Inspiration Cafe Contributor, Trick My Burp Cloth

I am Over-the-Moon honored to tell you the most exciting news! 

 

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to THIS button!

 

 

Big cheesy grin!

 

Today is my first entry as a Contributor!

 

Really!  See for yourself!  Just click HERE and see my post titled Trick my Burp Cloth !  There are several cute ideas for customizing cloth diapers that have worked for me.

 

 

Let me tell you about Inspiration Cafe .  They, oh wait, WE (goofy smile) have an amazing line up of clever crafters and darling DIYers.  There are also lots of tasty recipes!

 

Coming up on June 10th there will be a link party all about 'Knock Offs'.  If you've ever taken another bloggers project idea, created your own, and wrote a post about it, that would be a perfect entry for this linky party!  'Sounds fun, huh?  You should join the party!

 

So, yeah...  I'll be grinnin' all day!  Will you please celebrate with me by visiting and leaving a comment at Inspiration Cafe ?

 

;-)  -Marci

 

 

 



Curtains that Work

Everything should have a function, right?  Right!  While curtains are pretty just hanging there, shouldn't they do something?

When sewing some for Lil Fashionista recently, I got the crazy idea that her curtains could be holding her bows.

This was a pretty simple project.  I found a hot pink, twin, flat sheet at a thrift store for only $2.00.  Then ruffle fabric and ribbon was nabbed at Hobby Lobby.  I cut the sheet to 2/3 the length of the window, adding a smidge for the curtain rod.  The casing already sewn on the sheet is the casing used for the rod.  Ruffle fabric was cut the other 1/3 length of the window and attached.

To equally space the ribbon, I folded the curtain in half and marked that spot, then folded in half again and marked those two spots.  Thats where the ribbon was tacked in place.  It loops over the casing and hangs loose so that A Batch o' Bows can be attached.  Did you notice it matches her Divided Basket?

 (Not a great photo, but you get the idea. And yes, at this point, they were hanging kind of crooked, but we fixed that!)

Once we got the curtains hung, Lil Fashionista pointed and said, "Ooooh!"  Even wee ones can appreciate hot pink ruffly curtains that do something! 

Tell me about your curtains!

;-)  -Marci

Basil gets a Guest Post

Exciting news day!  I have a guest post at

 

Cropped Stories

 

You must see Elena's stunning photography!  Darling Alivia has a way of stealing the show!  She has the most beautiful brown eyes.

 

Oh, but back to the guest post...  It's all about how to propogate basil.  It won't be long before ripe tomatoes are coming from the garden!  You don't want to be short on basil!  Hop over and check out my guest post to see how to get

 

More Basil! 

 

;-)  -Marci

Herbs: A Place to Begin... The Purchase

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin". It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.

Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".

So, you are at the garden store looking at rows and rows of herbs.  If you've never purchased herbs before, this can feel somewhat overwhelming.  How do you know which one your family will or won't like?  Where do you begin? 

 

Here are some ideas. 

Consider any recipe where you are currently using one of those plastic shakers of dried herbs.  Those would be plants to consider.  Keep in mind your recipe will need twice as much fresh herb as dried. 

'Not using a single plastic shaker thing?  Think about meals you enjoy.  Look at a recipe and see which herbs are being used.  If you like spaghetti, for example, you would probably like oregano.  Are you a big fan of chicken soup?  Parsley would be an option to consider.

What about that row of herbs you've never even heard of?  Well, here's a little trick.  Gently remove one leaf from the herb.  Crush the leaf between your fingers and smell the essential oils.  That's about how it will taste.  Does the fragrance make you smile or want to back away?

We'll be talking about how to care for herbs in another post.

Hop on over to your favorite garden center and check out the herbs.  Maybe you will even purchase some! 

I hope this information gives you...  A Place to Begin!

;-)  -Marci

Lost Valley State Park

Warm temperatures are getting a little more consistent.  Let's go for a hike!  How I love these Ozark Mountains!   One of our favorite places is Hawksbill Crag .  If you happen to be hiking Hawksbill Crag , you might want to visit nearby Lost Valley State Park.

