Just returning from

BERMUDA!

 Crystal Caves were amazing.

 Look at this tree.

I love that there were roosters and chickens roaming around everywhere we went.

I am so happy to be home! All in all there is no place like home.

Hypertufa how to

I have had lots of projects going on here. Planting gardens for spring and finishing up some projects. We had a graduation and some parties. Time is flying by so fast these days. One thing I got to do was to make some Hypertufa planters. My son and a friend came over and we got to it. Sorry I did not take a lot of pictures in progress.

 Here is a finished one all planted. They are lightweight and can stay out in our New England winters.

Supplies you will need are as follows:

Portland cement

Perlite

Peat moss

Fiberglass fibers

Latex or rubber gloves,(cement can be murder on the hands)

Wooden dowel marked at 1 1/2 in.( to make sure your depth is even all around)

Cooking spray or mold release

plastic

Water

Container to mix it all in. I used a basin I got at Lowes, but any large plastic container would work.

Molds, for example, plant pots, dishpans plastic bowls use you imagination.... of course leaves too. I have many more ideas now and want to do this again real soon.

So I have seen many versions of this, but this is how I did it.

2 parts cement

3 parts perlite

3 parts peat moss

a handful of fiberglass fibers

I had a watering can of water and mixed it until it just started to stick together.

Start packing it around or in your mold.

Measure depth to make even

wrap in plastic for 24 hours then remove mold.

planter should cure for 30 days before planting.

 Dishpan trough.

 A hosta leaf. I really like rhubarb better.

 This is the rhubarb leaf my son did and then his clean up skills really paid off. The first thing he did was make a wet pile of sand then place the leaf on top. He sprayed it with cooking spray (for easy removal) the patted on the hypertufa mix. Then wrapped it in plastic for 24 hrs. then he removed the plastic and the leaf. then while still workable he cleaned and shaped the edges.

 Here is his finished leaf. It is going to be used as a birdbath.

Just to end on a light note my Brugmansia or Angel Trumpet is looking so pretty at the back door and her sweet fragrance fills the air. I had 28 blooms at one time last year. Lets see what this year brings. The nasty earwigs got into and chopped away on the leaves.

My Garden in the Spring

It has been over a month since I posted and I just don't know where the time has gone. I have been in the garden alot, but have barely touched the vegetable patch. Many of my spring flowers are blooming and I thought I would make a cup of tea and sit down and share them with you.

My sunny south side has mt Miss kim lilac in bloom and it has the sweetest scent. I have my bedroom window open and can smell it upstairs.

I think the colombine look like fairy flowers. I have several different colors scattered around the yard.

The purple iris are in honor of my Nana and my Mom. I always think of them when I see them and I have planted several just for the two women I love so much.

                                                                     A pretty all white colombine.

An all white iris.

                                          The pink clematis loves this spot and has done so well.

Another clematis called Nellie Moser. I cut this one way back last fall so it is low to the ground this year.

My earliest blooming day lily in sunny yellow. I have divided this many times and there are lots of bright yellow spots along my garden path.

This was the tinest shrub when I planted it and now many years later, she is a beauty for sure.

Mother nature has her own ideas where things should grow. I love the lady slippers she put here.

Now for the promise of more to come. My peonies.....

and, darn I forgot the name of this.

So do share with me what is blooming in your garden now?

My Paint Colors

The question I get asked the most is what are my paint colors so I thought I would do a post on my paint colors so here goes:

My Home outside color is Benjamin Moore Briarwood
The doors are Devine Wine by Behr

Next up is my kitchen, my cabinets were made by Plain and Fancy because they would match any Benjamin Moore color, and we loved the product they made. The Color is Bennington Gray HC-82 as is all the trim. The bead board back splash is Rattan AF-375 also Benjamin Moore. The pantry is Elk Horn AF-105.

Then comes the dining room, open to the kitchen so I used the same colors in a different way, the trim is still Bennington Gray, but I used Elk Horn from the pantry on the walls. This is my favorite room....

Then we go into the living room. This is on the south side and is always a sunny room. The colors are both from Benjamin Moore, the walls are Sag Harbor gray HC-95 and the trim is Carrington beige HC-93.

The front foyer is next and I am just redoing it to match the upstairs hall. We just got all the wallpaper off and I am waiting for my contractor to put some crown moulding up.

The walls Crown Point Sand HC-89 and the trim is Northampton Putty HC-90

My bedroom which I don't show too much, maybe because it is blahhhh...

it is a Martha Stewart color Clay. My Benjamin Moore dealer color matched it for me. I just love Benjamin Moore paint that much.

I hope this helps answer some questions...I have noticed how similar all my colors are too....wonder what that means?

 

Playing on the porch

Spring is here and I can't wait for it to be warm enough to use the porch.

I love birds nests and have found a few on the ground. They are so intricate.

I grew these gourds a few years ago in the garden. I have had them laying around, stuffed in baskets and such. I saw a photo of them hanging on Pinterest so I tied them up and hung them.

My porch is how most people visiting enter my home. It is how the family comes in through the garage. It is a great mudroom, sitting room, place to house garden plants. It has windows through the winter months and soon we will put the screens in. I love to go out there to read and sit with a cup of coffee. Won't you join me?

a little bit of Spring

from my home to yours....a bit of spring.  I have been busy cleaning inside and out. I just love this time of year from the crisp morning air to the warm sunny afternoons. I wander in the garden, pail in hand for my clean ups along the way. I love the way sunshine smells.   So while I was at Lowe's today I found some tulips and hyacinths. Just the right amount of Spring for the dining room.

 While outside Mother Nature is working her paintbrush.

  Also just because I don't think I showed you....a birthday present from my hubby. This wonderful crock.