Washboard to Herb Garden

Hi Friends,

Today I'm sharing a fun project

changing an old washboard to a Herb Garden

for the fence.

One of my dearest friends  turned sister, gave me this old washboard to redesign.

I looked at it awhile before I decided on taking it outside

and creating a planter of sorts to hang on the fence.

The washboard had an ad graphic on both sides

and this is actually the back.

I liked the vertical wood members and the graphic better here

so I turned it around.

Sorry I don't have a before pic.

My friend really took good care of this treasure

as you can see the metal area is still like new.

Being outside it will show some patina soon and be perfect.

The planter box section has been added by my talented hubby.

He cut fence wood and formed a box and drilled drainage holes at the bottom.

He then added the wood box to the legs of the board. 

Next I stenciled the word, Herbs to the front and we added dirt then planted a few herbs.

I love how it's begun to weather a bit and show some distress around the box.

Perfect little herb and flower garden in my side yard.

I planted, basil, thyme and parsley.

Soon a lot of growth will take over

and it will be lush and full.

You can see I had some fun with photo editing too.

Hope this gives you an idea for a washboard if you have one

and no place to display it.

Take it outside and let it be pretty in the garden.

Have a great last couple days of May!!

~See you soon~

Happy Memorial Day 2017

In Remembrance and honor 

to those brave men and women who have served our country to keep us free 

and to those that continue to sacrifice each and every day for America,

 we give our heartfelt thankfulness.

As we celebrate our nations hero's, let us give thanks for their military dedication and safety.

 We can never be thankful enough to those that serve America, 

but we can lift our prayers for them each and everyday. 

When you see a military person, take a moment and say thank you. 

The encouragement will honor them as they realize people care and remember.

My Father Joseph,fought for this country in WWII on Omaha Beach in Normandy France. 

He used to say, "I wouldn't give you a nickle for my experiences, but, I wouldn't sell them for a million dollars either"

 Words from a proud and glad to serve, American! 

I dedicate this Memorial Day to him and the bravery he carried as he jumped off the ship and swam to land on Omaha Beach with his fellow soldiers.

 God was with him that day as he ran forward to defend America.

When I saw the movie, Saving Private Ryan,

 I realized for the first time, what he must have faced that day.

 I thought, Wow Dad needs to see this movie. 

Then I realized, he doesn't need to see this, He was there! It just gave me chills.

Whatever your long weekend plans, enjoy, be safe and be grateful!

In Remembrance

Happy Memorial Day!

Creating a Fresh Magnolia Wreath

Living in Texas

we enjoy gorgeous Southern Magnolia trees

and right now they are blooming beautifully.

This gorgeous Southern Magnolia stands in our front yard and is nearly 40 feet tall.

I love to decorate with the trimmings
and here is an example for creating a
Magnolia Wreath using fresh leaves.

****

To begin, I take a trimming of branches from the tree,
then I lay out all the gatherings

by sizes for easy reach.

I use a simple green Styrofoam round  wreath

from the Dollar Store.

This one is about 14" round.

Next, I begin to cut the leaves and stems

and hot glue them on the wreath.

Going in one direction, I hot glue the leaves

to the top, front of the wreath

 and all around the sides and inside area.

Moving the leaves up and down for interest and a natural flow.

Once completely covered, it looks something like this.

The bottom leaves are placed in a cluster of three, 

where I plan to place a simple silk ribbon.

You can design your wreath with or without that area.

This is the backside.

No need to glue leaves to the back.

Just place enough around so you do not see the Styrofoam wreath.

The hot glue works great with

these strong thick leaves.

Once complete and the ribbon in place,

I hang it over a picture in our family/library room

using an over the door hanging hook.

You can also add a string of jute or wire wrapped around the ring 

before adding the leaves, creating a hook of sorts if you want to

display and hang from a nail.

The fresh wreath will last a couple weeks. 

As it dries the color will fade and sometime

I brush on an acrylic paint in dark green to brighten.

It looks pretty dried too but will become brittle,

so care in handling has to be used when moving etc.

************

So there you have it.

Designing a fresh magnolia wreath.

Easy, fun and free

 using hot glue,ribbon and 

a Styrofoam  wreath from the Dollar store!

 ****

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Mid May!

See you soon!



One Last Mother's Day Dinner!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is special to me,
 not only because my family blesses me with their thoughtfulness,
but because remembering my mother is a gift that I can reopen each year. 
A treasured gift that lives in the depths of my heart.

This story begins on a gorgeous Mother's Day in the year 2000. 
The day was warm and sunny accompanied by plans for a special dinner for my mother in our home.

You see, after my father passed away in 1998, 
I brought my mother from Michigan to live with me in my home in Texas. 
God brought my family 2 years earlier to this very home that would have a room just for my mom.
 A home where just outside our subdivision, and across the road, was a care facility.
 Little did we know at the time, there would be a need for that care.
 But God knew and was preparing us for what lay ahead.

At that point, mother settled in with me and my family and life continued by the grace of God. However, little by little my mother's health was failing. 
She had medical issues and needs that I could no longer meet.
 I tried, I really tried. I cried and  prayed for the strength and courage to continue, but that was not going to be the plan.
 Now the help of that very care facility in our area was needed. 
So close by and so easy to visit every day. 
What a blessing it was.

