Easy Care Perennials

 It's so hot that I really don't want to get out in my garden at all. Even early in the morning when it's cooler, the humidity is sick. So thank goodness for flowering plants that, (with an irrigation system) are low maintenance. I love coming home and seeing beautiful, healthy flowers. Exotic... not so much, but still beautiful.

Nandina is my favorite bush for flower arranging. The foliage adds height and
the berries start as a white flower, turn into a lime green berry, and later turn this bright red
gorgeous color, perfect for holiday wreaths. Love it.

Okay, so Privets might be the least popular,
weed like perennial BUT I LOVE THEM. I like their veriegated leaf and
lacy white blooms in the spring. They are indestructable and add movement
and softness to any style of landscaping. You just have to make sure you have enough room to let them
grow free... I don't like to prune them and they get huge.

Who doesn't love Peonies?! I have the single and double bloom in white, but
would love to add other colors. Once established, peonies are incredible!!! Even after
their blooms fall, the "peony hips" are beautiful and can still be used
in arrangements.

Oh Hellebores! What else can I say, so so so pretty.

Azaleas are easy as long as they have some shade and water. I have a repeat bloom
variety and the only thing I have to do is dust them once a year for mildew. I guess that's
not as easy care as the other ones, but they're worth it.

Hydrangeas are my favorites and I have three varieties:
Blushing Bride, Endless Summer, Oak Leaf
They need LOTS of water and some shade. Other than that,
easy!

I like to mix herbs in with my flowers and Lavender is perfect!  The purple bloom is
lovely for months and the smell is just beautiful. 

I planted Wine and Roses last year and they have tripled in size . I love
the dark foliage and the bloom is absolutely stunning in the spring. I don't prune
or dead head them either.

I resisted planting Knockout Roses for a long time, but they got me. They bloom for nearly three
whole seasons and require no attention. This double bloom variety is my favorite because they
actually look like roses. That was my complaint with the single. Anyway, no spots,
no bugs, no pruning. 

I know everyone has Daylilies but I still love them. They add so much color, texture
and pop to a garden. 

Seriously?

Kids lose "bad mother" lawsuit. Can't take mom to court over bad birthday cards.

• by Piper Weiss, Shine Staff, 20 hours ago

• 2462 Comments
• Post a Comment
• Read More from This Author »
• Report Abuse

• Email
• Print

Did you know you can sue your parents for skimping out on your childhood birthday gifts? You can, but you'll probably lose. Two years after Steven and Kathryn Miner, both in their 20s, sued their mother, Kimberly Garrity, for bad parenting during their formative years, the case has been dismissed. The $500,000 lawsuit accused 55-year-old Garrity of causing her adult kids emotional distress.

Their claims about their poor upbringing had more to do with what mom didn't do, than what she did. For starters: she didn't send her son college care packages, or buy her daughter the homecoming dress she wanted. And their birthday cards? No cash or checks, just Hallmark sentiments. 

The Chicago Tribune reports Exhibit A in the case was a check-free birthday card for Steven, now 23. 

"The card pictured tomatoes on a table with one tomato that had googly eyes. Inside the card read:  'Son I got you this Birthday card because it's just like you...different from all the rest! Have a great day! Love & Hugs, Mom xoxoxo.'" 

"Such alleged actions are unpleasant and perhaps insensitive, and some would arguably fall outside the realm of 'good mothering,' but they are not so shocking as to form a basis for a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress," said Judge Kathy Flanagan in a court statement, adding that ruling in favor of the children "could potentially open the floodgates to subject family child rearing to ... excessive judicial scrutiny and interference."

The Miners were raised in an affluent Chicago suburb which may account for some lack of understanding of normal privileges outside of their luxury bubble. But there's more to the story than just a couple of spoiledadult kids. One of the Miner siblings' three lawyers is their father, Garrity's ex-husband, also named Steven Miner. When the couple divorced in 1995, the kids moved in with their dad. 

The judge called the claims "petty grievances of parental attention or inadequacy."

Father-slash-attorney Steven Miner told the court his kids weren't out to get back at their mom, they just wanted her to assume some accountability. "Everyone makes mistakes, but … there must be accountability for actions," he wrote in a statement for the court. "Parenting is no different."

