The Stone Rabbit

Patriotic Decorating

 

I love this stretch of time----between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  I don't adore the hot weather, but I am crazy about pulling out my patriotic decorations and enjoying the dickens out of them.

Today, I'll share a little of what I'm up to in the patriotic decorating department.  First, here is my concrete Uncle Sam.  This is his second year to reside in front of my Home Run roses. I think I must have a love affair with concrete stuff.  My three verandas are concrete, as well as THE STONE RABBIT and his many little friends.  Anyway, I bought Uncle Sam at the Greenwood Garden Show last year.  He has a few inches of rebar coming out of this "feet" (base) and he is about 34 inches tall.  My husband pounded a long, hollow, metal pipe into the spot where I wanted him located.  The rebar piece goes right into the pipe and Uncle Sam stays firmly in place.

 

Uncle Sam proudly holds the American flag, which is wildly waving in our strong Missouri wind.

On a wall of my Breezeway Veranda, I have another favorite patriotic decoration.  I bought this flag holder from Vickie who owned Old Glory in Greenwood, MO.. Sadly, her shop was destroyed in a fire a few years ago, but she now has an amazing location in the back of the Greenwood Antique Mall. I think she has even more space now.  She specializes in Americana decor---antique and new.  Her skills at selection and display of product is outstanding.  I am amazed every time I stroll through her area in the mall.

Even the Mop Bucket Herb Garden is sporting a little flag.  Most of the herbs are thriving.

 

Unfortunately, the Rosemary bit the dust.  I replaced it with Mint.  I know that baby will live!!  I look forward to a Mint Julep or two on the various Verandas again this year. 

THE STONE RABBIT loves my  little collection of 48 Star Flags.  He said he loves this time of year, too.  The hot weather doesn't bother him and he thinks his coloring pops when surrounded by the patriotic hues.

He can get pretty cocky at times.                 Dana

 

Planting Hints

 

It was a fairly nice day for Missouri!  The temp was "warmish", the sun was sorta shining, and the wind wasn't at gale force .  Actually, for Missouri, it was a pretty darned good day to do a little planting.

I filled my vintage berry tote with some of the basics.  First, my new gardening shoes (a gift from Bonnie).  My tug boat size feet feel very lovely in these cuties. Next I have my trowel and adorable gardening gloves (I mentioned earlier I love to use "exam" gloves for this type of work).  I fixed a glass of iced tea. The green "watering can"---I know it's plastic, but I still call it a can---was a gift many years ago from my mom.  She tried so hard to pass her gardening skills on to her eldest, but it just didn't take.  I do cherish the little "can" she gave me.  Lastly, I have my phone.

I decided to tackle the two pitiful Boston ferns I had purchased some time ago.  They were lush then.  Now, they were losing leaves by the second.  They were not in good shape and they needed to be put into two old plastic pots that fit perfectly into my imitation concrete fern urns.  Hmmmm "Fern Urn"--that has a pleasant ring.

As I pulled out the plastic pots, I was saddened to see the bottom of one was shattered!  None of the other plastic pots I had was the right size!!! Too small, too wide, too tall.  The perfect pot had a cracking underside----there was no way the dirt would stay in it.

Not wanting to rush out and spend my time and gas money searching for another  pot, I decided to try one of my favorite techniques--Duck or duct (?) tape.  I love that stuff!

I've never taped the bottom back to the rest of a pot before, but why not give it a try?

Here's how it looked when my masterful repair job was complete. Pretttttttty nifty, I must say.

Now, for a gardening hint!!!  I hate bending over or squatting (my knees and back just don't co-operate with that these days) to pot my plants.  So, over time, I have developed my own "mobile potting bench" of sorts. 

I start by turning over a plastic trash can and placing the lid on the bottom (which is now the top).  I use that space as the area to place the pot.  The lid catches the wayward dirt that accumulates during the potting process.  Then just pour the excess dirt  back into the bag when you're finished!  I place my vintage office chair to one side of the mobile potting bench and position my bag of soil there.  Everything is accessible for easy potting without bending.  Creativity at its highest level!!!!  Well, that and being too cheap to buy a real potting bench.

 

The fern is placed in the repaired pot on top of the "mobile potting bench" and  is ready for a splendid growing season.   (Crossing my fingers right now.)

 

THE STONE RABBIT was watching me re-pot my ferns.  He loves gardening and especially enjoys tender young plants.  He wanted me to share with you the sweet little flowers he planted.  Unfortunately, he and his friends nibbled them down to little stubs before I could get a picture to share.  He thought if he posed next to the planter Bonnie made for me (for Easter!!!  Doesn't it still look great?)  that you would think it was one he had planted.

