I Hate Gardening

That's right. Someone who's as frugal and eco-friendly as me, well you would think that I enjoy gardening. Growing your own foods so you don't have to rely on pre-packaged veges at the grocery store, that sounds like a "reducing" from the 3Rs if you ask me. Well the only thing I am growing is clover in the yard so I can feed it to my rabbit. And even that is a weed.

Notice the thistle weed on the right side of the picture and the baby redbud tree sapling on the left. That darn tree is always dropping its babies everywhere. I've never seen such an invasive tree before. It such a pain to go dig them up all the time. Oh well; at least it is pretty in the spring. I guess that makes it all worth it.

My husband is in charge of mowing, and I am supposed to be in charge of weeding the flower beds. It's a running joke around here that I am systematically eliminating the flower beds by turning them back into grass. The side of the house has a flower bed that used to be full of perrenials (which I do love the look of) but lately it's just been home to thistle weeds. I plowed it under, planted grass seed, and it is no longer my problem. Next job to tackles is the ginormous flower beds in the back yard that go around two sides of the sunroom. I always thought it would be nice to plant veges there, however it never happened. The only thing that grows there these days are weeds. That's right folks, I am a horrible gardener. I don't like the heat nor do I like the sun, and so being outside to pull weeds is utter torture.

This is about as close to gardening as I care to be-- sitting in the living room looking at pretty pictures from my favorite decorating magazines.

I do a little container gardening. I had an aloe plant, which I mistakenly thought might like to live in the sunroom. Oops. It's almost dead now. I also have a plant on the kitchen windowsill that's in pretty sad shape. I guess I lack the gene that causes the condition known as "green thumb." My aunt got all those genes.



I do like the look of terra cotta pots. I saw once in a magazine where they took the itty bitty ones and wired them together to form a wreath, which they hung on their gate. It was the most adorable thing I ever saw, not to mention a good way to repurpose something! I grab the little clay pots at garage sales whenever I see them, however so far I have not collected too many, so I can't make my wreath just yet.

In the meantime, here are two ladies who have made a version of the terra cotta wreath. I especially like the first one because it's a little bit fuller with more pots on it.


When you visit her site, you'll see that this woman is really into gardening. She has such fun, funky, and recycle-minded ideas!


This site isn't oriented toward gardening, but instead on Trash to Treasure. This is one of my favorite past times-- taking what someone else thinks is junk and revamping it into something beautiful and/or useful!

Cemeteries, A First Date, and Baby Names

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for seven months now. We'll find out within the next few days if we got pregnant this month. Every month about this time I begin to feel excited and wonder, "Did it happen for us this month?!" and so far, every month I have been met with bitter disappointment. We'll see.

As promised, I am going to discuss our chosen baby names, and let me know what you think. But in order for you to truly understand why we've picked the names we've picked, let me tell you a little about ourselves. My husband and I are avid historians. We knew we were meant for each other when we discovered our mutual love for cemeteries. We liked them for different reasons, but we enjoy visiting them all the same. I visit them to photograph tombstones, especially tombstones of my ancestors. I am a genealogist. I am not only addicted to sewing handbags and bargain hunting, but I also spend way too much time digging up dirt on my ancestors (figuratively speaking of course.... I'm not trying to imply that I am grave robbing my great-great-great grandparents).

So anyway, there we were, chatting to each other on yahoo personals, when he mentions that his grandpa lives in my hometown. A neat coincidence. Then he says he lives by a high school but he isn't sure which one, but that he does know there's a cemetery across the street. I know exactly which high school he was talking about. He was talking about MY high school. Out of the twenty-ish high schools in the county, his grandpa lives down the street from my high school. Another neat coincidence.

Anyway, that was the first time the word "cemetery" was mentioned between us. At that point, I didn't put two and two together that he actually enjoyed going to cemeteries. Eventually the cat was let out of the bag, and then we were in love. We went cemetery hopping on our first date, and actually found my great-great-great-great grandfather, Jonathan Shoemaker's, grave in the county over. He has a book that tells the location of every cemetery in the state, and he brought it with him that night. Sweetness. We went on to be married in the tiny chapel there at that cemetery where we went that first fateful night. Just like a fairy tale, isn't it? A dark, twisted one, albeit, but a fairy tale none-the-less.





