Things are looking up!!!

Meet Herman... Our little bird that stays with us all winter. He lives right here behind the thermometer all year. Only in the winter he takes out the nest and just roosts behind it. But this week he built his new nest. We will have babies soon. Last summer we had three sets of babies... It is a mess but I love seeing them.

Things are definitely looking up, both parents are home from hospital now and doing well...

So after a week of going back and forth to the Dr. and Hospital I really needed to clean house...

I have made some progress, but my get-up-and-go... Got-up-and-Went.... I just sent my hubby out for a pizza so at least I don't have to cook!!!

I also got some of my little seedlings transplanted into larger pots. They are looking so good, I just wish it were time to plant out side!

My new plant stand with all the lights has been the best thing I ever did. Things are growing really nice. I never realized it would make that much difference having the lights, but it has. I have been growing things in my little portable greenhouse for the last few years next to a window and they did fine, but with the lights more of the seeds are coming up and really looking healthy... The Impatients are going wild!!!

While cleaning I took some random pictures. Trying to keep with a garden theme and a little of my painted things...This is the bottom pot of my stacked pots. I love these posts that you can stack your pots on, or actually stack all kinds of things. This set even has a basket lamp on it...

Here's the picture of the whole thing...This is a painted pot on top the cabinets right by the sky lights. So things grow well here...

This is a painted table I probably painted 8 years ago... Just a cute little village...
Have a good one,

Lynn

FOODIE FRIDAY...

Foodie Friday at Desgns by Gollum
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
Make sure you stop by and check out all the great food there today!!!

This is a quick recipe today, it has been a long week My 83 year old mother has been in the hospital, my 83 year old father just got out of hospital last week. That is why I haven't posted this week. Mom should be home tomorrow. I just want them both better at the same time... This is mom's second time in hospital since Oct. So say a prayer for them & ME!!!

Lemon Cookies

1 Box Lemon Cake mix without pudding in mix
1- 12 oz. Extra Creamy Cool Whip
Powdered Sugar

Mix cake mix and Cool whip together.
Roll in 1- in. balls
Roll in powdered sugar.

Put on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake 350 degrees about 10 minutes, cookies will not brown so just keep an eye on them. They freeze great and even taste great frozen!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...

Lynn

UPDATE ON PROJECT...My husband is going to throw my computer away....

We made a trip to Lowe's today, with good intentions of just buying my parents a new hot water dispenser for their kitchen sink. My father has been in the hospital and why is it, it never fails something always breaks at their house and my husband has to go fix it.... Not only did the dispenser break but the sink was leaking and he had to fix it too...

By the time we left Lowe's I had 4 projects in the buggy for us to do. He says it is because I am on the computer too much finding things for him to do on my Garden Blogs, Dave's Garden, HGTV, and what ever else I can find....But it is not just that my mind just won't stop... You know what I mean... I think it is a women thing!!! LOL

We had an antique coat rack in the basement that had been there for ever all I wanted him to do was throw it away.... It was one of the the first things we bought right after we got married. At a yard sale of all places. So it is old. So when he didn't throw it away I knew he wanted to keep it around... SO THAT MIND STARTED TO WORK....

I am going to make a lamp/hanging plant rack out of it... I can't wait to post pictures in a few days.. Of course he thinks I am still crazy but he is in the garage working on it right now. So I guess he really did want to keep it. At least It won't be in the basement!!!

UPDATE...

COULDN'T STAND IT I JUST HAD TO SHOW YOU ....

Shhh... Birds Nesting Here...

I added buttons to the sides and roof.. After I painted it....

Painted the bucket to match and drilled holes all the way around so it would look CUTE at night. It will go right beside the grill outside with flowers hanging on three sides... I can't wait to hang the baskets... Of course I have to go find some cute ones first!!! Look at how cute this one is, and there is one almost just like this in the basement too.... I'm just not sure he would go for it!!!
This one looks just like my little Claudia..... But $70.00 for that Topiary frame is just a little much for me....But how cut is she!!!



I have everything to make this COOL Hummingbird feeder wand... Can you just see me sitting in my rocker holding my Hummingbird feeder and all those hummers just waiting for a sip... I can't wait!!!

Ok I'm rambling, so it is time to go to bed..... Keep those minds going girls... That is what keeps us going this time of the year!!!

Have a good one,
Lynn

Foodie Friday Taco Pie

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!!!!

It is Foodie Friday again at Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

You have to go check out all the goodies posted there every Friday....

