My Vegetable Garden Mid-Summer

Our intentions with our vegetable garden are always grander than what we have time for.  As much as we love our fresh, organic fruits and veggies, time with family and friends always takes first priority.  We live in Oregon where nice weather doesn't last long, so lazy summer days are a luxury!  That said, we were able to accomplish more than I expected...

This year we have: corn, spinach, lettuce, peas, beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumber, strawberries and pears (on our pear tree).  We also planted broccoli, radishes, and carrots, but they did not survive to yield anything.  I share this because gardening is not always successful and I do not pretend that it's as easy as in looks when everything is flourishing.

The peas are pretty much done and we are still awaiting the squashes as well as the corn and beans.  There is not much happening on our pear tree, but I am optimistic that they too will come.

In Spring we prepare the garden by weeding and adding new compost.  I find the new compost to be the most important determinant in how our crops will do.  Then, we decide what we really want in the garden and how to lay it out.  This too is more complicated that it sounds as you must consider: time in the garden, space, sun...

Then the fun part - planting!  That is definitely my favorite part...well, aside of eating the bounty.  The maintenance is the other challenging part: watering regularly and weeding.  My husband is in charge of those tasks because he does a lot better at them than I would.

In the end, we get to enjoy fresh, healthy, organic, ripe fruits and veggies straight from the garden.  There really isn't much better than that!

Amazing Rummage Sale Find!

Custom frames are very expensive and I often have something I want framed that is not a typical size.  This can get quite expensive!  Well I got lucky recently when I found a frame that appeared to be what I needed for a map I have had for over 3 years and not yet framed.  (With 2 young children, I'm amazed the map is still in one piece.)

So I found this beautiful wood frame at a rummage sale.  The deer had to go!  Nothing against deer - I really think they are gorgeous creatures, but not really something I would hang in my home.  

So after peeling off some well-glued cardboard on the back, I removed the deer picture.  I then cleaned the glass well and replaced the picture with my copy of a Mercator map of Europe that I had received as a gift.  I then moved the hardware on the back for it to hang horizontally rather than vertically.

I am very happy with how it turned out and more than pleased with what it cost.  It was only the cost of the frame = $1.00!  Can you believe it?  Definitely one of my best finds!

ShabbyNChic Giveaway

For the first time I am giving away a one-of-a-kind piece from my shop.  I love the soft, romantic look of this cottage style wall hook.  It is made from a plaque with a beautiful floral paper adhered to the front.  I painted the plaque a creamy off-white color, then attached an upcycled metal knob that I painted silver.  The entire piece was then sealed.  It will arrive ready to hang.  Wall hooks are great for hanging a jacket, purse, apron, dog leash...

Rules:

1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.
2. Ends Saturday, July 31st at midnight PST.
3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.
4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.


To Enter:

- Tweet on Twitter about this giveaway.
- Post on Facebook about the giveaway.
- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is.
- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.
- Follow my blog.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**

My Summer Garden

If you follow my blog, then you saw my Spring post with pictures from my garden.  We are now in the midst of the heat of Summer and flowers that were blooming in the Spring have subsided while others are at their full glory.

I wanted to capture the beauty of our Summer blooms.  The hydrangea is my favorite hands-down.  I absolutely love blue flowers and I don't think it gets better than a hydrangea in blue full-bloom!

Of course we still have roses blooming.  Isn't that a staple in every garden?  I love the multi-color varieties we have, but they were no longer blooming by the time I got the camera out.  These salmon-colored roses are beautiful in their own right.  Who doesn't love roses - a gorgeous work of nature.

Bees are all around in the summer as well.  I love this shot of a bee about to land on this pink flower.  Do you see it?

My herb garden recently took off and now needs a trim, but the fullness is marvelous to see!  I have lavendar, sage, two varieties of thyme and cilantro here.  I also love basil (again, who doesn't?), but for some reason I have better success with basil when I grow it in pots.

 
*Future post on our vegetable garden coming soon...

Cottage Style Decorating with White

Most people think of white when they think of cottage style.  White is a staple in cottage style decorating and sometimes the focus.  Although it seems simple, decorating almost soley with white can be intimidating.  I found some pictures of great examples of rooms done very well with a lot of white.

I love the brightness of white.  It is so crisp and clean.  A space can often feel large when white is used on the walls, furniture...as there are not a lot of colors breaking up the space.

White can be a cold color.  Adding a touch of warmth, such as a piece of wood furniture, can "warm up" a mostly white space.  There is not just one white.  There are many shades of white and using multiple shades can also add warmth to the room.

If you have one piece or a collection with some color, it can really "pop" when surrounded by white.  It really adds drama to a piece that may blend in or get lost in a more colorful space.

