Queen anns lace ornaments

I love Queen Ann's Lace. It grows wild along the roadsides, Fields, and yes I do grow some in my flower garden even if many consider it a weed. I adore the Lacey delicate flowers and the airy foliage. I also think they look lovely as ornaments on the Christmas tree. A Friend told me years ago that in Victorian times they would dry the flowers and then decorate their Christmas trees with them. I couldn't help but try it for myself but to my dismay the flowers stuck to the paper I was drying them between So I was very happy to find this web site that really works. htt://www.gardenguides.com/2114-queen-anns-lace-snowlakes.html It is funny that I am thinking of Christmas. But the snowflake like flower does that to me.

If you can't pull up the web sight here are the directions. Personally,I don't like the snow on them. But I love the glitter spray.

1. Gather the flowers: Cut branches of Queen Ann's Lace a couple of inches below the flower heads
2.To clean: Rinse the flowers off gently, head down and let dry on dishtowels. you can also lay then sideways turning them occasionally.
3. To press: you can press the flowers between old catalogs, phone books, or stacks of newspaper. Trim flower stems very close to the bottom of the flower head, turn your flower head upwards, and carefully place on paper towels, put paper towels between the flowers and pressing paper to protest the flowers from the ink on the paper. Check these flowers every couple of days. You want them to get dry enough that they nicely hold their flat lacy shape. You can also move them pressing paper each time you check to keep them from sticking to the paper.( Note: the flowers are often very moist the first few days, but if they stick to the paper and dry there, you'll break them when trying to remove them.)
4. Finish drying : once flowers are relative dry, they may be flexible but not floppy. Dry in the open air.
5.Decorating: Make loops for snowflakes by fastening a loop to the back of each flower. Spray them with spray snow and let dry between coats.
6.Sealing: after you get them to a snow consistency that you like, spray well with the clear paint to seal let dry.
Variations. Dress the snowflakes up with glitter, spray glitter ( my favorite) You can also use fall-colored spray paint for a fall wreath, pink and blue to decorates a baby shower gift, or white on a wedding reception centerpiece.

I love Spring

I love spring. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom, birds chirping and the days to get longer.

The cherry trees are full of red juicy cherries. Unfortunately the trees are so tall I can't get to them but the birds do enjoy them.

We got our buntings and flags up for memorial day.

We keep them up until the end of July. I feel so blessed to live in America. I feel so blessed to have the freedoms we have. I feel overwhelming gratitude for those who serve and protect our country. Putting up the flags is one of my favorite things to do.

spring flowers

I have long anticipated the arrival of flowers once again in my yard. This winter has seemed colder and harsher then normal. So when I was greeted by some daffodils, and hyacinths in bloom as I got home from work , I could not hold back my excitement.

I rushed into the house and told Mike the wonderful news. He smiles at me .Then asked me if I smelled anything. I looked around the room and saw two beautiful hyacinths plants who's perfume was filling the room with the most fragrant sent of spring.

I smiled and started to laugh . Mike had bought the flower for me just that day. He knows me so well!

My Birthaday flowers

I have the best sister-in-law. For my birthday she sent me the most beautiful flowers.

There were lilies,

roses ,

carnations and Gerber daises. I love flowers ! When ever I think of how heaven will look I always imagine the most lovely gardens full of flowers. Thank You Sherry!!

I love my yard

I really wanted the yard to look great and welcoming when Isaac came home to visit this summer. I wanted it to look very patriotic. So I started out planting red white and blue flowers that I got for mothers day. We put up our buntings, and Mike fixed the flag pole.(This is about the 3rd flag pole we have put up since we moved here.) Then Mike decided if I wanted a nice yard he would make sure I got what I wanted. He repaired the winter damage to the fountain, moved the arbor from the back yard to the front and made a new sitting area. He then made a new path from the fountain to the walk, and edged the flower beds in stone and gravel. He is now working on lighted columns on each side of the walk complete with smaller columns. I not only have gotten a great yard from all his hard labor but a hot hubby. He has gotten a great golden tan, and 18 inch arms from being a "rock mover" as he puts it. A win, win situation I would say!

The house looks great

Mike has been working really hard on the yard and house. He cleaned all the siding, pulled up the poison ivy, Trimmed the boxwood's around the fountain, built a new walk, put in new lattice and painted the pillars,removed the old peach tree and bushes in front of the house and cleaned the flower bed. You should see the burn pile. After all that yard work it is huge! He is now working on the front door. I am so proud of all the work he is doing. It looks great!