Stone Rabbits can be so devious.         Dana

Time for Tea

It's really Jill's (Bittersweet Soap) fault that I starting blogging in the first place.  She introduced me to her blog.  From there I read another and another and another.  I was certifiably "hooked".  One of the first blogs, after Jill's, that I fell in love with was Susan's from T-Party Antiques and Tea Room.

Recently, I spotted this sweet little tea pot on Susan's blog and decided it would make a perfect Mother's Day gift to ME.  I could hardly wait until it arrived---I was sooo excited I took a photo of it!

Susan is turning 50 soon and in honor of that milestone (you youngin' you, Susan!) she is having a fantastic give-away on her blog.  You'll have to hurry up and check it out cuz the sign-up ends soon.  Go to www.tparty.typepad.com..  I hope I win, but if you do, it's OK, too.

As I was about to pour myself a cup of tea from Susan's pot, I thought about my collection of aluminum tea pots.  I've never researched them for age or manufacturer.  I don't think they're of much monetary value. (I would never pay too much for one because that's no fun!!!). They have value to me because I love their sweet shapes and imperfections.

I don't use them except to decorate with.  Right now I have them in my "studio"---that's a stretch--I'll call it my "workroom".  I display them on a rail that is on one wall.  One of these days, when I have the room in order (don't hold your breathe on that), I will take some photos of how cute they look there.

  THE STONE RABBIT  saw me grouping them together so I could take a picture of them and he just had to hop right in the middle----he is not camera shy.  He asked if he could fix himself a pot of tea using one of the pots.

I rarely turn down his requests, so I told him to pick one out.  Actually, I think he selected the very first one I ever purchased!  He has an eye for great finds, too.

Then I asked him if he wanted to use one of my husband's favorite cups from which to sip his tea. He rolled his eyes and told me to "Bring out the good ones."

I quickly ran to the kitchen and fetched my favorite set----one Bonnie and I recently found at an antique mall.  It's made in England and called "Liberty Blue", Historic Colonial Scenes.

I told him he'd better not break it.

Dana                                                                                                    

Memorial Day Preparations

After draping the bunting and washing the vintage glassware, THE STONE RABBIT awaits his Memorial Day Guests.    Dana

One Project Finished

Before this was this, there was...................

 

 

A can of spray paint for plastic and an ugly plastic planter.

The ugly plastic planter was placed in a box (to prevent painting my husband's lush, green lawn a dreadful shade of black) and donning one of my favorite gardening and craft tools (EXAM GLOVES!), the spraying began.......

A light coat on one side.....

Painted all around and waiting for it to dry ( didn't bother with much of the inside---dirt will cover that up) ....

Filled with a variety of plants and perched on a vintage metal stand (which also could use a new coat of paint).........

A little grouping to add some interest.....

We are set---THE STONE RABBIT loves his spot on the front veranda.    Dana

A Visit to Liberty

Last Saturday morning was glorious in our part of Missouri.  The sun was shining, it was warm, and the sky was blue. Because of this fantastic set of weather conditions, Bonnie and I decided to take a trip to Liberty ( just a few minutes from Independence) and check out their Farmers Market. Jill, of Bittersweet Boutique, had recently posted (on 5-16-08) about "Spring on the Square"---also happening last Saturday. So, yee-haw, two possible fun events rolled into one spot!

As we approached the Farmers Market, wouldn't you know the very first plant I saw was this gorgeous geranium!  It was mocking me.  It just sensed how badly I wanted to grab it by its pot and take it home....and it knew I couldn't because of my track record of killing geraniums.   OOOOOOH, I wanted it so much.  Tears were filling my eyes.  I was pulling out my wallet.

Bonnie elbowed me and said "SNAP OUT OF IT"! ..... We moved on.

Here we checked out some rose bushes and beautiful hanging plants---- packed with assorted flowers.  There were geraniums hiding within the sea of florals.  I saw them!!!  I closed my eyes, turned around and went on.

Look at those beautiful petunias!  I don't fair too well with them, either.  My mom's petunias just bloomed their little heads off all summer.  Mine died.  No matter how much I "pinched 'em back"---they just got leggier and spindlier and finally (and mercifully) croaked.

Now this is a booth that just called out to me.....and I came a runnin'.  This family bakes and sells the most delicious breads and pies.  THE BREAD OF LIFE is from Stewartsville, MO.  What draws me to them is their use of natural and organic ingredients in their products.  I sprung for 4 loaves of bread, a tri-berry pie and a big ol' cinnamon roll. ( Bonnie and I were in need of a snack after working so hard "strolling" through the Farmers Market.)