So this brings us back to our baby names. Now that you can see what an avid genealogist I really am, you will truly appreciate the fact that we absolutely have to pick names of our ancestors. I will summon up a list here of all available names to use and will bold the ones I really like:

Females: Mary Lynne, Marilyn Elaine, Josephine Marguerite, Marie Adeline, Ella Rose, Anna Margaret, Elizabeth, Florence Mae, Almira/ Almyra, Catherine Ann, Emma Katherine, Celinda, Alice Ann, Hannah, Christiana, Eva, Susanna, Magdelna, Charlotte, Nancy, Mary Jane, Isabel, Linda Sue, Emma Jane, Mary Florence, Harriet Geralda, Nettie Maude, Olive Mae, Lova Marie, Beulah Ann, Anna Margaretha, Susan Mary, Mary Ann, Judia Elizabeth, Jennie, Edith Mae, Ruth Ann, Ursula, Mattie, Nancy Caroline, Sarah Salome, Hannah Mariah, Rachel, Eliza Ann, Abigail, Angela, Wanda Lee, Mildred Mae, Grace Estelle, Arvilla Mae, Della, Martha Ann, Rebecca, Penelope Alice, Sarah, Pherbia, Bertha Elva, Minnie, Harriet Louverna, Jemima, Miriam, Amanda Jane, Perlina, Rhoda, Lucinda, Melissa, Priscilla, Evaline, Mahala, Julia Ann, Polly Ann, Thankful, Rosa, and Juliette

Males: Michael Eugene, Larry Edwin, Leslie, Robert Martin, Bert Edward, William Arthur, Noah, Frederick Pierce, William Henry, Luther Marion, James Newton, William Benjamin, Wilburn Wilson, Robert E. Lee, Pierce Granville, Andrew Jackson, James, John, Jesse, Sampson, Chester, James Hiram Thomas, Joseph, Isaiah Preston, Samuel, Pyrrhus, Finley, Frederick Lambert, Asa, Thomas, Caleb, Stephen, Hewitt, Jordan, Isaac, Richard, Solomon, Allen, Mark, George, Tobias, Patrick, Abraham, Edwin Richard, Carlton Louis, Victor Lloyd, John Wesley, Corwin Otto, Charles William, Albert Ellsworth, Joseph Martin, James Garfield, Finley, Walter Louis, Franklin Herman, Alonzo Earl, Joel, Jacob, John Adam, Edwin Garrett, Franklin Pierce, Jeremiah, Jonathan, Daniel, Levi, Christian, Alfred Loren, Emanuel, Elias, Alexander, David, Amos, Jost, and Minus

And now, the four we have picked out: Joel Michael, Pierce Alexander, Charlotte Adeline, and Almyra Grace. Our last name is so common (Robinson) that I wanted to make their given names not-so-common so that in two hundred years when future genealogists are trying to locate us, they aren't drowning in a sea of John & Mary Robinsons. I would like to somehow incorporate Rose because not only was it my great-great grandma's middle name, but it also is surname on my husband's side. I might change Charlotte Adeline to Charlotte Rose, and take out Almyra only because I think there might be too many Rs when you say "Almyra Robinson" together without the middle name. Instead of Almyra then I could use Adeline as a first name. But then what to pair it with, because I don't know if "Adeline Grace" sounds good together. "Grace Adeline" sounds good, but I really want to use Adeline as the first name, not the middle name. Ok, enough talk from me. Let me know what you think!

Starting Fires

Waste not, want not... that's the motto I live by. Here are two good examples of just how to do that. Everyone knows that newspaper is good for starting fires, whether it be a summer evening bonfire, or lighting the fireplace on a chilly winter day. What you may not know is that there are ways to make your newspaper go farther. There are products on the market that will turn your newspaper into logs or bricks. As the Lehman's website states, "Tightly wrapped newspaper burns slowly and provides extended periods of heat." I don't own one personally, but I would highly recommend buying one from Lehman's if you plan on buying one, because Lehman's is based out of Amish country in Ohio. Check out these two websites for two different kinds of log rollers:

You can also roll a newspaper log without those fancy contraptions. I have tried it, with some success, however I found that you get a lot of ash from burning newspaper logs rather than wooden logs, and it works best if you use a combination of both real wood and newspaper logs. Here's how: Thoroughly wet each section of newspaper. Begin tightly rolling each section together; when half-rolled, place a new newspaper section onto the half-rolled sheet and continue rolling. Continue until the log reaches desired thickness. Tie with twine when done. Use only when completely dry (this will take awhile).

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A second way to "waste not, want not" when it comes starting fires is to make wax-dipped pinecones. First, amass a pile of large pine cones (we collected some in Hilton Head Island and some I purchased at garage sales or post-Christmas clearance sales).



In an empty coffee can, melt down pieces of wax from left-over candles. My friends now give me their candles that are too small to burn anymore. Carefully dip each pinecone in the melted wax and let cool and harden on wax paper. I found that this step works best when the wax isn't super-hot and instead is nearing a gel-like state and almost cool enough to harden. Otherwise the wax just drips right off and it won't stick to the pinecone. When finished, you have a very stylish, good-scented way to start a fire. Just toss it in with the wood and newspaper and light it.



