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…
Yesterday I spent the majority of my day in the kitchen. It rained in the morning so I figured, why not get an early start on canning some fruits and vegetables. I cleaned my farmhouse kitchen twice, canned dill pickles for the first time, and then got some peaches into mason jars, too. I’m inspired to cook…
Today I have such a fun and cute house to share with you! Touring this charming home will put a smile on your face and you’ll soon understand why Krista calls her blog, The Happy Housie. The cheerful colors in each cottage style room will leave you feeling light-hearted and happy as you enjoy each room….
If you’re an avid gardener looking to do something a little different, you might want to consider adding a water garden to your landscape so you can enjoy the many varieties and colors of beautiful water lilies. There’s something so special about these colorful jewels. (All photos courtesy of Aquascape, Inc.) I have to confess…
When the kids were little our favorite place to vacation was Hilton Head Island. I love that island with its graceful palmetto trees, saw grass beaches, and beautiful coastal homes. Like Hilton Head living, coastal style decorating is carefree and beach-inspired. For today’s Humpdays with Houzz, I’ve rounded up 5 ideas for adding coastal style…
Sweet potatoes in July? Sure, why not? Sweet potatoes are available year-round but typically eaten in the fall. They’ve been stereotyped as a holiday food but I love ’em and enjoy them any time of the year. I especially like them baked in the skin but decided to try something different. I wanted to braise…
We’ve been having some fabulous weather here in the Midwest … enough rain for the garden and plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Of course, this means the weeds are growing like gangbusters and in order for me to get out in the garden as much as possible, I need to simplify things indoors. As part of…