 

  I loved this booth.  Check out the list of offerings.  Not too bad---everything from water to turkey legs to trash bags.  In this day and age you've got to diversify!

When we reached the crafts booths ( part of the Spring on the Square celebration) we saw this couple.  They are Chuck and Linda Collier of Council Bluffs, IA.  They own HAMMERMAN CREATIONS ( [email protected]).  Oh, are they ever a talented pair!!!

Chuck designs and creates his yard art and Linda adds the finishing touches.

They use "reclaimed" items---from enamel pans to wagon wheels, high chairs, metal bread boxes, bicycle parts---to incorporate into their phenomenal designs.

My photos will not do justice to their creative work, but they said it  was OK to share some of their items with you.  This is a bird bath----he adds hand made birdhouses to many of his items.  Check out the "Pool Rules" and "No Cats" signs.  Love the enamel pan perched on top of the old post base.  I couldn't leave without this----and I didn't.

An old highchair is now a bird feeder!  Isn't this too cute?
 

Don't you just love this red chair---turned into a birdbath?  Bonnie nabbed this!

 

 This amazing creation combined parts of an old iron be, a rusty tricycle, an old metal breadbox and assorted metal wheels. 

What a small world it is!  Just as we were drooling over these charming designs I saw a former high school classmate checking out some of their wares, too!  (Judy on the left, Linda, and me on the right.)  Judy was showing off her yummy finds of fresh strawberries and rhubarb! What a great surprise to see her there!!!

Continuing around the square, we saw a booth selling hot dogs and lemonade----very popular, cuz it was nearly noon.

The thought of eating a hot dog was quickly discarded when we spied this spot.  It was wonderful----we had to pried out of our chairs when we finished.

After lunch, we continued our stroll around the square---this is a shot of the courthouse.

On the stage was "Mr. Stinky Feet", Jim Cosgrove.  He's a local entertainer who creates songs for children.  He appeared to be a big hit.

Liberty's police department was on hand---the officers in shorts were on bicycles. :-)

As we were about to leave the square, I spotted Barb in her booth (barbthesoaplady@msn.com).  We have been fellow vendors at a variety of sales.  She makes her own line of bath and body products.  She also makes those sweet, fluffy flip-flops.

We returned to Linda and Chuck's booth and picked up our buys.  Chuck loaded up our treasures and we headed to the car.

Just as Chuck was ready to load up our buys THE STONE RABBIT hopped out of the car and right into his hands!  He was pretty surprised to see a concrete bunny show such enthusiasm over his creations, but he was tickled pink!!

Before we headed home, Bonnie and I decided to stop by Jill's for her Bittersweet Saturday Boutique. We wanted to shop and Bonnie needed to get a drink of water.  Jill sent Bonnie up to the kitchen for water while she stayed outside with me.  She hadn't met THE STONE RABBIT in person!  She was impressed with his conversational style!

Bonnie had been gone for quite some time, so I went inside to check on her---and I was SHOCKED when I caught her PILFERING! 

 She loves cats, so she decided to get Jill's wooden kitty right off her computer hutch.  THEN she went after the food!  (By that time of day she was gettin  hungry again.)  The coffee pot just caught her eye. 

While I was convincing Bonnie to "put the stuff back!", Jill was showing THE STONE RABBIT her beautiful new brick steps and recently planted nasturtiums.  She never knew what happened in the kitchen.....whew!      Dana

The Little Yellow Cottage

 Isn't this a great  porch? This is the front entry to my hair stylist's shop!    

She turned this little yellow cottage into a great business location!

Here we are, a little closer.  You can see she has LOTS of geraniums.  I don't, because they die at my house.  If I don't do something to them, the little bugs or critters do.

Look at this healthy beauty in the vintage shopping cart!  My, oh, my.......that looks like a project I could pull off. . . .just not with a geranium----I could probably use a fern.  I rarely kill those.

I got real close on this one---just to check if she had any critters munching on this beautiful plant. 

Nope---it was bug free!!

How does she do it?

Ah, haw!!!!! Here's her nifty little birdhouse cleverly positioned right in the midst of all those geraniums.  THAT MUST BE IT!!!  Those birds probably keep the critters at bay!  What a great gardening idea.  She must be a "master gardener".  Only a "master gardener" would know a trick like that!

