Hey Folks!
Happy Friday to you! Before I get into TGIALW, I want to point out that this is a long post. And the Freebie Friday's Giveaway is all the way at the bottom. So don't be discouraged...read on (or skip to the bottom if you must! Just don't tell me you did that...as you'll break my heart! smiles).
So Yes, Thank Goodness It's A Long Weekend! Am I the only one completely exhausted right now? It is that time of year...the end of the school year..where it seems the days get shorter and shorter. And there is never enough time for all the activities. We are wrapping up the kids' sports seasons, too. But no practices and no games this weekend! Yay!
I am so looking forward to having one extra weekend day! Because I need an extra day...I really do.
An extra day to spend with my little family. Hubby was gone to Vienna, Austria for a whole week (he left on Mother's Day!) and then came back to an ultra busy week at work, so I feel like we just have not spent enough time together! Then the kids have been busy with school work, after school activities and friends. So some good old, 'nothin planned family time is in order. We'll continue where we left off Mother's Day weekend, handing out here (sorry for all the pics, by my father-in-law has been waiting patiently for me to post a garden update!).
We recently picked up some chaise loungers and umbrellas here for a steal! We still need to find a little table to put in the the middle to hold some drinks and a book or two.
The cannas are in full bloom. I need to thin them out in the Fall..they are way over crowded....but pretty none the less.
And the pool water has been sitting around 86 degrees for the last month. This is with no pool heating...just the heat from the sun! Amazing!
My favorites in the garden. Lookt at how those two tall ones on the left have bowed into a heart shape...they know I love them so! These have been blooming for about 6 weeks now. I hope they bloom all summer..we'll see!
My father-in-law (Opa...the German name for Grandpa) planted a bunch of gladiolas for me. The first one bloomed a couple weeks ago...it was red...my favorite!
Opa bought us some Texas Blue Bonnets back in March when...they are blooming beautifully!
Thanks Opa!
Tiny new grapefruit tree we planted in April. There was a huge banana tree here before. You can see some of the little sprouts shooting back up!
We also planted 3 fig trees...this one is already producing loads of fruit...52 figs and counting!
The others have not started fruiting yet...we bought 3 varieties that will produce at different times so we'll have figs all year long!
Organic Basil from seed....I use alot of basil...and the basil I find here in the stores is a very spicy..peppery basil. This is sweet basil...yum!
Nursery Tomatoes producting fruit...We eat alot of tomatoes! We have 12 plants growing that we planted from seed. Then we planted 8 more nursery plants so we'd have some early tomatoes as well.
Melons from seed..they are starting to send out the shooters and really grow now!
Organic broccoli from seed...Broccoli is a fave with the kids, so planting some was a must.
Squash and cucumber from seed...they are really starting to take off!
Organic tomatoes, peppers, canteloupe from seed and okra from the nursery.
Our little garden is our little sanctuary. This is where we have been eating dinner during the week and having breakfast, lunch and dinner on the weekends. And during the last couple months, we have been spending at least many hours out here...planting, weeding, mulching, weeding, cutting, weeding, watering, weeding. Yes, weeding is not my favorite thing to do..but I am determined to keep this little space as chemical free as possible (I know, this from a chemist!). I have nothing against chemicals...I just don't want them in my garden. But this whole organic gardening thing requires a bit more time and love and patience. And a ton of reading/research. The up side of all this, on top of the health benefits, is that I am getting in lots more N.E.A.T. ! It is easy to work up a sweat in this garden as well, because it is HOT! Often when I go out to weed, it is before 7am and it is already in the 80s. The heat also poses a problem with what I can plant. Alot of the seeds I bought, I can't plant until Fall...but that means I get to have a winter garden, which is way cool!
What else? Oh, and I also need an extra day to sew. I have to finish up the projects for the sewing classes I'll be teaching at Hancocks Fabrics. Man, those classes are coming up fast...but I am also done and will run through all the projects a second time, just to check for errors and such. But it should be so much fun. I can't wait so show you all what the students make! Plus I need to put some finishing touches on items for the next shop update here.
