In Memory

 

In Memory of the Man who set all this in motion!

RIP

"Mandevillas"

 

Today I bought a few more "Mandevilla" plants to hang on the front porch.  The space is large enough to just let them take over and fall as they may.  I'm not sure about the size of the hanging basket, might need to be larger,  but they  will get both sun and shade throughout the day,  so hopefully they should thrive. 

Mandevillas develop spectacular flowers in warm climates. 

The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, and red.  As climbers, Mandevillas can be trained against a wall or trellis to provide a leafy green and often flowering picture of beauty

 Pretty Pink

I have several on the side of my house that have  flowers all year and climb up their trellis', but I thought I'd try to use them in a hanging basket.  We will see how they fall and trail?  Or will they want to climb up in the eves?

  

This variety is in the periwinkle family.

 I've been having fun decorating the porch and this beauty is a plus.

It's flower and planting season where I live. 

Now I need to go find pumpkins for the up-coming season.

I may never get used to living in Florida because gardening is so different from living in the north.

I say that with a smile!

 I'm linking this post @

Fertilizer Friday

Bloomin Friday 

Boxwood Hedges

 This past week I had a Stone Patio laid in the front of my house.

I wanted a bit of privacy next to the front door and today I planted "Boxwood Hedges"

 It may take years but I want my new hedge to be perfect and polished.

Well, maybe not as wide as the ones above, but the look is what I'm after.

 Right now they are new and tiny but I read they are fast growers.

I love the pretty green, tiny leaves.

 Now that I'm looking at my photos I have to laugh.

Might just take years to get tall, but I have all the time in the world.

 While I was at it I added my first Fall Flowers on the front porch.

Gold Mums that are starting to bloom. 

I live in Florida so the Mums are standing beside the Orchids and potted Roses.

Now all I need is a few Pumpkins but our stores are not stocking them just yet.

Soon!

 "Happy Fall"

 I'll be linking up @

Tuesdays Garden Party 

Outdoor Wednesday 

Embroidered Sheet Set

   What do you get your single, hard working daughter who has everything she may want or need, for her birthday?

A new set of sheets!  

Not any simple set but a nice smooth  450 count Egyptian cotton  set. With a beautiful design,  embroidered by Mom.

 I used an iron on stencil,  with DMC floss in simple muted greens, cream and blues for the design.  

Floral seemed to be the best for a single woman. 

 Although I'm not very good at fancy embroidered stitches I just did the best I could.  Once the design was completely finished I thought it turned out quite nice.  Might just do a set for myself!

 I just love simple white sheets and I'll have to admit my embroidery made them look very nice.

 There, finished and ready to pack up in her birthday box.  I still have time to get them in the mail (Oct 18th).

Sending my kids birthday boxes is fun for me.  I tend to over do their boxes.  But then that's what moms do!

Both my Daughter and Son were born in October.  Son, his box is in Juneau already, but his wife will not let him open it until the day of his birthday (Oct 6).  He lives in cold country and a new fleece jacket from LL Bean seemed perfect.  No embroidery there!

My little 4yr old grandson also has his birthday in October. 
His box is already in Guam.  He has a thing for 

"Buzz Lightyear"

 His box was stuffed with anything and everything  I could find with "Buzz" on it.  His entire birthday party was in his box.  From table cloth to hats and horns.  And of course his "Buzz" Halloween Costume, that I'm sure he will wear for his "Buzz" party.

Early "Happy Birthday"
to all my kids!

I'm linking up @

Brag Monday

Craft-O-Manic Monday 

Create and Share 

 Potpouri Party

                         

Yummm, Fruit Syrup

 I found a really good way to use Plums or Peaches and it's really "Yummy"
You know the fruit  that no one has eaten and  have gotten really soft or bruised.  Or you just bought 6 peaches and they were mealy and not edible.

  This makes the best Fruit Syrup, to use on Pancakes or French Toast.  In fact it would be good for crepes.

 Put 1 or two cups (depending on how much syrup you need)  of Cranberry Juice in a sauce pan along with 1/2 c sugar and two teaspoons of Cinnamon.  Cook at a medium boil until the sugar is melted through and the sauce thickens.  Then cut the fruit and placed in the mixture.  Cook for about 8 minutes until the fruit is  soft and the juice is thick.  You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet you want your fruit.  

I used 1/4 c sugar.

 This mixture turned out so good and it is much better than standard pancake syrup.  

Your family will love it!

Sorry for not having a photo of this wonderful mixture on a decorated plate, but when I was out of the kitchen Mr. N  put my Plum Syrup mixture on his pork chops for lunch. 