Mom once again settled into her new home. I decorated her pretty space, with all her treasures to give her comfort and feel like home.
 Not a word of complaint was ever spoken from her lips, 
not a discouraged attitude was ever reflected in her pretty face. 

She was showing us the grace and dignity of a life in its final days.
 It had to be difficult for her making this huge change.

The grand lady who worked and retired from the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, 
 was also a homemaker, gardener, decorator, crafter, cook, wife, mother, sister, church faithful and friend to all.

As time went by, my family and I spent every day stopping in to visit my mother.
 Mornings, afternoons and evenings we all stopped in to spend time with mom.
 I planned special events, picnics outside mom's room,
 sing  a longs, birthday parties and so forth. 

It was still a time to soak up much to learn about life and the fragility of our days on earth. 
Mom still had so much to tell me and show me. 
She was an angel on earth and her work here not yet complete.

By now the first Mother’s Day after mom’s move was approaching. 
Mom was doing well enough to come home for the day to enjoy dinner 
and spend time with the family. 
We all were looking forward to the outing mom would take to be with us.
 I cooked and cleaned to make everything just right.
 I prayed for our day to be as special as could be, and it was.

I can still see mom as my husband brought her home for the day visit.
 He wheeled her up the walkway in her wheelchair and my heart beat quicker with the excitement to entertain my mother. 
She was dressed in a pretty lavender suit. 
The color was gorgeous against her pretty silver hair.
 A little blush on her cheeks brought out those gorgeous brown eyes that danced and glistened like the pearls around her neck.
 It was easy to see how happy she was to be in our home for Mother’s Day.

Dinner was wonderful as we all talked and laughed sharing family memories.
 I played the piano for mom and we sang her favorite hymns. 
We went outside on the patio to enjoy the sunshine of this perfect day continuing the laughter and family stories.

As the day came to an end, I cleared the dining room table and cleaned the kitchen as mom sat by talking and laughing just like many times before. 
What a gift when I look back. How fast time marches on as life moves us forward.

When it was time to take mom back, we all rode along to settle her in her pretty room for the night. We gathered to say a prayer as we always did in parting, knowing we had been blessed once again with a memory that would last us forever. 

Mom passed away just 3 and half months later.
 Just 14 weeks from that special Mother’s Day and last dinner.
The last time she would ever be in my home. The last time I would see her in that gorgeous lavender suit, hear her voice at the dinner table and see her generous smile. 
 With fragile hands, mom stroked my hair as we said goodbye.
 Thanked me for a lovely dinner and special day.

 I can still see her hand wave as we walked out of her pretty room.
 “See you tomorrow, we all said.”  
Tomorrow's did come and go in those weeks before mom took her final move to heaven.
 Looking back  on those days were the best of my life.  Times in which I learned so much from my mother.  
The one who always had a smile on her face and kind word for all.  
Generous to a fault and a giver of time.  
 Encouraging and a cheerleader to everyone.
Learning's that will never have a last time!

This Mother’s Day will once again give me the moments to look into my heart and reopen that gift from the past. 
 It will be a time to be thankful for the dear mother I was blessed with and the mom I hope and pray I can be, set by her example.

Mom used to say to cherish the moments, 
take time to be kind
 and in all ways ask God to direct our path.
 Insightful words from a wise lady. 

I hope your days are special
 and blessed by gifted moments
 shared with family, friends and Mothers.     
 (c)Celestina Marie

Many Blessings Always.

Crazy Aunt Sherry's Pasta Salad!

***********HAPPY MAY DAY**********

In my quest to celebrate 10 years of blogging and share blog posts from the past,
I thought I'd repost this one from a few years ago!

Let me begin by saying,

this has nothing to do with all my blog friends named Sherry.

It is just the title for this dish.

However, if you are feeling a little crazy you can name it after yourself.

Anyway, this salad recipe was in my towns monthly

electric company magazine several years ago.

Members or employees of the company send in their recipes and they are published.

My family loves a great pasta salad so I gave this one a try.

Crazy Aunt Sherry's Pasta Salad

1 16 oz. box bow tie pasta (I used a pasta I had on hand)

1 red onion~ I used white

1 green bell pepper~ I used 2

2 Roma tomatoes~ I used 4

1 cucumber, again I used 1 and a half 

1 1/2 cups sugar~ I used less and it was fine, 3/4 cup

1/2 cup vegetable oil~I used canola oil

1 cup white vinegar~ I used half white and half wine vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons mustard~ 

the recipe did not say powdered or prepared mustard 

so I used prepared and mixed well.

1 tablespoon parsley flakes

Cook pasta according to box directions, drain and set aside.

Chop or dice all veggies and set aside

For the Dressing

Mix the liquid and powder ingredients together well.

Add chopped veggies to the pasta.

Pour dressing over the mixture and mix well.

Can be served right away or best when refrigerated for a few hours or overnight.

Will fill a 9" X 13" serving dish.

Delicious!!

and perfect for a springtime and summer picnic, BBQ or potluck.

As you can see, I altered it a bit for our own taste using more veggies and 

changed the vinegar.

It was delicious!

**Just a note**

if you add a lot more veggies you may have to adjust the dressing to

have enough to coat well.

I also think adding mushroom to this would be good as well.

Recipe courtesy of CoServ Electrical Company in North Texas.

If you try it, let me know what you think.

~Enjoy~

Have a great May Day!!

I'll be away from my studio this week, but see you soon!