Home Repair Minimalist: June 2009

KIDS,GOODIES & PARTIES

Last week I was in Pennsylvania (anyone surprised! LOL) for the Buyers Wholesale Show at Valley Forge and I found this beautiful Robin's Egg Blue Mitten Box - I thought it would look nicer than the shelf I had in its place by our door...cute isn't it? I think so!
And get this......my husband thinks he's actually going to put winter hats and mittens/gloves in there! lol

I bought a few other items but have them all packed in containers for my home show - sorry I didn't take pictures but I like to have my customers have a surprise at show time.

The picture doesn't show how nice the color is - I couldn't get it right. But I love how it looks.

On Tuesday's during the summer we have two of our grandchildren and last week Grandpa bought them a cookbook so they/we can make lunch or treats when they come.

They take turns picking out a recipe and by the next Tuesday I have all the ingredients for it...and then the other one chooses something for the next week. It's fun and they learn as well.

Today they picked Grubs and Bugs made with tiny Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, Pillsbury Crescent rolls and pretzels for legs!

Emily and Joe preparing the Bugs and Grubs

Emily with her lunch

Joe with his

I hope you all haven't expected too much from me lately - I just don't seem to have time for anything except sewing - it even went to PA with me...each evening in the room I would relax and stitch away.

After getting home late Friday night from my trip (oh, Doug was in California while I was in PA and he got home in the wee hours of the morning) on Saturday we had a birthday party to go to all day for our son's Mother In-Law and then all day Sunday it was a graduation party for my nieces son.

Aidan and mommy at his grammies birthday party

Our whole family (minus Darren, MaryAnn and Aidan - they still had overnight birthday guests/family)

My family and my brothers family and our Step parents - the graduation boy is in the front in the green shirt - he's a big one. That's Alex!

Our step dad, sister in law, brother, step mom, me, Doug

I'm going to try and be more conscious about posting on here - but don't wager bets...I'm GOING TO TRY!

NOTE: Lately I've been having trouble with my lower back again so I had to call off the GATHERING OF FRIENDS...I'm not sure what's happening with it right now so I didn't want to get all the gals there and not show up. This was the wisest and only thing I could do.

Hugs and thanks for visiting me again.

Karen

Growing Moss on Garden Pots

I've already written about my love for repurposing objects like bowls, pots and pans as plant containers. One way to integrate these finds into the garden is to encourage a natural layer of moss to grow on them. This always works best where you have a shady spot to keep the pot once it's sporting a nice mossy finish.Recipe for Adding Moss to Pots1/2 cup of garden moss (This acts like a seed

Herbed Tilapia Recipe

This is a fast and easy summer dish. If you'd prefer, you can cook it on the grill instead of in the oven; just coat the fish with a little olive oil and butter, and clean/oil the grill.Baked Tilapia Ingredients6 Tilapia fillets1 tablespoon paprika1 tablespoon dried marjoram1/4 teaspoon red pepperJuice of 1/2 limeSaltBlack pepper2 tablespoon fresh chopped chivesFish Cold Sauce Ingredients1/3 cup

Time to get our drink on!

And what better way than with the very British "Pimms Cup".

The anglophile in me would naturally glom onto this summer staple of the highbrow set. Wimbledon proudly sells 80,000 half-pints each year. What is it you ask? Well really only three, yes three, people truly know. A well-kept secret since 1859. What we do know is that it is gin based, the Pimms No. 1, that is. Do not bother with #2, #3.................THIS IS THE FAVORED.

So, back to Eddie Ross ( notice how i keep bringing that up :-)

When we found out Eddie and Jaithan were coming to the shop I read that Eddie liked Pimms, in luck, my speciality! And many calls later asking for the recipe, here it is;

Per glass;

1 jigger Pimms No. 1
1 jigger white rum
ice
lemon soda, typically not found in the US, do not substitute ginger ale. Target sells lemon soda

and fruit, lots of fruit; cucumber spear (a must)
strawberries
orange
lemon
garnish with mint.