For those of you in the area, will be teaching 3 1 week long kid's summer sewing camps. The classes are for ages 8-15. Sign up starts next week. I got a call from the folks at Hancocks that the phone is ringing off the hook with folks asking about the camp and they asked if I could schedule several more. They also want some adult classes in the evening. I am holding back right now because my friend Debbie has booked her trunk show!
So yes, I need an extra day to start getting a plan together for this trunk show...my first trunk show! I have the fabric groupings all set. I put them all together in a pretty little swap book! I have to make some final decisions on the designs. I don't want to offer too many options...because I'll end up driving myself crazy. But I want to definitely offer enough variety and options for folks....lots of mix and match! I have to figure out that right balance. We'll see. But her show will be on July 17! I am so excited, can you tell! I'll show you all some previews soon. :)
I could also use another day to get the end of year teachers' gifts ready. I can't talk about the gifts just yet, because the teachers visit this space and I don't want to ruin the surprises! But I can't wait to show you all what I am making. I am thinking about writing them up as tutorials/free patterns. What do you all think? There are soooo many tutorials and free patterns on the web. I wonder if I would be wasting my time putting something together? Thoughts/suggestions? I'd do it if folks were interested.
Okay, enough with all that. This post is already ridiculously long! Let's get on to the Giveaway for goodness sakes! Because I really like you all, I whipped up this super cute summery tote...just for one of you!
Do you like it? I sure do. I may have to make myself one. I used some lovely strawberry and do printed japanese linen on the outside and the lining is made from an organic linen fabric I brought back with me from Europe! It's perfect for anything really...especially for those visits to the Farmers Market, don't you think. I'll leave this contest active for 1 week. Enter by next Friday, May 29. I'll draw a name and announce on the following Tuesday.
I have to give credit to my husband on this one. I showed him the other giveaway I had planned and he said, but why aren't you doing someting red, white and blue for Memorial Day? He's in my head, people. If I were not so tired, I would have been on top of it! Really! I'd better watch out before he tries to take over this blog. He has actually already suggested some blog topics for me, which cracks me up completely, because he doesn't even read the blog! I guess if I start blogging about what he is suggesting (road cycling, food, endurance excercise), he'd read it. But then I think you all would stop!lol
One last thing before I go...For those of you that are on the mailing list...don't forget to use your coupon code at checkout so you can save 15%. I see some of you are shopping and not using your code and I know you are on the mailing list. And remember..the drawing for the $50 gift certificate is still active throughout the end of May! If you need me to resend you the Newsletter with the code and giveaway information...let me know and I'll resend it to you. I just don't want you all to miss out on your chance to save. :)
Okay then...I am off. Time to meet my girl at the bus stop! I'll see you all back in this space in a couple days. In the meantime, you all be safe this weekend! Have a wonderful Holiday for those of you in the US. And I hope you all find some time to make something lovely!
Hugs,
Sheree
First of all, I would be in heaven just to be able to hang out in your yard and garden space. Your basil looks beautiful! The floweres are lovely. I really enjoyed this post...
And, I think we all need that extra day! Thank goodness.
Enjoy your week-end...and you don't need to count me in on your friday freebie this week...since I already won a cool bag from you!
Posted by: Sara | May 22, 2009 at 04:08 PM
amazing yard!
Posted by: Lorajean | May 22, 2009 at 05:02 PM
You have a beautiful backyard! It's so green and well-decorated.
The bag is so cute. I love the pattern!
Posted by: K. Purl | May 22, 2009 at 06:12 PM
you have gorgeous flowers blooming in your lovely backyard! the colors are so vivid. must be nice just relaxing and having some family time there =)
i'm also loving the bag. yummy japanese linen and european fabric always melt my heart!
thanks and have a lovely week! =)
Posted by: bumblebee_su | May 22, 2009 at 07:27 PM
I am just loving your backyard and all of the blooms. LOVE the garden.
