Smile

Smile~ it's Saturday! Yesterday I worked for a bit in the backyard, then headed inside to clean and trim some strawberries my husband and I bought at a small farmer's market. We also picked up some more sunflower seeds to plant because the batch I planted in April (which were doing so nicely) were devoured by some little critter....slugs? Grrr! Even though it is a bit late in the season, our summer weather lasts well into October, so I am hoping the newly planted sunflower seeds will thrive in the above ground planter I put them in this time. I love seeing those sunny yellow faces each year in the backyard. The birds enjoy them too. 

I have two things to share with you today: my Fairy Garden, which is a work in progress, and a new greeting card I made.

Every summer I refresh this little saucer pot with some kind of grass, herbs or flowers. I also like to include a tiny marble bird bath, a bee skep, a trellis, pebbles and, of course, a fairy to watch over it.  I used pieces of a broken terra cotta pot for a garden path, and installed a 'Bees Welcome' sign next to the skep. Notice the Lavender fairy hanging onto the trellis? Sometimes she appears next to the birdbath, and often she has company...Yarrow Fairy, Geranium Fairy or perhaps a butterfly or bird.

She is so sweet! And although she holds a special place in her heart for the color lavender, she also likes pink.

             The bees share garden news with her~

I'm sure she must have thought I was a curious sight taking photos of some of the pink flowers in the yard.

There are soft blush colored pink petals in the compost pan, tiny Geranium blossoms, deep pink roses, pink and white trumpet shaped Penstemon,  hydrangea and more.

Can you imagine what it would be like to climb inside this gorgeous bloom?  Or nap between rose petals?

 Here is the card I created~ I went for simple and clean, and included a pink flower.

Wishing you plenty of reasons to smile today!




sharing this post with;
Share your Cup Thursday/Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 
Beverly at How Sweet The Sound





Uncommonly Yours

Sunshine, Bunnies & Bees~

We had a couple days of much needed rain and I especially enjoyed listening to the downpour while tucked beneath the covers...I love to hear rain on the rooftop~ This morning we awoke to sunshine and clear skies. Out on the back lawn enjoying the warmth were a couple of the wild desert cottontails. We leave a carrot or two out there for them from time to time.

College Girl made the bunny jumping into the pot (above) a few years ago. I get it out every Spring and it makes me smile...that fluffy bunny bottom is so cute! And it is easy to make. You need:

• small pot
• large puff ball
• small puff ball
• Easter 'grass'
• pink and white Fun Foam for feet

                                     

Place green styrofoam or tissue paper ball into the pot bottom. Glue grass upright along inside-back edge. Glue small puff ball to large puff ball. Glue large puff ball into pot. Cut feet and toes from foam and adhere to large puff ball. It looks like a white bunny is making a quick getaway into Farmer McGregor's pot! This is a fun and easy craft if you have children attending an Easter brunch. You could even have markers available for them to decorate the pots.

I had a bunny on my teapot today too~ There is no makers mark, so I don't know the manufacturer.



Le Lapin



He looks like he is chasing the blue butterfly...not too far fetched, either! We watched one of our visiting bunnies chase a bird around our lawn.

         The teapot handle is a yellow blossom~



I admit...I bought this tea just for the box!

I made multigrain pancakes today. As time has gone by, I find I prefer healthier~heartier grains as opposed to fluffy white-flour 'buttermilk' style flapjacks. I like the nuttiness and wholesomeness of added flax seed, buckwheat or oats.



my fleur de lis napkin ring adds a bit of panache



I added chopped pecans to the batter before cooking..yum! I also stewed some frozen cranberries in orange juice and grilled a veggie sausage patty.



I enjoyed a pot of Harney & Son's Earl Grey Supreme



The cheery bone china cup I used is by Crown Trent. I love the gardening theme on it. My favorite thing pictured is...

the bee skep!

A little information about skeps;

Before the 1800`s, most bee hives in North America

and Europe were simple shelters for the bees.

Bee Skeps were common types of hives in this period.

Bees attached their wax combs to the hive`s roof and walls,

just like they do in wild hives. Skeps were made from coiled

 grass straw (wheat or sometime rye),

and often had sticks inside to provide support for the honey combs.



nothing like hot tea and real maple syrup~



sharing this post with~

Marthas Favorites

Artful Affirmations

Rose Chintz Cottage

A Delightsome Life

Antiques and Teacups

Sweets for the Sweet~

I just found out I am the recipient of this blogging award from my sweet friend Kelly! I met her at Scrapbook. com and have been inspired by her design, attention to detail and fabulous sense of humor. Oh, and even better, she is a tea drinker....EXTRA Brownie points, Kelly!! lol~ Visit her blog, Keely Creates, for a peek at her gorgeous scrapbook pages and to get your daily chuckle.

To accept this award I am supposed to list seven bloggers who have inspired me; a tough feat because in this crafting realm which I enter when signing into Blogger, there are dozens of creative, inspirational, and charming blogs written by warm generous women! One of my dearest friends also received this Sweet Blog Award from Kelly, so I will exempt her from the seven for now but she inspires me daily. Patty, thank you for your evergreen friendship. You are a kindred spirit, my 'partner in crime.' Here are my seven choices in no particular order, and I hope you have the chance to visit these blogs. You'll be glad you did~ Miss Kathy at The Writer's Reverie is a joy. Dawn is a mother of nine and makes beautiful scrapbook pages. Pam at Faery Rocks just bought a dress form to decorate her creative space. Angela at Penny Stamper shares vintage images and designs stamps. Terri at Artful Affirmations is visiting England and always shares gorgeous teacups with us. Denise has a new grandson and told me where to find the brick stamp I love to use when I'm inking! Last but not least, I love to visit Altered Alice for inspiration.
Here are some weird, wacky facts about me;
* I love bees and bee skeps...the charm, the industry, the honey! ("Oh, bother!" says Pooh bear) I have kept a bee skep in my yard for the past 20 years, usually sitting in the herb bed. bzzzzz......

* I will not eat sweet pickles...one word, ick! Give me a crunchy dill~ You may all share my portion of sweet pickles on this planet.

* I love good children's books and reread my favorites regularly. You will find copies of The Hobbit, From the Mixed Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Anne Of Green Gables, Mr. Putter And Tabby Pour The Tea, The Gawgon And The Boy and more on my shelves.

*I studied Urusenke for three years with my wonderful sensei and performed tea ceremonies in public wearing an authentic kimono and obi. I had the priviledge to see the Grand Tea Master when he visited the United States.

* I do not watch much television, but I will sit down to watch David Tennant ~ the 10th Doctor~ in an episode of  Doctor Who.

And guess what? The Doctor drinks tea!!