Despite the ruling, the Miner kids may get the accountability they were looking for. Garrity's attorney suggests that her client's legal fees may end up costing her more than 18 years worth of birthday checks.

Hey Summer...

• Weather >
• United States >
• Tennessee >
• Nashville

F° | C°

Enter city or zip code:Current conditions as of 7:52 AM CDT

TODAY	TOMORROW	FRI	SAT	SUN	6-10 DAY
Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Mostly Sunny	Isolated T-storms	Extended Forecast
High: 96° Low: 72°	High: 98° Low: 72°	High: 100° Low: 73°	High: 97° Low: 72°	High: 91° Low: 67°

...I'm officially over you. Please go away.

Ultimate Recycling Project

                            
Corrugated Shipping Containers turned into....

Beautiful, modern homes and apartment buildings.

 "Corrugated steel shipping containers have attracted the eye and attention of architects and city planners alike.

Is it really possible for a hunk of junk to become something beautiful? The answer is a resounding “YES!”  Never mind DeKalb Market—Downtown Brooklyn’s brand-new food-and-retail center formed entirely of used shipping containers—the recycled structures are now icons of cool, earth-conscious, and very chic 21st-century residential living. The building movement was arguably sanctified in the pages of modern-design magazines such as Dwell and has already evolved beyond its students-on-a-budget, hippied-out roots. While crafting houses from shipping containers is certainly a money-saving building method, creative architects also aim to find a balance between the practical and the aesthetic." 

(Found on Yahoo News)

What's For Dinner?

Fried Cabbage and Bacon
Mashed Potatoes
French Bread with Rhubarb Jam


Fried Cabbage and Bacon:

1 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
1/2 package of bacon, diced
2 julienne carrots
1 chopped onion

Fry bacon, and then add the carrots, onion. When carrots start to soften, add the cabbage. Salt and pepper to taste. Easy comfort food!

Let Your Love Flow

STRESS + Bellamy = A better morning.

Try Something New!

I've never made this, but it looked and sounded delicious. I'll make it some time this week because I have all the ingredients already and can top it off with "Greek Gods" yogurt. Love that stuff! (It's really good on naan bread with a little jam for breakfast. Full fat, just fyi.)

I would probably serve these peppers with some seasoned turkey patties on the side and fresh tomato wedges alongside the lemon as well. Thanks Martha once again, for being so awesome!

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup crumbled feta (4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup couscous
• 4 scallions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Slice a very thin layer from the base of each bell pepper so they sit flat. Slice off tops just below stem. Discard stems; chop tops, and place in a medium bowl. Remove ribs and seeds from peppers.
2. Add beans, feta, couscous, scallion whites, garlic, and oregano to bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Stuff peppers with bean mixture; place upright in slow cooker. Cover; cook on high in a slow cooker, 4 hours.
3. Sprinkle peppers with scallion greens; serve with lemon wedges.

Cook's Note

To make in the oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In step 2, use a 5-quart Dutch oven or ovenproof pot with a tight-fitting lid; add 1 cup water. Cover; bake until peppers are tender, about 1 hour. Proceed with step 3.

Kids Rooms

 I am forever "redoing" my kid's rooms. Redoing is actually a lie because the word would insinuate I had ever "done" them to begin with.

I suffer with an extreme case of scatter brain mixed with an unhealthy dose of indecisiveness.... I can't commit to color either, probably because I lived in apartments for so long, white walls just appeal to me. They don't, however appeal to my husband or any of my kids. Beige is so blah!

Anyway, I saw a link on Jenny's "Little Green Notebook" blog of her favorite kid rooms and picked my favorite two. Neutral walls, yes, BUT full of color otherwise.

They're comfy and whimsical and transitional. Not too gender or age specific. Well, maybe that bottom one is a little age specific, but switch out the toys for teenage filth, and there you go!

I need to focus and make decisions.

Seriously?

WKRN TV NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fire and emergency crews have closed all but one lane of the on-ramp to Interstate 65 South just south of downtown Nashville due to several canisters that fell off a Greyhound bus.