But..................

I prefer to make it in giant pitchers. Add to taste the ingredients, let the fruit sit for an hour or two and pour.

have a summer cocktail party, invite and make new friends, cheers!

Weekend Thoughts

A few thoughts for this warm weekend.How to Treat Mosquito BitesMosquitoes are coming out in force around my house. To help reduce the irritation of a mosquito bite, rub any of these household, garden or medicine cabinet substances on the bite: aloe vera, baking soda, a piece of sliced onion, vinegar, salt, or witch hazel. I've heard that toothpaste and bleach work too.

Lime Balm Tea Recipe

Lime Balm makes a light refreshing tea that will settle your stomach and help you relax. With its natural lime aroma, it's tasty both hot and cold. Although you can find dried lemon balm at your local health food outlet, you might have to get your garden implements out and grow a supply of lime balm yourself. Don't worry. It's easy to grow both indoors and out, and it can be used in tea either

How to Grow Lime Balm

Lime balm (Melissa officinalis ''lime") is a perennial herb that shares many characteristics with its cousin lemon balm. It is as easy to grow but has a distinct limey fragrance.Growing Lime Balm in the GardenLime balm is a half-hardy perennial that can add the aroma of lime to your dishes without the citrus. It likes dappled light and moist, fertile soil. Like its cousin, mint, lime balm can

Midweek Thoughts

For a wonderful photo of St. Johns Wort, visit Earth and Tree. Hedgewitch has a delightful blog and makes clay jewelry too. Her clay impressions of herb leaves are stunning little gems. I own one myself.If you love to eat what you grow, head over to How Stuff Works.com and read their article about edible landscaping. If you've ever resented the amount of space your lawn takes up, this article

Make Organic Herbal Shampoo

Making your own organic herbal shampoo is simple and inexpensive. Best of all, you can tailor it to meet your own needs and tastes.Organic Herbal Shampoo RecipeTwo cups of distilled water1 1/2 tsp. Soapwort root*30 drops of essential oilDecorative bottleDirections for Organic Herbal ShampooBring water to a boilAdd soapwort root, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.Remove from heat and cool for

Make Lemon Furniture Polish

Smarten up your kitchen cabinets or wood furniture with baby oil. Just wipe it on, leave it for a few minutes, and then wipe off the residue. Make it part of a maintenance program by prepping your cabinets with a wood cleaning product like Murphy's Oil Soap first.

Because I'm a dedicated herber, I make my own polish using a cup of baby oil and lemon balm, lemon verbena, or lemon eucalyptus.

Strength in Numbers

"In union there is strength"
Aesop

This year, 2009, is my 20th year in business. The learning curve was, and still is, huge. The rewards beyond measure. My company is my only child, my heart and soul. Gratitude is an enormous component, via my business I have made countless friends, lost a few, shared our lives and grown together. My blessings are counted daily.

And again, together, we will tough out the economy. Old patterns will be modified, I will learn to shift gears, you may see changes but that is the cycle of life. By and large I am happy to say we are "still in the game", thanks to you. But do I ever worry, absolutely, we all do.

A recently discovered organization has grabbed my attention, full on strength. Read below;

learn more here (or to read without a magnifying glass)

Together, those of us that can, have a responsibility to actively support our favorites. My three businesses are;

Town House Books and Cafe in St. Charles, Illinois. Here

Sandra Webster clothing in Geneva, Illinois. Here

Moveable Feast in Geneva, Illinois. Here

AIDAN IS ONE!

Our youngest grandson, Aidan, turned one on Saturday and we went to his party - it had to be one of the hottest days this week as well - man it was hot! But we all had a wonderful time.
Unfortunately their pool wasn't ready otherwise it would have been a great way to cool off...but little Aidan got to - one of his aunties bought him this adorable pool and he sure loved it.

