Has it really been that long?

Oh My-lanta! I seriously have neglected this little corner of my world haven't I? So sorry and hope this finds everyone healthy and happy. So much has happened I have no clue how to sum it all up, so instead I shall just carry on as if I had my act together.

Fall has finally arrived in our little corner of the world. My majestic tree in the yard went from a glorious supple green to shriveled black overnight. Just once I crave to see some beautiful fall color appear instead of this sudden death we so often experience. Ironically we have already had two snowfalls this year, but not such cold until now. I will miss the brilliant warmth of the sun. Cold is frankly not my cup of tea.

Last week we were delighted to share the 1st birthday milestone with our sweet little Princess and her parents. I have no clue how it came to be that she is already past a year old, walking, talking, and pure daredevil.

We also learned the same day that this little Princess will be the big sister to another Princess in March 2012! This rather complicates the postings so it appears new names are in order for all the girls lol!

May you all have a wonderful day filled with much happiness and love.

It beginning to look a lot like Christmas

As I write the dreaded white stuff is piling up outside my door and making mayhem of the local roadways. Blogger won't let me share photos today, so you will have to take my word for it instead :(. My plans were to finish my Christmas shopping tonight, however I will wait and take my chances next week in the floods that are expected instead.

I still have all my Christmas baking, candy making, and general kitchen mess to do so it will happen this weekend instead. Can already smell that peanut brittle and fudge can't you? Hoping to get a few dozen rolls in the freezer too if I get time.

Mostly have the presents wrapped except for those last minute items currently showing in transit tracking numbers but still have stocking shopping left to do. Think I will go the Dollar Store route this year for something a bit easier on the pocket book.

We have a new housemate for a indefinite period of time as Prince's daughter has moved in with us. Not exactly what I had in mind, but what's a girl to do? Will muddle through one way or another.

The new baby Princess is growing like a weed, already up to 10.5lb and had her first shots with Mom shedding more tears than baby. She LOVES the lights and all the sparkle at Grammy's house so that helps a bit with the lacking Christmas spirit here for sure. Prince and his new wife are flying in next week, which will be a surprise for Princess as she was told they couldn't afford to fly this year. Rotten liars we are, but it will make our Christmas a bit more special.

In case I get lost in a drift, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May you be surrounded by love, peace, warmth, and safety wherever you are this season!

The Wicked Witch isn't dead after all....

Holy time warp Batman! Where has the time gone? Well, perhaps these will give you a tiny clue of what is happening around the old Gazing Ball homestead.


First of all was my son's wedding in July. Yeah, I know its already October, but I don't recover like I used to ya know?





Here are my beautiful babies (complete with one on the way). Clean up purdy good for kids I think. No one can rock camo at a wedding like my son!


The entire gang for the obligatory photo session, but frankly they are boring. We do better if you don't stick us in a line up.



Sealed with a kiss! The outdoor ceremony went off without a hitch. All the hard work on the flowers made it a color extravaganza! All in all, it was amazing and the couple is happily living the married life.




Now, if that weren't enough excitement for one year, hold on to your hats. Let me introduce you to our new family member! Welcome Miss Summer!

So, I'll spare you the gory details for the zillion other reasons I have been absent. Maybe life will settle into a dull roar shortly. Hope everyone is enjoying fall and is ready for a wicked Halloween as well!

I am getting too old for this...

Well, it's official. I now have two adult married children. Seems like this day was always just a far away thought.

Now, how I have managed for 6 days on only a total of 12 hours sleep and over 2200 miles of driving is beyond me. Let's just say that my focus is a bit fuzzy, so excuse me while I run off for a nap!

Wild ride

So sorry to appear to have dropped off the map everyone. The last few months have been total chaos with no end in sight. I left my old job, started a new one, and am frantically doing last minute preparations for my son's wedding next weekend. I will be out of touch for awhile, but still try to swing by and read others as I can. Forgive me if I don't take time to comment while I am there. Hope everyone is having a terrific summer!

Its a boy!

No this is not an optical illusion friends. Meet the new "pocket puppy". We are still having a war over his name. Several choices exist, but let me explain how he came to be. As usual, I didn't chose this animal, I didn't ask for this animal, I didn't want another darn animal. Seriously, we already look like Old McDonald's farm around here! Last weekend, I was out pulling weeds when my Prince came to tell me the neighbors were here looking for Princess to show her what they found. Apparently, the neighbor dropped her pen next to her car, and when she bent down to retrieve it she noticed this white creature under the car. At first she screamed thinking it was a mouse or rat, but closer inspection revealed a tiny Chihuahua puppy. With a little coaxing, they were able to lure him out of hiding to safety.

We spent hours canvasing the neighborhood for his owner to no avail. He had a dreadful runny nose, but otherwise seemed very healthy and spunky. Very lucky pup as it was 90 degrees that day and the blacktop was scorching. So, Princess shows up at my house insisting we must keep him as the neighbor has MASSIVE playful dogs which didn't mix well with this tiny man. Next day, she took him to our vet who determined he is about 5 weeks old and weighs a grand total of 14 ounces. Antibiotics for the respiratory infection, possible future health issues due to balance, significant soft spot in his head, on and on. Since we lost our beloved Ralph, and Princess already has 3 dogs plus baby on the way, she pulled out the sad eyes and started coaxing my Prince to assume Dad duty for the little man.

His coloring is solid white except the mass of brown over his left eye and ear, some brown near his nose, and this one tiny brown spot on this head near his right ear. Immediately the name list began to grow. Princess started with Dot, which I vetoed as a sissy name for a boy. Prince insists on Spot or Fluffy, which Princess hates. Then Princess threw out Rocky, which is rather fitting for the obvious fights he has already had to endure in his short life to arrive here, and who knows what in the future. I have labeled him Trouble (and piss ant but not sure I want to yell that one in the backyard to call him in) for the little monster is faster than a speeding bullet and has zero fear. Takes on the other dogs, clueless that the 15 pound cat can knock him into next week, climbs on and over anything even if it takes him 20 tries-just plain trouble no matter how you slice it.

