How Does Your Garden Grow?

How is your garden growing in this almost unbearable summer heat? Our flowers and shrubs are blooming, but they just do not look as lush as they have in previous years. The blooms on our roses are very small, and the poor impatiens are practically begging for cooler temperatures.


I grew up surrounded by plants and beautiful flowers because my parents owned and ran a small greenhouse business

Crafts For Kids and A Winner

I know many of my readers have children or grandchildren. Now that it's mid summer, have they reached that "I'm so bored" state that all kids reach during their summer break? If so, keep them occupied with crafts.

Sandy Sandler of Bowdabra has a non profit organization called Crafters 4 Kids. It's a website to find free craft ideas that children can do in 5 minutes with 5 dollars (or under)

Raspberry Zucchini Bread

Those of you who have vegetable gardens know what prolific producers zucchini plants are. There always seems to be more zucchini than you could possibly use. Well, bake some of these yummy loaves to put in the freezer, and you will thank me later!

We are not permitted to have a garden where we live now, but we have tried to grow yellow squash, tomatoes, and zucchini in decorative pots. We were

Crochet Bow Tie Pet Collar

Hello friends, it's Mommy's chihuahua Holly checking in again. Thanks for all your compliments about me a couple of weeks ago when I modeled my Crochet Flower Pet Collar. It's hard to be humble with so many sweet compliments, but I try to keep a level head.

When I shared that pattern, I promised my boy doggie friends that Mommy would make a collar pattern for them, so they could be handsome.

Christmas Bells and Giveaway Reminder

Happy Saturday! I know it sounds silly to be posting a Christmas craft in July, but there are only 5 1/2 months to complete all your handmade Christmas goodies before the holiday. Bowdabra is trying to help you start your planning early with their Christmas in July week, full of ideas like stockings, hair bows, wreaths, and more.


I designed these Christmas bells to hang on a door knob. By

Friday Feature: The Polohouse

Happy Friday! Today I'm featuring Alison of The Polohouse.


This is Alison of The Polohouse.

Have you ever heard of anyone who lives in a barn? You have now! The Polohouse is a home converted from a former Polo barn and stable built in the 1930's. In the 70's, it was turned into a family dwelling.  Having lived on a horse farm most of her life, Alison has fully embraced the equestrian style to

Enjoying A Lazy Afternoon

Everyone needs a quiet place to get away to relax and read. I thought you might like to see my special spot where I go to read some of my favorite magazines and enjoy a cup of tea.

Since I was a little girl, I've always dreamed of having a window seat, so when my family built this home, it seemed like the perfect time to make my dream come true.


As you can see, I'm one of those women who

Making Laundry Easier With Purex

Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Although laundry is my favorite household chore, I know a lot of people hate the task of doing laundry each week. Why not make it faster and easier with the products you are using? Recently, I got the chance to try out two products from Purex, which have made laundry day easier! Purex Complete with Zout comes to our rescue to help fight stains. This is a

Thank You!

Every few weeks, I love to give a shout out to those of you who are kind enough to showcase my work on your blogs. It means so much to me that you like what I do enough to share it with others, so today I'd like to return the favor. You girls have given Holly a big head by showing off two of her posts this week!


Photo courtesy of Coffee Queen. She made one of my pet collars for her dog.


Baked Fish With Lemon Dill Compound Butter

If you are looking for healthy meal to serve your family that is also easy and quick to make, today's recipe is the one for you. Fish can easily be kept in the freezer and can be enjoyed any time of the year. This is one of my family's favorite recipes, so I hope you enjoy it too.

The compound butter can be served on the fish, but it is also wonderful on vegetables or could be served on bread.

Friday Feature: Lemon Lane Cottage

Here it is Friday again, and today I want to showcase Lemon Lane Cottage. I'm sure many of you recognize the pretty yellow roses from her beautiful blog.


Actually, my Mom found Patty's blog first because those bright flowers caught her eye, and she suggested I take a look. I'm so glad she told me about this blog because I immediately loved Lemon Lane Cottage too! Patty has a true eye for

French Inspired Vase

Hi everyone! Like many of you, I love reading decorating magazines. craft books, and other blogs because there are so many creative ideas to find if you keep your eye open for them. Even when you aren't consciously looking for an idea, sometimes even something simple can give you the inspiration for a beautiful new decoration for your home.

For example, earlier this year, I picked up the Summer

Pimento Cheese Sandwich Supreme

On a beautiful summer day, nothing is quite as nice as a picnic. Many of us pack sandwiches for picnics or for every day on the go meals.  As those of you who eat gluten free know, the most frustrating part of the gluten free journey is that when you begin your new diet, giving up your regular bread is really hard.
When I first began eating gluten free, I made my own bread, but I missed the

Mini Bowdabra Giveaway!

I know Monday isn't always something we look forward to, so let's make this day a little brighter with a GIVEAWAY!

Whether you want to create bows for.....

 ......Home Decor.....


Learn how to make this garden hat here

......Holidays......


The bow on my edible candy wreath was made with the original Bowdabra, but can be made with the Mini Bowdabra.

......Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting

Crochet Flower Pet Collar

Hello friends, it's Mommy's chihuahua Holly checking in again. Hard to believe I'm back so soon, isn't it? Back when I shared my traumatic bath experience, many of you liked the collar I wore after my bath. I've wanted to tell you how to make it ever since, but it's taken me a long time to get Mommy to write the instructions for how she made it. Well, she finally got the pattern finished, so I'm

Make Your Own Burlap Wall Art

Whenever I'm shopping, I'm always looking for ideas that I can recreate myself. I saw something similar to the picture I'm sharing today when shopping at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. My first thought was "how cute", then immediately I realized the simplicity of the design and knew the idea could easily be copied.....I mean get inspiration from!

After deciding what supplies would be involved in

Thank You!

Every few weeks, I like to thank others who take the time and trouble to feature me on their blogs. With all the wonderful things to look at in blogland, know that I truly do appreciate anyone who chooses to show off my stuff!

**********

Thank you Laurie from Tip Junkie for showing of my Gluten Free Coconut Lime Cake on your Tip Me Tuesday Features.

Thanks Helen of Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Grilled Peaches

Grilling is not just for meat. Most of us typically grill hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks, but once you try grilling vegetables and fruit, you'll be hooked.
Warm, soft, sugary, and caramelized peaches are very quick and easy to make as a delicious dessert. They are even better served with ice cream! Usually I serve them with vanilla ice cream, but caramel or peach ice cream are very good with

Holly's July 4th Greetings

Hi humans and fellow doggie friends! It's me, Mommy's chihuahua Holly, checking in again!

Since it's a holiday, Mommy put me in this red, white, and blue dress she made for me last year. Oh dear! I gained a little weight since last year, so thank goodness my dress still fits! A couple of weeks ago, Mommy made this patriotic headband to match my dress, so I put that on today too.


Although I'm