For such a short trail, there are a lot of interesting sites.  It begins with a wooden footbridge over Clark Creek. Eden Falls is a lovely waterfall that flows into a hollow.  Watch for the large bluff shelter.  It makes me feel very small. Then there is Eden Falls Cave.  If you enjoy caving, be prepared for this one.  Be aware it begins with crawling for about 200 feet. The courageous who bring along a trusty flashlight will be rewarded with another waterfall inside the cave. This waterfall is about 35 feet tall!

The entire trail is only two miles long, ending at the cave. The first part is relatively flat. Once past Eden Falls be ready for a pretty steep climb up rock steps. Depending on how much time you spend on the Stairmaster, you might want to pace yourself.

 

Keep in mind Boxley Valley is home to the Buffalo River as well as a herd of elk. The area is so beautiful. The closer you get to Ponca, the more likely you are to see the elk. They are frequently in the fields between Highway 43 and the Bufflalo River.

Would you like directions this small, yet gorgeous, park in my Ozark Mountains?  Find Kingston, Arkansas and take Highway 21 to the south.  Turn east on Highway 43 toward Ponca. Look for the Lost Valley Campground sign. The hiking trail begins at the campground. As with most state parks, there is good signage.

A great website to reference is HERE or visit the Arkansas tourism website:  www.arkansas.com 

Let's go for a hike! 

 

;-)  -Marci

Garden Guest: Merlin Falcon



 The north side of our front yard is a certified National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat. Really! We have a certificate! It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit. I'm beginning a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.

 

This week's guest is causing some controversy around our home.  It is a Merlin Falcon.  When we first noticed them in our yard, they were catching mice from our wood pile as the mice would go under the bird feeders to gather seeds.  While beautiful, the falcon is now using my bird feeders as a buffet table.  I am not pleased about that, but Handsome Husband says he is a bird, too.
 

 These photos were taken thru my kitchen and dining room windows.  They are sort of fuzzy.

 

He is standing over a European Starling that was eaten on the spot.  I know, right?

My husband finds this guest fascinating, but I kind of want to tell him to 'Beat It'!  

 

Yes, that's my seque into Tuesday Tunes.  What song is running thru your mind today?  Well, grab it and link it over at Holli's Hoots and Hollers or Outside the Frame !

Michael Jackson, Beat It

 

Suddenly, I want to dance to 'Thriller'.  Does anyone (besides me) remember when the Thriller video first came on MTV?

 

;-)  -Marci

 



Red Buckeye

Habitat gardening is important to us.  The north side of our front yard is a certified National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  We are always looking for ways to add native plants.

 

Buckeyes are native throughout much of the United States, depending on which variety is chosen.

 

While there are several types that grow well in Arkansas, we love the Red Buckeye.  This small tree is stunning in Spring!  We've had ours for about four years.  It was purchased from Mary Ann King of Pine Ridge Gardens when it wasn't much more than a twig.

 

You can see from the time stamp, this photo was taken May 2nd.

 

  

According to Mary Ann (and, trust me, she knows her native plants)

Buckeyes are in the family Hippocastanaceae. Valued for their early spring flowers, they are an outstanding source of nectar for early migrating hummingbirds. While in nature, buckeyes are usually understory trees, with some extra moisture the first several years, they do quite well in full sun. 



 

They are even pretty when we have a late snow! 

 

 

A favorite memory from childhood was visiting my uncle at the VA hospital in Fayetteville.  There was a buckeye tree on the grounds and we would walk down to it with him.  When we could find them, we would each place a buckeye seed in our pocket. The buckeye seeds are supposed to be 'good luck' if you carry one with you!

 

Here's what else Mary Ann King of Pine Ridge Gardens has to say about the Red Buckeye. 

 

Aesculus pavia, Red buckeye

 

Arkansas Native

 

  Shade to sun Zones 4-9

 The first red buckeye I saw was so outstanding I had to get a closer look. It was grown as a shrub, perhaps cut back every year or so, and was about 3 feet tall. It seemed every branch ended in a mass of red flowers. This can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Native to Arkansas & much of the U.S. with the largest recorded specimen being in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. 

 

(Just so you know, I was not paid for this post.  Mary Ann is my favorite source of information about native plants.) 