*Pictures from bhg.com.

Antiques I Love!

Victorian Picture Frame Brooch

I can (and sometimes do) spend hours in antique shops looking at every little thing.  I love antiques - the history, the quality, the uniqueness.  I love going to antique shops and finding items that remind me of the past, even the past well before my time.

Set of Antique Linen Tea Towels

I recently bought a metal floral trash can that reminded of one that my grandmother had in her home.  It's like bringing back a piece of that feeling of spending Saturdays at my grandmother's house as a child. 

Turn of the Century Sewing/Tailor Table

I love the history of antiques: thinking of where a table has been, who sat around that table and the conversations they had.  Or thinking of a desk and work that was done and letters written there.  New pieces just don't have that.

Antique Letter Organizer

The other characteristic of antiques that many new things don't have is quality.  I love buying old frames or useful items for around the house.  When I buy something old, I know that it will last much longer than the newer version of that same item.  

Antique Pocket Stop Watch

I also love the beauty and uniqueness of antiques.  Obviously I enjoy the worn, well-loved look of belongings that have been around awhile.  Beyond that, there are often additional details on antiques, sometimes handmade, that we rarely see today.

American Victorian-Era Settee

Finally, it's green!  We are all looking for ways to take better care of our planet and buying something old rather than new reduces potential waste.  This is not only because a new item doesn't need to be made, but also because the quality of the older piece makes it last longer, further reducing waste.  Yet another great feeling when buying antique or vintage pieces! 

Antique Tin Made in England

I could go on and on with both pictures and words about antiques and how much I love them.  I will have to do a future post about pieces that I own and their stories.  Hmm...off to work on that!

Grand Opening and Giveaway Celebration!

I am excited that a talented crafter and dietitian has combined her talents to create Mora Nutrition.  It is an Etsy shop where you can find food and kitchen accessories.  She makes 100% cotton dishcloths in beautiful colors, shopping bags, and menu lists with much more to come. 

This week in her shop, you will find great deals in celebration of her Grand Opening and she is doing a giveaway here, offering a free gift certificate to her shop!  But first, here is more about Kati, creator of Mora Nutrition...

Why Mora Nutrition Food & Kitchen Accessories? How did you come up with the name?

Let's face it, the name is NOT that creative!  In fact, my Etsy shop is merely an extension of my business Mora Nutrition and its name reflects that.  I have always had a passion for nutrition and love being crafty, so the ability to incorporate both into my career makes me incredibly happy.  Plus, they just seem to go together somehow.

How long have you been crocheting and why do you enjoy it?

I learned to crochet when I was 11 years old. My grandma use to take me with her to one of crochet classes at our local high school. I have been crocheting ever since; however, it wasn't until after the birth of my second son, Ben, that I became obsessed! Now I crochet all the time and find it to be such a calming experience.

What else do you sell in your shop?

I also feature paper products in my shop. All of the paper products I produce are forms that make eating healthier easier. This is a relatively new venture for me, but I love being able to provide people with the tools they need to do something great for themselves AND have them be cute along the way.

What is your favorite thing to make and why?

I enjoy making all of the products featured in my shop...BUT if I had to pick just one, I would probably say the mix and match dishcloths are my favorite. I love that I can make multiple color combinations with them and I love that they are so versatile. Everything else is a close second!

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

That I just auditioned for Oprah!  Yes, I submitted my audition video just this week for a chance to get my own television show.  I don't know if anything will come of it, but it sure was fun to make!  If you want to, check out my Oprah audition video.

And now for THE GIVEAWAY:

Win a $10.00 gift certificate toward products at Mora Nutrition on Etsy!

Rules:
1. Open to U.S. residents only.
2. Ends Friday, July 2nd at midnight PST.
3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries on Saturday, July 3rd.
4. Each entry requires a separate comment.
5. Enter by:
    - Tweeting on Twitter about this giveaway.
    - Posting on Facebook about the giveaway.
    - Visit Mora Nutrition's Etsy shop and tell us what you would buy with the gift certificate.
    - Follow Kati on Twitter at @aroundtheplate
    - Become a friend on Facebook of aroundtheplate.

**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.

Mora Nutrition's Links:
Website: http://moranutrition.com/
Etsy Shop: http://moranutrition.etsy.com/
Blog: http://aroundtheplate.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/aroundtheplate
Twitter: http://twitter.com/aroundtheplate

My Daughter's Treat of a Birthday

We recently celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday. We went with a treat theme because I think it is cute and she didn't really care. Her only requirement was Strawberry Shortcake on her cupcakes.  She was so excited to have all of her cousins over to her house - just for her!