Now seriously, is this not a face only a mother can love or what?

He has already assumed his location as king of the hill, and no we didn't put him there, he four wheeled himself up Prince's chest like Spiderman.

So, for the first time ever, we are at a complete impasse as a family of what in the world to name this little creature. Any other brilliant suggestions out there in blog land? He can run like the wind, loves anything fuzzy, barks like a miniature squeaky toy, and is a snuggler when a nap attack strikes. He has also got to be the most squirmy dog ever seen. Poor Princess accidentally dropped him from her arms yesterday, which fortunately he is fine. Darn dog simply won't hold still unless he is sound asleep, but Princess is SO beating herself up over the accident she is still hysterical. Darn pregnancy hormones don't help poor girl.

Well, any suggestions? Votes? Comments like are you out of your flipping mind girl? And for the record, yes, I am.....

Its a girl!

Princess is finally developing the "baby bump" and we recently learned that she is carrying a girl!

Memorial Day

Just a quick note to remind everyone to take a moment this weekend of quiet reflection. Many brave soldiers have died in defense of our great nation and this holiday was created in their honor. While most of us take a collective sigh of relief at the gift of a long holiday weekend, others are still fighting for our luxury every moment of every day. Take a moment to count your blessings for the freedom we enjoy, and say a quiet moment of thanks to those who are responsible for making it all possible.

May everyone have a safe, peaceful weekend surrounded by family, friends, and much love! Happy Memorial Day and thank you to every veteran, soldier, and their families for all you are and do!

High wind warning-ya right!

Mother Nature is currently showing her destructive self in my corner of the world. I awoke this morning to silence. Well, not true, it was the loud earsplitting crashing sound of metal and wood but what disturbs my slumber is silence. See, Prince has a monumental case of sleep apnea. To say he snores would be a gross understatement. To combat these disturbing noises, I do what any red blooded chick would do and sleep with the TV on. Steady white noise to cancel the intermittent blasts of rumbling from the other side of my bed. That said, today I awoke to silence. No snoring, yep quick glance from my cocoon showed a vacant spot. Worse yet, the TV screen was black. Clock radio blinking that nausea inducing green flashes of 12:00...Hmm, power is off. Wander painfully to the kitchen for my morning dose of caffeine to jump start my heart.


Holy Bat shit call the police! No coffee. No power. No lights. No camera. PLENTY of action. My first mistake was walking to the back door. "uhhhmmm, Did the president call in the special forces to blow up our yard?" I mutter to the Prince. 4 inches from my backdoor lays my trusty gas grill with it's four burners and fancy side burner-upside down! Say it ain't so! Still more carnage lay strewn as far as my eyes can see. My large wooden arch with planters filled with dirt to anchor it lays in pieces on its side. Heavy metal birdbath transported sideways to the yard. Plastic lawn furniture scattered across the dance floor deck like ping pong balls. 4 foot trees and planters litter the paver area like lawn darts. Wind chimes resemble crumpled aluminum foil balls. Next door has a metal shed whose roof is flapping in the sustained 50 mph breeze like a fly swatter at a picnic. Fences posts splintered like take out chop sticks. Pretty sure my door mat is somewhere in the middle of Kansas by now. Large wicker chair is upside down on top of a tool chest against the wall of the house.


Alrighty then. Fast forward 6 hours. Power, check. TV, check. News flashes, not good. Power lines and trees down all over town. Fires from power lines. Road closures for overturned trucks. Oh, did I mention it's raining? Oh, did I mention it is turning to snow? Oh, did I mention it was 80 degrees on Saturday? Oh, did I mention I am sick of this? Yeah, I know could be worse. Could have been the devastation like the south picking up lives from a tornado, or the massive quakes that have claimed thousands. Selfish little me is just allowed to whine today about my own disaster area and the frantic search for spring! Forgive me, I'm off to refill my coffee and sulk........

PS. If you find my door mats, you can keep them, you're welcome.

I had a lovely email exchange with a spectacular blogger about her current landscape project. One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is the wonderful people I have had a chance to "meet" that normally never would have crossed my path in this world. Always a pleasure to exchange ideas, frustrations, plans with others who share your passion for certain topics. It should come as no surprise to my handful of readers that I have some real passions in life. One of the top ones is gardening. I confess I must use the term loosely at best. I plant things. Some live, most die. Regardless, my competitive nature makes this all the more a pleasure to me in the trial and error of learning what works and what doesn't. One thing I have learned is this. You can read all the books, study the little plant tags in nurseries, follow directions to the letter, and you will have some failures. Most would learn from these lessons. I on the other hand, tend to try again and again and again. Eventually one of two things happen. I give up in disgust, or I relish my success against the odds-even if it is only for one season. Gardening is not for the perfectionist or the faint of heart. Climates change, soil changes, light changes, sometimes on a daily basis.


I grew up in Iowa, home of the blackest, richest soil on this planet. I have HOURS of old home movies from my mother taken of her garden, peonies, and her prized roses. The woman had a green thumb for anything! We moved away when I was 13 and frankly I did not return until about 12 years ago, which was unfortunately during January when the normally mile high fields were nothing but barren soil. Well, I literally made my brother stop the car on the interstate overlooking a large stretch of open fields. I was in AWE of the bare field, littered with cornstalk remnants and untold piles of past cow wanderings (yeah, TMI I know). He was sure his little sister had lost her last marble as I gushed about the intense black gold for miles and miles. Mr. Ex-school principal was NOT impress by my random delay. My sister however, "got it" immediately as she has her own challenges in the Rocky Mountain soil. How I longed to dig deeply in that field and savor the smell, the feel, the potential of that fertile soil. Even considered discarding my belongings to fill my suitcase with all it would hold of the precious soil. Wacky I know. Instead, I came home to stare in horror at my own "field of dreams". Not so much.


