The Sweetly Decorated Life: Planting Privacy Trees for the Spring-the Best one...

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Planting Privacy Trees for the Spring-the Best one...: Thuja Green Giants-a great variety According to Expert Pam at Fast-Growing-Trees.com "Need privacy in a hurry? This is the tre...

Planting Privacy Trees for the Spring-the Best ones for your Time & Money

Thuja Green Giants-a great variety

According to Expert Pam at Fast-Growing-Trees.com

"Need privacy in a hurry? This is the tree for you. Grows up to 3-5 ft. per year when established, and gives you dense evergreen privacy all year long. Very easy to grow, and it resists diseases & insects too! "

From my personal experience, Emerald Green Arborvitaes, those green trees that you love at the hardware store and think will grow fast, we'll don't waste your time or money, those aren't it.  We bought at least six last year and in early Spring planted; we lost two and a year later, we don't think they've budged in height.  I admit it's hard to tell but since transplanting a Leyland Cypress from our front yard to the back (for privacy screen) we've seen that baby grow at least a foot.  We're happy with that purchase and believe it will go the distance.  I don't dislike the emerald green variety, I just need height in a hurry and those don't fit the bill.

MORE RESEARCH

When I met with one of my areas top green guys, he told me emphatically, you want privacy, go with the Green Giants.  They grow full, wide and tall and at a fast rate too.  Depending on how long you plan on staying at your property, these trees will send the message, you want privacy.  Since moving from the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, we became accustomed to trees, tall beautiful trees that surrounded our every move.  Our walks, our driveway, spruces, evergreens, oaks-maples.  Everywhere we looked-trees.  Nothing obtrusive, nothing to close to the house, just beauty.  I loved it there in many ways.  Now we are without trees, just one simple dogwood and that looks like it's struggling.  I'll fertilize it when weather breaks.

This Spring, we have our landscaper guy, Oscar on the job.  He is a simple man.  He loves his family and he makes good deals for the people living here.  He told us, he has a customer getting rid of healthy Crepe Myrtle trees and would I want them transplanted here?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR CHECKLIST PRIOR TO PLANTING

1) You have to LOVE what you choose.  Don't pick a tree, shrub or plant that someone recommends to you based on privacy alone.  My guy recommended holly trees and that was quickly vetoed.  I grew up around them and they remind me of Christmas all year long.  I love the holidays but I want something that blooms and reminds me of Springs arrival!
2) Ask your landscaper what healthy plants or trees are discounted or those that other customers are digging up; what's salvageable.  If he guarantees his plants, you can't loose.  Recycling is always best for me.
3) If you think something can't be done, your wrong.  Sorry.  I want lilacs, roses, and wisteria this year.  My husband asked how is that possible on the fence and I say, it's not. I look at everything like a dream, a possibility waiting for the answers; a solution.  I love being surrounded by beauty and flowers, trees, and shrubs remind me of God's perfect work.

I am certainly not an expert but I grew up around my Grandfather Robey who worked for the National Park Service.  My Grandfather planted those Cherry Blossoms that surround the tidal basin in Washington D.C.. His family owned a flower shop.  It's my duty to make him proud and I feel as if I'm doing that.

Best girlfriend ever-Jane!

I believe whatever makes you happy is a choice, of course it is or why would we do it?

When I make the decision to buy these trees for my privacy fence, it will be one made out of practicality but also beauty.  We only live once and we have to grow into what we love sometimes.  People will ask me why I put on make up if I'm only running outside in the snow to play with my kids?

My answer-because it makes me feel beautiful, alive and happy.  That's it.  Feel Alive.

Southern Grits & Hardboiled Eggs, a Weekend Breakfast Favorite

Since our arrival in the southern states last night, I felt it my duty to post one of my go-to recipes; one that all four of my kids have come to love!  This is so super easy and if one feels inclined go ahead and spice it up with your favorite hot sauce-I promise it won't send you sweating!

Hardboil your favorite eggs the night before. I always drop the eggs in prior to a boil and once boiling leave them in for 20 minutes. Let them cool and place in the fridge overnight. Use Quaker Oat's 5 minute grits because these taste the best. When cooking use unsalted butter and your favorite milk. Mix it into the grits while cooking.  I like it this way because it cooks in rather than sitting on top of the grits and that's what you'll end up eating-a whole lot of butter and milk!  Slice egg atop the grits, sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic salt and your ready to go!

This breakfast packs a powerful punch-it's that boost of carbs and protein you need to start the day and it tastes delicious. On a cold morning, what more could you ask for? A warm breakfast bowl of something good. Grateful.

Add shredded cheese, green onions, spinach if you like. It's your bowl of something good!

