The Wife's July Goals - How'd I do?

The Wife's July Goals:

1. Work out three days a week. 

(I cannot, in good conscience, give myself credit for this. However, I did work out a few times, including getting up one morning at 5:45 a.m. And, I walked into work from the car everyday. Just saying...)

2. Make a new recipe with fresh produce.

(Mexican lasagna (zucchini) and Chicken Bruschetta (tomatoes and basil). I also made six loaves of zucchini bread (do you want the recipe?) and more apple/rhubarb crisp this month. So, I pretty much rocked #2 - I'm giving myself extra credit.)

3. Set-up direct transfers for savings instead of doing it manually.

4. Finish family tree shadowbox.

(Here it is.)

5. Read  "The Other Queen" and "The Know-it-all's guide" (book club).

("The Know-it-all's guide" is being pushed back to August book club. I read three other books for my class though, so I'm call it good.)

6. Read sewing machine manual, practice with tutorials and sign up for a sewing class.

(Emily - you were right. The manual wasn't all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips. I did get through it and got a few small projects started.)

7. Make outdoor pillows for the deck and perhaps another surprise.

8. Sand and repaint outdoor chairs.

9. Take a day-trip or weekend getaway.

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My garden fairy tale

You need to find yourself a copy of the Country Gardens Summer 2009 Issue (Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication). It was at my local library and it was full of goodness.

My favorite thing:

(BH&G)

Doesn't this look straight out of a fairy tale?

Unfortunately, this is the only photo that I could find on the Web. I'm going to have to go back to the library and photocopy the rest of the photos for my file. The outside even had flower boxes. It was so adorable inside, too. An antique desk as a potting station, mason jars as storage... the sweetest thing all around.

Our yard now is definitely not big enough for a potting shed. Maybe someday...

Check out more eye candy at Better Homes & Gardens.

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Got the look

Some of you may have noticed that I have a new blog design.

If you haven't, get out of your reader and check it out.

It's still a work in progress, but I've been playing around with colors and features. I'd love to know what you think. Give me your opinion.

If you are interested, I got the template for the background from Our Blog Templates. If you have little-to-no html experience, this is a great resource for more extensive Blogger templates. I just uploaded my own header and they let me use the template. Plus, you can pick your own colors.

Let me know what you think. I'd love to know what you would change or add.

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What do you think? (alternate title: Why I love my husband)

We were working on the rental house all weekend. On Sunday afternoon, I walked outside and my husband* was briskly walking down the alley towards the neighbor two doors down. An old man (around 85 years old) was down on the ground. He bent over to get something and couldn't get back up. 

My dear sweet husband kept asking him if he needed help. The man must not have heard very well and didn't want to ask for help. But, then my husband asked if he could help him up. He had to lift him up from behind. My husband just went right in and did it.

The man was very appreciative but wouldn't let my husband call anyone. He lives by himself and has had several strokes. Luckily, he has a call button that he wears around his neck in case he falls. My husband helped him to his swing and then stood and talked to him for a while to make sure he was okay.

When my husband had to leave a little bit later, he came in and told me that he wanted me to keep my eye on the old man. He was worried about him.

I truly had tears in my eyes because I thought my husband went above and beyond for someone who didn't even ask for help.

However, my husband thought that anyone would do it.

So - I'm asking you. What do you think? The older man never asked for help, my husband just saw him down and went over to help him. 

Do you think that my husband went above and beyond? Or, do you think anyone with a heart would have done this?

(*Note: My husband didn't want me to write this post. He's not a big fan of attention. He has moderate veto power on the blog. So, after a little begging he said I could use it if I didn't use his name. I figured you could keep up without his name.)

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What I'm lovin'

Pleated pillows

(Ducks in a Row)

Reese Witherspoon's kitchen

(Hooked on Houses via My Sweet Savannah)

A bright painted garden fence (seriously considering something similar for next year)

(DIY Ideas)

A cabinet-door-turned-platter 

(this will hopefully be happening in our home this weekend)

(Crafty Nest via Living with Lindsay)

Painted pots on a wooden fence.

(DIYIdeas)

DIY Budget Laundry Cabinets

(The Meckleys)

What are you lovin' right now?

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It's a worm's life

For several months, Ryan and I have been talking about starting to compost. Part of it is an attempt to be green - we hate to throw all our food scraps away. Part of it is practicality - we have lots of gardening that could use healthy compost.

But, like many things - it took a while to pull the trigger. I didn't want a big fugly pile in the yard, I didn't want it to stink... the list went on and on. This is essentially why we chose to vermi-compost. 

That is, we are using worms to eat all our food scraps.

Are you grossed out yet?

I pretty much followed the instructions of Small Notebook  and a composting class I attended locally. However, I don't have the space to keep it in the house (yes - you can keep it in the house). So, we got a bigger set of tubs and set it outside on the deck.

Here's the photo documentation of how we did it.

You'll need 2 dark-colored tubs of your choosing (worms don't like the light), a drill and worms.