Crews were initially called to the scene around 6 a.m. Tuesday amid reports of a foul odor.

They discovered four unmarked canisters with steam and an unpleasant odor coming from them; they discovered the canisters were full of dry ice and bull semen.

The canisters were en route to a breeding facility in Texas.

The canisters are leaking and cannot be put back on the bus.

Crews will keep the on-ramp to one lane until they clean up the canisters.

Favor Box

Go to:

http://www.bijouxbride.com/diy-thursdays-3-fun-favour-boxes-fubumedia

I just found this on Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" blog. There's a link on my sidebar to see all of her fabulous finds and ideas.

This would be fun for any special occasion or VT gift!

if you leave

To all of the "Duckies" out there, don't change, be yourselves and who cares what the jerkey jerks say!!! Duckies are most likely to succeed anyway.... and they get the cutest chicks.

Happy Birthday Oliver

Today my son turns 17 and I can't believe it. I can't believe 17 years have gone by since I held him for the first time. He was such a BEAUTIFUL baby, perfect really. I had no idea what I was doing and it is a miracle that he survived his infancy!!! I think the first kid always gets jipped....  little guinea pigs are what they are.

Happy Birthday my sweetie. I love you so much!!!!





























A few facts about my Oliver:

-Awesome drummer/musician
-Started life at 22", is now over 6'.
-Knows ever word to "Apollo 13"
-"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was his favorite song for years
-Loves Hayley Williams
-Hates having his picture taken
-He is his grandma's favorite
-Sticks up for the underdog
-Can swim like a fish
-Loves to eat!!!
-Incredible memory
-Adores his baby sister she adores him.
-Embarrassed by his mother on a regular basis
-etc etc.....

Sophie Through the Years

Happy Birthday to my klein Sophia. You are so loved!!! You were a happy surprise and we have adored you since the day you were born, seven years ago! You have brought so much laughter and joy to our family, we're so glad Heavenly Father sent you to us.

I NEVER want to be away from my mommy! Never, not even
when she's cooking or sleeping or I'm sleeping or when she's walking or taking a shower
or walking to the shower.. NEVER.

What marshmallow?

Twinkle toes. LOVED Twinkle Toes!

Don't mess with me.

Preschool rocked!

                                         Seven is going to be your year!!!

Martha's No Sew Embellishments

Ombre is so in right now and this is the same concept, only easier.
It's a great idea for anyone craving a little color or WOW, but it's also
a practical solution if you've got spots or stains on a favorite long
sleeve tee!  

 For all of you "non sewers" or people like me, who sew but still love an easy project, here are some cute ideas that take almost no time and require absolutely no sewing. If you guys try any of these ideas, let me know how it turns out!

It'll be scarf season soon and these colorful beauties are perfect
to boost your mood. Don't you think one of these scarves would look great with that dyed shirt? Hmmm
Again, ombre, ombre...

Putting homemade or store
bought flowers to freshen up shoes is such a
brilliant idea! You can get a whole bag of clips
from the craft store for just a couple of dollars and
add anything to a plain pair of shoes. (See below)

Using suede, leather or a faux version of either is a
brilliant way to make a custom belt. I am a huge thrift store shopper, but
the problem is that I often can't find the right size or the dress
doesn't come with a belt. I love everything about this outfit and would totally wear it minus the book. It would be a pain to carry around all the time.

Another fun shoe embellishment idea. Bejeweled, bedazzled! I bet you could also glitter shoes
but I haven't tried that yet.

I don't know how to silk screen but I want to learn.  I think you could also use a freezer paper stencil
to do something similar. This dog looks kind of like my sister's new puppy Winston. Just as bad too!

Atlanta

 Two weekends ago we went with my dad to Atlanta to see a Braves game. You couldn't ask for a better night, it was awesome! The Braves won AND we had time to get some shopping done at IKEA.... sweet!

Spencer was so hoping he would catch a ball or get or get on the jumbo tron.  No dice.

Yay!!!

Hot dogs and cotton candy... look at how happy they are!

Wow, I'm super hot. Seriously, it was like 90 degrees.

Friday night fireworks were pretty great!

We all loved it, old and young.