HERE HE IS WITH DADDY DARREN

DOUG, AIDAN, ME, MARYANN AND DARREN

So you see I don't have a lot to post right now....business has been busy for me so that's what has been keeping me away lately.

I'm so missing posting on here but the orders come first.

I miss all of you as well - I try and check in now and then but after I'm on the computer for about 1/2 hour I start getting antsy to get back to my sewing....so for now it's going to be slow for me posting.
Thanks for viewing today!

Karen

The Summer Solstice and Other Sundry Sunday Fare

I hope you enjoyed this morning's Summer Solstice. It was early, so the possums probably beat you to it! Today will be the longest day and shortest night of the year. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the Winter Solstice, an interesting factoid associated with living on a sphere.If you enjoy camping, take a look at this humorous piece at the National Parks Traveler site about naked

Plant Your Own Saffron Spice

Growing your own saffron (Crocus Sativus) is easier than you think and can add some spicy and refined taste to your dishes. Pound for pound, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.Don't confuse it with Indian saffron, an inexpensive substitute, the red threads and distinctive yellow saffron flavoring you can extract from them is a subtle and unique flavor that you'll develop a taste

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is water that has been evaporated and then cooled back to a liquid. During the process of transforming into a gas, chemicals and microorganisms are left behind and the final product is clean and pure. Distilled water typically has a neutral pH (7.0) because most solids in water are heavier than a water molecule and won't piggyback onto the vapor.In herbal recipes, distilled

How to Fry Zucchini Blossoms

For a taste of the subtle pleasures of a spring garden, try fried zucchini blossoms. You won't find these in the grocery store. They're a special reward for the vegetable gardener. So enjoy one of those unique payoffs for all your hard work.

Fried Zucchini Flower Recipe

6 Zucchini blossoms
1/2 C flour
Pinch Salt
Pinch Pepper
1/4 C Olive oil
2 Pats butter
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Water

Directions for

How To Make Rose Wine

Making your own rose wine can be a hoot. It takes a while, but like making beer, especially if you like to experiment with the recipe like I do, you never know quite what you're going to end up with.The nice thing about rose and dandelion wines, as well as other seasonal wines and liqueurs, is that they distill a season. In winter, when you're shivering your way to the mailbox, you can think

Hands of Hope

This beautiful setting is the gardens surrounding the pool at Vicky Wauterlek's home, founder of 'Hands of Hope'.
Annually she opens her gardens along with several other generous homeowners in the bucolic suburb of Barrington Hills, Il.
This major fundraiser for her organization is this Friday and Saturday June 19th and 20th.

Laurette Grove, shown above, is a volunteer on one of the trips to Africa. Helping women and children in impoverished nations seek medical care and an education. Funding additionally helps build wells, an amazing resource for a region. Here is what I personally admire; 100% of the proceeds goes to their foundation, 100%!

The following snaps are peeks into the grand beauty of this property. As a garden tour guide in England I have to say this setting rivals many of the famous gardens of England.

In addition to the garden tours enjoy the market of quality vendors, such as Scentimental Gardens! Find a bargain at their upscale flea market, enjoy lunch in the garden.........be inspired.
To learn more visit here.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead

Join me for a demonstration on creating garden party tablescapes. Friday and Saturday at 1pm

Grocery Store Vegetables and Herb Seed Sources

I take a perverse pleasure in finding ways to recycle grocery store produce and grow it in my garden. You'd think I'd stop being so tickled and indulge my curiosity some other way than by sticking a little piece of root in a pot to see what happens. My nephew once started a sunflower from a seed he stuck in the office ficus on a dare. No one was more surprised than he was when it sprouted.Here

Dandelion Salad Recipe

Where dandelions are concerned, if you can't beat them, eat them.Adding a few dandelion greens to your favorite pasta salad is a fast and easy way to give your salad some nutritional muscle.Dandelion Salad Recipe3 cups cooked shell pasta2 Hard boiled eggs, chopped fine1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved1 cup Dandelion greens, steamed, cooled, and chopped3 Scallions, chopped fine6 Black olives, rough

Dandelion Tea Recipes

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is good for you, and even if you hate it in the yard, its bitter taste can be addictive. Remember, when you drank your first beer or glass of wine, you probably thought that was bitter too.Dandelion Flower Tea Recipe8 Dandelion flowers12 oz. Boiling waterHoney or sugar to tasteInstructions for brewing Dandelion TeaPour boiling water over flowers and let steep for

let's think of something else for the moment....

