One Mans Treasure

I admit I was completely skeptical the first time my husband brought someones discards into our home.  It really wasn't my style.  Seemed a little unpractical in my opinion. Like most cities we have a monthly bulk trash pick up.  The curbs are lined with rows of tree limbs and old furniture for days waiting for their destination.  I figured if someone put it on the curb it was nothing but junk. Not my husband.  He sees a usefulness in nearly every item he passes.

Dining room area rug

I'll never forget when he made a true believer of me.  When we bought our home there was a formal dining room set with matching hutch that the sellers left.  It is beautiful and I enjoy it.  Problem was the floors in the home are ceramic tile.  I longed for an area rug to set the table and chairs on.  We were watching our expenses so purchasing one wasn't an option.  It only took a couple of days for my husband to show up with the most perfect rug (pictured right).  The colors, tone and design could not have been more compatible.  He found the rug rolled up and ready for disposal.  We cleaned it up and five years later it still sits in my dining room.

Cabinet door before

Cabinet after refinishing

When I met my husband I wasn't aware of his passion for refinishing furniture. It wasn't unusual to come home from work and find something on the back patio.  One day there was a stand alone cabinet that was such a mess I was puzzled. What could he possible see in this thing? The cabinet had obviously been left outside.  The top was plywood with the layers separating, and the wood completely whitewashed.  You can see from the picture that it was a mess.  But the cabinet is solid wood and my husband was determined to save the piece. He sanded down the wood, applied a stain and added a ceramic tile top.  He also found two 3' stools he finished to match.  It now sits in his "trophy room" affectionately referred to as his office.

The number of items my husband continues to find sitting along the side of the road continues to amaze me.  Recliners, sleeper sofas, chest of drawers and so much more.  The list continues to grow.  A lot of the items we clean up and resell adding a little cash to our pockets.  Not only are we keeping these re-usable items from winding up in  an already overcrowded landfill, but my husband has found away to supplement our income.

Pictures from The Back Yard

Yucca Plant

Yucca Plant

What is it about gardening that lifts the spirit?  Is it the beginning of a new season?  The ability to spend so much time one-on-one with nature?  All of the above? The  Yucca plant on the left was rescued from a pasture in Oklahoma after a family reunion.  The one on the right I rescued from an Apartment Complex that was demolished.

Beans, Peas and Potatos

Tomato

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My tomatoes, beans, peas and potatoes are really taking off.   These potatoes are the same ones I planted right out of my own kitchen cupboard. I can't wait to dig into the fresh juicy crops.

Rose

Roses

My roses really got a kick out of the rain we received.  They are blooming nicely with a lot of color.  They smell so sweet that I enjoy bringing them in to lighten up the house.  These flower look better than they have in years.

Roses

Peas

Who would have thought that I could have peas almost ready to harvest in the middle of April?  If I had some of my new potatoes ready to dig I'd cook up a batch of creamed peas and new potatoes.  Talk about yummy! But, as you can see it will be a while before I can make up one of my mom's favorite dishes when we were growing up. 

Potatoes

These are my mums.  If you look closely you can see the tiny flowers peaking out and starting to bloom.  I love mums because they have so many colors and such a reconstructive life.  They bloom spring and fall making them a great addition to any decor.

Routine Garden Maintenance

Peas, Beans and Potatoes in my garden

I'm sure most of us have had a vibrant spring garden for a couple of weeks now.  Gardens require constant maintenance to insure a quality crop.   Thanks to the abundant rain my garden is looking healthy.  But what do I do now?  How do you make sure it stays productive and provides a healthy crop?  Visiting your garden regularly will help you best determine what action is need to maintain the growth process.

Natural Remedies for Common Seasonal Allergies

I am a big fan of spring.  Not only does it give me the opportunity to plant and nourish my garden, but it is just simply a beautiful time of year.  It is a sign of new beginnings with trees and flowers comming out from their winter hybernation.  It is also the time of year when I can't stop itching my eyes and Kleenex is my constant companion.  I am not a medical expert and do not pretend to give medicinal advice.  I only know what works for me when I feel the signs of spring affecting my sinisus.