I'll have to say it was wonderful!  

The cranberry juice and cinnamon was the perfect combination for any dish.   Give it a try and I'm sure your family will ask for more! 

You know, now that I'm thinking about it, I bet this would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu.  Think about this, Cranberries and Apples cooked in the cranberry juice, maybe a squeeze of lemon or a bit of cloves. Use brown sugar instead of white sugar,   on your Holiday Ham?

I love creating new recipes!
Especially when their "Yummy"

I'm joining "Jenny"@
 

Alphabet Thursday

The Letter "Y"

Patience, who me?

 Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances,  which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance or anger in a negative way, or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.

Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity.

I have never been known for my having Patience.

Really!

My whole life I have wanted everything, new projects, anything I wanted done, 

"I wanted it done NOW"

 This past few weeks have been riddled with one delay after the next in my Front Porch project.  The number one delay has been my handy man.  Although he is good and a friend (don't hire friends)... he was forever late or had to leave early.  One thing after another.  But I'm happy to say, today he came and did not leave until his work was done.  

I think he was afraid to leave, really!

I came outside at 6:45 am, right when the sun came up,  grumbling and getting ready to do the job myself when Dan came with a buddy.  No tools, his son had the truck!  I dragged out all my tools so he had no excuse today!

Yes, I was steaming at this point!

So I got to work and put together my trellis and I'm happy to say my plans were perfect. While I worked on that,  Dan finished the stone patio.  And I might say, "He did a great job"

Then Dan and his men put my trellis  into cement and L brackets to the wall.  I held my breath until I knew my measurements were going to work.

I did a bit of research and thought of having my trellis custom made for the area but the cost was in the hundreds of dollars.  Mine cost me a total of $28.00

All in all this was a great day. 

We have had heavy storms every day this week and today it was sunny and dry.  

My lack of patience did not hinder the work and I let them all go about 3 in the afternoon.  I gave them lunch and ice tea to be sure they didn't  take a lunch break.  Dan tends to leave and not come back for hours.

Why do I continue to use this man to do handy things for me?  He is a great carpenter and jack of all trades.  Once he gets to work he does a great job!

Look how perfect he cut the stone to go around the water meter. 

Tomorrow I will put together my new patio chairs.  The UPS guy delivered them today.  

Yes, that is a chair.  I'm not good at directions but they seem easy enough?

Then to sweep the sand between the stone pavers. 

I get to decorate my new front porch. 

I am excited to say the least.

My Patience paid off.

Once I have the space completed I'll do a reveal post!

I'll be linking @
Wow Us Wednesday

Under $100.00 Linky Party  

Potpourri Party #5 

Show and Share 

Summers End Yard Party 

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Front Porch Comming along....

I Spent the past few days searching for two new chairs for the front porch.  
I could not believe how much nice outdoor chairs were in both the stores and on the internet.  I just did not want to spend over $300.00 for one chair.

Then I found these two on Amazon.  Perfect!

I had a $96.00 credit from my 

Swagbucks ,with this I got two chairs for all of  $78.00 .  Then with standard  shipping, there was no charge to ship!  Love it!

Ordered the set of chairs  and the confirmation said,  "They should be delivered by the 28th of this month".  Great timing!   My plan is to put a  clear protective coat of gloss on both chairs.  I'm happy to say out of 58 reviews on the chairs,  46 said "They loved the chairs".   I plan on  making  some attractive slip covers for the cushions.  Outdoor fabric of course!  

Gives me a week to get the trellis built and set up.

Again, after searching for the perfect trellis I found they were really pricy.  For the design and custom built,  the pricing was way over  $500.00.   So far I've spent $13.00.

 I got to work designing my own.  

The photo below is the rather crude drawing of how I want the trellis to look.  It needs to be at least 5' wide and 6' tall,  to give us some privacy from the drive way.  
Went to my Home Depot and the nice man cut the wood to my measurements.  Had the 8' ,  2by4's sticking out of my sun roof as I drove them home.

While at  HD  I also picked up screws for the wood and  some heavy duty concrete screws to anchor the trellis to the front wall.  Then the two  8'  tall pieces will be sunk in the ground with cement.    Don't want high winds or a hurricane to blow it down.

The first coat of outdoor primer went on yesterday.  

For some reason the neighbors all stopped by to see what I was  up to now.  

They smile at me and my tools!

 Today, the paint go's on.  I just did not want to climb the ladder to do the priming and painting.  I can always go back once it's built to repair any chipping that may occur when it's built.  But then, I really do want the trellis to look old and very much used.  Chipping and dings are a good thing.

