Wisteria Project ~ Spring Reveal

My Silver Fox made no Announcement

 or declaration but this scene suggested 

he was starting a project.

It's another of My Honey Do plans.




 
Five years ago landscaping projects were being prioritized.  A Strategically placed electrical outlet and  water faucet were installed alongside the WISTERIA VINE I had planted...with stated plan of building an arbor, reading nook, Peaceful hideaway. Yes. 5 years ago. 

 I had not totally given up but  did have a mental thing going on...quietly trying to envision myself building my own version of this  Gramma's dream outdoor spot.  I really could have done it..I know I could!!  [ an appropriate place for you to smile but not laugh ]





Disclosure: My role in this project had more to do with smiling, nodding approval
& properly timed applause and of course a few changes...adjustments.

 

 

That's My Rock Rug

Never before have I used this idea..hope you like it too. I started with a bag of
the smaller size [ Landscaping/Lowe's  ] then decided to give it dimension
by mixing in a larger size. OF COURSE IT'S CHEAP...  Lowe's Home Improvement-
landscaping supplies. LESS THAN $20. w some to spare for Another spot

There were design adjustments as we went along... 3 slats high boards - realized I felt PENNED IN!! One had to go, leaving it two high around 3 sides...just right.

 

 

 

 

 

No paint- We agreed to allow it to weather naturally

Props:The Quilt roll is an antique  quilt and the pillow  handmade from vintage/antique materials, a gift from my friend Shirley, always a treasured reminder of our special  times in southeast Texas. I am sure I will be reliving some of those times when I linger with a book in this incredible hideaway...not to mention recalling the scenes of my sweetheart constructing this JUST FOR ME. [ He quietly began work on it soon after his cancer diagnosis last summer. Boards had been selected and stacked to dry out in the Greenhouse for months]

I later found some Good Will outdoor pillows...$2. each just my price range [cheep cheep] and a heavy downpour of rain doesn't affect them at all..beats paying $20 and more, much more dontcha think?

~a special long distance hug and thank you to Heather for enticing you with a Sneak Peak Preview of my Wisteria Project Reveal on  http://stringtownhome.com ..Love Ya Sweetheart! 

OOOPS...don't go yet.  I almost forgot these last few shots taken just this week.  If you love these Wisteria Project  Photos and are drooling to use them...Sure You May. Simply msg me [ harrisonhouse@troycable.net  or facebook: Jonell Williams Harrison] and ASK FOR PERMISSION THEN GIVE ME CREDIT when you use them. ..that's all I require.

The pillows I found
at GW-$2

The Knock Out Rose Bush
 is new- just this Spring

Our Wisteria Project

  That's my Sweetheart..My Silver Fox

Thank you My Love for another

labor of love.

 

 

Looking Forward,

Jonell





 

To be cont'd... will post as I
spend special moments here
 





  Come Along With Me As I Visit Some Special Places:

Stringtownhome

Alderberry Hill

Have a Cup Of Mrs Olson

Home Sweet Home #115

Aiken Home & Garden

The Charm of Home

It's A Boy!

My, isn't it Grand! No, actually it's Great..After  Grandchildren comes the Great Grands. The parents, our oldest Grand his lovely, lovely wife  now expect to be parents in late summer-perhaps early September. 

Aha, this means our middle son  and Wife are about to become GRANDPARENTS.  When they blessed us with our first Grand Child  I felt not quite ready for the tag of Grandma, Nanny, etc..so I asked to be called Gramma.. Now, after almost 28 years have passed I am  somewhat adjusted to all the tags that come along with this season of life so adding another..great grand parent  just seems a natural thing. 

The Grandparents-
Pop & Nana

Breaking News- I think I would be comfortable with the tag of Gran this time around..My hubby could not care less what the new baby calls him. When we anticipated being Grandparents I was the one who suggested the name POP for my husband..how about Poppy- for the Great Grand!

Imagine that-getting to choose what someone calls you.  I am so impressed with the power I have as a woman!!

That  makes up for not having 'a say' in choosing my own name wouldn't you think?

As I see it with this new branch on the Family Tree - there's  more bragging rights and even less responsibility, right? These old folks couldn't possibly know what to do with a 21st century little one!

In anticipation of this day- I already have put aside a few pieces of Baby Silverware-matches my own silver pattern:  This might be a good time to get on EBay to complete that little set. Oh, yes I did spot some "Beatrice Potter" dishes recently too.