Taco Pie
2 c. chicken cooked and shredded

1 c. shredded lettuce

1-4oz. can diced green chili's drained

2 Tbs. cilantro
8-10 inch flour tortillas

1-6 oz. avocado dip

1-16 oz. can refried beans

1 c. sour cream

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

2 Tbs. sliced pitted ripe olives

2 Tbs. cilantro

Salsa

In a bowl combine chicken, lettuce, chili's, and cilantro. Set aside.

Place one of the tortillas on a large platter. Spread with half of the avocado dip. Then top with a second tortilla. Spread with half of the refried beans. Cover with a third tortilla. Sprinkle with half of the chicken-lettuce mixture. Add a forth tortilla. Spread with half of the sour cream sprinkle with half of the cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sour cream and cheese. Garnish with tomatoes, olives, and cilantro. To serve, cut into wedges. If desired, serve with salsa.

Makes 8 servings


When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste. ~Laiko Bahrs

Hope You Enjoy...

Lynn

Update on Baby Black Bear...

I found out today that the BABY BLACK BEAR, Is safe and sound with it's new mommy and feeding just fine.... They found it a home last week in a big hollowed out tree. Slipped her right in with the other cub while Mommy Bear wasn't looking and she picked it right up and started feeding her...

A wonderful ending to a great story....

SHE WAS JUST TOO CUTE..... Look at the Star of Bethlehem and the Campanula Korean Bell Flower they are really coming up...

Campanula Korean Bell Flower

FAMILY: Campanulaceau

SPECIES: Takesimana

Bloom time: Mid Summer

Great in a contained bed or Container Garden( or just like me I just take out unwanted plants and give them away...)

This is the Campanula from last June and below is a close up of the flower... I love them ...

I'm still planting lots of seeds, I'm up to 15 flats... Only 4 more days til spring... I am getting so excited. I just want to be outside, I want school to be out, and I want to be back working at the Garden Center.... I KNOW I WANT A LOT!!! LOL

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY...

Lynn

Baby Black Bear and New KidsProject- AND MARCH BLOOM DAY!!!

Just about a week ago the DNR came to our school to show us something a dog drug in... Latterly a dog brought this to someones house and they called the DNR to have them come and get it... I couldn't imagine my dog bringing home a Black Bear!!!

She is only about 6 weeks old and her eyes weren't even open yet. They are bottle feeding her and say she is doing fine. She will be released back into the wild when they find another mother for her. She was so cute and made the cutest little noise, almost like a cats purr. She didn't seem to mind all the kids looking at her she slept most of the time...

I also saw my first Robbin last week... Now they are everywhere... It is so nice to wake up hearing birds again, our little sparrows are building on the porch already...

She's looking right at me as to say "What are you doing???" It is so good to see them back!

I'm getting my little planters ready for the kids at school to start. They are so easy...

You just cut a 2 liter bottle in half take a piece of fabric (I used a piece of felt) about 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. Tie a knot in one end. Stuff the long end down in the pop bottle neck letting it hang out.

Fill with potting mix and plant your seeds... fill the bottom with water and set your top section in making sure the fabric is in the water. Cover the top with Saran Wrap and let them grow. ( I put a little water in the top just after I plant the seeds)It waters it's self. Just make sure you add a little water to the bottom when it runs out... Pop them in a nice sunny window...

The kids will love watching them grow...

Even you big kids will love this project, so next time you go to throw away that pop bottle think twice and plant a few seeds!!!!


Almost forgot about March Bloom Day.... They are just ready to Burst!!!

LOOK SPRING REALLY IS COMING...

HAVE A GOOD ONE,

LYNN

Mexican Tortilla Soup

HAPPY FOODIE FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!

It is another fantastic Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum's
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

I have had so much fun doing this the last few weeks....

This recipe was in the book Recipes By Momma Lynn
The recipe book I made at Shutterfly for Christmas a few years ago for both of my girls.

I added a few extras in the book like the two blankets in this picture that their Great Grandmothers made for them when they were born.


I wanted to put all of their favorites in the book, but as soon as they read the books they ask can we give you a few more for Vol. 2... LOL

This one is....

Mexican Tortilla Soup

2 - 3 Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded
15 oz. can stewed tomatoes / Mexican
1 can 10 oz. Enchilada Sauce (hot or mild)
1 med. onion chopped
4 oz. chopped green chilies
1 clove garlic minced
1 can Black Beans
2 c. water (add more as needed)
14 1/2 oz can chicken broth (or just use broth from chicken after you cook it)
1tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 pkg. frozen corn 10 oz.
cilantro dried cilantro

Corn tortillas (we like scoops)

Easy to make, just throw everything in a pot and let cook down for a few hours. Add extra water if needed.