 

When planning your garden, look for ways to incorporate as many natives as possible!  Buckeye trees are a wonderful option!

 

;-) -Marci

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Smoothies

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin". It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.

Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".

Summer will be here soon!  My warm weather breakfast of choice is smoothies.  It is absolutely amazing how a couple sprigs of just about any herb will change the flavor of a smoothie!  You may have already seen my recipe for Strawberry Basil .  If not, just click HERE.



Have you tried the green smoothies?  There are about, oh, a bazillion or so recipes all over the internet about green smoothies.  Basically, you are adding a cup or two of either spinach, kale or lettuce to the blender along with fruit and milk.  When I first saw these recipes, I thought, "Blech", but the greens aren't all that noticeable and you get a healthy breakfast that is approximately the size of Connecticut.  I like big breakfasts!

So, here is what you do.  Take your favorite smoothie recipe.  Throw the ingredients in the blender just the way you normally do, but toss in three sprigs of herb that are about two inches long.  It doesn't take much herb to change the flavor. 

Which herbs? 

We've already talked about basil with strawberries.  Basil is nice with any berry.  I like lemon balm (a member of the mint family) with ANY fruit.  Well, going a little broader on that thought, I like any mint with any fruit.  A small amount of fresh grated ginger root is tasty with tropical fruits like oranges, pineapple and mango, or even not-so-tropical apples. 

Have you noticed my Ginger Orange Fruit Salad Recipe?  Check it out! 



I'd love to hear what you like in your smoothies!  Do you have a 'go to' website for recipes?  Which herbs do you like with which fruit?

Summer is coming!  Get out that blender and experiment with adding herbs to your smoothies.

I hope this post gives you...  A Place to Begin!

;-)  -Marci
 
 

Batch o' Bows

Don't you love making bows for little girls?  Me, too!  Check out my latest ones.

  

 My favorite way to make bows is big, honkin' Ruffley Flowers because mommys can wear them as corsages! 

Click HERE for my tutorial.

;-)  -Marci

Garden Guests: Robins

 The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I'm beginning a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

Baby Robins always make us smile.

And so do their mommas!  God's creations are absolutely amazing!

I love this song by Jaci Velazquez.  You're My God.

The beginning lyrics are:  'A new day was beginning.  All the birds were singing.  The sun was shining up in the sky.  Sometimes the world around me is so awesome it astounds me.  It leaves me feeling mystified.'

Yeah.  That's how I feel today!

Enough about me!  What makes you smile?  Is there a song that describes how you are feeling today?  Well, grab it and link it over at Holli's Hoots and Hollers for Tunes on Tuesday!

Yep!  I'll see ya there! 

;-)  -Marci

A Walk Through My Garden

Let's walk through the garden.  My sweet friend, Danni, of Silo Hill Farm has asked me to label the photos from Yesterday's Post.  Here ya go, Danni!

This medium pink, fragrant, rugosa rose is Therese Bugnet.

Here is Therese again with native yellow trumpet honeysuckle (lonicera) and native crossvine (bignonia) in the background.  

The name of this peony is Buckeye Belle.  When she first opens, the petals are almost black, then fade in the sunshine to magnificent shades of red.

Snowball bush (viburnum) with salvia.

  

Amsonia flanked by purple spider wort.

Viburnum against the stop sign.

 Three colors of million bells (calibrachoa) in a hanging basket.

Red Buckeye (aesculus pavia).  I've actually written an entire post about it.  Coming soon!

Iris, but I don't know which hybrid.

This peony is Coral Charm.  A stunning color, but not fragrant at all.

Have a lovely day!

;-)  -Marci

Garden Photos in May

Let's walk through the garden.

 

What a pretty day!

 

 

 

 

  

 These photos were all taken May 11th.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

;-)  -Marci

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Coffee

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin".   It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.

Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".

How do you begin your day?  I like coffee!  Do you know that many herbs are delicious with coffee?  You can add a sprig or two to your mug and pour the hot coffee over it.  Another option is adding a handful of herbs to your coffee maker's basket along with the coffee. 

 

As it brews, a delicious infusion occurs.  This happens to be chocolate mint, my favorite herb for coffee.  Just about any member of the mint family is scrumptious!