Our Living Rooms' Quick Change-Make over in a Minute!

I love it don't you when a room comes together?  It's not often I can make that happen with little ones and usually I don't move the heavy stuff.  That's up to my husband and even he calls for reinforcements from time to time.

When we moved back home I just knew we were going to require two sofas to accomodate a living room that would serve as entertainment room, game room and book club room (coffee dates in there are a MUST!).

To start we moved sofas to face one another to create conversation among family and friends.  This situation I'll call it called for one of the sofas to back up to our focal point: the gas fireplace.  (a good 2 feet from the fireplace!)

AN OLD BARN TABLE

Once upon a time there was a barn SALE.  I saw an oak pedestal table and the possibilities were endless.  My husband sawed it down, painted it a matte black, sanded with fine grit sand paper and the rest was history!  Topped with nautical treasures to accent the town we live in (Annapolis is the sailing capital of the world!) and a sisal rug underneath, there was nothing left to do but enjoy relaxation!

You know when your teenage daughter hangs out in there it's comfortable!

I felt like something was missing though.  I know sometimes when we decorate, our room feels "less than".  Have you ever been to someone's home whom you might love their decorating but can't imagine dusting all those accessories!  I have and it's daunting.  My decorating scheme is always "sweet"; I sum it up in two words: sweet and simple.

So with that, I felt like my Annapolis Furniture Company book shelves should be adorned with my creamware.  I removed some of the personal photos off of the bookshelves because the look was cluttered and replaced them on the fireplace mantel-a look now complete with fluffy pillows and throw blankets.

Royal Creamware

I've been collecting creamware for years; flea markets, thrift shops, yard sales.  I love it and will never stop collecting it.  I will pass it onto my daughters when they marry.

The Jasper Plaid Pillow by Pottery Barn

I love this pillow cover.  If you have pillows in your collection, zippered covers come off-just use the inserts if they come close to the size pillow cover you need.  I only buy the pillow cover and change them out depending on the season.  It's the quickest change and most affordable way to change up a rooms look!

Happy

Although the room may look cluttered, to me it feels "sweetly decorated" which is what I was going for.  It took a year to feel complete about the room and I still may add another this or that but with my little ceramic bull dog seen below, what more could you need?  He guards the room and never lets our dog Belle feel intimidated.  Bella feels right at home in her little dog bed (seen far right).

My little French bull dog!

What makes you feel at home?  Is it a collection of treasured books?  Family photos?  My sister in law gave me a delicious book (she does this often) called Living With What You Love.  A great flip through read.  It helped me get started-Happy Hunting!!

Incredible French Toast Casserole recipe.....

Scumptious!

I know right?  Recently, my daughters decided to venture out on a week day to check out the Great Harvest Bread Company in West Annapolis, Maryland.  We were told by a lovely friend to "stop in and color a heart and you'll receive a giant heart-shaped cookie for FREE."

Wait a minute-did I hear Free?  I'm all over it.  In all my years as a resident of Annapolis I've never been into a place called The Great Harvest Bread Co. That's wonderful-abbreviated just like that-Co. Cool.

So my girls and I got all gussied up (they did-I look like mom in her work out clothes) and headed out into the winter cold with one idea in mind-free heart shaped, giant sized cookie!!!  I felt like Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, Cookie, Cookie, Cookie!  Now, I have to have cookie!!!!  (I'm laughing now).

I have to admit I have always been curious about this bread company.  I've often passed it in many of my travels; to church, to my girls pre school, to cut through traffic to get to the Severn Bridge, to the Mexican Cafe for dinner, but never for bread.  I'm an anti-bread kind of person I have to admit.  I love bread; bread is delicious and perfect but I get tummy troubles when the word bread comes up.  I must have a wheat intolerance I think.  Oh well, I'm going in....... (they have gluten free options people!)

My girls were so excited.  They were dressed in their Valentine's best.  I was also proud of them-they have good manners when approached by adults (or anyone) and this was no exception.  They were receiving a coloring page (we brought the crayons!) and in exchange a GIANT HEART SHAPED COOKIE!  When we arrived (nice accessible parking lot) we were happy to see what looked like local Annapolitans getting their coffee and danish or bagel.  Oh yummy....what would I get I thought?  The smell was contagious.  I'm getting something.