I always at least double the recipe.

Great on a cold evening!!

This is sure a cold day, after 70 degree weather last weekend and now snow expected today. It is a soup day for sure...

But that is West Virginia for you, if you don't like the weather...WAIT A DAY!!! LOL

Have A Good One,

Lynn

Seed Starting Time.... And 1000 Paper Cranes

I am so glad that it is almost spring!!! At least it is time to start some seeds. I am up and running with the lights, racks, heat pads and plenty of little seeds. I've even transplanted a few...

Eight flats going right now, in my dinning room...

Bottom rack has begonias and geraniums that are doing great. I need to pick off the blooms tonight. So they don't suck all the energy out of the plant to early...

This was my first try at begonias, the seeds were off my mothers plants...

Some Butterfly weed, I had plenty of seeds from last year. These will go to my mother-in-laws...

I love Coleus, I will have lots this year in a new bed. I think this new one is Black Cherry...

This is one of my favorite perennials, Cinquefoil, it is the red one. I have never planted this one from seed before, I saved seeds this year just to try. They came up really fast and I was really surprised to see them that quick...

These are my vegies planted under the lights downstairs... I just planted them on Friday so nothing up yet...

Just thought I would show you now nice the disposable roaster pans with lids work like little greenhouses. I just punch some holes in the bottoms and put coffee filters in the bottom before I put the dirt, so when I water dirt doesn't all fall out everywhere. Pop the snap on lids on and under the lights they go... I just get the pans at the dollar store. You can use them over and over again...

Now for my last project. One of the teachers came to me yesterday and ask me if I knew how to do Origami? I told her no and she handed me the instructions and said try it so you can teach a couple of my classes how to do it TOMORROW !!! So I said how hard could it be... LOL If you have ever tried this you would understand. I finally said the heck with the instructions.... because I was getting nowhere.... I am a very visual person, If I can see someone do it I"m OK....

So home I went and got on Youtube.... You can find out how to do anything and it is on Video... My kind of instructions!!! So after watching a few videos I chose the one I could follow the best and tried it... Here it is my Origami Paper Crane.

When I went to teach her students, she told them we were going to make 1000 of them. The book they are reading about Origami Paper Cranes tells about the luck they bring when you give a thousand to someone. A 9 year old at another school has leucemia and she plans to have the kids make 1000 to give to him with this book. I almost cried, then just started folding like crazy. I think that is such a wonderful idea. I had never read the book so now I'm going to have to read it...

Have A Good One,

Lynn

Spontanious..... What did I just do???

The day started out just like any other, me yelling at the alarm clock!!! LOL I really do that everyday I tell it I DON'T WANT TO GET UP!!! We had planned to go to the Garden Show today and work at the Master Gardner Booth. We got up and got ready to go, grabbed all our stuff and out the door we went. Opened up the booth and watched all the people come in the doors. We hadn't been there a half hour when in walked a young girl with 2 animal crates under her arms. I offered to help her when I saw it.... The cutest little dog peeking out between the bars. Those Big Eyes looking up at me.... she couldn't have been 5 lbs. So the nice person I am I offered to help her. I am a sucker for a small dog!!! She went down the hall and sat down at the booth and off I went, after giving the dog one more kiss of course. I went back to my booth and worked my shift. When my shift was over I stated to walk around to see just what was there. As I walked by the Humane Society Booth there she was again, so I offered to take her for a walk, off we went down the Mall, showing her off to everyone that came by. By this time she had snuggled into my arms and was sound asleep. My husband was still at the Garden Booth when I came walking by, he just looked at me and shook his head NO!!! So back to the Humane Society I went, and home we went....

But when we got home, he started talking about the cute dog... Now you have to understand we have 3 dogs already. We have our Sheltie and 2 little Chihuahuas my daughter brought home with her when she moved back from the beach after 4 years. When she moved out again my husband would not let her take them with her. He had just fallen in love with them. SO since we took her dogs we thought it would be great for her to have another small one. But she lives with her boyfriend and he has a new puppy too, only 7 months old. BUT... she is a Mastiff. So should we give her a dog that, buy the way is 4 years old and 5 lbs along with this pup that is 80 lbs.

WHY NOT!!!! They say they are gentle giants.

So back to the Mall we go, and YES WE BROUGHT HER HOME!!! It was a weak moment, but she is now at my daughters, she loves it . We got "permission" from the Great boyfriend first, and he said why not. The biggest dog and the smallest dog. They will look good together when they go for walks he said. So now they have Cabella the Mastiff and Harley the Chihuahua...

How could you not love those eyes....