Looking Forward~

Jonell

Post script:  Our prayer and desire would simply be for a healthy baby with thankful parents focused on a God centered family-

Join us as we Share Our Cup  with Mrs. Olson - Thursday

http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Looking Back~ With Thankful Hearts

'A page from  lgh written about a year ago...2012'

Coming Soon- to a town not so far away from Gramma and Pop's - our daughter and her precious family who have had their adventure in the FAR NORTH..[ Iowa ] now for five long years. [ Remember, we are located in south Alabama.]

 I know it is a bittersweet move for the grands 14, 17 & 19 years old so just maybe we will try to mute the 'celebration' with that in mind. Time heals and the joys of being close enough to "reach out and touch" family will soon make up for the youthful heartbreak of leaving the friends & familiar behind.

As a rule I don't post this type of content that is so personally related to specific family members -but, I just want to briefly share a "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..and His Mercy endures forever.." after all His Blessings are to go back to Him in the form of Praise.

~Gramma

post script: ..that was quite a few months ago and now the 'news' is history.  Our daughter and family are settled in just three hours drive away from here.  What a joy it is to know that we can drive over even for a day trip if we are actually up for that turn around.  We can if we want or need to. Right now we are joyously looking forward to being over in west Georgia not once but twice in the month of May. 
Again, Praise God for this answered prayer.  Family is precious..and Time is Precious.  jh

It's All About F A M I L Y

 

oooooooo FOR ME?  You shouldn't have!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve & Carol
Thanks for having all of us

The Hostess-Our newest
daughter in law, Carol

More Than Bunnies ~

 He is Risen - He Is Risen Indeed-The Ressurection of Christ-That's what Easter is about-really.



He is Risen, Indeed

He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

It's Not a Seasonal Thing

It's More than Bunnies

It's Bigger than Spring

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Jonell

Please join us as we share a daily cup with Mrs. Olson:

http://jannolson.blogspot.com

My Rosemary Story ~





Later spring, early summer it gets
 fuller and  lush-healthy

This is my one big bush of Rosemary and it produces enough for me year round and for any friends who will allow me to send some home with them. 

My first Rosemary plant proved to be a learning experience as most herbs are.  All I knew was to read the instructions that came w the plant. I thought I did that but with a little time realized it was not thriving in it's new home.

We moved it and found a permanent home. It never would stop growing and making more Rosemary.  That has basically been my philosophy with trying new herbs.  If it thrives that's a home run. If it does not then try a new home.  If it just doesn't seem to be happy no matter where you put it down..move on to another wonderful herb until it works for you. 

It's easy to search the internet to find ideas for using Rosemary with your recipes.

but that's not the only use-Consider other uses:

• I almost always have fresh bundles of cuttings in my kitchen window...rooting
• Same little bunches work stuck in a container and allowed to dry/ refresh as needed [just before 'Company' knocks at the front door]
• Use cuttings for filler as you design a wreath
• Strip stems and add the fresh rosemary to other natural ingredients to make your own [natural] potpourri
• Tie a tiny bundle atop a gift package using a piece of twine or go for fancy use pretty ribbon
• Take a larger bundle to a friend when visiting b/c you know she would love it too
• When the house is about to be inundated with wonderful guests for a time that's all the excuse  I need to scatter Rosemary in it's various forms [bundles, stems, vases/jars filled, potpourri] all about the house. Often times the flat basket hanging on the wall beside the front door will be filled to overflowing with a massive bunch of generous Rosemary cuttings..
• Not to worry about cutting too much...it makes more-Enjoy!

Rosemary everywhere!

 Use your imagination
 My Craft room is a kitchen counter,
  breakfast room table - just wherever I
settle in and start the project. 



Note the supplies & materials I am using in the photos-
there's ordinary Kraft Paper, twine, hot glue and Burlap...

OF COURSE, BURLAP

You can buy the Burlap Ribbon but I love working 
from the stash of Burlap bags we have [cheeeeep]
The ribbon I am using above is strips of the burlap bags
 on hand...guess what???   MUCH CHEAPER.
It cost pennies per yard...
No joke...pennies per yard. You choose.