We were greeted by a nice woman named Pam-the lucky owner of the establishment.  She told us something incredible: they were actually out of coloring pages but she would happily take down our mailing address and mail them to us.  Really, that's nice but wait, I had to tell my girls the news-no free heart shaped cookie. As they excitedly looked at all the coloring pages adorning the windows of the Great Harvest Bread Co, they were kindly surprised and moved onto what they would be eating next.  Shew!  I was relieved!  Pam asked the girls if they'd like to come behind the counter and choose a freshly baked muffin, scone or bagel.......Oh, I know what I want......the  spinach scone....yes dare me, I want that one!  It was done.  The girls chose their yummies and I was sold into morning happiness.  My girls proud of being big girls and choosing their own piece of happiness. Neat.

Pam was such a hospitable owner and very lovely.  She told us the history of the store, how proud of the kind of breads they make, the choices, the wholesome and honest ingredients in their products.  I embarrassingly told her in all my years as a local I'd never been into her blissful shop.  As I looked around at her operations, more and more patrons were getting happy and choosing their favorites.  It was a delight.  She sent me off with a recipe, gladly shared and I asked her permission to post it.  I hope this blog makes her proud.  She deserves it.  I will make it for my family on Saturdays now, as often as I can.  I will also be back for another scone, not necessarily in the morning but for a late afternoon snack.  Brain food as I call it.

Happiness to me is also when you visit people doing what they love and you get out of the house in the middle of winter to share your warmth, your light, and it encourages; it helps people along.  Here is Pam's recipe for French Toast Casserole.  Thank you Pam for making my daughters feel special.

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Perfect for breakfast lovers who don't want to have to actually make breakfast on Saturday morning-you can make it the night before!

• 1 loaf Great Harvest Bread (Challah, Apple Scrapple, Old Fashioned White, Cinnamon Chip, etc) cut into 1-inch cubes (appr. 10 cups)
• 8 eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 tsp. salt (optional)

Place bread cubes in a greased 13x9x2 in baking dish.  In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt.  Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.  Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Dot casserole with 2T butter (cubed).  Combine 2T sugar and 2t cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.  Cover and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Serve with your favorite syrup.  Makes 12 scrumptious servings!

For more information on this amazing bread company, visit their site at www.greatharvestannapolis.com

Note: I had no negative tummy reaction to the delicious scone I chose.  Good news.  I'll be back for another!

The Sweetly Decorated Life: A Kid-Friendly Valentine Craft-one that Blooms!

The Sweetly Decorated Life: A Kid-Friendly Valentine Craft-one that Blooms!: For me doing crafts with my kids is fun but for some parents, it's a battle of wits. (it is for me too!)  How do we let our children exp...

A Kid-Friendly Valentine Craft-one that Blooms!

For me doing crafts with my kids is fun but for some parents, it's a battle of wits. (it is for me too!)  How do we let our children express themselves without taking over the project?

This is a real lesson in humility for me; I love artistic pursuits but it's also important to let our children grow and implement their own ideas and then, only then will their true artistic identity emerge.

That's my belief and my hope for all parents including myself is to let go and HAVE FUN!

Here's my step-by-step Craft for easy valentine's that give back all year long (hopefully with the right soil!)  With supplies in hand (this is the the hardest part-finding the right ingredients).  Don't worry I know you can do it-with kids in tow!  Here's my little take on Valentine's for the entire class!  Sweetly Decorated and made with love.  Enjoy!

With Love These Seeds Will Grow

Ingredients
4x6 cardboard pieces (from the back of picture frames work best)
Washable paint/paintbrushes

Pink Heart Paper Doilies

Embellishments of your kids choice

Ultra Washable Crayola Markers (to address the valentine)

Wildflower Seed Packets

Acid-free glue sticks

1) Two days before your child's valentines' party, have your child or children paint the front of the 4x6 cardboard pieces.  They will love doing this!

**Mom or Dad hot glue the cardboard piece with just a dab of hot glue-attach heart shaped doilie to the front of the cardboard piece. (be careful parents and make sure the hot glue gun is out of sight!)
**Using mailing labels type out your favorite valentine slogan.  For me, With Love These Seeds Will Grow seemed in harmony with the seed packets.  Print.  (aligning the mailing labels to print was the hardest part!)

2) Have you child using a glue stick glue the seed packet to the front of the heart-in the center would be great but wherever they feel the inspiration is fine too!

3) I cut the mailing labels using design scissors but regular scissors will work too.  Have your child attach the label to the seed packet and adorn with flower embellishments and sparkly hearts!!

4) I wrote out the For and From due to lack of space but I don't think the parents will mind-it's with a happy heart that these valentines' were crafted!

Happy Hearts Day and love from our family to yours.  

The Sweetly Decorated Life: An Energetic & Healthy Mom Breakfast-My Saving Gra...

The Sweetly Decorated Life: An Energetic & Healthy Mom Breakfast-My Saving Gra...: When I'm feeling worn down and need some good old fashioned energy, this is the ultimate easy breakfast dish.  I hope it helps you achie...