We did our entire backyard here ourselves and it really is amazing to see it grow from nothing to something. We love it out back. One thing I have always wanted to do is a garden with lots of veggies.....hopefully one day.
I LOVE the bag and the fabric is so juicy. What a smart husband to say you needed something red, white and blue!
Have a fabulous LONG weekend!
Posted by: Meghan T. | May 22, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Thanks for the lovely post with the pictures of your garden,very beautiful. I love growing veggies too. I hope you have a great long weekend. Sounds like you need a rest, sit down on one of those new chairs you bought for yourself. Happy days.
Posted by: Bev C | May 22, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I LOVE you heart flowers and the garden is very yummy looking. I have been strawberry picking 3 times in the past few weeks and would love the bag. Yikes you sound busy, how do you do it all? The camp sounds like a great idea!!Have fun.
Posted by: Renee E | May 23, 2009 at 04:35 AM
lovely garden, I'm sooooooo jealous. love the bag, I keep meaning to make my own but havent' yet, I'll put if off for now and cross my fingers.
Posted by: jean | May 23, 2009 at 06:14 AM
That is a great bag - I love strawberries. Also could you send me the newsletter I think I signed up for the mailing list after it was sent out. Thanks.
Posted by: Tamara | May 23, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Lovely bag!! I love the strawberries on it! Your garden looks fantastic!
Posted by: Dawn | May 23, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Your garden is so lovely.
I also planted strawberry : ) from seed but it didn't come out so I guess it wont work :(.I really love plant but somehow My flowers always die.
Anita from Spain
Posted by: anita | May 23, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Your garden looks better than mine, but I'm learning! The bag has the most beautiful fabric inside and out.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | May 23, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Oh, your garden is amazing, from the flickr pics with pool, I thought that you were on vacation, in some gorgeous place...but it is your home, WOW!!!Love the bag too:)
Congrats on upcoming events, it sounds great!!!!
xo, Katarina
Posted by: Katarina | May 23, 2009 at 11:48 PM
I love the print! Lately blue and red combinations have really appealed to me. And strawberries--can't go wrong with strawberries!
Your garden is lovely.
Posted by: Serena | May 24, 2009 at 12:15 AM
I love your garden, it's beautiful! And so is the tote, love the colors.
Thanks for the giveaway!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Paula L. | May 24, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I love your target setting and hope you find the table to put your drinks on....it would be perfection then.
Love the garden and do melons grow uickly from seeds? Am a novice to vegie gardening so please forgive the ignorance!
The bag looks great..looking forward to seeing who wins it....hope everything went well this long weekend.
Posted by: magikquilter | May 24, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Bag is adorable and your garden pics so inviting!
Posted by: Margaret | May 25, 2009 at 03:58 AM
Wow your yard is amazing!! Would love to hang out there!!
Thank you for the chance to win your great tote!!!
Posted by: Tango | May 27, 2009 at 04:32 AM
That bag just exudes summery goodness, the fabric is so gorgeous. Thank you for such a great giveaway.
Katie
knygh[at]hotmail[dot]com
Posted by: Katie | May 28, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Loving the strawberry fabric! There's just something about fruit or flowers on a fabric that I can't resist. Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Deb | May 28, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Love the bag and sounds like you have a great hubbie!
Posted by: grace | May 28, 2009 at 07:23 PM
What a darling bag. I would love to be toting that to the market! Thank you for entering me in your drawing.
Posted by: Jules | May 29, 2009 at 07:01 AM
What a wonderful garden! You get plenty of heat for everything to grow so well. I'd like to be in the drawing for the tote if it isn't too late.
Posted by: Shelley C | June 01, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Oh that basil is so lovely!! I'd love an opportunity to win that market tote-- the farmer's market just opened up a block away!
Posted by: hayley | June 02, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Love all of the pictures and the bag. All is so lovely.
Jody
Posted by: Jody | June 03, 2009 at 11:58 AM