I'm having several large glasses of iced tea with lemon,

in between lots of iced water.

Why you may ask?

 My husband and I have been working on our new 'imperfect' patio, :)

using two different kinds of bricks, and rocks.

I say 'imperfect' because that is the way I like things.

Sort of like my art!  :)

I have to hold my husband back a bit

from making things soooo so perfect.

But that is the way he is,

and has to be, for his job.

I wanted the patio to look like it had been here since the 1970's,

when the house was built,

so when things got a little 'imperfect'

I said "okay, that's perfect!", and he just smiles.:)

I had this bright idea (which made it that much harder)

 to put a spiral in the middle of it.

(I do love spirals),

but I like the way we had to fill in with smaller rocks

here and there.

This patio extends our large back porch

and measures 12 feet by 15 feet.

This is where we will sit at our round umbrella covered table

while we grill and enjoy the evenings.

We've spent a total of about 4 days,

(taking siestas in the heat of the day when it's 95 degrees),

working on this patio.

I am really sore today, (ouch)

using muscles I haven't used in awhile I guess. :)

Now we just have to put some sand mix in between the

bricks and rocks, to finish it off.

The last thing to do is build the little arbors over

each of the two entrances.

I just couldn't wait to share what we did!

Whew!  Almost done!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Around My Garden

Man is the only critter

who feels the need to label things

 as flowers or weeds.

~Author Unknown

You have seen my moon gate, my medicine wheel garden

with the Peace Pole, the oobos garden and more.

If not, then go to labels in my sidebar

to find those posts.

These you may not have seen.

So I hope you enjoy your visit.

St Francis behind my lantana in bloom.

New fence in back.

Container plants beside the potting shed.

I use lots of found items for containers.

We even use cut log pieces to outline beds

and sometimes I will throw one in the bed

to be a home for little critters.

We have turtles, frogs etc.

that love it.

Foxtail fern and artemesia are some of my favorite plants.

Bird feeder made from old dishes.

The green jays and cardinals love this one.

This is Pete. 

 He resides in the whimsical side of my garden. 

He sits on a fishing pier post in front of the old 'john' boat.

Yes, old boat...(see below)

now it's filled with Purple Heart.

Geodes, rocks and old bricks outline flower beds.

I use whatever I have on hand.

This is our wind direction hummingbird

Medicine wheel garden behind it,

with peace pole in center.

 See the old tree stump behind the hummingbird?

It is home to our little garden snake.

I see him now and then.

I know he is good for our garden.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Hope

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all."

                                          ---Emily Dickinson

This is my painting

for this weeks

Paint Party Friday

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

HOPE

I like quotes and seem to add them to many of my pieces.

Below is what she looked like before the quote was added.

What do you think?

Words or no words?

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

'It's Raining Outside' Tea

Happy Tea on Tuesday to all!

Well, it's actually still Monday,

but heck, it's raining outside,

so here I am.

Today I'm having some herbal tea

from Zen Granny.

You can find Zen Granny on Etsy.

I wanted to share with you some tea items

that have come into my possession recently.

 My sister, Lanette, gave me

a saucer style green bamboo cast iron tea pot. 

She found it at an estate sale.

It is missing the infuser,

but otherwise in great condition.

Cast ironware heats evenly,  retains heat well,

 and is praised worldwide for its beauty, strength, and superb quality.

 This teapot is used for brewing only,

is enamel inside to prevent rusting,

 and should not be used directly on the stovetop to heat water.

Historically during the mid 19th century

as infused tea drinking became more popular in Japan,

tetsubin or cast iron teapot evolved from being a kitchen item

to being a status symbol used to serve tea.

 Many nobles cherish their teapots as treasures

and are kept in the family for generations.

Now...do you see the tea cups?

Do you see what they are made out of?

I found these wire mesh tea cups while thrifting.

Right now they are still a bit rusty,

but I plan on painting them.

These will be a practical yet fun way to decorate.

They can be used to hold candles, teabags,

packets of sweetener, floral arrangements, or small plants.

If you would like to join us for Tea on Tuesday,

visit Kimmie at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

or just go by and read what the other

tea bloggers are blogging about this week.

While it's raining outside, I'm going to

paint, drink some tea,

 read, catch up on my favorite blogs,

and just....

Savor the Day!

I hope you do too.

Yvonne

Green Tea Leaf Office/Studio

Happy Tea on Tuesday all!

Green tea leaf....

that is actually the name of the wall color

in my office/art studio now.

My little space got so crowded

I had to make a change.

It's still a work in progress, but it's getting there.

 It's nice to have a pretty yet functional space to work in,

and not spend too much money on a redo.

   

This is my 6 foot long work table,

in a location with good light

 and I can get all the way around it.

These curtains came from my living room,

and so did the stained glass piece.

This is the view from my computer chair now,

instead of looking at a wall.

Much better!

This is the wall I used to face,

now it is to my left.

The watercolor is one I did awhile back.

It is called, 'He Brought me Flowers'.

The wall sticker below it

is one I got from my friend Karen.

It says, 'Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden'.