When I came home,  THE STONE RABBIT saw how really nice and curly my hair looked after Deb fixed it. (I am curl-impaired and can never achieve the level of curling excellence she does.  I could win a Harpo Marx Look Alike Contest when I get through with it.)  He asked if he could get an appointment for himself sometime.  He really likes the way his buddy CURLY looks.  I told him CURLY'S hair was natural, just like mine,  but maybe Deb could give him a little perm some day!  :) 

Dana

 

Sunday Morning on the Patio

AHHHHH...... finally..... a beautiful, warm, Sunday morning!

SOOOOO peaceful and warm.  Sorry, I already said warm, didn't I?  We just haven't had too much of it yet.

Anyway, now's my chance to settle in on the back patio and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

Yes, indeedy, here I am------ sitting on the patio.  I have a delicious cup of freshly brewed Dunkin Donuts coffee plus the Sunday paper and a few of my favorite store ads---I am a happy woman!! Oh, yes.  Life is good.

THE STONE RABBIT grabbed the sports section--he loves to read about the Royals!

Frankie snatched the funnies.  He always saves his favorite for last---GARFIELD.

OLD GOOSE even joined us.  He is nearly as old as THE STONE RABBIT----more than 25 years!   I found him in the sporting goods section of a store near us.  Canadian geese were very popular to decorate with back then(I know you young whipper-snappers are going "oh, yeah??????").  Our eyes met and I was a goner.  He's a decoy---his head turns--and he has the sweetest face.  He sat on our patio at the old house.  Here, he resides on the sidewalk by the garage---he's got a nice view of the street.

OLD GOOSE loves to check out the ads from sporting goods stores.  He told me today he was looking for a goose call.  His advancing years have weakened his "honk"---he thought he could lessen the stress on his throat if he had a vocal aid. 

THE STONE RABBIT and OLD GOOSE have been buddies for such a long time.  They help each other out---like right now. THE STONE RABBIT is holding the paper up for OLD GOOSE so he can see a little better.(His eyesight is not what it used to be).  Old friends, indeed.

AHHH, yes, the birds are singing, the breeze is blowing, the sun is shining in the cloudless sky.  Sipping coffee and reading the paper with my little buddies-----what a life.

WHAT IS THAT NOISE?

Oh, RATS, the neighbor has just cranked up his mower!   MAN, I think his wife just started the leaf blower.  SON OF A GUN, their son must've  pulled out the weed-eater.  CRUD, I know that's a great family bonding activity--------but not NOW!

This racket could go on for hours.

I think I'm going to crawl back in bed.   Dana

 

A Circle of Friends

                                                                                                                   

                                           

"Circle of Friends".......it can grow or decrease in size or even disappear with our life changes.

Sadly, when I graduated from college and started working, I no longer kept in touch with my "college circle of friends"---my group of "teacher friends" became my new circle.   Again, when I was able to retire for awhile and stay home with my small children, that circle, once so strong and full of fun, vanished.  Smaller circles formed now, basically because of my children and their activities. Baseball circle.  PTA circle.  Ballet Circle. The dreaded Carpool Circle. During that time in my life--- when my kids were so little--- another circle started to grow.

Several of us attended the same church and our kids went to the same parochial school.  We found ourselves involved with many of the same activities.  As time went by we discovered we had  similar interests and goals, but mainly, we just enjoyed the company of each other. We bonded and connected and our friendships grew.

Later, many of us returned to the work force and our schedules became complicated with our jobs and our families.  Yet, we made sure we had time together to help maintain our connections.

At first, that time came in the form of do-nuts and coffee in the cafeteria after church services. The kids ran wild and we visited---it was the best we could do.  However, we were later able to establish a monthly outing at a restaurant, where we could eat dinner(we were WAY past the do-nut stage) and visit. We called ourselves the "First Wednesday Dinner Club"---not a real catchy title, but at least we could all remember when we were to gather for our monthly "catch up"!    A few years went by and even the First Wednesday concept became complicated. The older the kids became, the more difficult it was to carve out the time for our friends.  The dinner club just faded away.  BUT a little group of us, still wanting to maintain our close connections, realized we could adjust our schedules and meet once a week--- for breakfast (food is always involved with us!).  The Breakfast Group---that was us. (Again, not a catchy name---we have issues with creativity sometimes).  We were three good buddies who wanted to stay connected.  Time went by and our breakfast numbers increased by three more as others had schedule changes which allowed them to attend.

I guess most of us have been friends for close to 25 years now.  I can not believe that much time as gone by, but it has and I find it an amazing blessing to have maintained such a strong circle this long.

We've experienced a lot together. We've watched our kids attend school---elementary to college.  We've hosted bridal showers. We've hosted baby showers. We've attended funerals of parents. We've taken day trips together. We've helped each other move.  We've cried together and laughed a lot. We've marched in a couple of St. Patrick's Day Parades. We've shopped at each other's garage sales. We've shared and plotted and planned.  We're thick, we're friends.

