Thursday, April 30, 2009

Hopefully a Deer Resistant Flower Bed...




After a long drought we are getting much needed rains in central Texas and things are starting to grow a bit...brings out the optimistic side of gardeners like us and we are ready to spruce up the lawn...but with a new plan of attack...succulents and rock gardens with plants deer are not prone to eat...I still realize that given a serious drought, hungry deer will eat almost anything, but I starting out with a new garden with stuff they usually pass up.
We are using rocks that came from the area around the Guadalupe River...most of them have holes in them and one of the large ones is "honeycombed" with passages. They are perfect for cactus and succulents which the deer usually don't bother...although last year the poor things ate Aloe plants and kolanche. I've tucked in a few zinnia for color...keep your fingers crossed that the rains continue and they have lots of native plants to browse on instead of foraging in my beds.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Pink Saturday Relay for Life







I'm posting early since Saturday morning will find me in Pfluggerville, Texas where I'll be joining Nancy (My Crafty Little Page) and Barbara (Rio Star Ranch) for our walk in the Relay for Life...our team is using a "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" theme and we are designing, decorating, embellishing and other-wise Girling-Up our bras...I found a hot pink Delta Burke bra with zebra stripes to start with...then added a hot pink boa and New Year's Eve party favors...I plan to wear it over my tee shirt unless the rest of the team feels it is too much "Fun"...in that case, I'll retire to the sidelines, pull off my walking shoes and slip into my favorite Goody Goody slippers in what else? Hot Pink, of course...Happy Pink Saturday and especially to our hostess, Beverly...It's raining in central Texas and that is making for some happy Pink smiles this weekend!!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Pink Saturday in Wimberley, Texas























Wimberly's Market Day, held the first Saturday of the month, is well known in central Texas for its variety of shops and vendor booths. "Something for everyone" and "Everything you didn't know you had to have" are the claims. It's sponsored by the local Lion's Club and used to fund their local projects. For those of us in Texas it's a mini version of Canton or Round Top with shade and nice restrooms. And just look at all the pink in our neighbor's shop...There are pink roses everywhere...ond on nearly everything...on the glass of framed pictures...inside faded suitcases...on the outside of banged up vintage luggage...lovely old dresser sets...and if an item didn't start out pink, she'll add a rose or two...or she'll gather and display things with pink neighbors to give them an "in-the-pink" attitude. And I found a vintage photo perfect for the next Paper Cowgirl Retreat in June!...see...it's true, I didn't know I had to have it until I saw it...and then there it was something I couldn't live without! Happy Pink Saturday...think Pink...It's a State of Mind and Wimberley is the capital...Thanks to Beverly for hosting.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Reclaimed and Recycled



Reclaimed and Recycled
Originally uploaded by lbjonriver
Pretty in Pink Table Jewelry ready to go to Wimberley Trade Day on Saturday...Pink Saturday, that is. I made these sweet pink table favors from old corks. Usually I leave the corks unpainted with their natural colors showing. They add a flashy fun decorative touch to a wine and cheese tray. But the Pink Saturday posts inspired me to do a couple of pink sets. Thank you, Beverly for the inspiration!!!
And the soft color called for lovely quotations to set the mood. And I remembered an old ME calendar titled "Words to Live By" . So I cut out a few dozen phrases, got out the paint and set to work.
First the corks got a coat of pink paint, then a lovely quote was added. Finally they were wrapped with coils of bright wire and multi-colored beads both contemporary and vintage.
I can't wait to set a tea table decorated with my latest recycling project. Stop by Beverly's blog the see this Saturday's list of blogs to visit. I'd post the link, but I'm not that far along in my "Blogs for Dummies" lessons. Somehow I did it last week, but I've slept a couple of times since then and didn't wake up with the memory intact...Have a pink week. Think Pink; it's alovely state of mind. LaVerne in New Braunfels, Texas


Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.