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.