       

Because we are friends, we try really hard to remember each other's birthday. Nothing big (unless it's a milestone number---then we get a really great brunch at one of our homes---always about the food), just a little card and a cheap gift exchange....a small way to make that day a bit more special for the birthday girl. 

 

That being said, we just recently celebrated Patty's Birthday.  In case you're wondering about our location that day----it was in the cafeteria of HY-VEE!       Gads.       There I said it---- HY-VEE.  I NEVER thought we would reach the age where HY-VEE was one of our meeting spots for anything, other than buying groceries.  However, their food is cheap, there's always lots of tables available, the bathrooms are close and we can grocery shop after breakfast!  We are, after all, fairly practical ladies.

As I said, this was Patty's birthday.  I don't recall what she was saying to me as I snapped the above photo and asked her, "Is it OK for me to put this on my blog?"  I think it was something like, "Will you STOP that blog stuff--you're driving us crazy"!!!!  It doesn't appear that I listened.

 

Here's half of our group: L to R: Beth, me and the birthday girl, Patty.  She wasn't real thrilled with the gift she had just opened---she had just received another "Tater Twister" (that's a long story, I'll tell you about it another time.).

Here we have (L to R) Mary, Mary Ann and Beth.  They look really nice, don't they? They can be very ornery! Really.

Last, we have Laura on the left and Mary Ann on the right and in the middle is Mary Ann's mom.  We were so lucky she was able to celebrate Patty's birthday with us. She's very up on computer lingo.  When I asked her if it was OK if I put her on my blog she started using words like "Google" and "web site".  She's impressive in interests and looks (isn't she beautiful?  Shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but she recently celebrated her 92nd birthday!).  What a doll.

I have other little "circles", but this is my oldest circle of friends--- I can always count on them and will always cherish our special connection----I hope they feel the same about me.

THE STONE RABBIT pointed out that he felt the same way about his little circle of friends.  They stick together in all kinds of weather.  Their relationship is very "concrete", food is involved whenever possible and sometimes they have a guest.           Dana

                       

Not Your Ordinary Mop Bucket

                                                                

This wonderful old mop bucket was given to me by  Bonnie as a housewarming gift three years ago.  She purchased it at our favorite outdoor antique show in the Kansas City area, The Bingham-Wagner Antique Sale. It was filled with the most beautiful flowers.  I continued putting flowers in it the following two summers, but this year I decided to try to use it as a "mini herb garden".

Recently, I bought a few herbs at our Garden Sale on the Independence Square and I picked up some more later. I decided to use basil, chives, oregano, thyme, cilantro, rosemary, parsley----and I even chose a little lavender plant. I had no real basis for any of the selections, except that they were all different shapes and eventual heights---and they smelled good.

This is how the bucket looked right after I planted the herbs.  I have no idea how this will work--those plants are crammed in there---not much room for growth.  We'll see---it may be filled with flowers next year if this approach fails.  I just won't put any geraniums in it (I kill them--I don't want to, they just die).

   

THE STONE RABBIT and his friends put their seal of approval on the project.  That made me happy----he can be hard to please at times.

This shows the plants one week later.  I found the plant markers buried deep in a cabinet in the garage.  Laura had given them to me a very long time ago. I find it hard to pass up something I could eventually use.  My problem is locating the items when the time comes that I can actually use them.  I have eight plants and five markers.  RATS. I wish I would've counted my markers before I bought all of those plants. Guess I'm gonna need to actually buy some more---well, maybe I can remember the unmarked plants.  Probably not.  Maybe I could make markers out of something else I have around the house. hmmmmmm (I'm thinking here).           GOT IT!

My husband is so good about using items from my kitchen for his garage projects (my metal measuring cups for dreadful liquid stuff---oil or POISON LAWN CHEMICALS; dish cloths for drying his riding lawn mower; kitchen knives for cutting non-food type items such as a garden hose or weed eater cord----the list is really long).  Perhaps I could find something in the garage that would make great plant markers!! 

It didn't take too long before I located the perfect items.

I made THE STONE RABBIT pose with my darling plant markers.  I'll bet they even get a little rusty as the season goes by---that'll look very nice with the rusted mop bucket!

I am definitely pleased with how this particular one turned out--it really makes a statement.

In a word---CUTE!  I'm certain my husband will think so, too!

Feel free to use this idea for your plant markers---it's quirky, it's fun, it's free.    A bit of advice, however, hammers don't work too well.    Dana