Fairy Bench

This tiny fairy bench is made of grape vine. The vine was given to me when my sister cut back her grapes last fall. I try not to toss any plant material that has potential for a future in my garden. I am also

making some gates and fences.

Gardening with Photoshop

It is getting closer to Spring and I am doing some indoor gardening with Adobe Photoshop. Actually, I am using a free program you can download called "Gimp 2". It works very similar to Photoshop. I have more pictures of my plants than I do of my own children, not really, thats what they say. I do have a large portfolio to choose from. I may even Photoshop (Gimp 2) them together.

I call ART indoor gardening

I like to learn new things. This winter I finally took a Photoshop Class at the local community college. I am having a great time playing with old and new photos. This is a great way to create garden theme Art with photos. I found a wonderful photo from 1924 of my family at a Mock Wedding. I can't wait to play with it.

Valentines Day

A few years ago for Christmas, I gave each of my daughters a Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook. Martha autographed each of the books while at a book signing in Chicago.

On Valentines Day my Kiki, made the most wonderful Cherry Linzer cookies from a recipe from

Martha's book. I am trying to get Kiki to continue her education and attend Pastry School.

Winter and Chicago Cultural Events

Winter is fun if you take advantage of the wonderful indoor opportunities. My dear and adventurous friend and I, took the train into Chicago to an exhibit at the Cultural Center. The exhibit was of recent discovered photos from an unknown Street Photographer in

Chicago. Her name is Vivian Maier.

Recycle the Christmas Tree

I have a collection of wine bottles in my herb garden. I just can't stand the thought of throwing away glass that is cobalt blue. This year I couldn't wait for the holidays to be over so I could take down the tree and prune it to accommodate more wine bottles. When the ground thaws in spring, I will use our post hole digger and plant it firmly in the ground.

Doors for Salvage Hall

Salvage Hall has of course been built with reclaimed building material. Still missing was the doors. Doors are one think Doug and I have plenty of. The farm we purchased 3 years ago came with a barn filled with "stuff". In that stuff was over a dozen doors. We have brought a few home to donate to Salvage Hall.

Salvage Hall will soon be ready to hold classes and workshops.

Wedding

The wedding is just a little over a week away. Kat has asked me to help decorate. I am going to order Cream colored roses to add to the simple white branches and greens. There will be tons of candles and flameless candles all over the reception. There is a large fire place in the Library that we can also put candles is. I know it is going to be beautiful and very "Katie".

Council Ring

I spent a wonderful morning visiting Cherry Lane Farm and Trudi Temple. Trudi is having a field stone Council Ring built on her farm. The stone is being brought in from New York state on two trucks. The ring will be 30 feet in diameter. I was excited to be a small part of its beginning. I held the measuring tape while Trudi and her right hand, Gene, measured out the area for the council ring.

Dried arrangement

This August I cut flowers to dry in my shed. Some of the plants I used were Peony seed heads, Penstemon seeds heads, Lavender, Joe Pye Weed and Panicum. I tied them into small bundles and hung them up side down in my shed. The shed is a dry dark place. It is perfect for drying flowers. This is the first time I tried drying Joe Pye Weed. The trick is to cut it before the flowers open.

I used a white pumpkin to make my fall dried arrangement. I also added fresh Lavender and a small amount of fresh Golden Chamaecyparis. I am hosting a bridal shower this weekend and few dried arrangements will add an elegant touch.