I now live in the "high desert" climate (alleged Zone 5 for those who care) complete with hard pan clay soil, rocks aplenty, and let us not forget mandated water restrictions. Add to that my back yard is actually fill dirt excavated from my neighbors homes into the back yard prior to my arrival to Prince Charming's humble abode. Bottom line-royal mess of nothing but clay, rock, and weeds. Large expanse of grass and half the yard monopolized by an above ground pool. Not a gardener's paradise by any means. Fast forward after years of literal blood, sweat, and tears to now. I have a smallish patch of grass-less grass equals less water and more flowers :)! Besides, I have 3 "grand dogs" who love to romp in the grass when the concrete is 100 plus degrees on their tiny paws in the summer. I also have three tiered raised beds that allow me to have trees, plants, flowers, and a sufficient garden for summer veggies. Tucked around the edges I have more beds to hold my roses, more perennials, rhubarb, gooseberries, and catnip for my cat herd enjoyment. I even have an awesome compost pile that serves my little world with plenty of nourishment for my cherished plants. I have found a way to make a place for anything and everything that strikes my fancy in my garden. My favorite flower of all time is the peony. No scent in the world can compare to the fragrance from one blossom of this plant. If only it bloomed more than once a year, and only if the time was extended. But, no worry, for even when not in bloom, I'll settle for the dark green bushy foliage. It will remain smack in the middle of my garden as long as I live it is THAT important.


I have also learned to only slightly regard what the books, tags, and experts say about what grows in your area. Those are guidelines for the majority. Newsflash, more often than not you can get away with those that grow in areas both colder and warmer if you consider your own space. Now, if it says tropical zone 9, and you live in zone 2 in the bitter north, you will have troubles. HOWEVER, just how badly do you want to enjoy that tropical slice of heaven? For example. In my area, a tropical just won't work unless I admit two facts. First is I live in the arid desert. Most tropicals need a LOT of water. Heat I have, but water is done by hand. Do I want it enough to know I may have to water up to twice a day? If yes, I buy it. Second, what may be a perennial in zone 9 is only a annual in my area. Meaning, I can buy it and know full well I only get to enjoy it one season and it goes to the compost pile. REALLY tough to swallow, but I've learned it is OK. No year goes by that I don't have massive amounts of fuchsia, and lately angel trumpets. I just enjoy them every second until the cold arrives and move on. I admit in fall my kitchen can be over run nightly with pots I try to bring in overnight to preserve a few more weeks. I have no light to bring in cuttings or overwinter anything. I have tried, trust me, doesn't work in my cave. So goes for things that say absolutely grow in my zone. Killed them more than I can count. My clay soil kills them, or the wind, or the heat. The point is you have to be willing to take some risk, some failure, and celebrate the small successes.



This last Saturday I spent the entire day in the yard. I had to dig up some perennials that I wanted to move to our rental, move some items that have outgrown their location, compost some that were obvious "failures" that I know if they haven't emerged yet aren't alive. Great plan, except 9 hours later I could barely stand or walk. By Sunday, the back is in full suffer mode of consistent spasms. Today is a bit better, but have to change position a lot. Again, gardening is hard work. While in my lovely reading chair, I finally had time to place my yearly order for plants. I have ordered from many vendors, some with great success and some were bitter disappointments. I've yet to find one that has everything I may want in a given year. I still buy a lot at the usual places like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's etc. But the ones I order from consistently always come through with awesome deals for me and coupons so I feel less guilt trying some new items or some I know will only thrive for one season. While getting a pen to begin my order form, I glanced up to see this

You have to excuse the huge mess on the porch, that's what happens after weeks of massive wind and snow, everything gets shoved up against the house. But see the visitor on the fence peeking in to see what's happening? Darn strays show up daily. I don't mind visitors, but the squatters have to start paying rent or something. No more room at the inn guy, better move along.


OK, first I will show you what I have wanted to plant for several years now. I almost made it last year. Our plan was to remove our no longer functional above ground pool (that monster flat structure outside the window above and behind the cat), add a nice stone patio area with a massive covered pergola. I planned to add my existing wisteria to it and plant some grape vines to another area. Something like these Red Seedless variety would be ideal as the Prince loves grapes.

Well, I didn't get my pergola after the last minute backyard wedding ordeal last year. We had to cover the pool with a deck for the party, and now we don't have the energy to start over. Some day, but not in the near future at least. I'd still like some grapes, but for my next front garden expansion.

So, I sat down with my favorite Michigan Bulb catalog and got down to business. Don't let the name fool you, this company has a little bit of everything. My favorite part is the prices are VERY reasonable, shipping is very low, packaging is wonderful, and customer service is tops. I have ordered from them for years and if I had a problem with an item they always fixed it right away. They even have a life time guarantee on your plants so what do you have to lose? And no, I don't work for them, nor did they pay me for any of this. Just sharing my experience with a company I enjoy.

So, anyway, one item I wanted to try this year was a trumpet vine. One of the clematis finally bit the dust, so I needed something to soften the back fence in the deck area. I also have a passion for hummingbirds and they love this plant. I got a mix including both a yellow and orange variety.

While admiring this, I was elated to see a climbing hydrangea vine. I have searched for many years for one a local nurseries with no luck. Theory says it will grow in my zone. Past experience with hydrangeas of any form as been a total disaster. Most have not lived past a month in my yard. I have planted, potted, moved, sheltered, you name it. Zero success with any variety. Cross your fingers for this one cause I LOVE IT!

