My Grandfather's Garden

On this dreary winter day I had to close my eyes and think of something special.

My Grandfather's Garden

Just a sun tanned kid hanging out with her Pap clad in denim overalls,

Two smiles walking from the garage to the green patch sewn next to the huge pine trees,

Grandma is not going to turn the oven on in this heat so we are going picking,

Green then brown go the neatly hoed rows,

The tomatoes stalks are tall and staked with twine off a ball,

Red, heavy tomatoes hang off the vine and leathery, yellow green veins crack the tops of their skin,

Giant, lazy zucchini hide under large stems and leaves, 

Bushy delicate leaves clustered together have long beans dangling,

The corn is young yet still the stiff, sturdy vegetable standing erect,

I walk behind Pap as he inspects and I jump in delight as I see a flash of slithering green!

He quickly plants a foot forward in the dirt and grabs it. A garden snake wiggles at the end of his hand as if on a fishing hook, neat!

The lettuce determines dinner,

Pap says it's time to pick or they will get larger and acidic,

I have a wooden basket cuffed under my arm and I am ready,

So it's leafy lettuce and luscious tomatoes Pap drops in the basket,

BLT sandwiches and he picks more tomatoes for Grandma to marinate for tomorrow,

He picks a couple zucchini to take to his Mom and the basket starts to get heavy,

We keep going to the end and he points up at the pine trees and laughs,

Look we have gourd stalks climbing the trees! 

I give him my big grin, I just love being with him,

We walk back to the house and I ask him if I can water the garden tonight and of course he says, yes.

Snow Days are for the Birds!

 Taken through my bay window. Many birds come to our big maple tree.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker and a Finch

Remember males are the flashy ones!

                                                                                                

I think this rotund, cute bird is a Warbler.

Diffusing Quality Essential Oils, a Safer Alternative

 I love the essence of candles. Pillar candles are my choice but, I use jars for more scent. However, I must say diffusing oils are way more effective for the whole house and fast. Recently, I purchased a Honeywell humidifier with oil cup. It is simply awesome.  I once worked for a large candle company. At least every month a fireman would come in and have to tell us candles are the number one cause of house fires. Believe me I can understand because I heard some crazy stories from customers and 99% were likely nothing to do with the candle but, the operator. You can't leave candles unattended and they are not meant to be liquified more than an inch. A half or fully liquified jar is a torch in your home! The company I worked for had scientists doing all kinds of experiments on how jars burn, burns with certain oils and wick length for types of oils and wax and so much more. I watched some of these experiments. You will never see me buy a homemade jar candle for this reason. 

I have some elderly relatives who need to switch to oil diffusing. Just like a tea kettle without a whistle, they nod off and a candle is burning. 

Read the ingredients and uses for the oils you choose. Some oils for instance are made to mix in wax or will say just for an oil burner which is different than a diffuser. I prefer oils that are safe enough for me to rub on my skin when diluted. I prefer natural and not synthetic because I am breathing this in.

 If you have pets watch some of this Vet's videos. I once watched a DIY video where an untrained person put 10 drops of oil in a spray for her dog. This is so dangerous! 

Dr. Becker-candles and plug ins: Dr. Becker Discusses the Dangers of Scented Candles and Plug-ins - YouTube

Antique Desk Chair-Pick Up

$225 Local Pick Up-Pittsburgh Area, Ligonier, PA

Cash Only

Exceptional piece for your office or study. On the back is the company brass plate. "Desk Exchange," out of San Francisco, USA.

You know that saying "Things aren't made the way they used to be." This is one of those things. Heavy and solid. Not meant to break. I can't find any major flaws. I found one article in an appliance catalog from 1917 referencing this company.

A fine piece to own for any collector or interior designer.

Paper Crafts are Beautiful

I decided to decorate my dining room in paper crafts this year. I bought pieces from Joann's and the Dollar Store. It cost me less than $15 and has brought so much cheer and color to our dining experience. From the outside the bay window lights up in the sun and at night with some lights trimming the window. It is a classy, colorful decor statement. 

A December to February Decor Statement 💗I will add stars for New Years and a sign. I will then remove green ball and stars and will add pink puffs and hearts for Valentine's Day. 

Hanging
I used heavy duty suction cups and thin string. You could use fishing line for a more seamless effect.

DIY Cat Hide Out for New Adopted Fur Balls!

Ziggy loves to cuddle and rolls on his back to have his minky, fur tummy rubbed!

Two Russian Blues slipped into our house through a side door during a chilly evening. Their new, warm home inviting them in. The adult cats deserved a home just like any small, furry kitten. These beautiful, sleek, big eyed cats lost their owner due to decline in health. We had been looking for a cat or kitten for about a year.  We were taking our time. Like all of our pets it seems they picked us in some way.

Ziggy and Maxi were new to the shelter. They arrived when I called to look at cats I saw online. They are short hair which I preferred and had not been running around with a bunch of cats. Both were timid and docile but, also scared. They needed to be back in a quiet environment ASAP. Their owner clearly treasured them. He purchased only the best food, treats and toys. Their sad story tugged at our hearts and we knew it would be difficult to home two adult cats together. Fast forward and we have two awesome cats! Both have unique and different personalities. Adopting well cared for adult cats has been great because they already know how to use a litter box. They also love their scratch tree and boards. We knew they would need time to ease in and we were absolutely fine waiting and frankly ok if they were not over cuddly too. We were ok with them being who they wanted to be. I think our expectations worked with catitude and also bringing adult cats to a new home.  We feel really lucky to have found these cool cats!

DIY CAT HIDEOUT  Why pay $15 for a cardboard box house online when you can do it yourself! Challenge yourself to use your craft scraps and keep cost down.

• A clean cardboard box.
• Scrap booking paper or heavy wrapping paper or left over wallpaper.
• Craft glue, utility knife, scissors, paper cutter if you have one, pencil, perm markers.
• Any additional craft scraps. Use your imagination but, make sure they can't swallow small add ons. I had some left over paper mache type pieces from craft store like a mailbox. Also I used teacher border for the fence.
  

✂Think about your design. Maybe practice the design on paper. 

I did a basic house. First cut off flaps or tape flaps down. Decide where your cat will enter the box. Save cardboard from flaps to add shutters or anything else on the box. Next draw your design on the box. I simply drew a window to cut out with my utility knife. 👉Remember to always cut away from yourself when using a knife. Also make sure you have a firm grip on the knife as cardboard can be tough to cut. 

Window cut out

🎨Next have fun cutting paper and glue on your box. Be basic like me or really go for it! The last thing I did was add a blanket they already used and some catnip in  the box to encourage them to go in.

1960's Modern Christmas!

I haven't pulled out this tree in 3 years. I decided to bring this magnificent, tacky masterpiece out. Made around 1962 in Virginia. Yep, American made. The metal tree played into the atomic theme from the 50's to the 1960's modern, clean lines, uncluttered decor. 

I added some of my Putz houses to the bottom. The pink skirting is actually a beautiful piece of dyed wool I purchased for felting.

I only buy untouched Putz houses. I won't buy any fixed with added glitter and more. The most interesting ones are stamped Made in Japan. Here is a great article about Putz history. https://goldenglow.org/2014/12/history-putz-village/