What's a party without balloons!?!  I went with pink, blue, and yellow and the kids were all happy to take one home when they left.

We had "sandwich bar" so that everyone could make their own sandwich and get something healthy before the treats that were to come.  I also made strawberry lemonade which was a big hit since we used strawberries from our garden.  I highly recommend it if you have them because they are so much more flavorful!

 

She enjoyed opening presents and was excited about all of the gifts she received. Dora was big this year, along with crocheted play food.

A birthday party also needs a pinata. Boy did the kids go after that candy! The adults were just thankful that no one was hurt.  Here are a couple of them diving for the candy.

And the cupcakes...They were too quick for me to get a picture before they were almost all eaten, but you get the idea. My daughter told me the cupcakes were her favorite part of her birthday.

She wore a cupcake dress that went perfectly with the party theme.

Everyone loved the "thank you" gifts. I bought this cake which is actually several boxes wtih lids. 

The kids were so excited to get "cake" after having cupcakes.

I filled the cake with treat-themed items: ice cream poppers (remember those?), cupcake bubbles, kaleidescope, crocheted cookie, cupcake soap, and ice cream bath fizz.  The ice cream poppers were definitely their favorite!

A very fun day with family and great weather too. Our big girl enjoyed it a lot.

Etsy Seller Feature

I found au clair de la lune's shop through the Etsyveg team of which we are both a part.  I have always liked her shop, but it has become one of my favorites.  I had to contact owner, Adrienne to learn more about her and her shop.  So, here is our conversation...

Tell me about what you do, the idea behind your shop.

Au clair de la lune is centered around conservation and all of the items in my shop are made from recycled fabrics. I find so many things compelling about using repurposed materials. There is of course the eco impact of not creating more. As a society we are so inundated by stuff and more stuff. I really like the idea of breaking that chain and trying to be as neutral as possible in my use of new materials. This cuts down not only on the creation of new stuff, but also the pesticides and fertilizers that would be used in creating new fabric, and it keeps old stuff out of landfills.

I also like the challenge of taking something that would otherwise be discarded and finding a way to make it beautiful and useful again. At times there seems to be such a folk art quality in using recycled materials, particularly with the use of found objects that find new purpose.

What other crafts/art do you enjoy that you don't sell in your shop?

Outside of the shop, I love to do arts and crafts with my kids. I’m already making plans for summer activities and projects. First on the list will be building the ultimate squirrel proof birdfeeder. Somehow tie-dye and mosaics always seem to happen every summer too. I also live in a very old house that will forever be a work in progress. All of my projects seem to share a pretty consistent green/repurpose theme.

What other job do you have (if any)?

Job #1 would definitely be keeping up with three very active kids, but I also teach English part-time at a local college. I find it an absolute luxury to spend entire class periods discussing a short story or poem. I hope my students feel the same way.

Do you sell anywhere other than etsy?

In addition to my etsy shop I sell in a few local boutiques here in Central Florida. One of my summer plans is to try out craft fairs.

 

What is your favorite part of having a shop?

I love having an outlet for my creativity. It can be very gratifying to really enjoy creating an item, see it fully realized in the shop, then get feedback from customers. An unexpected but very welcome benefit of having an etsy shop is the camaraderie that develops with the teams. I’ve met so many wonderful people!


What is the hardest part of having a shop?

Definitely the hardest part of having an etsy shop is time management. As an etsy seller, you are responsible for every aspect of the shop from creation, to photography, to marketing and promotion. It has taken me awhile to develop a rhythm for getting things done and I still struggle with the photos. I love to come up with ideas for new items and to sew, so it can also be tough to “turn it off” sometimes, especially because I work at home. There’s always one more project that I want to finish or start…

 

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?

My favorite items always seem to be what I’m working on at the moment – which right now would be yoga bags. I also like the lunch rolls because not only are they eco-friendly because they are made out of recycled fabrics, but they serve an eco purpose in that they replace disposable napkins and flatware!

 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m a pretty open book – no one who knows me would be shocked to learn about my NPR and chocolate addictions. I literally air my laundry (in the backyard, on a clothesline)! I do love mysteries in all shapes and forms – I listen to audio mysteries in my car, mystery theatre radio programs on-line while I sew, any mystery TV show, read the books – and I always try to solve the mystery before the detective, be it cat, caterer, or Perry Mason!

Thanks to Adrienne from auclairdelalune.  I hope everyone enjoys getting to know her as much as I did.

Blog Giveaway Winner!

I love doing giveaways and plan to do more soon.  Thanks to everyone who entered.  Our winner has been selected through a random drawing and that winner is...


Julie of Juliesparklybits!


Congratulations and if you didn't win this time, you will have more opportunities in giveaways coming soon.