"This is why I Live in Florida"

Remember when we had to write a short essay about what we did during our summer vacation? I'm sure all of you have had that experience at least once in your lifetime. It was usually one of the first assignments we had to complete our first week of school. Well, here's my take on that memory: This is why I live in Florida. As I walked outside early this morning, I was assaulted by the heavy scent of some kind of jasmine blooming. Our backfence neighbors have this huge 15' bush that towers over our fence and it is in its second blooming of the summer. And, oh, the sweet scent that it sends over the whole yard is amazing.

So, I wandered around checking out all our plants....barefooted....still in my jammies....with my camera in hand. And then I discovered this incredible new bloom on one of our white bird-of-paradise plants. We had 2 heavy, soaking rains last night and everything in sight is drenched with water. Oh, my plants are happy, happy!

And, just think, I can do this....barefooted....still in my jammies....ANY DAY OF THE YEAR THAT I FEEL LIKE IT!!!!!!!! You must understand that I grew up in a cold climate and those memories are quite distinct in my mind. So, I really appreciate being able to putter around my yard without a hat, gloves, and heavy boots on my body 6 months a year. Before you get all defensive about "up north", I didn't say it wasn't pretty up there or that living up there doesn't have it's own merits. I'm just saying this is my essay and I'm tellin' you why I love living here. Hey, it's my blog......so, I'm gonna "own it". Tee-hee.

I hope my teacher gives me an "A".

Deb

Slipcovers, Etc.

Yippee! This week my friend, Jeanne, from Slipcovers, Etc. dropped off our couch and loveseat that she so expertly upholstered for us. I'm thrilled with the way they have turned out and how they lend themselves to our new, more relaxed "Coastal" look in our house. I just love it when ideas you've had swimming around in your head turn into reality.

If you'd like Jeanne to work her magic for your furniture, she can be contacted at 727-587-7900 or just visit her in Antique Alley, 596 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs, Florida.

Thanks, Jeanne!
Deb

No more grit

Well, the landscapers have moved on to their next victim....er, next project. Ha! I'm only kidding. They did a great job and we're really pleased that we actually have grass now where the whole yard used to be weeds. I was determined to cut down on maintenance at this house, so, instead of mulch that needs to be replaced, we've used seashells! Now, that really rocks my world!

I just spent the last 2 days cleaning the grit out of our house. That fine silt/sand was everywhere! At least now I can get back to sewing without any guilt that I should be doing something else in the house. I hear my cappuccino calling me, so, I'm off to the kitchen.

Happy sewing day,

Debbie

Funky fire engine

Poor grandchild #4.....it has taken Grammy 9 months to finally make him a quilt. Last night when I put it on the floor for him to examine, he crawled over it, and backed up and grinned at me. Guess he likes it! His mommy said she's going to tell everyone it's hers. Guess she likes it, too! I just love the bright combination of colors. Teresa gave me the fire engine design on a floppy and it was loads of fun to stitch out.

Ok, on to the next quilt,

Debbie

I'm in love

You betcha.......I'm in love, again....with this plant. It's called Curcuma ginger and I have it in both the tall variety and this shorter one. Isn't it scrumptious? I first saw this in one of my favorite gardening books as a beautiful potted plant all in a row in an awesome rectangular copper planter. I decided right then and there that I had to have some for my very own. Well, it has taken me 2 years to find it. And, guess what? It's not all that exotic after all. I bought this one at Lowe's! Who knew?

Just polishing up my green thumb,

Debbie

Just had to show you.....

Aren't these fun? I had the best time making them. Gather up some old clay pots and a couple of bags of seashells and tile mastic(sp?) and........ it's playtime for adults. Too much fun! I'm thinking of doing our entire mailbox next. Don't laugh, I'm seriously considering it. Just wait and see.......

Have notched trowel, will shell,

Debbie

Whew! Just a little light lifting...........

Yup! At our house,we don't know how to do anything on a small scale, we just jump in with both feet when it comes to doing household projects. The yard at our new digs was a little overcrowded with plant material. And, I love to putter around in the yard, but this was ridiculous. After donating plants to our son and his wife to do their front yard, and to a friend's daughter to do hers, we still had an overwhelming amount of plant life.

Enter: our intrepid landscaper. He and his crew moved 6 palms, removed several nuisance plants, and generally shuffled every single thing in our yard around. All I had to do was point and draw in the dirt where the designated plant was to land, and, Poof! He had it planted! It's been a long, hot, humid dirty week, but we're almost finished. The remaining sod goes in place tomorrow morning, and the sprinkler guys will finish up their work, too. The new fence went in without a hitch and looks great. All it will require is some minor tweaking over the next year and our new low-maintenance yard will be realized.

I think I'll go soak my aching muscles now.......

Debbie, the Happy Gardener