May
27
Miss Lilly and the Hollyhock Garden
Samantha got this book for her birthday several years ago and it is still one of our favorites. The pictures are all of hollyhock dolls.
The story was wonderful. It was about a hollyhock doll that was blown away out of her garden and had the help of many friends to get back. At the back of the book, was a not to send away to the author for hollyhock seeds. We did and they are still growing in our garden year after year.
You can actually make your own hollyhock dolls. Samantha and I have made many, but they are rather fragile and have not lasted until we could get the camera to take their picture. We’ll have to go make more!
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 79°F;
- Humidity: 43%;
- Heat Index: 79°F;
- Wind Chill: 79°F;
- Pressure: 29.85 in.;
May
19
Potting Bench
A couple of years ago, John decided to make me a potting bench for Valentines. I know that may not sound like the most romantic gift ever, but it actually was. OK, so it turned out to be a Valentines, Mother’s Day, Anniversary present by the time he was actually able to finish it, but it’s wonderful! I use it so much.
And I have not scratched it at all… just like he said. A stain is NOT a scratch.
We have put little cup hooks along the back under the shelf and have tools, measuring cups and measuring spoons hanging. I have all my concoctions stowed on the bottom shelf. It may not look the neatest, and I’m sure it could stand a little bit of cleaning, but I still love it.
Thank you sweety!
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 81°F;
- Humidity: 27%;
- Heat Index: 81°F;
- Wind Chill: 81°F;
- Pressure: 30.15 in.;
May
12
Samantha's project
We came up with a scathingly brilliant idea! We made a bird feeding station!
Our bird feeding station has three sections on top. One section has jar lids screwed down on it to hold jelly for birds like orioles, mockingbirds and others with a sweet tooth. The second section is just an open space that has whole grain crackers in it right now but we can put crushed egg shells, bird seed, or any other number of things in that space. The third area on top has nails sticking up to skewer fresh fruit on.
We put cup hooks underneath at the four corners to hang various things. Right now, we have a hummingbird feeder hanging from one corner and a finch block from another. In the winter, we can hang suet feeders and pine cones with peanut butter and birdseed from the hooks. We also nailed a large nail onto the post to hang bagels on with another nail underneath that’s for birds to perch on to eat. Sam bought some millet sprigs that we will eventually replace the bagel with.
We are anxiously waiting for the birds to come and discover their brand new diner!
Top of Feeder
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 85°F;
- Humidity: 57%;
- Heat Index: 87°F;
- Wind Chill: 85°F;
- Pressure: 29.89 in.;
Apr
28
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Gourd Birdhouse – front
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Gourd Birdhouse – back
A couple of years ago, we planted birdhouse gourds! They are actually very pretty vines with large white flowers and seem to be very drought tolerant.
We made several birdhouses, and even some maracas from the smaller gourds, which we gave as Christmas presents. Last year, we had what looked to be a vireo nesting in one of them. To make a bird house, the gourds have to “cure” by drying out and becoming hard. We cut a hole for the entrance and drilled several holes in the bottom for drainage and two holes at the top to thread the hanging wire. We painted some of them with acrylic paint and some we left plain and then gave a couple of coats of varnish.
We have just planted some of the seed that we saved to see if we can grow more! I hope I haven’t spoiled any Chrstmas surprises!