On the same topic is this beauty. I admit I have not tried this variety which is a shrub form before. I have looked for them with no success, but the Frosted Cherry is headed to my yard for the good old college try as well. I should have given up by now, but by golly I will find a way to grow these darn plants if it kills me. Stubborn old goat aren't I? Isn't it lovely with the ice cream shaped flower heads...............................






I have a variety of lilies from orientals to day lillies. Not my favorite exactly, but the day lillies are good performers for me so I persist. I also have these wacky toads that find my yard like magnets and get enormous. Kind of fun and help with bugs so I tolerate them. Then I saw this-it's a toad lily. Yes, I chose plants I like from color, scent or a wacky name. He's on the way now too.

I have had a purple butterfly bush in my front yard since I moved here 15 years ago. It grows like crazy, tolerates the extreme weather, and still covers itself in purple flowers like a carpet. I bought a rainbow variety for my Princess last year, but she hasn't mastered the trick of plants need water, so it died. This beauty was on sale for $2.99, so I got two, one for me, one for her. Yummy riot of color!

Here is a classic example of how I chose plants. One look at this baby and I was sold. It looks strange, lonely, and almost pathetic. Green Wizard Rubekia, yes please, I'll have one of those too!

At last, we have a plant I have secretly yearned for at least 10 years. Five years ago I bought 3 ferns to trial a new "side yard" area that was never touched before. Only one survived my neglect and heat. It is awesome in midsummer, underneath lies a carpet of silver beacon lamium that glows. This creature is a ghost fern, be still my heart. I can already see it glowing in the dark slice of heaven I call my secret garden. ON SALE, yes please, I'll have one thank you!

I won't bore you with the approximately 12 other items I added to my list to replace old favorites or add to them. Suffice it to say with my "special coupon" of spend $40, get $20 off your order, I got some long awaited favorites and more for less than $45! Wanna know a secret? If you check out their website, or sign up for a free catalog, you can have a coupon just like it too. Go ahead, check it out! All these lovely photos are from their website so you can enjoy more there!

My next quest will be for another favorite I can no longer seem to find in my area. It is called Love in a Mist. How can you not like a plant with that name? Seriously! I got seeds several years ago, but since then NO ONE stocks this seed and I have looked for hours. I may have to break down and order them from another vendor, but man they are pricey for seeds. If you grow these beautiful creatures, send me some seed pods OK?

One more thing. I have another favorite website to share with you. It is called the Garden Web.

It is filled with useful articles, photos, and forums for all varieties of garden issues. Better yet, there are also home forums for as many topics as you can imagine. Check it out, you'll like it.

So, what is your summer dreaming for this year? Are you as ready for digging in the dirt as I am? Favorites? Failures? Do share!

A Monday worth getting up for....

Ever enter a comment on a posted giveaway, just on a whim because the "prize" was so captivating you couldn't resist? Ya, I do that on occasion and never give it another thought. Imagine my surprise today to do a quick visit to The DIY Showoff and see my name in print as the winner of this amazing prize!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait to try out this piece of technology in my home- fondly known as the cave. Thanks Roeshel for this amazing giveaway opportunity. Amazing to learn I actually won something. If you haven't been there, run now to her blog and check out all the amazing creativity she features. Just a warning, you may be there for awhile for the projects are endless!

Happy Spring!

Wow, not sure how time is flying by so quickly these last few weeks. Well, not exactly true. We own a small rental unit that our former renters kindly decided to trash every inch of the place. It has been a whirlwind month of repairs, replacements, painting, and endless cleaning. I can't for the life of me figure out how people can be so rude, disrespectful, and downright destructive of their living spaces.





To make it more eventful, the Princess and her hubby are having to move into this rental for financial reasons. The rush was on to get this wrapped up and them moved before the end of this month. We are almost there now and will begin her move tomorrow. Seems as though there are just not enough hours in every day to do all we plan or need to do. I know it will get done, but it doesn't prevent me from many sleepless nights and countless hours of needed tub soaking and the blasted heating pad.





OK, let's add to the excitement with the big news. Ready?

















Princess is expecting her first child in October of this year! I get to be an official grandmother which is rather exciting. We already technically have grandchildren from my stepchildren, but this will be the first from my own kids. I am hopefully they can fully resolve the major marital issues they have had and move ahead for a better future. We will begin painting and decor for the baby's room after this major move is complete and the dust settles a bit. She wants to do a safari theme in the room which I think will be adorable. We found this great rug a Target

(Target stores)

that will either be directly under the crib or behind it on the wall. It is a large size and would be better centered in the room, but it has latex backing which means Princess can't walk on it due to her latex allergies. Her plan is for pastel colors with a splash of more "real" animal print thrown in which will be cute if we can pull it off. If you bloggers run across any great products out there any links or such would be appreciated. I'd love to find some wall words with a baby/safari theme to use but the walls are very heavy texture which would making hanging difficult at best. I found a sweet safari baby panel at Joanne's to do a crib quilt. Going to try my first go round at machine quilting to perhaps outline the animals. Any quilters out there with hints?

And if that isn't enough fun for one month, my son has now moved his wedding planned for July to another state and location 3 times! AAAHHHH!!! Can you tell Mom is just about ready for the funny farm?

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Crossed fingers for good weather during the move as one day it is 70 the next we have snow. Typical desert weather but I am ready for summer for sure.

