Peonies Sweet Peonies

Beautiful flowers at my daughters Engagement Party!

We had them scattered on tables, in the barn and around the

food and dessert areas. Such elegance with roses, peonies, hydrangeas, greens and berries.

I absolutely love peonies! They are so big bold and beautiful, I only wish they lasted alittle longer in the vase. They seem to last only a couple of days, what's up with that? I now know why Martha Stewart loves peonies, their beauty by far surpasses many other flowers in the garden. They have been around for a couple of thousand years, starting in China. A little fun fact there. They are easy to grow providing you give them plenty of sun and good drainage. They do also need support due to the heaviness in the buds. They are vey heavy and large. This flower has a large payoff considering the low maintenance. So remember the next time you have the opportunity to buy a peony on sale, just do it! You won't be disappointed. 

Celebrating our anniversary

Thought I'd share a pic of my flowers I received from my husband for our __anniversary. The reason for the blank is I don't like my age so much anymore. I know I know it's all in the mind! I still feel young and therefore does the number of years we have been married really matter. That's for me to know and you never to find out! Ha! If you know me than you know that the David and I have been married a long time. I was so happy to receive these flowers, I thought for a moment he had forgotten. The dinner we had was so nice and sweet, I really cherish the simple things in life anymore. There was a time when I wanted the gift, but now I look forward to our special time together. After a while, do we really need more stuff? Not...I have too much stuff as it is. I will someday find time to edit and give that stuff to my kids, they'll love the surprise.

Oh...and dinner was at Bar Divani, downtown Grand Rapids. It was lovely! It's a small restaurant that pays close attention to shopping locally and organically. They have Ladies night on Thursdays, featuring $4. martinis and 1/2 off small plates as well. Love the deal, then I don't feel too guilty about going out and splurging.

This is my muse for the moment, I love flowers and color. I will call this flower a her and she is the goddess of power to enlighten me or inspire me. Love the texture and random text, it creates such interest. This wonderful little muse can be made of so many different materials, the possibilities are endless. The mixed media I work with, lends itself so easily for incorporating such beauty. Thank you Mr. Lichtenstein for the inspiration today!

the backyard looking good

Looking at my patio, I think we have had a really good growing season this far. Plenty of rain, sun and cool nights. Love the fact that my terrace draws me outside to enjoy the season at its best, nothing like summer in the Midwest. Upon surfing I thought I would share this site that I found, it has great ideas on household tips and cool tricks including repurposing the old. Check it out you'll love it!    http://www.tipnut.com

10 Ways Herbs Can Freshen Your Home

Fresh Herbs From The Garden

Spring cleaning is in full swing this time of year, here are ten ways you can use herbs around the house to perk things up…

10 Ways Herbs Can Freshen Up Your Home

1. Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe: I like to use dried lavender, but I included other herbal mixes to try as well. This makes a big batch of carpet freshener that will last quite awhile. You can cut the amounts down if you like until you find your favorite blend. To give yourself a small variety to choose from, you could split the recipe in three then add three different herbal fragrance choices to each container/mix.
2. Herbal Mattress Freshener: Using your blender, grind until fine 1/2 cup of dried herbs (try mint, lavender, lemon balm, etc.); Mix ground herbs with 1/2 cup baking soda; Sprinkle mixture lightly over mattress pad or cover then top with clean fitted sheet; Spread mixture more heavily on top half of bed where upper body rests to enjoy a consistent fragrance.
3. Freshen laundry with Homemade Herbal Lavender Dryer Bags: Fresh and fragrant laundry can be achieved chemical free with easy to make lavender dryer bags. Using lavender buds gives the benefit of a natural moth repellent, sleep aid and a natural antibacterial.
4. Bugs-Be-Gone Bags: The herb mixture helps to naturally deter and repel bugs and pests from the places you have stored the bags.
5. Homemade Herbal Cleaner Recipes: Recipes for Thyme Disinfectant Cleaner, Herb Disinfectant Cleaner, Herbal All Purpose Cleaner and Lavender Soft Scrubber. Also see this All Purpose Scouring Powder: Grind dried petals or fragrant herbs and mix with baking soda.
6. Multipurpose Herb Vinegar Recipe: Use as an environmentally friendly air freshener. For another freshener, try a pleasing assortment of dried herbs and flowers to make homemade potpourri, keep in open bowls and shallow vases to freshen rooms.
7. Store off-season clothing with Moth Repellent Sachets and Lavender Wands to keep moths at bay and stored clothing fresh. Tuck Lavender Sachets in closets and drawers for naturally fragrant clothing, bedding & linens.
8. Herbal Firestarters: Pinecones and dried herbs such as rosemary, sage leaves, and cinnamon sticks make fragrant kindling for a winter fire. Bundle dried herbs and small pinecones in a sheet of newspaper and secure the ends with raffia or cotton twine; As you pile up logs for your fire, nestle the herb bundle underneath, with paper ends sticking out; To start the fire, light the newspaper ends.
9. Fill homemade trivets and coasters with dried herbs, they’ll fill the air with the scent of delicious herbs when hot dishes and mugs are placed on them.
10. Consider growing a One-Pot Indoor Herb Garden, you can use the herbs for cooking and creating your own herbal cleaners and fresheners–plus a thriving herb pot is also a lovely addition to any kitchen decor.

The Rose Painting

I finally finished my small rose painting. I did not deviate too much from the sketch on the paper, I stayed within the perimeter. I really am enjoying the mixed media these days, I approach it very loosely which I do so enjoy. I have the leafing technique down to a science, so now I can have fun and play.

Spring Time in Michigan

Spring - Robert McCracken
Today is the day when bold kites fly,When cumulus clouds roar across the sky.When robins return, when children cheer,When light rain beckons spring to appear.Today is the day when daffodils bloom,Which children pick to fill the room,Today is the day when grasses green,When leaves burst forth for spring to be seen.
That is such a nice poem...love it!!!
This painting went off today to a gallery in Clinton, Michigan. Loved it's simplicity and the application of mixed media/sterling silver leafing which is barely visible.