1. Get out your secret weapon (in my case, my husband). Drill holes in the bottom of one tub.

2. Rest the tub with holes in another tub without holes (to catch any seepage). Drill holes at the top for air.
3. Then, fill 'er up. I started with a layer of shredded cardboard.
Then a little bit of peat moss (recommended at the class) and some shredded newspaper (not the glossy sections). I wet down the newspaper after it was in the bin (not pictured). The worms need moisture, so make sure you soak the paper or add it.Then some food. At first, I added some shredded lettuce that was past it's prime and some other odds and ends. You can add almost everything that grows in the ground. I was told to avoid onions, bread and other carbs, egg shells (unless they are crushed) and any meat or dairy.

Then I put the worms in there. They aren't just any worms - they are red compost worms. I purchased them from a local place that sells them. You can also order them online. They don't like the light.
Since this didn't come close to filling it up, we just keep our scraps in this little compost bin that I scored at Salvation Army. Then, we add it to the bin about once a week. When we add food, we also add a layer of wet newspaper or paper to neutralize it. This keeps it from smelling. Sometimes I wet it down if it's dried out. If any liquid seeps out the bottom, I add it to my plants (compost tea).

The worms have definitely been doing their jobs. They are working their little hearts out. I should leave them alone, but I like to check them out every once and awhile.

It's pretty non-conspicuous.It's so simple, I can't believe we didn't start sooner. We have definitely been able to save a lot of scraps that would have gone in the garbage. Plus, we are making great fertilizer for our plants - sans chemicals.

What do you think? Could you HANDLE the worms?

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"Can"-do spirit

Here's another example of using large cans as containers. If you haven't done it yet, you are totally behind the curve. It's like big bangs in 1992 - just gotta have them.

I got an email from Betty, a wonderful friend of ours (and the mother of Ryan's best man). She shared her very own cans that she added to her deck. They turned out awesome!

I love love the black cans with the bright flowers.

And don't you just love the vine-y stuff coming down? (That's the technical name for it.) I told her that she will have to help me figure out what to plant next year. I'm not good at choosing plants for pots.Give a big shout-out to Betty! She pretty much rocks our little world.

Have any of the rest of you made any DIY planters for your yard?

If not, you best be getting going on making your own. So easy, I promise.

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Life is good

Lookie what my husband brought me home today...John Deere gardening gloves. Aren't I fancy? He is such a gem.

I was pretty darn happy about these babies. They made me do backwards spirit fingers. (I rock the spirit fingers.)
Now, I just don't want to get them dirty. They are just too darn pretty.

In other news... I picked these out of the garden.
Delicious, I tell you. Delicious. Who would have thought that chemical-free produce would be so tasty? Oh... that's right. Everybody.

Looking forward to lots more yummy cucumbers and tomatoes in the next month. And, judging by the looks of the plants, that will not be a problem. I think my whole neighborhood will have plenty. =)

Life is good at NewlyWoodwards. How's life in your neck of the woods?

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Binding memories

In June, I mentioned in my goals that I wanted to create a Blurb book. I wasn't really being 100 percent forthright though, because I actually got to make it for free!

I won a Blurb book from Natalie's Sentiments a while back (SQUEAL!). Natalie is a great blogger with an absolutely beautiful family and home. I really appreciated winning such an awesome giveaway. (And, check her out.)

I was so excited, but I was waiting to post until I actually MADE the book.

My original plan was to "slurp" the blog posts from 2008 into a book. How awesome would it be to have a BOOK of our life? Awesome, I tell you. Unfortunately, this didn't work for several reasons:

- There were way to many photos and posts from 2008 to fit comfortably into one book.

- The blog was so picture-heavy that it would have taken days and weeks to organize the posts and photos once they were slurped into the book. (The negative of the book slurping is that you still have to go through and format each page.)

- My time was limited.

So, instead, I made a book of photos from our honeymoon last May to San Francisco. I've wanted to begin making books for trips and special events and this was a great way to start. I made the 7x7 book, which is ADORABLE. It is the perfect size to show others and it looks great sitting out. I didn't add any words, just photos.

The Blurb program was incredibly easy to use. Especially since I didn't add any words. I just dragged the photos where I wanted them and picked formats.

I love it. It is excellent quality and I like the square format. The photos are very clear inside and I love the cover and back. Needless to say - I was very excited to get it in the mail.

Here's a little peak - although it obviously looks better in person and not through my lacking photography skills.

I've made books through other sites (that shall remain nameless). This is definitely one of the best. I love the option to make small books, and am already planning an Atlanta book in the near future.

Thanks again, Natalie - and thanks, Blurb!

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Displaying your blooms

Yesterday, I wrote about flowers to cut and bring in the house for a burst of color.

How do you display your flowers in the house? Since I often have just a few blooms from the garden, I use small jars, bottles and other repurposed items. 

Instead of making large arrangements (that are more difficult, in my humble opinion), I just put a few blooms in small "vases." Here are what I used this week for vases.