Wednesday is Wash Day

During a recent wind storm, my clothesline bit the dust. Big time, no chance of repairs at all. I have been searching for a replacement for my simple one line retractable model. We put it up several years ago when Prince Charming became irritated with my "line drying" innovations. Prior to its installation, I would use any stationary object in reach to air dry items in the sun. After having to "uncover" his man tools enough times he finally relented to give me a clothesline. We compromised on a retractable version for space and ease. We had countless discussions on why I couldn't just use the dryer like "normal" people. "Not like we can't afford it!" he would mumble. As a child, my mother and grandmother would hang clothes out all summer long. Our line was similar to the one below. When filled with sheets or towels, if a good wind came along it would fly in circles like a pinwheel. I would hide among the dangling linens during hide and seek, lie in the shade in the heat of the noon sun, and we even found an egg or two pinned on the line come Easter morning. My father was rather tall, and since his "chore" was mowing the grass, this model allowed him to collapse the line to avoid the dreaded "clothesline ducking" while moving back and forth with the mower. Plus he wasn't fond of trimming and this meant only one pole to trim around.

So when Prince Charming insisted we weren't "poor" and didn't "need" to hang out our laundry, my standard answer was "if it was good enough for Mom, it's good enough for me". When he finally hung my 1 line retractable work horse, I couldn't wait to wash up a load of sheets and see them waving in the breeze. My family knew I'd lost my final marble for sure as I stood there admiring the lovely ripples. It took several tries before I mastered the knack of hanging them because Prince is a bit more "vertically challenged" than I am so the darn thing was too low to let things ripple too much. Still, the desert sun worked its magic and I snapped those babies off the line, smoothed them onto our comfy bed, and waited for sundown. I snuggled in that night, awaiting the verdict. Nothing. Not a word. Sitting bolt upright, I demanded to know the opinion of my hard labor. "OK, you win. Nothing like a line dried sheet on the bed", he mumbled. Victory was mine. If you have never felt or smelled the fresh sheets on you bed after a day in the sunshine and breezes, you simply haven't lived.

What's a girl to do come winter with the bitter cold and snow that will freeze your jeans solid faster than a jack rabbit? Why move the process indoors of course! To be honest, winter laundry indoors isn't fun. No sunshine, no breezes, and no darn room to hang it all up. I am lucky to have a closet bar above my machines where my "line dry" items can hang. If not, I'd need something like this baby for sure.

I like the way it has several lines for multiple items, and can fold flat when not in use. I also use the over the door hangers to hold items on hangers for drying.

One laundry chore I loath is ironing. I will admit sometimes when you take those towels and jeans off the line they could stand up like soldiers! Not my idea of comfy for sure. Here is a couple tips for you

• Prior to hanging items on the line, give them a good shake, like cracking the whip. Do it again when you take them down and they won't be so stiff.
• After you remove the clothes from the line, throw them in the dryer on fluff for about 10 minutes. Fold them immediately and they will be soft and wrinkle free.
• another method is to throw them from the washer into the dryer for 10 minutes, remove while hot and hang on the line.
  
  
  

Now, like I said, ironing just isn't my thing. Likely due to the fact that when I was little, my "job" was to iron all my Dad's shirts and handkerchiefs. Our laundry room was in the dark, dreary basement and it would take me HOURS to wade through all his stuff every week. Work shirt and dress shirts alike had to be PERFECT, or I'd have to do it again. And again. And again. What kid wants to spend the entire Sunday afternoon holed up in the dark basement ironing snot rags? Jeez! I do admit, nothing is more sexy than a cowboy in a crisp ironed shirt though....

So, over the years I've gotten a few tips to cut down on ironing time.

• hang up or fold items as soon as the dryer shuts off and no more wrinkles!
• permanent press fabrics-need I say more? If that lovely dress shirt says 100% cotton, you may as well break out the iron now.
• invest in a GOOD iron and maintain it according to the manufacturer directions
• Keep a spray bottle of plain water handy to mist those stubborn deep wrinkles while you go along
• put a layer of aluminum foil under your ironing board cover, it will reflect more heat and make it go faster
• teach your kids to iron-THE RIGHT WAY so they can help
• when hanging delicate to dry, gently tug the fabric in all directions to smooth the garment, and give it a firm brush of your hand over the wrinkles, repeat while drying and you can fluff for a few minutes on no heat in the dryer
• in a time pinch and don't want to haul out the old board? Lay a bath towel over your washer or dryer top and iron away. Hey, don't judge me now, but I've been known to use the kitchen table on occasion, just beware the steam might do some funky stuff to the finish if you aren't careful. Don't ask how I know that either....
  

I know we all want to save a little money these days, and laundry adds up in the budget if we aren't careful. Want a few frugal tips to help?

• Forget that fancy fabric softener. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the wash as you would fabric softener instead. Your towels will be more absorbent, your washer won't build up all that gunk in the basket and hoses, and I promise you won't smell like a pickle.
• invest in a clothes line or improvise one. The dryer will cost you several hundred dollars a year to operate. Sunshine is free!
• wash and rinse in cold water, no need to use that water heater on most household laundry
• cut down on detergent. Ever actually read the directions on the package? Odds are you are using much more for each load than you need. Most times you can get away with even less than directed
• only wash full loads
• Pre-treat stains with laundry soap or baby shampoo, no need for expensive stain removers in most cases
• add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the load to boost the detergent
• forget the bleach, hang the whites on the line-sunshine will help whiten those stains, add a touch of lemon juice on the tough ones
• if you must use the dryer, clean the vents after each load. Buildup will decrease the efficiency and MAJOR fire hazard
• cut the dryer sheets in half, same benefits and less cost

So, how about you? Any frugal or handy laundry tips to share? Are you a clothesliner or a dryer? Go ahead, share while I search for a new clothesline....

Lately I have a obsession with creative storage solutions. This may be driven by the fact that our rather small home is bursting at the seams with stuff. Every size, shape, and sort imaginable. Purging is in the near future, but before then I wanted some ideas to store the remaining items that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I am more a function kind of gal rather than one who demands matchy-matchy coordination. If I can reuse some items I already have for a new purpose, even better.