Imagine this for a moment; you are a new blogger, you collect pictures for months, the thrill of a lifetime...............yes, for me it was...............Eddie Ross is in town and he has accepted an invitation to a cocktail party at your shop!!!!!........AND.............after a magical day and evening you realize your CAMERA IS GONE! ugggghh

So, until I plead for others photo's to share with you, let's talk about something else. We will get back to Eddie and Jaithan's visit.

Dream Houses

There is a site for buying and selling historic homes in all price ranges. Here are a few that caught my eye. Here

Lambertville, Pa.
Stone house overlooking the Delaware River. Newly renovated kitchen and bathrooms,
and 5 fireplaces!
$1,495,000.00

Gettysburg, Pa.
Revolutionary and Civil War period stone and log home on 5+ acres
Bid for auction

Vernet Les Bains, France
6 bedrooms in the foothills of the Pyrennes by Perpignon. Walk to the Mediterranean.
$483,000.00 USD

Lynchburg, Virginia
1875, 1191 s.f.
Possession of Va. housing authority and in Homesteading program. Comply with their renovation standards and this could be yours.
$1.00
Yes, a buck, house and land!

Eddie......sigh...........stay tuned!

WHAT I BOUGHT

I did a lot of business shopping last week in Pennsylvania but you must know by now I always save a little money for something fun!

We purchased a birdhouse from Primitives By Kathys about 3 years ago and silly us we didn't weather proof it and this past winter took a toll on it so in the trash it went so I decided I'd replace it with the same one. We fell in love with it and couldn't imagine the garden without it so home came another one with us....isn't it pretty? No matter where we are we can see this from the house or the screen room

This red roofed birdhouse was its replacement this Spring - but it just didn't do anything

to us so we put it in the back yard garden area and really like it there - luckly we didn't have to put in a post for it - it just wedged on the fence post and with one screw up the bottom it now has a new home.

I also have been wanting a beeskeep - but a straw one...couldn't find one but did find the vine kind so we bought the large one for the garden and a smaller one for the porch bench which you can see in the flag picture - it's on the left side of the bench near the front corner.

When I arrived home I had a package in the mail and it was my long flag I ordered from Dawn of Holly Hills Primitives....doesn't it look wonderful there - I can see it from the screen room and the courtyard and driveway. It's really long too - drapes on the porch boards but it's the only place I could find to put it.

And a great surprise when we arrived home were my CHIVES...they finally flowered - last year they were dormant for some reason...I'm so happy!

I bought way more than these birdhouses but they are packed in the basement but will try and get to them soon.

Enjoy - Karen

How to Make Dandelion Wine

I was delighted by an article I read yesterday on The New York Times website feed. It's entitled: The Joy of Less. If you have a second, take a look.

It seems that many of my gardening adventures, and even the projects that result from my gardening, are a search for beauty in simple things, an alliance with nature, and a celebration of the natural world. Sometimes, close to evening, the

Drying Tea Leaves

Harvest young leaves in spring and process for different teas.Black Tea - Taken from new growth in spring.Bruise leaves by rubbing them between your palms. They should discolor to a reddish brown.Spread them in a single layer on a tray and let them air dry from two to three days.Apply heat by placing the partially dried leaves in a 250 Degree F oven for 20 minutes. The best approach for uniform