Too CUTE.....

What a day...

Have a great weekend,

Lynn

Foodie Friday...

It's Foodie Friday thanks to Gollum at: http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

This is the third week and I get excited every week to see all the new and interesting things that get posted... So check them out!!!

This is my mother, my very young mother.... She will be 83 years young in another week...

She does aerobics three days a week for an hour and works out on the machines also at the gym... It wears me out just to watch her. She is a whopping 100 lbs and a size 4. Why couldn't I have taken after her side of the family??? LOL Be jealous girls she takes NO MEDS... NOTHING AT ALL...

This recipe is one of our favorites. We make her bring her Baked Beans to every dinner we have.

So today here is one of our family favorites...

Moms Baked Beans

1 can baked beans
1 cup onions chopped
1/2 cup green peppers chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard

Mix all ingredients.
Put in casserole dish bake at 300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO DOUBLE... YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!!

I can't believe it is Friday already, this week has flown by so quickly. Remarkably we have had 2 full weeks of school. No delays or cancellations... It is suppose to be in the 70's this weekend, I hope I can get out a little in the yard. But there is a garden show this weekend I have to work It with the Master Gardner's.... Not that I mind, but why couldn't it rain this weekend so it's not so painful??? I have been noticing so many things starting to pop up in the yard. I know we are on the down hill slide now. I even went out to buy some pots tonight, I really want to do some post planters this summer. I think they are so pretty. Here is a picture of one I really like...

I'm finally getting the hang of picking the right plants that will just flow over the sides of my baskets...

Here is something else I really want to make this summer for the bird garden, I want to do the whole bottom of her skirt in fan flowers and inpatients.... do you think I'm crazy???

My husband does!!! LOL

Have a Great Friday...

Lynn

Family Tree

I have been spending lot of time in my dinning room working on the couch project. As I've been sitting there pondering on what to do next, I've had plenty of time to look at one of my favorite walls. It is my idea of a "Family Tree", and from time to time I just sit and look at all the generations of family there is right on my wall. I was so fortunate to have known all but one person on this wall. I never got to meet my husbands Grandfather, or at least not that I remember. We grew up right across the street from each other, so I guess you could say I really did marry the kid across the street!!!

So here is our wall of fame...

Don't laugh, but at the top my husband and I..... That very young 70's couple!!!

Everyone on the Right side of our picture is Toms side of the family...

Everyone on the Left side of our picture is my side of the family...

Tom & Lynn

My parents...

My Fathers parents...

My Mothers parents...

Tom's parents...

My Mother-in-laws parents...



My Father-in-laws parents....

So now you know the whole family.... That I get to see everyday and remember all the wonderful memories, all but their two Great Grandfathers got to know my children and I am so glad they did...

Another day I will show you some of the other memorabilia on the walls that belonged to them....

Time for bed now, I got my massage tonight and I am whipped. But that is another story on another day!!!

Have A Good One...

Lynn

DID YOUR MARCH COME IN LIKE A LION???

Well did your March come in like a LION??? Mine sure didn't, we were expecting snow and wind today but it has done nothing.... I am not happy!!! I even told all the Kindergarten kids to cross their fingers that it would come in like a Lion!!! Wait until I see those kids tomorrow...LOL

It has been another "COUCH" weekend. I haven't even gotten out of my pajamas today. I'm glad no one has come to visit... LOL I worked all evening last night and got up this morning and started in again.

I am really getting good at using a tack hammer and a tack puller.. Put the fabric on and take it off... I SAID IT IS LIKE HAVING A 500 PIECE PUZZLE WITH OUT THE PICTURE TO GO BY. So It is just one step at a time and if it doesn't look right I change it. But things are finally starting to look like something. I may even have it finished by next weekend it all goes well.

I could not do this as a profession, no wonder they charge so much. I am worn out!!

The arms are what I was having so much trouble with but I think I have things worked out with them... Thank God...

The back side of the arms below the roll are the checked fabric...

I'm not real pleased with the checked fabric on the arms, I wanted to use the flowered fabric. But I bought the fabric as a remnant piece and there just wasn't enough. The red fabric on the back was also something I had here at the house, so there was no more of it either. I wanted to use the flowered for the center of the arm end and checked for the cording around it. Oh well I guess it will just have to do...

I just couldn't resist putting a button on the arms....

I always say "It's all about the DETAIL"

My husband just laughed at me...

I can't wait until I can put the back, back on... Then I know it is finished. But for now it just sits there.

Have a Great Week,

Lynn

PS This is still a Flower Blog... So here's the flowers and my baby bird from last spring!!!