I came across some ideas that really caught my attention and thought maybe they would interest others too.

Use a weekly pill box to corral all those small bits and pieces that otherwise float around and get lost. I love this idea for scrap booking eyelets, especially that they actually attached a sample to each slot for easy reference. Simple, inexpensive, and effective. You could do the same for any small bits-buttons, screws, charms, earrings, fishing hooks, pins, needles, game pieces. These containers close tightly which makes them perfect for these tiny items to keep them from spilling all over your drawer or purse for that matter.


OK, so technically this isn't really organizing, but original all the same. I see so many out there repurposing dressers, TV stands, etc and you could easily incorporate this in those pieces. Make yourself a custom bed out of foam and some fabric, tuck in the bottom space and you have a great spot for Fluffy to retire. Beats tripping over the dog bed for sure. I found endless variety of this project done in everything from kitchen cupboards to freestanding furniture. My cats would go nuts for this idea. Now all I need is a dog..sniff..sniff..

I LOVE THIS! Nearly all of these terrific ideas were found at the Better Homes and Gardens website. This one said they used Velcro to attach the forks to the wall. I think this would be a perfect solution in the kitchen for a couple things. First, I see this idea on a back splash to hold a recipe card up out of the mess while cooking. Second, how about on a cupboard door (either inside or out) to hold those appointment cards or takeout menus, or coupons for the next shopping trip. Upside down or right side up they would be adorable and functional. I also love them reused as garden stakes to hold the seed packets in the garden for each row.

Hold the phone! Literally! HA HA HA!! Seriously, run to the nearest thrift store, grab one of those bread boxes right now. Take it home, paint it, decorate it, drill a couple holes for your cords, and you have a brilliant charging station for all those crazy electronics. I bet I could even coral Prince's cordless drills, screwdrivers, and scissors in one of these big boxes.

OK, how many uses can you think of for a used mint tin? A million right? How about a fancy business card holder? Spiff it up with some paper or ribbon that coordinates with your cards, brilliant! Much better than a boring old box on your desk, or that pile floating around in the bottom of your purse isn't it?

My absolute, total favorite of them all. Use tacks to fasten binder clips to a bulletin board you jazz up any way you wish. Perfect holder for your business cards, takeout menus, grocery list, coupon organizer, to do list, whatever your heart desires. Creative, stylish, cheap, and useful.





Ok, so these aren't organizing, but since I'll have more room I want to spiff up the space I will have when I finish.




Perfect for all those furniture projects out there everyone is doing. Bling up your new desk or table with some coordinating ribbon around the edges. Ribbon comes in every shape, size, and color so there are endless possibilities.

OK, now it's your turn. What creative storage solutions have you come up with for your home? Please share!

What do you do with all those books piled all over the house, garage, in every corner? Am I the only book-a-holic out there? Take some hardcover books, remove the insides and attach the covers to a headboard or a piece of plywood! Yeah, yeah, I HATE to ruin a book, but seriously, sometimes they are past saving. If you can't part with your own, pick up a box on the cheap at a garage sale. Can't find the colors you like? Whip out the trusty spray paint, add a sealer, custom color books!

Cupid's Curse

Are you tired of the stereotypical, overpriced, and well, frankly boring Valentine's Day expectations? Ya? Well, me too. I don't know how the one holiday designed to honor a special someone who holds the key to your heart became such a predictable, thoughtless endeavour. A box of chocolates, a dozen roses whose cost could equal your car payment, a giant stuffed monkey professing his love that in no way will fit into your everyday decor, or a mass produced card dripping with sentiments that would never in a million years pass through the lips of my Prince. Yep, I have received each and every one of the items mentioned. I will admit at the time I was ecstatic because I knew each one was chosen with love and good intentions. Sure, I do enjoy the normal items adored by nearly all red blooded women out there, fresh flowers, chocolate, etc. What I don't enjoy is the fact that these are nearing "required" status just because a silly calendar says it's the day to hand out overpriced nonsense to show someone how much you love them.

I personally find it MUCH more romantic and special when love is expressed in individual ways, and for no particular reason except you care. A bouquet of grocery store flowers when I am having a bad week. Someone grabbing the trash bag from my hand as I head out into the rain to empty the trash. A romantic gesture of heating a can of chicken noodle soup brought to me when I'm huddled on the couch with a cold. A card that says I love you waiting on my pillow when I've been away on business. These things rock my world!

So, how do you plan a romantic, individual, spectacular celebration of love that doesn't include all those "normal" things? I have a rather unique challenge when planning this special day to celebrate my Prince Charming. He is a genuine, certified (x-rays and scars), AARP card carrying cowboy. I love each and every inch of this man and would not trade him for anything in the world. That said, let's be honest here shall we? Cowboys don't appreciate flowers, something about sticker weeds not good for horses..... Cowboys don't appreciate over sized stuffed teddy bears, something about ruins their image with their friends. What I have discovered is two things. First is they are rather sentimental souls. I think Prince has every single card I ever gave him tucked in his dresser drawer, hidden of course under his socks, but saved all the same. He dutifully reads each one, gets a bit misty eyed, and rewards me with a giant bear hug and kisses. He doesn't care if it is a store bought or home made version, in fact he likes the home made ones best. He finds it fascinating someone can whip up something from a few bits of paper and ribbon and make it come out looking good. Maybe a admiring quality for a man who can fix anything with bits of junk laying around the house.


