it's here!

Isn't it an awesome feeling when you order something online and it exceeds your expectations!!!

I am thrilled!

I wrote a post not so long ago about gardening inside when the weather is too inclement to be outdoors. I shared my love of working with succulents.

So I went on Amazon and ordered some succulent cuttings from a couple of different companies.

The first to arrive was from

THE NEXT GARDENER

 

This was the first of my orders to arrive.

Beautifully packaged in this little box...

 

 

I removed the fluffy cotton and I saw

these perfectly preserved little gems...

 

 

The description read "no two alike" and it was true. I ordered 10 cuttings and there were actually 11 and 3 had pups!

 

 

 I already have some cuttings and

I want to make something special.

 

 

Using a small vintage wooden box and some tiny terra cotta pots, I decided to make a little succulent "window box".

 

 

The cuttings have already hardened over

and are ready to plant in my cactus soil mix.

 

 

It turned out perfectly!

 

 

I couldn't be happier with the finished project.

And I couldn't be happier with the order from

THE NEXT GARDENER.

If you're wanting to purchase the same items I ordered, simply click on the name above and it will take you to the Amazon link.

Happy gardening!!!





easy yummy dinner

Are you ready for a quick and easy dinner that is healthy and yummy?
I have just the recipe for you!

Pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes.

 

All you need to make this delicious supper:

Hormel teriyaki pork tenderloin $8

*purchase when they are on sale buy one get one free so you can make two and freeze one for later.

microwavable sweet potatoes $1.50

low fat butter substitute

cooking spray

salt

brown sugar

cinnamon and sweetener

soy sauce

sesame oil

 

 

Cut away any fat.

Roll each tenderloin in brown sugar.

Sprinkle lightly with salt.

 

Place the tenderloins in a hot non-stick pan.

Brown each side until there is a sear all the way around.

 



 

Coat an oven safe baking dish with Pam.

Place the tenderloins in the dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

 

 

Reduce the heat to medium.

Add a tablespoon of low fat butter substitute, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil into the pan.

Deglaze the cooked bits at the bottom of the pan and stir for a few minutes to incorporate. Pour the sauce over the tenderloins.

 

Microwave the sweet potatoes

according to the directions on the packaging.

 

Carefully unwrap the potatoes.

They will be very hot.

Lightly coat the potatoes in "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter".

Place the potatoes in an oven safe dish.

Sprinkle all the way around each potato with salt and sweetener. 

 

 

Place the tenderloins and potatoes

into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

Let everything rest

while you make a fresh garden salad

or cooked vegatable

to accompany the dinner.

 

Slice and serve one tenderloin.

Pour sauce into a serving container.

Serve the baked sweet potato

with a touch of butter substitute

and cinnamon and sweetener.

YUM!

 

The leftover tenderloin is great served cold on a sandwich or it reheats well. The second tenderloin can be wrapped in foil and placed in a freezer bag to be reheated and served later.

 

Just FYI:

Tenderloin is 130 calories and 3 grams of fat per serving

Sweet potato is 180 calories and no fat.

 

Make dinner for now and for later

with little effort but terrific flavor.

Enjoy!

 





vintage garden treasures

It is clear that I live in my garden every chance I get. I also have a love of all things vintage. So I thought I would share some of my favorite garden inspired collections.

 

From my garden bench...

 

 

Old wooden boxes

 

Garden tools



 

Metal flower frogs

 

Hand tools and garden hose nozzles

 

Watering cans

 

Terra cotta pots

 

Metal wash stands

 

Miniature pots

 

Garden ladders and architectural salvage

 

And my time in the garden wouldn't be the same

without my best friend Peanut.

 

I must say I am itching to get out there this weekend and look for some additions to my collections!

Thank you for visiting my blog...

 



shopping in my closet

This addition of shopping in my closet is inspired by my upbringing in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

This inspiration image is from

the beautiful Sundance catalog...

 

My closet is filled with romantic style with a bit of southwestern flair. I love my old boots and touches of flannel. This look is the epitome of casual living with a very feminine touch.

 

Sundance catalog inspiration outfit

dress $138.00

boots $345.00

 

 

Funny thing, I have always worn this shirt with a belt and tights. But after seeing this catalog, I'm inspired to wear it in a much more feminine fashion. This long plaid shirt dress is comfortable, casual and all it needs is a bit of jewelry to make it more feminine.

 

thrift shop shirt dress $6.99

 

 

This outfit would not be complete without

my comfy old cowgirl boots...
 

flea market vintage leather boots $40.00

 

 

I'm really happy with the look!

Thank you Sundance for always being

a terrific source of inspiration!

 

 

So here is a quick recap...

 

Sundance outfit $438.00

Shop in my closet $46.99

 

...so "Take Me Home Country Roads"

I'm dressed and ready to watch my

WV Mountaineers play basketball!

Let's Go EERS!!!





valentine's day

For those of you who visit my blog, you know that I try to practice what I preach. Live a slow paced, simple yet beautiful old-fashioned life. If it can't be everyday, then it should at least be on special days like Valentine's Day.

Here are a few ways I try to incorporate

romance into the day...

 

 

Wear something that will make you feel beautiful.

Add elegant jewelry or a flower in your hair.

 

Hand write notes or cards

to the special people in your life.

 

If you're having dinner at home,

set a gorgeous table.

Even if you order take-out!

 

Make something from the heart.

It doesn't have to take long.

Just make a batch of cookies

and decorate them in a lovely way.

 

Last but not least, make a heart-warming bed.

The perfect place for sweet dreams!

 

Happy Valentine's Day

from my house to yours!

 



sweet treat

A house full of fresh flowers and sweet treats could be any day of the year at my house, but it's super important to have these essentials on Valentine's Day!

 

Here is a quick and easy recipe for a homemade candy that is a little salty and a lot sweet!

 

What you will need...

pretzels

honey roasted peanuts

cashews

melting white and milk chocolate

 

 

You can keep the nuts whole or do a rough chop and break the pretzels into one inch or less pieces.

 

Then melt the white chocolate or almond bark in a microwave safe container according to the directions on the package.

 

Mix the cashews, peanuts and pretzels into the melted bark being sure to completely coat everything as evenly as you can. Place the cookie sheet into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

 

Next, melt the chocolate almond bark in a

separate microwave safe container. 

 

 

 

Melt the chocolate bark and stir well until it will run in a smooth consistency off of a spoon.

 

Gently drizzle the melted chocolate over

the chilled white bark mixture.

 

You can use a toothpick to thin the large puddles of chocolate.

 

For a little extra sparkle...

 

...sprinkle decorative silver sugar over the warm melted chocolate.

 

 

Place the cookie sheet back into the refrigerator for another 30 minutes until the bark is completely hardened.

 

Use a butter knife to break the bark into bite sized pieces.

 

 

From my treasure-trove of vintage dishes I decided to use the red and green transferware to serve my sweet homemade treats!

 

It looks good enough to eat!

 

Serve up your treats to those you love. You can even place a little cellophane around a teacup full of candy and wrap it with a ribbon to give as a homemade Valentine to someone special!

 

I hope you're inspired to make something this Valentine's Day!