Growing Tea Plant

Originally tea was produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, a variety of camellia. Tea has been cultivated in China for centuries (2009 estimates put it at around 5,000 years).Standard teas, not herbal infusions made from other types of herbs and plants, are processed using a number of steps to make the varieties you're probably used to like: green, black and oolong. Processing is one of the

Make Lavender Oil

You don't have to buy essential oil to get the fragrance and benefits of lavender oil in your bath, sachet, and even in your cooking. Use your fresh lavender buds to make an olive oil infused mixture you can use for anything from a sleep aid (topically) to a moisturizer that will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Lavender Oil Recipe

1-1/2 to 2 Cups Lavender buds or flowers
1-1/2

Pepper Growing Tips and Tricks

Peppers don't take up much space in the garden, but provide a good per-plant harvest and can be used in lots of different ways. You can also employ some creative preservation methods that will offer tantalizing options for using peppers in winter dishes.The Old Farmer's Almanac has some good advice today for growing large bell peppers. This is also good advice for growing most garden peppers:

HOME FROM PA

This past week I was in Lancaster, PA for a round of shopping, checking on the motel for THE GATHERING and attending a Graduation party....all went great! Well, all except the weather...RAIN EVERYDAY except for the day of the Gradutation party - sunshine all day and a great evening temp. and that was a blessing.

But first we stopped in Cranberry, PA for the first night and visited a friend, Linda Moczan - center with the white top....she's the one who will be doing home parties whenever I can get this thing off the ground. She invited us to dinner that evening for spaghetti and then some wonderful desserts. The two girls in the aqua are friends and they are sisters and the other lady is Kathy who came here to our house with Linda the first of May to talk about the party prospect.

Then on Wednesday when we arrived in Lancaster we met Grace Maurer from the Amish View Motel and what a charm! She gave us a most wonderful tour of the motel and I have to say to anyone wanting to have a peaceful place to stay on a visit to Lancaster...YOU MUST GO THERE!

The rooms, the gathering spaces and the views are to die for. After the wonderful tour we went up to Kitchen Kettle Village for lunch at the awesome KLING HOUSE. I do hope we can all get to have lunch there at least one time during the Gathering.

We are getting reservations slowly for the GATHERING so if you are thinking of joining us please get your name into the motel to reserve your room.

I got information on lots of places to shop and am still waiting to hear from more people before I decide on the Sight & Sound because of the group price....not that we can't do it even if we don't have a sure 15 - the price break isn't all that much.

I never thought I'd say I'm tired of shopping but I was glad to get in the car on Sunday morning to head home....POWER SHOPPING is a killer! lol So anyone coming to the Gathering you better get your rest in before hand!

View of the front of the motel - it's part of a huge complex of Family Style dining, shopping and relaxing.

This is the most wonderful gracious Grace!

View of the common space where the full course breakfasts are served

King rooms which we all will be having

On Thursday I met a group of girls in the little town of Columbia, from A Primitive Place forum. We had breakfast and exchanged gifts and then headed out shopping. I got a good taste of seeing what 'new friends' like to buy and the excitement was thick. I'm really looking forward to the GATHERING more than ever now!

Linda, Terri, Nikki, Kathy and me

Opening our gifts - my gifts are packed so I don't have a picture of them but we got pin cushions on a zink lid, a huge potted SWEET ANNIE plant...how wonderful, an adorable painted wood Colonial house plaque and a sweet prim pin and a fabric covered box with sugar cookie wax tarts in it.

After we went shopping as a group some had to leave but Kathy and I went on to an Antiques shop and she found me playing the ole pinball machine and riding a rocking horse!!! She had a hard time keeping track of me! lol

I do hope you enjoyed this little vacation with me although I have no goodies unpacked yet to take pictures of...that will be much later as I have a ton of things to unpack, laundry to do and tons of orders to get started on....by the way, I stitched out and back on the trip so I did get a couple orders finished.

Karen

Scenes of the Beach

Momma and Baby down by Damon Point

Boardwalk Shops filling up!

New Fire Station Going up!

New store with a cool face!