The second one is pretty standard, in fact I am pretty sure you don't even have to marry a cowboy to hit the mark on this one. The way to a man's heart is simple folks-through his stomach! If I want to impress Prince Charming all I have to do is make a spread of his favorite culinary delights and it is a home run every time. Now comes the catch. I couldn't just marry a cowboy. Nope. I had to pick one with diabetes and heart disease. All those years of hard living have caught up to him in a big way. No more daily indulgences of meat, potatoes, and sugary sweet confections. Which of course happen to be at the top of his favorite list of things to eat. Does that mean we don't indulge on this special day? No way! Everything in moderation is the key. We have eaten light all week, chicken, veggies, fish, the usual healthy menu. This allows him to indulge a bit on special occasions and not be sick for days after. He always offers to take me out as a "treat" on Valentine's Day so I "don't have to work so hard". He finally learned that my cooking is WAY better, we get what we want, and we don't have to wait for hours or pay a massive amount of money. It isn't really work as I get to make his favorite dishes that are table ready in about 30 minutes. Our menu this year is simple. Grilled rib eye steak and shrimp on skewers basted in garlic butter (all bought on sale and in the freezer waiting), roasted red potatoes (toss in olive oil and Italian seasoning spread on a cookie sheet), steamed broccoli or green beans, and likely a bowl of French Onion soup for a starter. Desert will be a chocolate bread pudding cut into a heart shape and served on one plate for sharing. I have a bottle of cheap pink champagne chilling to which I will add a splash of pomegranate juice and a handful of seeds.

Now, for the gift. I plan to give him what he ALWAYS wants and asks for, me. He gets my undivided attention for the day. No work, no laundry, no running errands, no reading books. I will spend the day in the moment with him. I am planning a day long scavenger hunt to add a little adventure to this gift as well. I will start the day with a note explaining he will be treated to a day of adventure, anticipation, and excitement. He will then be instructed to follow the clues to the next note for further instruction. The day will begin with a breakfast, either at home (if I get my fanny out of bed in time) or a restaurant. He will be led to the car for another clue, which will read "sit down, shut up, buckle up, and hang on" and I'll take him for a drive to see the country side somewhere. At some point we will get out but I'll drop another clue in the car to check the back where he will find the necessary items for a picnic lunch. Of course the basket will have another clue to lead us home again. I will be renting some romantic and funny movies and we will enjoy one of those to relax for awhile before dinner. Dinner will be at a romantic table set with real china, white linen cloth, and candles in every room of the house. He really hates the candle thing says he can't see what he's eating, but he loves me an humors me anyway ha! After dinner, another note will appear for the remaining evening adventures....... Because it is Valentines day after all, the last note will be attached to a package on the bed containing a new slinky red outfit just my size of course...aahh hmmm....... Ok, you get the idea.


There are a million ways to express your love that don't have to cost a fortune and will mean the world to those you love.

• Make a coupon book of gifts for your special person and tailor them to their likes: good for one back rub, good for one weekend of free reign over the remote, good for one breakfast in bed, good for one round of golf, whatever they like


• Plan a picnic for a meal in a place that has meaning to you, or somewhere the other person has always wanted to go but hasn't. A sunrise breakfast with a great view would be a great start to the day. Lunch in the car near an airport to watch the planes for a pilot. A sunset desert to see the city lights.


• Make a card, write a poem, create a scrapbook-tell them all the things you love about them and how much they mean to you.


• Make all the food for the day red or heart shaped. Cookie cutters make great egg shapes, sandwiches, brownies, etc. Red foods are berries, apples, beets, beans, tomatoes etc.


• Give a miniature rose plant which will last a whole lot longer than that bouquet.


• Draw a heart to frame their face in the mirror and write a special message. Lipstick works, but trust me a dry erase marker will make cleanup much easier....... How about a chalk message to greet them on the sidewalk or driveway? Heck a post it on the remote is just as effective, on the coffee pot, on the milk in the fridge, wherever you want.


• use food coloring to write a message in the snow in the yard


• leave a romantic message on their cell phone or voicemail at work (careful here..)


• set delayed delivery text messages to be delivered on their cell phone every hour saying I love you!


• change the sheets to ones that are satin or higher thread count if you have them on hand.


• Pick up a couple white pillow cases at the thrift store and embellish with fabric paints in the shape of hearts or write a romantic message.


• Get some fortune cookies and carefully remove the fortune with tweezers and insert your own fortune. Dip the cookies in bit of melted chocolate and candy sprinkles for a unique desert


• make your own chocolate covered strawberries with melted chocolate chips, whip up some REAL whipped cream and feed your sweetie for a little fun.


• bake up a batch of their favorite cookies, bread or cake


• play romantic music, dress up like you were going out, and dance on your kitchen floor.


• turn off the lights and watch TV or a movie in the dark. Have popcorn and some chocolate kisses handy for a snack.


• serve your kids sparkling cider or apple juice for breakfast, pop in a cherry or strawberry


• make heart shaped pancakes, or make a heart design in the batter with chocolate chips. serve with melted strawberry jam for syrup. buy bulk sausage and shape in heart shaped patties. make heart shaped burgers-cut heart shaped "buns" out of thick slices of french bread.


• freeze cranberry juice for ice cubes to float in the sparking cider or champagne


• use a paper heart doily as a stencil to sprinkle a pattern with powdered sugar or cocoa on a cake or cheesecake


• make a heart shaped pizza with the family's favorite toppings, or a giant heart shaped cookie and decorate it like a cake


• Looking for a creative way to combine that chocolate/flower gift into one? Have a look at this idea.

Really the ideas are endless if you just take a bit of time to to think it out. If all else fails, just give the gift of yourself. Stop and be present in the moment, hold hands with your partner, read to your children, play ball in the backyard, dig out those board games, whatever you enjoy doing together. Tell them you love them and show them it isn't about money or gifts. It is about what is in your heart each and every day.