So, how do you like your coffee?  Do you add herbs?  What is your favorite? 

Check out my RECIPES page for more simple ways to use herbs.

I hope this gives you...  A Place to Begin!

;-)  -Marci

The Lord is my Strength and my Song

;-)  -Marci

Sisters' Divided Baskets

Yep...  More divided baskets! 

 

These are for sisters who share a bedroom.  The fabric choices are the same for both, but there are slight differences.

 

 The girls loved them!

Would you like to make one?  I am using this Divided Basket Pattern from Anna @ Noodlehead !  You can see more of my baskets HERE and THERE !

 

;-)  -Marci

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Herbed Butter

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin".  It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life.  After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.

Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".

I have exciting news today!

My favorite herbed butter recipe is a Foodie Friday guest at Arkansas Women Bloggers!  What an honor to be invited to write for them! 

You are going to love this versatile recipe!  I teach you how to make it, and then I give suggestions on ways to use it!  Click HERE to see the recipe!

Please remember to come back each week for more posts about herbs.  I can give you "A Place to Begin"!

;-)  -Marci

Hop on board The Great Blog Train!

This blog hop is just too much fun!  It's the kind where you link your blog, not a specific post.

 

Remember the last box car gets the Caboose Feature for next month!  I'll be featuring a blog, too!

 

Click HERE to hop on board!

 

Chugga chugga!  Toot toot!

 

;-)  -Marci

Featured!



Being featured makes me smile like Lil Fashionista in piggy tails!

 

 

Truly Lovely

 

has a Friday Linky Party...  Yup!  You will want to visit the Laney Sisters tomorrow!  They were so kind to feature my Calico and Denim Burp Cloth last week!  Here's the intro to their blog: 

Two sisters who just want to share a little lovely with the world.

Truly Lovely is a blog about all things we consider to be… well… lovely, of course!
 

You are going to love Kassi and Kayli!

 

 Seven Alive

has a Thursday Linky Party going on right now!  OK.  Go ahead and link something cool.  I'll wait.

You're back!  That was fast!  So, you saw that Kadie featured the Wet Bags I made!  Here's what she says about her blog:  My husband and I have 3 boys and 2 girls. That makes 7 of us. Yes, we really do live in a double wide! I love crafting,crochet,cooking, my kiddos, sewing, and photography you will see plenty of all of that here. 

Isn't Kadie wonderful?!

Thank you for stopping by!  Your visits make me smile like Lil Fashionista in piggy tails!

;-)  -Marci

 

The Great Blog Train #5

All Aboard!

A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!

The railway and trains helped build North America and brought people together.We want this blog hop to bring people together – we designed it so that nobody will be left out.Don’t worry if you are late boarding this train.Even the caboose will be chugging down the tracks to new relationships because the very last entry will receive a feature next month! Along with the caboose, I'll be choosing a blog to feature, too!

Chugga chugga! Chugga chugga! Toot toot!  April's caboose and featured blog happens to be

Judy H-J's Thoughts

Judy H-J's Thoughts - A Twinless Twin. Jamaican Freelance writer on a healing journey after facing loss. Here I share memories, hobbies, interests, pictures and much more. 

My featured blog is:

Domesblissity
 

I'm an older SAHM of two, a girl 8 and a boy 6, who loves to cook. I love life, my kids, my dogs and take one day at a time.  (Anne has a linky party on Thursdays!)

RULES

1. In order to link up to the “The Great Blog Train” you must first connect to the Locomotive.Please follow all 3 of the hosts by at least one of the following options: GFC, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Linky, Networked Blogs or Facebook. Then leave us a comment telling us how you followed so that we can come back & visit you!The 3 hostesses are:

Link up your family friendly blog to the train (please only use your homepage – not a specific post)

3. And last but not least connect to the boxcar in front of you (the person who entered before you).Stop by that person’s blog, have a look around and leave a comment letting them know that you stopped in!

Now you have your ticket and are ready to board the rest of the train! – If you want to visit other boxcars you may do so now!

Enjoy your travels!

OPTIONAL:You may grab our “Great Blog Train” button and post it on your sidebar or link page. Also, feel free to spread the word – the more the merrier!