This summer we grew cucumbers specifically so I could pickle them. I’ve never made dill pickles before and wanted an easy recipe. A couple years ago I bought a canning magazine and it had the perfect recipe! I’m happy to say the pickling process was easy and the dill pickles are tasty! I had…
Water in the landscape is becoming more and more popular and it’s easy to see why. The sound of running water, whether it’s a small fountain or impressive waterfall, is soothing and relaxing. Not to mention water gardens are so pretty! But if you’re not ready to jump in and get both feet wet with a full-fledged pond,…
White kitchens seem to be popular these days, but strong colors look great in the kitchen, too! I thought it would be fun to share a collection of colorful kitchens for today’s Humpdays with Houzz. Let me know which one is your favorite! Farmhouse Kitchen by Sharon Architects & Building Designers Rafe Churchill Let’s start…
Hubby and I have officially started painting the outside of our house. And let me tell ya, it’s a lot of work … lots of scraping and some boards need to be replaced. Not to mention we have a lot of trim to paint in a few different colors. But before all that got started,…
Today I’m so excited to share a charming vintage home tour with you … … from the blog Q is for Quandie! Linda is a girl after my own heart, with a love of all things vintage! Take a look … This is Linda’s summer cottage that sits on her property. She currently uses it…
If you read a variety of blogs you may have noticed the “Tour through Blogland” series. Bloggers write a bit about themselves and some will share a couple of their favorite blogs to visit. Cynthia at Cloches and Lavender asked me to partipicate. Cynthia just moved into this new home she and her hubby planned…
We’ve had wonderful weather this summer! In fact, I have yet to turn on the air conditioning. I think that’s a first for me. Usually we’ve had steamy 90 degree days by now. With summer comes the opportunity to guest post on some of my fellow bloggers’ blogs, with everyone busy taking vacations. This week I guest…
Not too too far from our house is beautiful Lake Shabbona, named after Chief Shabaney of the Potawatomi Nation. The lake is situated in the middle of Lake Shabbona State Park and is home to a variety of fish, including muskie, blue gill, bass, catfish, and more. When I was just a wee girl, my grandparents would…
Gardening has always been one of my favorite hobbies. For me, the yard and landscape is like a blank canvas to brush a sea of flowers on it. I love digging up perennials, dividing them, and moving them around. The garden is ever-evolving and never ceases to be a work in progress. Keeping garden tools…
Wow. I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through July. I want summer to slow down because I’m a warm weather gal and I feel so alive during the summer months. The earth is bursting with flowers and plants, the birds are singing, the butterflies are winging, and I feel like Mr. Bluebird’s on my…
For at least 20 years I’ve been a fan of country decor and it’s certainly changed and evolved during that time. Country style decorating has become more sophisticated and its horizons have broadened. Today you’ll see country decor in cottage, farmhouse, and even modern style homes … yes, there’s actually a style called Modern Country! Country…
Today’s charming suburban home is the perfect example of how to marry comfort and beauty for today’s busy lifestyle. Courtney at Golden Boys and Me proves her resourcefulness as she leads you through DIY projects in her home … some of which are truly genius. I love her sense of style and use of color….
Yesterday when I came home from work I saw a flash of beautiful pink out in the garden. That’s when I realized my oriental lilies were in bloom. Just a couple of the buds were open. And now today, several of them are blooming their hearts out … and they’re just gorgeous! So pretty! I…
Would you believe me if I told you I never ate guacamole until a few years ago? It’s true! Avocados were never a part of my childhood diet … we never had them in our house. Ever. Since Mom said avocados didn’t taste good, I simply believed her and never tried them. But one…
Summer is front porch sittin’ time … that is, if you’re not at the beach, peddling a bike down a shaded trail, or enjoying a picnic with family and friends. When I have a few moments to myself, I love to sit out on our front porch. It’s peaceful and shaded and perfectly situated to capture…
Cool blues are always a refreshing color palette when it comes to summer decorating. As part of the summer edition of Seasons of Home, I’m sharing a very simple tutorial on how you can create a summer coastal centerpiece in just a few minutes. Seasons of Home is a group of bloggers who share seasonal…
