planting bulbs [no sweat!]

Planting bulbs was on my list of things to do this fall. It's time to plant bulbs when soil temperatures start dropping to 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I love it when I start to do something and Cigar Man decides he can do it better. Hmmm...in this case it worked for me. ;=)

So, he's here to tell you his tricks of the trade. He really is an exceptional gardener. Growing up on a farm and all, it's in his blood. He says if you want to plant just a few bulbs, this drill with a bulb planting attachment works well for drilling holes.

But if you're planting 90 like we (or he) did, ...

you dig a large hole the length and width you desire about seven inches deep. I researched how big the hole should be and found out that one hundred tulips will fill a 20-square-foot bed perfectly. If you're a little rusty on your math skills like me, that might be a four feet by five feet or two feet by ten feet bed. (I'll bet you could not have lived one more second without that tidbit of information.)

It's also best to plant bulbs in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunshine a day.

After digging the hole, Cigar Man worked the ground up, mixing in 2 - 25 lb bags of potting soil and a handful of general purpose fertilizer.

He placed the bulbs evenly with the point of the bulbs up and then gently watered.

And that's about it except for covering those babies up and waiting till next spring when...

...they take your breath away! :=)

I'm sharing with others at Outdoor Wednesday.

fresh flowers on a budget

Don't you love fresh flowers in the house?

I do too.

Ordering flowers from a florist is just something I don't splurge on,

but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them anyway.

I bought this bouquet for $14.99 at Costco,

brought it home, and arranged it for my own purposes.

I started with this frog.

I heart vintage frogs and would love to collect them,

but for now this is my only one.

I've found they are scarce and pricey too when you do find one.

Often times, I like to use unconventional flower vases

like this vintage bowl picked up at an estate sale.

So here you have it!
Instant flower arrangement for more
or is it less than half the price of those pricey florists.

And if I do say so myself, it has a little more character than
if I'd ordered it from a florist.
Having "character" translated means "Not Perfect" LOL!

But that's not the end of the story.
When the bouquet starts wilting, but a few of the flowers are still fresh,
what do you do?
I can't bring myself to throw the whole thing away, can you?
So I pull the remaining fresh flowers out and make smaller arrangements.

Meet my refrigerator lady, given to me by a good friend.
She makes an ideal container for small clippings from the yard too.

I picked this little vase up in Sedona, AZ.

A local talented craftsman or craftswoman made this cute little vase.

It's wonderful for showing off little buds.
How's that for fresh flowers on a budget?!

1..2..3..no...4 arrangements for the price of one!

Wish I could deliver fresh flowers to your very door, but since I can't I'll have to settle for this and also directing you to related posts at Mosaic Monday, Met Monday, It's so very creative and DIY Day.

Sunday Eve

Sharing this message with Spiritual Sunday.

what's on your list?

The little squirrel stopped his gathering to greet me at my back door this morning. He's so busy this time of year. Which reminds me, IKES!

At this time of year with the change of the season and Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, are you listing all the things you need to accomplish? Yea, me too!

plant tulip bulbs
clean up leaves
plan thanksgiving menu (should I have the same old thing or should I try some new recipes?)
clean silver
gather gift requests for Christmas
shop for Christmas
decorate for Christmas...oh no...not yet...I mean...thanksgiving

clean the attic (where did that come from??)

WHEW! I better get off this computer and get started!

What's on your list this time of year?

"Plough deep while sluggards sleep." ~Benjamin Franklin

a sunday drive

Cigar Man (previously called Hubby) and I took took a Sunday Drive down the road...

through the countryside...

... past Cigar Man's favorite market...

(He says they make a mean bologna sandwich here. It's not Oscar Mayer either.)

to a tiny Tennessee town called Leiper's Fork.

Leiper's Fork is small, but it's known for so much! Puckett's Grocery is one thing it's known for, but not for groceries as you would imagine, but for a great place to eat from juicy hamburgers to scrumptious seafood.

As you can see, Sunday, their special was Tennessee sausage and cabbage.

Leiper's Fork has antiques,

picturesque church steeples,

interesting shops in old antebellum homes,

classy art galleries,

and quaint farmsteads.

Many types of folks call Leiper's Fork their home; country folks, city folks, music lovers, and artists.

This tiny town boasts some famous people too. Have you heard of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, the Judds (Naomi, Wynonna, and Ashley), Michael McDonald, or Kix Brooks? That's right. They all call little Leiper's Fork home.

Oh, almost forgot, bikers love it too! :)

Hope you enjoyed our Sunday drive. It just goes to show you, you don't have to drive too far from home to take a little vacation. :)

Now bike on over to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday to see many other interesting places!

Surprises are nice!

What a pleasant surprise!

I was featured on The DIY SHOW OFF..
.. for this Autumn gift card!

If you missed this post, you can find it by clicking here.

Thanks so much, Roeshel!

Giving thanks for family

November, the month known for Thanksgiving Day.

So what's more fitting than to give thanks! I stumbled upon Leah's blog today, South Breeze Farm and was intrigued by her challenge to give thanks for something every day till Thanksgiving Day. So that's what I'm doing.

Today, I'm giving thanks for my family. They are precious to me and I'm so blessed to have them. The photo above was taken on Halloween day; thus, the dino outfit worn by my little grandson. :)


My list is on my sidebar and I'll be adding something each day. Since I missed yesterday, I'm back tracking and beginning my list with thankfulness for Christ's love. Without His love, I would be nothing.


If you'd like to take the challenge, please do. Head over to South Breeze Farm and check it out. There's no deadline to join in.