 Two Ball mason jars from a thrift store, two Coca Cola Bottles from the Coke Tour in Atlanta, a Frappacino bottle and a glade candle holder (I save these after cleaning out the wax - they work perfect for tiny blooms and look adorable in the bathroom).

And, this is what I came out with after a quick trip outside.

(Roses, ranunculus, dalia and salvia)

These small "arrangements" look great in bedrooms, bathrooms and other nooks. Nothing fancy, but sweet nonetheless.

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Backyard bouquets

Don't you love having fresh flowers in the house? I do.

And, since the beetles are trying to destroy all my lovely flowers, I've taken to cutting most of the flowers after the bloom to enjoy inside the house - sans beetles.

Flowers we have in the yard:

Roses. While not the long-stemmed variety, they look quite cute in small bud vases.

Peonies. I covet some of my own, but this year I was able to snag some fresh blooms from the neighbors (they kind of told me I could). Several friends and neighbors have offered peonies to me for next year, so I don't have to resort to petty theft (although, if the blooms were on the ground, I consider it HELPING, not STEALING).

Lilies grew like mad in our front yard. They are so pretty, they look fake. They also spread like crazy, so they get bigger every year.

I also planted some bulbs to bloom in the fall - Callas, Dahlias and Ranunulus. The Dahlias and Ranunulus have started to bloom already. I don't know if they are meant for cutting, but I cut a few for the house and they look nice.

I have black-eyed susan in the rain garden, but they haven't bloomed this year. I also have had zero hydrangeas bloom(tear). Let's hope they are either late bloomers are are waiting to bloom big-time next year.

Yarrow (which can be found on many roadsides as weeds) make great fillers. I have bright yellow yarrow in the rain garden that I sometimes cut and fill in with other flowers.

In other bouquet news, I picked up these sunflowers from the Farmer's Market on Saturday for $5. I just couldn't help it. They are awesome, right?

I'm seriously considering planting these ginormous flowers next year, because they are so lovely. They just make me smile. I put them in a large, glass pitcher. Very summery. I did plant a few smaller sunflower varieties, so I'm looking forward to them blooming.

Other flowers I'd like to plant next year for a cutting garden:

Purple coneflower

Liatris

Delphiniums

Shasta Daisies

Coral bells

Zinnias

What flowers do you like to bring inside for a burst of summer color?

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Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

If you are looking for a yummy, easy summer meal, you have come to the right place.

I ripped out this recipe from the Summer 2007 Kraft Foods magazine. (If you don't get this already, go to KraftFoods and sign up for the free pub. Stat!)

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Prep: 5 min

Total: 30 min. (including marinating)

1/4 cup Kraft Sun-Dried Tomatoes Vinaigrette Dressing, divided

4 small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 tomato, finely chopped

1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Place large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half the grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat. Pour 2 tbsp. of dressing over chicken in ziploc bag and seal. Evenly coat chicken with the dressing and refrigerate for 10 minutes to marinate. Remove chicken from marinade and discard bag with leftover marinade.

Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill 6 minutes on each side. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining dressing.

Turn chicken over, place on foil and top evenly with tomato mixture. Close lid and grill until chicken is cooked through.

(We only cooked two chicken breasts, but used the same amount of tomato mixture to cover the side of pasta.)

So good... seriously, so good.

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Garden progress - getting close

Lots of things are blossoming and blooming. I'm feeling like my garden is behind compared to others - a coworker and neighbor already have fully-grown cucumbers, but I'm holding out hope.

Everything looks healthy and seems to be growing like crazy.

(Note the right side with the HUGE leaves. Those are pumpkins. My husband told me that they get big but I didn't believe him. They are the small little decorative pumpkins, and I've counted about 15-20 blossoms, so far. Eek! Anyone need pumpkins? I really shouldn't have put them there, but I wanted them so bad. Everything else around it seems to be holding its own, although I'm sure the pumpkins are blocking at least some of their sunlight. Luckily, I grew them up a tomato cage so they aren't taking over the entire area.)

The orange blossoms are a few of the pumpkin blossoms. The yellow are cucumbers. I didn't actually plant a cucumber plant there (I don't think). So, I'm not sure where it came from. But, it seems to be co-existing with the pumpkin somehow.

The tomatoes are also going wild. It's hard to get in to them to trim them. But, I've counted about 30 tomatoes coming in already, not including the blossoms. (4 plants)

Here's one turning red already. Yay!

And, cherry tomatoes, too.

Here's where I cut the big head of broccoli out already. I almost cut down the plant, but decided to google it instead. University of Illinois extension has a very helpful site with lots of tips for individual plants. Here's broccoli. 

It said: "Removing the central head stimulates the side shoots to develop for later pickings... You can continue to harvest broccoli for several weeks." So, don't cut down the plant after the first picking, you'll get more.

Here are the pretty purple eggplant blossoms.

And my favorite plant of all - CUCUMBER. Don't you just love these little baby cucumbers? They are adorable. I cannot get over them.

Isn't it so fun to watch it grow? Amazing, really.

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