Sandwich Bag Flower Arrangement

Have you heard of the Sandwich Bag Flower Arrangement?

Of course you haven't.  I made it up.

I needed something low and colorful for my St. Patrick's Dinner.

Your grocery store or garden center always has a few blooming plants in small containers.

Take the plants out of their containers, give them a good drink of water and place one or two plants into each plastic sandwich bags.

Add a little water to your centerpiece container, add the flower sandwich bags. 

Hide plastic bags by filling open areas with trailing greens or left over cut flowers

  This is the one flower arrangement you can plant into your garden. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day my dear

Blogging Friends

Gina

Today I'm linking to  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

I'm also joining  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

I'm also joining  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

How to enjoy Hellebore in the house

The beautiful Hellebore (Lenten Rose) is showing up everywhere.

Their exotic looks make them a favorite.

Once they drop their seeds,  place in a little water and let mature.  They will stay like this for months.

In my garden they bloom at the same time as my daffodils

The flower on the right has formed its seed pod.  Now is the time to cut them and they will last for days in water. 

When they are at this earlier stage,  cut a slit with a sharp knife along the entire stem and place all the way up to their heads in water overnight in a dark and cool place.

Prop their heads up a bit so you can see into their beautiful faces.    Insert a 2 to 3 inch long piece of florist wire into the side of the stem and through the head of the flower, make a little hook at the end and pull back until you can't see the wire.

Have you noticed  how beautiful their leaves are?  I use them throughout the year for many flower arrangements. 

Have a great remainder of the week my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina   

Today I'm joining  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Today I'm also linking to  http://rosorochris.blogspot.com/

I'm also joining http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Today I'm joining http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Mein Temperament Vogel

My Temperament Bird

You will see why he is called Temperament Vogel



No words needed.

Now we're not sure.

My Father was a very fine woodcarver

http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-father-was-different.html

My Father believed that something simple is just as beautiful as something fine.

He carved the bird for my office so my clients could tell what kind of mood I was in.  I'm now retired but the bird still sits on my chamber door.

...For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door,

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

with such a name a "Nevermore"...

Edgar Allan Poe

Gina

 

Spring can not be far away and PicMonkey Photo Editing is here.

And how I made a new and very important discovery. 
And more great News, PicMonkey photo editing is here.
See link at bottom of this post

Yes, I have too many ceramics.

Every time we go to Italy I bring back another piece or two.

This love affair with Italian ceramics has been going on for many years.

I'm ashamed to admit that this is what happens to my ceramics on the top shelf...

When I don't pay attention to them.

So, about twice a year I take them down, assemble the vinegar and scrubbing powder and roll up my sleeves and go to work. 

While scrubbing hard I was thinking that there must be an easier way.  I remembered how easy it is to shine up my stainless steal

appliances.

I can't believe it.  No scrubbing. It only takes the smallest amount.  I also  tried it on the shelves.  It's magic.  Spotless with no effort at all.

 So save yourself a little elbow grease and try a new product now and then.

And more fantastic news
PicMonkey Photo Editing is here
by the same people who designed Picnik

http://www.picmonkey.com/?utm_source=PicMonkey+Newsletter&utm_campaign=78df5a60ea-Announcement3_9_2012

Have a great weekend my dear Blogging Friends.

Today I'm linking to  http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/
Today I'm also linking to  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Helping out Mother Nature

Mother Nature can be cruel.

Raccoons have no natural enemies in our area.

Not only do they raid our duck and geese nests, they also kill

those diligent birds that will not leave their nests and stay to protect their eggs and their Young. 

Gene has decided to build a few nests for the middle of our pond.

The first finished nest comes out of the workshop.



Let's see if it will float.

But first, we have to launch our old fishing boat.

Yay, it floats, those silly looking pontoons Gene invented actually work.

Off to the middle of the pond he goes.

Raccoons only swim so far.

That is a fine looking nest Gene.

Mission accomplished.

Another nest will be launched tomorrow.

And what was I doing?

Opening a bottle of champagne.

We drank it.

We did not smash it against the bow of the boat.

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends

Gina

Today I'm joining  http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
Today I'm also joining http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

CONTEST

There are at least 10 easily identifiable flowers/plants blooming in my greenhouse as of this morning.

The first three readers who can identify at least 10 flowers/plants will win.

Send answers to my Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maiolica
Go to "Request Custom Item"

A sack of "Redmond Real Salt".
http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2012/02/have-you-tasted-redmond-sea-salt.html

Redmond Table Salt in one of my hand printed cotton sacks


OR

I will send you one of my baby cacti.

When all grown up will look like this.
(Only takes 6 months)



So, get your thinking caps on my dear Blogging Friends
and have fun. 

Send answers to my Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maiolica
Go to "Request Custom Item"

I will show you the winners after everybody has had a chance to enter.


Gina

Yay, we have Winner No. 1
And yes, we haveWinner No. 2

Important Notice:  Sorry, I can not send overseas.


Today I'm linking to  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
I'm alos joining  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Where would you rather be?

Out in the cold with the Help?

It snowed last night, another six inches.

 You could be in my little and very humble greenhouse.

We need the moisture, our Farmers and Ranchers are happy.

Kumquats and Rosemary grow in my Greenhouse

But Baby it's cold outside.

My Greenhouse is not warm enough for my orchids.

They are very happy inside my house usually sitting by a north or east facing window.

But my Geraniums think that my Greenhouse is the coolest spot ever!

What are you doing today?

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends

Gina

All outside and greenhouse photographs taken this morning by Gina. 

Today I'm linking to  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Today I'm also linking to  http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

I'm also linking to http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

I'm also linking to  http://rosorochris.blogspot.com/