Looking Forward,
Jonell



Let's go to a Linky Party:   
http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/
also at A Delightsome Life:  http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/03/home-and-garden-thursday-17.html

http://stringtownhome.net/tips-tricks-36/

post script:  "Molly" left a note asking about how I keep the Rosemary from freezing in winter-I was not able to connect with her so here goes just for the lovely person who stopped to read and comment:

  'Molly, I live in south Alabama and when I first began experimenting with herbs we were in Southeast Texas. I think that should answer your question

We do not have freezing temps for extended periods of time-not enough to be a problem.  Precautions for colder climates will depend upon your specific  temps etc. In Alabama if we were predicted to have at or below FREEZING FOR a long period of time ...let's say 3 hrs-24 hrs I would def grab the old linens saved for this purpose and give my Rosemary some cover...please come visit-let me know how to connect with you.I will be glad to share on the subject. jh

Just Showin' Off- Pictures

1. Another season, another reason to dress up

2. One of my favorite spots for hugging my

mug of hot coffee [w real cream please]or

an afternoon 'cuppa tea with just me' if no one

else joins me

Yes we did..we stopped in the street  to snap

this-wish it were close up to show off the

Ornamental Pear in full bloom

and....No we didn't stop in the highway for

this one...just pointed the handy dandy digital

out the window. We're on the way all the way

[10 miles] to 'get a cup of coffee' - why? well,

Just Because, that's why.

Visiting in the Kitchen Today -Come On In~

 




Entering the kitchen from our
cozy/small Den the door  shows
off a very old salvaged chalk
board and a Vintage Style
Apron-a gift from a Tx. friend

  



Vintage -Okeefee-Merritt Gas Range
we moved with us to Alabama in 2006
& My husband gave it a 95%
restoration 5 yrs later- a labor of Love



 

 



Cookbook collection held in place by the cast iron
white Rooster/actually a door stop; the brown
pottery pitcher, a gift from a Texas friend and the
hammered aluminum little basket, an Ebay find 
finishes the little Kitchen Counter Scene.







 

Old Coffee Pots are not discarded
at Gramma's House- repurposed!





The "oldie"  kitchen table with drop leaves is
courtesy of a daughter in law-Can you believe I had
the nerve to ask to use it? Having it all dressed 
up  makes it less likely to be a drop off for keys,etc.
The bentwood Ice Cream Parlor chairs came with
an Antique Drug store Ice cream parlor table
that came from Palestine, Texas.









Grocery Maket scales found in north
Arkansas in mid 1970's-paid a whopping
$20 and 2 or 3 years ago restored for $50.
I'm told sombody's NAME IS ON THEM
.[keep going-there's a few more goodies]

--A Little Bit of Country for the Foodies

I had a request for a pan of old fashioned baked cornbread today. Aha , I see a blog post coming together here. 

I often feel remiss for not including  recipe posts as so many of our blogger friends share so this is my day! It doesn't get more Country than this y'all!



Right NOW: Set your oven to about 425 degrees-
depending on how hot your oven heats-
For a small pan:  1 1/2 cups Self Rising Corn Meal-
2 generous TBLS Sugar-2 Eggs[ if you were not looking
on I would use ONE egg] +Whisk together & add about
1 full cup of Buttermilk.
*Use your own judgement re measurements



Some things I buy generic always-others I learn never
to choose generic. Some things I alway choose the
Low Fat...but NOT buttermilk.







#1>  20 MINUTES at 425 degrees... 
Add 3-5 more minutes for all over golden finish
Read on..There's More

Take the Living Room Tour While I Put On A Pot Of Coffee~

Please come in and take the 'Nickel Tour'...Our house is not modern nor is it 'the oldest' around. It was built in 1937 and we are the first owner since the original builders. It does not have the open floor plan so popular now. The living room and dining room seem a little more spacious than they actually measure I think because there are double doors opening between.[I see French doors in my future]  The living room measures only 20ft x 14ft. & opens onto a small screened in porch.  I'll get that all dressed up for you one day soon. With all the furniture choices 6 years ago one of my first considerations was ..seating. The blanket chest below was placed just inside the front door with extra seating in mind.

The Blanket chest is quite old,

primative & with a crowd it will

seat two. The mirror above is

[$40/N. Arkansas '70s]  perhaps

the first old oak piece I painted-not

always my first choice but you see

all the dark wood?

This was a swap with another antiquer friend in Texas. No money changed hands. It's a two in one- radio and record player-outside is veeneer

The kinda thing that makes people

like me drool..

I like wing back and love, love any kind of

hydrangeas also Red is my color!

In recent years I am very selective about

the baskets I choose to 'take home'.this one

opens from the top..cost $28 /Jasper, Tx.

I told you I love hydrangeas...fresh or dried
or [good quality] silk. The wash stand is
oak [$85 Crossett, Arkansas] That was
a huge price for me in early 1970's-
Read on-There's More>