WALKING FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

"In 2011, more than two million men and women in the United States were breast cancer survivors. For more than a decade, Saint Clare’s has been committed to increasing the number of survivors with the treatment of cancer in our local community with its comprehensive oncology program, Cancer Care at Saint Clare’s."

 

Once again I am again walking in the Saint Clare's Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness on Sunday, September 23rd. This cause is important to me because my friends and family members have suffered and succumbed to cancer. If you would like to support me with a donation starting at $5.00, follow this link:

http://saintclaresfoundationwalk12.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1027126&u=1027126-268648909

Here is a photo of our team from 2011.  We were the top team fundraiser, yeah!

UPCYCLED BEVERAGE BOX

I was going through my dad's things and came across an old A-Treat beverage box.  It's beautiful and I really wanted to use it at my house somehow.  I sat it on my porch, filled each container with dirt, planted a few flowering seeds and crossed my fingers.  It has yet to bloom, but the colors look amazing already.  I love how it looks so far and look forward to updating this post with actual blooming flowers!

MOTHER'S DAY GREEN

Again for Mother's Day this year we all worked hard on my garden.  Mr. Construction tied two of my raised beds together creating a third bed and (yay!) plantable area.  This year I'm planting tomatoes, peas, strawberries, oregano, squash, eggplant, dill, lavendar and more.

HAND MADE JEWELRY

Today I made a bracelet.  I have no experience making jewelry, but was walking through Michael's and thought I'd give it a try.  I bought a How To book, beads, wire, tools and got to it.  For the most part it was pretty easy.  I chose black, silver and gray beads thinking about pairing it with a little black dress.  For the How To - first you cut and round the edge of the wire.  Then pick out your bead pattern and put the beads on the wire.  When you are happy with the pattern round the other edge of the wire and viola, a spectacular piece of jewelry handmade by you.

GARDENING IS MY THERAPY

I love gardening. I can remember planting my mom's way-past-fresh potatoes and onions and being so disappointed when my dad found them and uprooted them from their new homes.  Needless to say, my family never had a vegetable garden - for long, anyway.  But now that I have my own home, flat property and the time for daily watering and weed removal I am growing my own fruits and vegetables.  And LOVING it.  Last year Mr. Construction built me a 16x30 raised bed fenced in garden complete with locking door.  We are growing a variety of tomatoes, squash, lettuce, jalepeno/green/red peppers, cucumbers, peas, green beans, watermelon, pumpkins, strawberries, basil, mint, dill and rosemary.  To add to the fun, my daughters love being outside with me and helping me water - not so much weed... Some things I have learned:

-Water daily except after a storm (and in the morning)
-Tomatoes will split if the consistency of the watering changes
-Pick lettuce before it "bolts" for the best flavor
-The more you harvest, the more the plant yields
-Build your garden in a sunny spot with access to water
-Chipmunks enjoy the flowers on squash plants

What I have yet to figure out:

-How to get green and red pepper plants to flower and bear veggies
-How to keep chipmunks and birds from eating the strawberries
-How worms get into raised beds
-Why the leaves are turning yellow even though I water thoroughly

Happy Gardening!

MY KIDS LOVE APPLE JUICE

Every season and throughout the day my girls want apple juice.  It's got a lot of sugar though, so I often buy Mott's for Tots apple juice.  "Mott's for Tots^® has 40% less sugar than 100% apple juice and a great taste kids love—it's an easy and healthy way to spoil 'em."  For a limited time, you can get a free sample through VocalPoint.  Just in time for the hot summer days!

DECORATING WITH KIDS ARTWORK

I know you have it.  That bin with all of your kids drawing, coloring and paint pages.  It sits above your refrigerator, in the toy room or by your mail.  It makes you feel guilty every time you stick another masterpiece in it.  Well, let go of that guilt!  I've searched around and found some elegant ways for everyone to enjoy your kids work.  I've been inspired and hope to post my own display soon!

 

 (Found here, here, here and here)