An Energetic & Healthy Mom Breakfast-My Saving Grace

When I'm feeling worn down and need some good old fashioned energy, this is the ultimate easy breakfast dish.  I hope it helps you achieve your goals or to simply put away that pile of laundry that's staring you in the face!  Pictures to come!

Kale & Spinach, Fried Egg and Potato Plate

1) Microwave a small to medium size Idaho Potato (your preference here)
2) Sprinkle Extra Virgin Olive Oil on kale and spinach leaves.  Use a dinner plate here.  Pile on the leaves-they are a super food!  You can't go wrong!
3) Sprinkle a bit of oil in frying pan and fry yourself an egg girl.  It doesn't take long.
4) Careful your potato will be hot-place atop the spinach and kale.  Slice potato.
5) Lay fried egg on top and cut into slices. Sprinkle Pink Himalayan salt, ground black pepper and a little garlic salt on top and Voila' you have breakfast!

For an added punch and healthy fats, slice up an avocado. They're great for your skin, hair and nails. My kids love avocado!

This breakfast melts in your mouth and it's good for you.  Try it-the kale wasn't as bitter as I thought it would be.  I usually use spinach as it always delivers.  Adding the olive oil disguises the bitter taste that sometimes kale has.

Don't forget to take your multi-vitamin and drink plenty of cold water!  Let the day begin and watch out people!  Your a warrior!

An Amazing Riesling for Valentine's Day

Chateau Ste. Michelle

I'm not a wine expert, not even close.  There are so many folks out there that know wine.  That's not me.  I've attended wine festivals, wine and art festivals, toured vineyards, even co hosted a wine lifestyle television show (Racing through Wine Country) but I drink wine and enjoy it. My friends like it, my husband likes it now; it's become a cultural phenomenon.

My husband is a dear because on his way home from meetings in Philadelphia, he'll stop by our local wine store, (Rite Aid!) and pick up several bottles of new vintages-ones we've never tried before.  I love when he chooses smaller bottles of this or that.  It's the discovery of new wines, what they stand for and the packaging, oh the packaging that make a bottle of wine interesting.  If it tastes good and you want another sip, it's the icing on the cake for the night.  Ahhhhh

Recently, this bottle of Chateau Ste. Michelle topped my favorites list!  It's bottled out of Washington State, where I hear the grapes are outstanding (they have good temps for wine production)?  Wine experts always have an opinion and good for them because they should if wine is their specialty.  I always say there is a lid for every pot.......I just know when I drink a wine if it tastes good to my palette and this one didn't need anything else but to be poured.  Enjoy your life always.

Discover more at ste-michelle.com

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Decorating with Neutrals-Keep it Simple and Pink f...

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Decorating with Neutrals-Keep it Simple and Pink f...: Pink girls I'm blessed in many ways-aren't we all?  We have so many privileges as United States citizens and spiritual gifts to ...

Decorating with Neutrals-Keep it Simple and Pink for Girls, not out of Style

Pink girls

I'm blessed in many ways-aren't we all?  We have so many privileges as United States citizens and spiritual gifts to share with the world  We have the choice every day to wake up some one's day or bring it down and ourselves with it.  I choose happy most times.  After thirty or so years of decorating and rearranging furniture, hanging wall paper with Mom and antiquing like running a race, I finally decided to pursue interior design as a career path.  I've never been happier and now I know where my girls are going to kindergarten. Happy times!

PINK IS MY SIGNATURE COLOR
My daughters love pink and isn't that a fun color to decorate with and play with?  So when we decided to paint their bathroom and accent their bedroom, we accordingly (my husband loves to decorate too!) choose the color pink.  They are girls and their lives revolve around dolls, stuffed animals, ballet and they absolutely love bubble gum pink toothpaste (it gets sticky people)!  I have found that our youngest daughter loves to rearrange furniture so we have passed that trait onto her and encourage decorating challenges!  She was out today in 30 degree weather rearranging the patio furniture, she's five and it's not light weight stuff!

COLOR IN NEUTRALS
When it came to decorating the rooms in the main living areas, we choose a nice neutral taupe.  It's allows me to accent our home with pillows in every shade, and to play with accent pieces from green ceramic birds to wooden red apples.  Build those treasured items in various shades. Groupings are awesome!!

Here is my Dining Room circa November 2014.  I've since changed it to transition from dining space to home office space.  It works both ways effortlessly.

Beautiful things in one room!

