Flowering Pear Tree

The flowering pear tree in my yard has the most magnificent colors today.  I love to look out my kitchen window to see such beautiful fall reminders.  

Flowering pear trees grow throughout much of North America.  These deciduous trees are highly resistant to sickness.  They produce very small fruit that is readily taken by birds.  

This photo was taken of the same tree this spring.  As you can see it has many blossoms. The flowers are fragrant and lovely!

Turn ordinary bottles into beautiful decorations!

Yesterday I started by peeling
 all the labels off these bottles.
I soaked them in a sink full of water
 until the labels were easily removed.
Then I took them outside and spray painted them with FROSTY GLASS SPRAY PAINT.

I filled the bottle with sparkly snow and for a special touch I hot glued cupboard knobs onto the cork.  

I added some ribbon and just a few
 things I found in my craft room.

Overall it was a pretty simple project.  It cost me around $15.00 for the spray paint and the knobs.  I really enjoyed it. Maybe because I had to finish off one bottle of wine to finish the project. Dang. 

Fall Decorations

After visiting my parents' house I just had to share these photos of my Mom's great ideas.

My mom is so creative lately.  I just loved her old mason jars and the way she decorated with them.  What a cute and simple centerpiece for your table or countertop. 

I especially love this jar with the vinyl stickers and wine corks.  Great idea MOM! 

I was so impressed with her front porch.  It's so country and welcoming.  She put an old bucket, a sunflower, & indian corn in her pallet planter box. (Directions for the planter box is an older post, check it out!)

How clever- paint your house # on your planter box!

Great ideas Mom! Love you!

Fall & Winter Garden To Do List

Even though it looked like winter here a few days ago the weather has warmed up again and we can do our winter preparations.  I thought this list might come in handy for all gardeners wondering where to begin when it comes to winterizing a yard.

1. Most importantly, your yard needs a good drink before it gets too cold.  Tree roots especially need plenty of water.
2. This is a perfect time to plant those spring blooming bulbs.  Shop around for bulbs that do well in your area.
3. Buy & plant shrubs.  This is a great time of year to buy shrubs that are on sale and cheap.
4. Lower the height on your lawn mower.  A low cut lawn will flourish in spring.  This also keeps rodents and pests from burrowing in your roots.
5. Divide and cut back perennials. Perfect time to share perennials that need to be divided with a neighbor or friend. 
6. Rake and mulch fallen leaves. They may suffocate your lawn if left in piles. 
7. Feed your lawn with a winterizing fertilizer. It needs nutrients to get it through long and cold months.
8. Bring all your tender plants indoors or move them to your shed or garage. 
9. Clean out your vegetable garden.  Pests love to make the debris their winter home.
10. Dig up annuals that are no longer needed. 
11. Make sure you empty all water out of hoses, sprinkling systems, fountains, and drip systems. 
12. And just for fun- feed the birds. Their food supply will be limited in the upcoming harsher months.

A PLANTER BOX- ONE MORE PALLET PROJECT

So let's face it....... there's not much gardening to do this time of year.  I always feel like redecorating in the fall because I know I have totally neglected the inside of my house all summer.  I found another pretty easy pallet project. 

When we cut the end of the pallet off this time, we left two boards on the back and one board on the front.  Then pull another board from the pallet and nail it to the bottom so you could actually use it as a planter.  Again, I scuffed, spray painted and scuffed again to make it look distressed.   

I added a few decorations and it's finished.

My sister also made her a pallet planter.  She rubbed on some white paint and then distressed hers.  I love the natural look of it!

Home*made granola bars

Best No-Bake granola bars ever.  You have to try this recipe.

First- Melt 1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
in a small saucepan until sugar is melted

Second- Mix together
2 cups of old fashion oats
1 cup of rice crispy cereal
dash of cinnamon

Third- poor sugar mixture in the bowl of oats & cereal,
mix together, smash into small cake pan, press mini chocolate chips on top.  Let cool in fridge for 10 minutes or so and enjoy!!!

Pallet Table Runner

I am always intrigued at the things people can make out of pallets.  I've seen shelves, planters, tables, & even kids' beds.  I have always wanted to try my creativity with a pallet and I finally found a fairly easy project.  You simply cut the end of the pallet off, spray paint it, scuff it, and there you have a simple table runner. I wanted an old, scruffy look, so I found a crusty old pallet and after I painted it I scuffed it with sand paper.  So easy!

For a Halloween decoration I simply placed vinyl letters on a mason jar.  I filled it with spiced potpourri and added a candle.