Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Home and Garden’ Category

Heirloom Tulips

Posted in Flowers, Home and Garden, Hubby, tagged , , on May 11, 2011| 4 Comments »

When I first ventured with Captain Cavedweller out to the farm where his grandparents lived, his grandmother had the most lovely tulips blooming by her door. They were beautiful shades of pink – hot pink, pale pink, pink with stripes. Goodness, but they were just breathtaking.

A few years later when his grandparents were packing up to leave the farm, I asked if I could have a few of the bulbs. That was when I discovered that the original tulip bulbs came from Captain Cavedweller’s great-grandmother, which made them even more special.

Not wanting them to get lost or mixed in with my flower garden mess, I bought a gargantuan planter and buried them there. They bloomed in it for a few years until we moved and finally settled into the home we have now. One of the first things I did that fall was dig up a flower bed and plant the tulip bulbs there.

Over the years they have multiplied into a beautiful array of dazzling blooms.

And as crazy as it might sound, I somehow feel like I have a little connection to his grandma and great-grandmother through these awesome blooms.

That, and they are just so doggone pretty!

She Who Loves these Tulips

Read Full Post »

A Thousand Spiders

Posted in Garden, Home and Garden, Musings, tagged , , , on May 9, 2011| 1 Comment »

Yesterday I was minding my own business, trying my best to perfect my lazy slugness, when Captain Cavedweller came bursting into the house and hauled me outside.

“You’ve got to see this,” he said.

“See what,” I asked, slightly miffed at having my blissful do-nothingness interrupted.

“This,” he said, pointing to some tulip stems in the front flower bed.

There, firmly entwined around the tulip stem, was a nest of freshly hatched spiders.

Ewwwww!

So being the nut-job that I am, I had to get down on all fours so I could investigate them closer. Then I decided I needed to take photos of them.

They started out in a tight little cluster that quickly expanded. They kept coming and coming. I’m pretty sure there must have been a gazillion of them, but for simplicity I decided to call it an even thousand.

Of course, we couldn’t let this fascinating find go unnoticed by others so I hotfooted it over to the neighbor’s and invited their kids over to see the spiders. They quickly stuck both hands into the mess and drug spiders home with them (Sorry, Jennifer!). And yet, the spiders kept coming. Soon the adults were batting them out of our hair and off  our clothes as the spiders went airborne.

Ewwwww!

And still more spiders crawled up the stem of the tulip and ran amuck in my flower bed. I think there is a never ending supply of them. The neighbor finally called an end to the kids spider diving and took them home. I’m sure I’m on her favorite neighbor list now. I’m all about sharing those fun experiences with anyone I can.

She Who Does Not Love Spiders

Read Full Post »

Microplane

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Kitchen Tools, Referrals, tagged , , on April 13, 2011| 3 Comments »

A few weeks ago I was in a kitchen store and was completely captivated by a display of microplane zesters/graters.

Not that the zester I own doesn’t function adequately (using the term adequately really loosely). My cheapo zester works great if you don’t mind giving your arm an intense work out and having chunks mixed in with your fine zest.

The pink handled Microplane was practically screaming out to me. “Take me home, please take me home!”

So I heeded the call and purchased it. And am I ever glad I did. I love, love, love this thing.

Not only is it pink (which is of course a strong selling point for me) it does a fantastic job. I zested an orange with it this weekend in no time at all and it was so fun to use.

You can find this great kitchen accessory here, the original Microplane, made of surgical grade stainless steel and dishwasher safe (another great selling point for me!).

She Who Likes Pink Kitchen Tools

Read Full Post »

Spring Scents

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Home Decor, tagged , , , on April 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last week we talked about ways to lighten up your home decor for spring.

Today, let’s talk about lightening up your home scent for spring.

I know, what a profound topic of discussion. But honestly, how your home smells can have a big impact on your guests and the experience they have.

I’m a huge fan of pumpkin scents but by spring, I’m ready for something fresh and light instead of spicy and heavy.

Think about candles or plug ins or air sprays that smell like spring and sunshine and flowers and freshness.

Lilac is definitely a scent of spring. One of my favorite versions can be found from Yankee Candle.

Something fruity with a kick is always a fun fragrance and tells the nose that nothing stuffy and boring is going on in here.

A great fragrance is Caribbean Salsa from Bath & Body Works.

Another awesome scent from Bath & Body Works is Nectarine Mint. It is fruity and light with just the right pack of punch to say “Hey, the fun people hang out here.”

So lighten up! Get a new spring fragrance going on at home and see how much you and your guests enjoy it!

She Who Adores Things that Smell Pretty

P.S. Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works do not endorse my ramblings or even have a clue who I am. I just like their stuff. A lot.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »