Beauty Trick

Need a color lift? Paint a Lamp shade.

I have painted every one of my lamp shades. Either on the inside or on the outside. 

 All of my wall colors have been painted with at least 3 different colors.  One on top of the other, leaving open spaces for each individual color to shine through.

I always begin with a color that is darker and livelier than the end result should be. The adjustment is made with the next two color applications.

The walls are glowing. The mood of the room has changed. And  with a flick of the  switch  complexions improve. 

Peach, Umber and Terra Cotta.  One coat of paint on top of the last.

Faces soften,  lines  disappear and the sun is always shining.

Wishing you a safe and happy  rest of the week. 

Gina

It is Rolly Polly Time

Or if you are more sophisticated you might call them 

Ronde de Nice. 

The perfect Summer squash.

They are good when golf ball size or even a little larger.  

  You can almost watch them grow. 

 But first I will collect a few blossoms and fry them covered in beer batter. 

What makes Ronde de Nice so perfect is that the entire vegetable can be used.  The skin is soft and when young, seeds are not developed. 

The yellow squash in the back is also a Rolly Polly, only this one is now too old to eat but is perfect for saving seeds.

Squash bread is delicious and 

so is squash soup.

Ronde de Nice are prolific growers. Soon I will be putting them up on Main Street.

If you're lucky there may be a few waiting for you. 

Have a wonderful week and be safe,

Gina

I know, I know.

It is a weed.

But I watched it grow...right after the snow melted.  

It looked so interesting, so promising, so sculptural. 

Sleet and snow and heavy winds couldn't topple it.  

Now a new one is growing. 

Shall I let it continue to grow?  My friends are shaking their heads. 

I'm told that it is a noxious weed.  

Germans call it Königskerze

(King's Candle). 

What do you call it?

Stay safe and be well dear friends, 

Gina 

Color, Color.

Everywhere.

Salpiglossis, Nemesias, Skyblue Petunias and Poppies are blooming in my Garden.  

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, 

Gina 

They have come back

After several weeks

And now they're all grown up.

Salpiglossis, Nemesia and Poppies brighten the flower beds.

First Crop has been cut and gathered.

A new kitchen is getting my new hand painted tiles. 

The house sits quiet and cool under the old trees. 

Take care dear friends. 

Gina 

If only I knew

The name of this beautiful rose.

Can you help?

Do you recognize it? 

Growing roses, especially tea roses is not easy in this climate.  

Nonetheless,  I have found the perfect rose for my garden.   

This rose has very long stems.  It is disease resistant.  It is winter hardy (Zone 3) is long lasting in water and has grown in the same spot for almost 10 years.  Several roses, growing along the same wall, did not survive our harsh winters.  

Dear friends,  maybe one of you will recognize this rose. 

I would love to know its name.  

I thank you in advance, 

Gina 

Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July 

Enjoy the  day in this beautiful and free country.  

Have fun and be safe. 

Gina