I've also since moved my stoneware collection to the main living space.  I love to collect items of similar color and group them together, unifying a room, giving it stability and structure.  It also brings me peace.  The other item I bought long ago at a pretty large furniture store/chain was the chandelier.  Tear drop chandelier's are so lovely, all they have to do is just exist. I loved it from the moment I saw it and knew when I moved back to beautiful Annapolis, Maryland it would find a place in our home.  It's elegant and you know what, inexpensive too!!

The parson chairs are slip covered to change with the seasons and the table runner-always burlap.  I interchange this runner and use it in the kitchen to bring a certain rusticity to such a busy table.

Mercury accents, such as candle holders, bird place card holders, iron bird baths always take center stage when I decorate a dining room table.

The area rug from IKEA-affordable, simple, and sturdy as it holds up to dogs, kids and my movement from dining room/office to kitchen.  You gotta eat!  Enjoy decorating and be patient, it's an art.

Happy Girls.  Living pink.

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Devia...

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Devia...: Your Doctor knows....ask away! Today I had my ear, nose and throat pre-op appointment, shorthand for pre-operative/operation surgery. I&...

Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Deviated Septum Surgery and More!

Your Doctor knows....ask away!

Today I had my ear, nose and throat pre-op appointment, shorthand for pre-operative/operation surgery. I'm having Deviated Septum and Sinus Surgery next Tuesday and I want to be prepared.  The pre-op appointment is where the doctors nurse/assistant explains to me just what will happen the day of the surgery and what to expect after.  She asks me what current medications I'm taking, what previous surgeries I've had before and what if any allergic reactions I've had before in the past, anesthesia, pain meds, etc. I'm excited to be having these surgeries and hope the end results are what I'm expecting: a healthy nose.  The nurse talks and I politely interject with important questions.....................

It's interesting.  I've been asking questions of all my doctors now that I'm in my 40's about important tests and procedures that need to be completed; for this one I decided to fire away because it's my nose and it's been speaking to me. I don't mind asking them either because I'll have less anxiety on the big day and more anticipation on how my family plans to take care of me after. Yeah!  The 14th is coming and I want to be ready for Valentine's Day-there will be lots of hugs while I rest in bed (watch the nose!), gourmet chocolates to chew on (these make women happy but they don't have to be gourmet), and a Coach bag to look forward to (next shopping trip).  I'm excited for other reasons too........namely I don't want to suffer from chronic sinusitis any longer. (4 to 6 or more sinus infections per year)

Here's what I asked:

1) Will I be in much pain?  There will be some pain, mostly the end of your nose will be tender.  You will have to sleep at a 30 degree angle (you won't get quality sleep) and you will have a drip pad to dab your nose.  There will be blood but in your case since you clot, there may be less blood and this is a good thing!

2) Will I be able to work the next day?  I'm a writer so that shouldn't be a problem right?  You can work the next day but you will need your drip pad.  Please don't lift anything heavy for 4 to 7 days after the surgery.

3) Will these surgeries help me in the long run?  I want to stop having sinus infections, even though I do the sinus rinses, take allergy medications, and humidifiers. I want my sinuses to be open and have circulation.  Yes, I had the surgery done two years ago and I haven't had a sinus infection since.  A cold is a cold and it goes away within a week now; the cold before I had the surgery became a sinus infection and lasted a month.  I can relate to this.

4) Can you sinus rinse too much and take away the good bacteria in your nose?  No you can't.  Your nose is a filter, unlike your gut which requires good bacteria.  Are you taking a Probiotic?  Yes I am.  Then your in good shape!

I think we all might have these questions in the back of our mind and choose not to ask them or forget to ask.  I'm now at the point in my life where asking questions of my doctor, as many as I need to are REQUIRED.  Don't worry that your taking too much of their time or inconveniencing the doctors in some way, you paid your co-pay, now ask away!!!  :)

I wish I had done this when I decided to have a c-section when I was pregnant with my twins because I think I would of opted to have a natural delivery.  I was afraid in some senses of natural childbirth and just thought I'll recover and have time with the babies but oh no I was drugged (Preeclampsia) and in and out of consciousness. Not good. The pain from the c-section was too much to bear. It left me to focus on how to get around and not rip the sutures instead of really enjoying my babies.  (I did enjoy them but the pain was intense and the pain meds made me really, really drowsy.)  Ugh.

Getting back to the Sinuses.  If you suffer and haven't had your nose looked into by a good professional Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, I suggest it may be time, especially if you're looking at being uncomfortable and miserable for so much of the calendar year.  It's no fun when your nose is doing that much work-it should be smelling the roses (the ones your gonna get on Valentine's Day!)  Love to all.

My favorite variety: Barbara Streisand's Hybrid Tea Rose