I've also heard of taking dryer lint and place it into a paper egg carton. Top with melted wax and let cool. Cut apart each egg section and use just like you would use a pinecone. I'm sure this works equally well though I have not tried this idea yet.

Check out this website for more frugal fire-starting tips!

Cherries

I love cherry fabrics! This first one is a vintage dish towel... isn't it sweet?



This next one was a skirt that I got at a thrift store. I've cut it up to make a handbag out of it.... what else?



This vintage fabric belonged to my great-grandma. She sewed a lot, and after she passed away, I inherited all of her fabric.

Vintage tin canisters & and Eyeless Chicken

More second-hand finds, coming right up! These vintage canisters I've picked up at garage sales. None of them match, and that's exactly how I like it! Right now they're empty, but soon enough they'll be storing little things like batteries or change.














I love these little canisters. I want to fill them up with little bobbins, because I need to get some more and they will need a place to live.


These metal boxes came from various garage sales. The blue one I just got a few weeks ago. I think my friend thought I was crazy when I got it (for one dollar I might add) but after she saw how it fit in, she changed her mind. I did a little research, and the Johnson & Johnson product had something to do with dairy farming. Not what I would have expected, that's for sure.


What does this have to do with canisters? Absolutely nothing. My grandma gave me this vintage chicken, but its eyes must have fallen off at some point.

My Love Affair with my Kitchenaid Mixer

What else can I say except that I love this mixer. It stirs, it kneads, it makes pasta, it does the dishes (oh wait, that's my husband who does the dishes but you get the point!) That blue piece of goodness is there with me through thick and thin, as I experiment with new recipes and as I make familiar, oldies but goodies. It even forgave me the time I turned it up too high while mixing a thick dough; the slow, growling motor letting me know of my error.

And then there's the matching blender. Its motor is extremely strong and has no problem chopping or blending whatever I throw its way.

Tonight our dinner included my great-grandma's "Skillet Supper," Bacon & Cream Cheese Rolls, and Triple Chocolate Brownies. I owe these brownies all to my Kitchenaid Mixer. See approximate recipes below (I say "approximate" because I cook with the "dump method."

Skillet Supper: Two zucchinis, a bag of frozen corn, a large can of tomatoes, about half a jar of spaghetti sauce (leftover from our lasagna dinner yesterday), spices to taste, and about a cup of water. Simmer all over medium-low heat until cooked through. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Bacon & Cream Cheese Rolls: One pack of crescent rolls divided into four rectangles, about 6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped fine (which I did with my beloved Kitchenaid blender), spices to taste, one teaspoon of milk. Mix together ingredients two through five, then spread 1/4 of the mixture onto each rectangle. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

Triple Chocolate Brownies: One cake mix, one mix of instant chocolate pudding, two cups milk, chocolate chips, two eggs. Make the pudding according to the directions on the box. Mix the cake mix, the pudding, and the eggs. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake 350-375 degrees for as long as it takes to cook all the way through. It took me about 50 minutes, even though the recipe called for 35 minutes.

The Rabbitry

I am in no way endorsing the breeding of rabbits for profit, just to clarify the title of today's blog. I think that breeding is wrong, and I would personally never buy a pure bred. I know people that do, especially dogs, and I can kind of understand that, however I live in a 100% mutt household. With so many animals that need rescuing, why pay the kind of money that purebreeds cost? Visit your local pound or shelter for cats and dogs, and visit the House Rabbit Society for adoptable rabbits in your area. Enough ranting on that subject.


What this blog really is about is showcasing my wonderful rabbit items and paintings. Let the fun begin!

This is a doorbell I got as a gift awhile back; I wish someone would install it for me so I can enjoy it!

This is a poster I found second-hand, and I put it in a very nice gold frame that was given to me. I did have to buy the mat new, though I don't mind because it turned out so cute!


This I got at a going-out-of-business sale. Those are the best!


I saw this half off at Kirklands one day- it was originally $120, but I still didn't want to pay sixty dollars for it, so I passed. Then one day, at New Uses (a second hand store in our area though not exactly a thrift store) I saw the exact same painting for thirty dollars. It became mine.


I'm pretty sure I got this one at New Uses too though I can't remember for sure


My parents got me this one. It depicts a very bad sailor boy, however. You should never pick a rabbit up by the ears!


This was actually a postcard I bought at a bookstore, matted it, and framed it.


My college roommate got me these bookends. They're awesome and hold antique books that were given to me by my grandma.


This adorable egg cup was a gift.


I can't remember where I got this. Walmart maybe? Isn't that terrible. I really don't like to go to Walmart, but it's so close....


I got this rabbit canister the other day at a garage sale. It came in a grouping of four that the lady was selling for two dollars. The other canisters had various farm animals on them and had some chips. She offered me just the rabbit canister for only 50 cents! Sold!