Container Gardening

Hello!!

So, I showed you pics of my first attempt at Raised-bed gardening. Now, I want to show you my Container Garden!

Right now I have just one container dedicated to veggies and it sits right outside my back door. I am starting from seeds. I am growing lettuce and zucchini. I cannot wait until that first salad of the season!

My 3 year old has a couple of container gardens going, too. We picked up two little starter container gardens for him at the hardware store. (they are actually little paper cups with clear lids.) We picked watermelon and pumpkin. Right now we are waiting for the sprouts. Not sure where we will be planting these once they grow large enough for transplant. We sure do enjoy checking them everyday for sprouts to begin!

Happy Gardening Everyone! Cheers, Susan

Free Meal!

Oprah and KFC is giving away a free chicken meal.

Go here: http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download and get your coupon.

Deal is time sensitive! Get your coupon before it is too late!

Raised-bed Gardening

Hello Friends!

Rain, Rain! Last week the garden was planted and this week, right on cue, RAIN!

Raised-bed gardening:
Yippee, I am now officially a gardener. I have grown up around many great gardeners but never wanted to break ground myself. Well, I wanted to but not enough to do it. Then I learned about raised-bed gardening. This sounded a little more like what I wanted rather than the traditional, low-to-the-ground garden. Something small and manageable for my first time. I discussed with my husband about using something recycled for the sides/walls of the raised beds. Something we already owned. He came up with the idea of using an old ACE Hardware trashcan. He cut it in half and (voila) made 2 separate beds.

I dug down into the ground about 1.5 feet. After positioning the recycled trash can, I back-filled the hole with 3 things. 1) dirt from the hole, 2) compost mix from hardware store, and 3) Miracle-Gro planting mix for vegetables. I let the dirt sit for a few days before planting my vegetables. I chose tomato plants (2 Big Boys and 1 Sweet 100) and zucchini from seeds. I also added a marigold to help with pests. Tomato cages added will help to hold the plants up as they grow.

Check back to see how my gardening adventure grows. I hope fruitfully well!!

Next blog: Container Gardening

Cheers, Susan

Gifts for the mom in your life

I wonder what makes one person a better gift giver than another. Who am I kidding? We know what makes one person a better gift giver - a little thought and research.


Those that give bad gifts are basically last minute shoppers and their gifts are 'surprise' gifts.

"Surprise, a cookbook to help you loose weight!"


"Surprise, a new techy gadget just like the one you already have!" Or


"Surprise, something to help you clean the house!"





What do moms really want for Mother's Day? It definitely varies from mom to mom. But we all definitely expect to get something from our children and spouse.


I think one of the best things children can give their mothers is a gift that keeps on giving. My personal favorite would be flowers to plant in the garden. How about a rose bush? And if you want to start a tradition, because moms LOVE traditions, give her a new rose bush each year.



Spouses should give their wives something that says 'You are the best mom I have ever met, our children are the luckiest children ever!' However, we really do not want a plaque that says that. We want something a little more romantic and girlie. Think perfume, a feminine (but not too sexy) nightgown, decadent deserts (cheesecake or ganache from the best desert maker in town), and I am sure if you put some thought in to it you could really knock her socks off. Think about that thing she has always wished she could do or have but keeps putting it off. There may be a picture (or if you are like me, college diplomas) that never got that really special frame it deserves.

Now lets talk about how to do all this and not break the bank. Have you ever checked the newspaper for coupons and sales? Do a little research and you can really make Mother's Day special for little money out of pocket. Also, skip the store bought cards, gift wrap and bows. A hand written note is so much more cherished than a card from the store.

I wish all moms a Happy Mother's Day!!

Cheers, Susan

Happy Kentucky Derby Day!

I have never been to the Kentucky Derby. I would definitely love to go at least once in my life. An activity involving beautiful horses and hats sounds positively delightful. I admit I know nothing about any kind of racing. But I know something about hats! Any good southerner feels the call of the derby!

Today at the derby it is a little sloppy on the track. I am glad to be watching it on tv. However, that means enduring the Six Flags and Kentucky Grilled Chicken commercials. I sure hope that grilled chicken is as tasty as it looks on the commercial! We sure have gotten plenty of coupons lately for KFC including the try it for free coupon from the Parade last Sunday. Check back for a review of the new grilled chicken!

Cheers, Susan

Welcome

Welcome friends!

In the very, merry month of May, I have something to say!! Glad to have everyone along for this fun adventure.

Since this is the beginning of my blog experience, I think I will start with a short list of topics you can expect to be discussed here. Off the top of my head: motherhood, crafting, recipes, hopes, dreams, relationships, entertainment, books, organization, saving money, and product review.

Let's start with crafting.
I love to make and design jewelry. Like most girls I like all things shiny and sparkly! I took my first jewelry making class about 5 years ago. I took that class because I wanted custom-made pieces at reasonable prices. It seemed that I was spending tons of time going shop to shop looking for just the right piece. Sometimes I got lucky and my jewelry collection would grow. As my jewelry collection grew my bank account shrank! We can not have that! I don't want to be that girl with fabulous accessories but not able to afford much else. The solution for me: make it myself.
Fast-forward to today: I got a complement on a ring I designed. She wanted to buy one. Could this jewelry hobby turn into something more? I am looking into what it would take to turn my hobby into a possible new career. (Does this mean I can stop thinking about what I want to be when I grow up?) So who is along for the ride? Who wants to be my cheerleader? Stay tuned as I become a mom who starts her own business.

Are we having fun? After all, fun is the best thing you can have!

Cheers, Susan