 I found this hidden away in a little shop,

got it for almost nothing,

and I love it.

A pretty plant will go in it this week.

Another wall sticker from Karen,

 below the window, that says,

'Every day is a gift.'

Close up of curtain tie back.

I used raffia from an old garden hat band,

and a bird button I won in a blog giveaway.

So, that's it for now.

Still lots to do. 

I'm just taking my time, no hurry.

I'm sitting here drinking my yerba mate tea this morning,

thinking of just how to organize everything.

I cleared out the closet, put in drawers and shelves.

I also have a new 9 cubbie shelf unit,

 a piece of insulation covered with fabric making it my design/inspiration wall,

 a dry erase wall calendar,

stackable files on my desk, plus a file cabinet that my printer sits on.

I have a basket for recycling paper under my desk.

 I must be careful not to overcrowd my room again,

and keep things that I will use.

Everything else is going to be donated to Goodwill.

So...hope you are having a good

Tea on Tuesday.

Join me for tea every Tuesday...

and see what all the other tea bloggers are up to

 by visiting Kimmie at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Getting organized,

having a cup of tea always helps me...

Savor the day!

Yvonne

Edible Flower recipe

 The spring weather draws me outside,

to dig in the dirt.

Last week I planted my vegetable garden,

some new plants in my flower beds,

and I'm ready for more.

My friend Karen has taken cuttings

and started some new plants for me.

WhooHoo!  I'm so excited!

Can't wait to add them to my garden.

Photos to come later.

In the meantime I wanted to share

some photos of spring flowers

followed by an edible flower recipe.

Wildflowers in Sarita, Texas.

The Texas thistle flower is pretty,

and butterflies love them.

Flowers are always pretty in mass.

Aren't these pretty?

Not sure what they are,

but it may the little wildflower called

Rosita.

One flower I love to grow is

 nasturtiums.

I'm putting it on my list of seeds to purchase.

Here is a recipe that I've made

 using the edible nasturtium flower.

I got it from

The Pleasure of Herbs

by Phyllis Shaudys

Nasturtium Salad

2 cucumbers

36 small nasturtium leaves

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

2 T. wine vinegar

6 T. salad oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 T. chopped fresh tarragon

6 nasturtium flowers with leaves

Peel and slice cucumbers thinly.

Wash nasturtiums leaves;

remove stems and drain. 

Mix well in blender the remaining ingredients,

 except for the flowers with leaves. 

 When ready to serve,

combine the cucumbers, small nasturtium leaves,

 and the dressing and toss gently. 

Garnich with nasturtium flowers with leaves. 

Serves 4

________________________

There are many ways to enjoy spring.

Go get your hands in the dirt and....

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Mariage Freres--best tea in the world

If I ever make it back to Paris,

I will have to stop in the place

where the 'best tea in the world' is made.

A place called Mariage Freres.

http://www.lasplash.com/publish/FoodAndBeverage/cat_index_paris_food/Mariage_Fr_res_-_The_Best_Tea_in_the_World.php

They put out a book a few years back called

The French Art of Tea

You can find it at Amazon.com

"The simplicity of the tea-room

and its freedom from vulgarity

make it truly a sanctuary

from the vexation of the outer world.

There and there alone can one consecrate himself

 to the undisturbed adoration of the beautiful.

Nowadays industrialism is making true refinement

 more and more difficult all the world over.

Do we not now need the tea room

more than ever? "

Having tea makes me slow down...

water coming almost to a boil...

waiting for it to steep...

stirring... stirring...

sipping...

Ahhhhhhhhh!

Join Kimmie and all of us

Tea on Tuesday bloggers

for tea, won't you!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

H D I -- Lampshade

 This last week I have been changing up

things in the house,

getting things in 'order'....

which btw is my word for 2012.

Long story short....

I got this drum shaped lampshade

for free a few years back,

recovered it,

decopaged it.

I no longer liked it on the lamp it was on,

so now it had no home.

Should I get rid of it, donate it, or what?

Well, I went with the or what.

I began looking around at what I already had,

and found a metal ring, a light kit,

 and some silverware pieces.

So, I had this great idea to put them all together.

I believed it would make a great lamp 

to hang above my breakfast table

in the kitchen

It would also give me more light.

Total cost ....zero.

So, I threw out the idea to my husband,

and since it's raining outside,

he got to work on my idea,

and it's already done!

He is just the greatest!

The metal ring is suspending the silverware.

I didn't even bother polishing the silverware.

 I like it the way it is.

 It is hanging over my old dutch extension table,

which I have yet to paint and mark off my 'to do' list.

The chairs were free too btw.

All I did was paint them white.

Here it is turned off.

I may recover it one day,

when I redo my kitchen.

Years ago when I first got this shade,

I tore the old fabric off,

leaving the wire frame,

put muslin on,

and then decopaged some old

skeleton leaves onto the fabric.

It actually makes a pretty glow in the room,

when the light is turned on.

So, there it is!

Another DIY,

except mine is a

HDI,

(husband did it).

Savor the Day!

Yvonne