Homemade convenience mixes

I am trying to be a bit more budget friendly in my grocery bill these days. I stumbled upon these and thought perhaps others may be in the same situation and so I wanted to share. The terrific part is these items are usually the ones I am out of in the pantry when trying to throw together a quick meal, or are a big part of the recipes I use. This makes it easy to have them on hand in "bulk" to use as needed.

Homemade "Cream of" soup mix recipe

2 c. non-fat dry milk
3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. Instant bouillon, prefer low sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable or combination of all three
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed 1 tsp. dried basil crushed
1 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Store in airtight container.

To make soup, use 1/3 cup of dry mix, add 1 1/4 cups of cold water in saucepan. Heat and cook until thickened to desired consistency, add 1 Tbsp. butter for smooth sauce. To use as substitute for cream of mushroom, add desired amount sauted mushrooms. For cream of celery, add sauted chopped celery. The variations are endless so feel free to add ingredients to suite your taste or recipe.



Homemade Chocolate Pudding mix

3/4 C powdered milk
7/8 C cornstarch, (1 C minus 2 T)
1 1/2 C sugar
3/4 C cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt (generous)

Combine all dry ingredients and store in airtight container.

For pudding, add 2/3 cup of mix to saucepan. Add 2 cups milk, whisk well to combine. Heat to a boil, reduce heat, continue cooking until thickened. Pour into serving dishes and cool.



Homemade onion soup mix

1 1/2 cups dried minced onion
2/3 cup beef bouillion granules
2/3 cup onion powder--not onion salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container. Use 4-5 tablespoons of this mix for each envelope of soup mix in a recipe.


Homemade Whole Wheat Baking mix

5 cups unbleached white flour
4 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons baking powder
2 cups solid vegetable shortening

Add all dry ingredients in large bowl or mixer. Add shortening and mix until thoroughly combined and resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight container. Use mix as instructed for any recipe using that expensive store bought biscuit mix, you know the one I mean..... Only this one is way cheaper and gets the added bonus of whole grains, less sodium, and easy to whip up.

Happy New Year

I wanted to slow down and write for days now, but as always the time seems to fly away. Our Christmas holiday was delightful this year. Rather sedate and mellow compared to years past but that was just fine with me! My son and his fiance flew in and my daughter and her husband joined us as well. Good food, good company, good times!

Santa was rather good to me this year in spite of everything. Good thing he is a bargain hunter of greatest measure and hunted sales early this year for hiding away gifts. I could only find photos of two, but ones that make my heart go pitter patter for sure.

First off is my new shiny red mini processor! I needed more counter space (you will see why in a moment), so this replaced my larger model for every day use.

For years now, Prince Charming has offered and even begged me to get a Kitchenaid mixer. I held out being frugal with my old trusty hand mixer, and on a rare occasion hauled out my "old as me" Sunbeam stand mixer I got when my mother died. Well, after years of cussing, hand mixing, kneeding, etc, I finally bit the bullet and caved in. Be still my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, with all the company and cooking, she just sits proudly in her place of honor yet unused. I must remedy that situation this weekend! Whole wheat bread, oatmeal bread, and cinnamon rolls here we come! Of course Prince Charming is not so subtly hinting for oatmeal cookies first....

I also got the most awesome compact HP photo printer. Highly functional and adorable with its cute little matching tote. Can't wait to start photos flying and printing for more scrapbooking weekends. Maybe I should just use the room full of prints I already have first? Nah, new is always more fun!

Now, I must rush and find some quick and easy decor for our annual board game gala tonight. I am ashamed to admit our living room resembles a disaster area still which will require a massive cleaning just to allow visitors to enter.

I love this simple idea, and even better if you set all the alarms to ring at the stroke of 12!

This is a simple, easy way to have those favors ready to grab at the final minute to ring in the New Year!

And we all need a little treat to celebrate the New Year after the night of fun. Clever way to present your family with the new year ahead.

May you have the Happiest New Year of all!

Frugal ideas

Am I the last to know about this site? If you are looking for some frugal, practical ideas head over and have a look. I've been lost for hours already!

We are currently having more snow, on top of our previously unmelted piles, fridgid temps etc. I hope to have the holiday spirit take hold and let me get started on holiday decorating. I seem to be the only one in blog land who hasn't done a darn thing yet.

It has been a rough few weeks around the Gazing Ball for sure. My sweet daughter is now in the midst of filing for a divorce, I have been sick with some sort of head cold nonsense, and now it appears I will be lucky to be employed through the month. When it rains it pours I am afraid, or rather its a blizzard of bad luck.

I keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing my best just to get through each day as it comes. Each day I hope the next will be better, but so far that isn't working out so well either. I know I have a terrific family, friends, and cozy cats that do help make things brighter.

So, if my posts are limited I apologize but I don't want to bring down the joyful season for everyone else. Have a wonderful, safe weekend!

Farewell my friend

There are no words to express my sadness over the loss of my longtime companion. Ralph was my friend, my bed partner, my source of laughter, my constant shadow. Thirteen wonderful years were shared between us that will never be forgotten.

We returned home to pick him up from boarding over the course of our trip to find him in rapidly failing health. There was no choice but to put and end to his needless suffering. May he find peace and happiness in another place.

Ralph, I hope where you are is filled with sunshine, grassy fields, squeaky cows to fetch endlessly, and an overflowing treat jar with your name on it.

I'm dreaming of a white Thanksgiving, woopsy...

I just have to say, horizontal snow is just NOT OK in my world. We are having massive wind which is now accompanied by snow. Good news is if the wind keeps up, this white stuff will blow into neighboring states. The power is off more than on today, but this too shall pass.

I apologize for the lack of posting recently. Our little clan is having some drama issues right now that have us all feeling a bit self centered and down. Know I am blog hopping every day as it does help to immerse myself in all your inspiration and uplifting posts. I hope everyone has a joyful, relaxing weekend wherever you may be.