Turk's Cap

This is one of my favorite garden plants.  First of all, because if I neglect it, it doesn't die.  Second, because it can grow in shade or sun.  In shade it gets lanky and tall like in this photo, and in sun it looks more like a bush.  Third, the flowers are such a bright tropic red they just pop out of their green background.  Fourth, they are perennials so they don't have to be replanted.  Is that enough reasons?

The Haunted Tent

My grandchildren started planning for Halloween in August.  I tried various activities with them - making candy, decorating the dollhouse for Halloween, and getting down all the decorations for our house.  But what they really enjoyed is making plans for the Haunted Tent.  Next week we'll set it up in the back yard, and they will get to scare their parents, grandpa, and uncle and aunt!  What could be better?

Kindle Cover

My son gave me a Kindle for Christmas.  It was getting scratched up in my purse, so I made this cover for it.   My friend was using a sock for hers, so I made her one too.

Vegan at the Steakhouse

What did the vegan order at the steakhouse?  No, it's not a joke.  It's my dilemma every weekend.  After eating my vegan cooking all week, my husband is always ready for a steak dinner at a good restaurant on the weekend.  So what did I order?  A house salad without cheese, a baked sweet potato without any toppings, sauteed mushrooms (to put on the potato), and asparagus.  It was plenty to eat and I just ignored the fact that the mushrooms were sauteed in butter.

Grateful for Green

When we were visiting a church in a small town, the person giving the prayer said, "We're grateful for the recent rains that have filled our tanks and greened up our fields."  Those words came to mind today, seeing our formerly parched lawn starting to "green up."

Volunteers

These sunflowers pop up in my flower bed every year.  They don't go with the landscaping plan, but I keep them in anyway.  They feed the birds and they make me smile.

Pretty Pumpkins

                                                  

Yes, this is an activity to do with grandchildren. My grandson would never pass up the chance to work with sharp objects. So it does require lots of supervision. These pretty pumpkins are made with craft store pumpkins, ordinary straight pins, small clear beads, and sequins.

Draw your design on a foam pumpkin from the craft store.  Then load a straight pin with a clear bead and a sequin, and push in the pin.  Use a thimble on your finger.  The perfect activity for a rainy afternoon.