 

'Blaze of Glory' Climbing Rose'

was ordered from a gardening catalog yesterday.   This beauty should over take the trellis and stand out beautifully!
 It's the perfect time of year to plant my new rose in a very large pot and stand just beside the trellis.

 Today, the first coast of white paint will go on the trellis.  

Although I wanted to build the trellis myself,  I have  "Dan the handy man" coming on Tuesday to re set a few of the brick pavers that settled after our heavy rain.  I am going to have Dan put the trellis together and attach it to the concrete wall.  

More on the new patio soon!

This is all happening in perfect time, for my Sisters annual visit!  

I'm going to be so ready for her.  We both love to sit outside with our coffee. Is it a bit early to go get a few large pumpkins for the front of the house?  I have not seen any in the stores just yet.  Where is everyone  getting theirs?  I see them posted in so many blogs?  

 Time to get to work on this beautiful Sunday!

I'm  linking to
Metamorphosis Monday:

Out Door Wednesday 

Arbor or Trellis

I found this photo on the net for an Arbor or Trellis, as it may be called.

Wonder if it's hard to build?

I don't want all five panels, maybe just two?

The before

Now that the my stone paver patio is laid, I want a bit of privacy at the end, by the drive way.

The photo below is what I want.  How will I make the bowed top?  I can see this one, painted white standing tall with a flowering vine growing up....

Dan, the handy man  told me to let the patio sit for a few days and they will be back to adjust a few stones that may settle after tonight's expected heavy rain.  Then I can brush in the layer of sand between the pavers, then the border of stone around to decorate the entire patio.  Take a few measurements  and start building the Trellis.  I read I could just stand it as the photo shows, it's on a base (hooked to the wall of the house), or put the two outer 2 by 4's in the ground with cement.  I'm looking for the easier way.

The new patio is perfect to put this Pergola over it... but my HOA would throw a fit I'm sure.  Mr. N is the president of the board and is asking the question at this evenings meeting,  maybe they will let me?

I'm also thinking of making two trellis' and putting one on both ends of the patio?  One by my front door at the other end of the patio.

  

One thing is for sure, this  has changed the look of my Town House.

Curb appeal is a good thing!  

 I'm excited to  have a nice breezy place, under the old oak tree to sit.

The search is on,  to find two perfect rocking chairs, with comfee cushions.

I know this coming Friday is the First day of Fall and we are into the Halloween season but I've been working on Christmas.  Happy to say I've got it all under control with knitted gifts.  So far, two nice pull over sweaters for my girls in Juneau.  Hats and scarves for 4 of my kids.  A set of sheets that I am embroidering for one daughter. 

Feeling good about the up coming holidays.

Remember everyone, "Keep your eye to the sky"  this weekend,  "Falling Satellite".  They say, "It's the size of a bus", and no one knows where it will land.  

We in Tampa Bay have a 1 in 35 chance it will hit here.

I don't like those odds!

Be careful!

I'm linking up to
WoW us Wednesday

Florals and the Patio

 Spent my day inside hiding from our 96' day.. someone told me it was almost Fall?  I thought  it would be a good time to decorate,  while the guys tore apart my front sidewalk.

With all the silk fall floral I had stored for the year,  I made a few table arrangements.

Just took a vase, stuffed it with a plastic bag then popped in a few stems.  I'm not fussy!

 The Taco dish I have not used all year was the perfect color for a centerpiece.

 Took a few of the rocks I  found on the beach in Michigan this past summer,  to anchor the stems in the dish.

 A bit of Spanish Moss.

 Perfect!

 While I was arranging,  I took a peek outside the front window to see the guys busy with the sledge hammer... all the stone broke easier than we all thought.  It's been there since the early 80's.

"I just love to watch other people work"

  The space started out nice a few years ago but then the rain kept it a mud pile and also the snakes were living under the dirt and scared me when I first opened the door.  These snakes are harmless black garden snakes, but I still don't like them!

My minds eye is seeing a nice braided design,  paver floor with a few easy chairs, foot stools, small table for my coffee cup and a few large decorative pots with floral color.  The large oak tree provides shade most of the day so it's a perfect spot for winters in Florida.

Clean and ready for the floor to be laid.

  I thought of laying the floor myself but leveling the space might be a bit much for me... I'll give it a good try.   Mr N called a handy man yesterday and he will be out today with a price.  If it is a good one, I think I'll let him do it for me.   The bricks are here along with the sand and all the supplies.

This is going to be a good weekend!

I'll be linking @

Craft and Share

Handmade Harvest Party