Notebooks and Wrapping Paper

I recently made the above notebooks for some friends of mine who were graduating. I have been excited to use some of the flower designs from my new book Decorative Flower and Leaf Designs by Richard Hofmann. It is a great book just chock full of lovely flowers!

I made them using Snapfish. Instead of using photos, I just make my design in Photoshop and upload a jpg. Sometimes it takes some fooling with it to get the image where I want, but it usually turns out great. I have made mugs, books, and notebooks this way.

When I went to wrap the notebooks I realized I was out of wrapping paper so I decided to print some using the same design. Now I always have wrapping paper at my fingertips!

Father's Day Succulents

This year I decided to make my dad a succulent arrangement for Father's day. My goal was to buy one plant and use the rest from the yard.

This was also really driven by this cute container I got at Hobby Lobby. I lined it with moss and then with chicken wire to give it strength. Then I filled in with dirt, then plants, then pebbles.

This little bloomer came from Natorp's. Oh, and the beautiful urn is my neighbor's. Thanks again John!

For NANA

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
-Mary Frye

Pesto Feta Pizza

I had to post this pesto feta pizza I made the other night because it was so pretty. This summer we are part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from Hazelfield Farms in Kentucky and we are constantly trying to find uses for all the veggies we are getting. This week we got a little baggy of Italian parsley and I decided to make pesto feta pizza.

The dough is not hard to make in the food processor, but you do have to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Here are the recipes:

Dough

1 1/2 cups flour

1 stick butter

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

cold water to form dough

Place first 4 ingredients in food processor (I slice the butter into chunks) and then slowly add cold water until dough moistens and sticks together. Put dough in refrigerator for at least 30 mintues. When ready, spread dough on cookie sheet and add toppings. Cook for 50 minutes at 375 degrees.

Pesto

1 handful of basil leaves

1 sandwich baggy of Italian parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
2 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fern

The other day I went to Hobby Lobby and I couldn't help myself. They had all these super cute wrought iron containers and they were 50-60% off!

This is a photo of one of them. I lined it with moss and bought this cute little fern to put in it. The photo doesn't show how this fern's wiry little arms move in the sweetest way in the wind.

More Hobby Lobby projects coming soon!

Coral Peony

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers so you can imagine how excited I was to bring these coral peonies home. These were a hair past their prime, but still incredible! They measured about 7 inches across.

The color of these peonies starts off an intense coral color and fades to white as they age. The part I like the most are the yellow anthers that all wiggle their heads together if you move the flower.

Tulip Pods

I have been garden crazy lately. You know how it is...you are just going to weed this one bed; then five hours later you can barely straighten your back and you are dehydrated.

Anyway, I feel like I have evolved into a hardened gardener. I used to try and save every little baby sedum that accidentally got dislodged, or I would transplant every last day lily that was in the wrong spot. But no more nice Nessy. Now I am pulling out columbines left and right. Yes... even the ones with flowers! Can you believe it?

But this brings me to the current topic which are these beautiful seed pods. They were about to go right into the garden waste bag when I noticed how beautiful they were. Yes, they made this hardened gardener pause for a moment to consider their slender shape and hint of pink.


I have to admit I am a pod lover. I love pods of all shapes and sizes. I love the idea of all their little babies nestled inside. OK, this blog is getting too long. Enjoy!