art, Signs and Symbols

Sunflower Art and Symbolism

Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and longevity. This art can be purchased here See my art shop here Warmly, Monica

art, Art and Thought of the Day

Enchanted Park Art and Thought of the Day

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were more places like this? What can we do as individuals to beautify and take care of our earth? This art can be purchased here See my art shop here Warmly, Monica

Gardening

Plant Potatoes For Food Security

In the current times of food shortages, a great way to have a little food security is to plant potatoes. If you happen to have any potatoes from the grocery store that have sprouted, they can be planted. You can even cut the potatoes to where each piece has at least one sprout on each… Continue reading Plant Potatoes For Food Security

Gardening

What’s Blooming In My Garden May 2022

We have had a very rainy and windy Fall, Winter and Spring here in western Washington zone 8b. It has been a cooler than usual Spring with less sun so a lot of my plants are blooming later than usual. The blooms are very appreciated. Chives Columbine Columbine Spanish Bluebells Spanish Bluebells Spanish Bluebells Torch… Continue reading What’s Blooming In My Garden May 2022

Food/Cooking, Herbs, Using Herbs and Flowers

Chive Blossom Vinegar

Chive blossom vinegar is very easy to make and takes your regular vinegar up a notch! Pick your chives on a dry morning after the dew has dried. I picked and used blossoms with stems attached since the stems are flavorful also. Stuff the chives into a sterilized glass jar and pour over your favorite… Continue reading Chive Blossom Vinegar

Gardening

An Easy Space-Saving Way To Propagate Plant Cuttings

I love to propagate plants. It's fun and it saves money because then I don't have to buy them at the store. I also sell plant cuttings on eBay, Mercari and Etsy. If you'd like to see what I sell, here is a link to my Etsy store. I don't have many rooted cuttings yet… Continue reading An Easy Space-Saving Way To Propagate Plant Cuttings

Gardening

Two Ways To Get Free Tomato and Pepper Plants In A Cold Climate For Next Season

Many of us that live in colder climates where we get freezes in the winter are under the assumption that tomato and pepper plants (bell and hot) are annuals. In warmer climates where it does not freeze they are actually perennials. So the first way to get free tomato and pepper plants for next season… Continue reading Two Ways To Get Free Tomato and Pepper Plants In A Cold Climate For Next Season

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening

How Much Land Is Needed To Grow A Permaculture Food Forest?

Growing your own food means that you will always know what you are eating, where the food has come from, and that the produce is toxin-free! These days there are so many ways that you can grow your own produce, from caring for a few small pots on your balcony to running a farm or… Continue reading How Much Land Is Needed To Grow A Permaculture Food Forest?

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening

Tips for Sourcing New Plants For Your Garden in a Sustainable Way

Now, while the summer season is in full swing, you should be making plans for your garden over the months to come. You might be thinking about ordering trees and shrubs to plant over the dormant period, buying seeds for winter cover crops, or even buying seeds in for next year. But while you may… Continue reading Tips for Sourcing New Plants For Your Garden in a Sustainable Way

Home And Garden, Using Herbs and Flowers

A summer floral arrangement with pizazz

Hey there! Thanks for visiting my blog. The garden is filled with lots of color, so I thought I’d take advantage of that and create a floral arrangement. Creating an arrangement is fun to do! It is great to be able to wander about the garden, gathering flowers and then being able to create something… Continue reading A summer floral arrangement with pizazz

Gardening

How To Get More Flowers, Vegetables and Fruit from your Plants

Besides providing compost-rich soil and giving adequate water, a great way to get more flowers, vegetables and fruits from your plants is to deadhead or pick frequently. Deadheading simply means picking off old flowers that are past their prime. When we do not do this, the plant's energy goes into making seeds rather than more… Continue reading How To Get More Flowers, Vegetables and Fruit from your Plants

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening, Herbs, Using Herbs and Flowers

Nasturtiums Are Edible and Good for Hair Growth

This is the Nasturtium I'm growing this year. I don't remember the name of the variety, I just picked out a packet at the store that looked pretty. They mound rather than vine. They are so easy to grow. Just plant the seeds in the garden, keep the soil moist and watch them grow. I… Continue reading Nasturtiums Are Edible and Good for Hair Growth

Food Forest Gardening (Permaculture), Gardening, Herbs, Home And Garden, Thrifty, Uncategorized

How I Created Raised Garden Beds For Free

Before the pandemic hit, I only had a 4x4' garden bed. I was laid off from my job and concerned about food shortages so wanted to start growing a larger garden. I also had health in mind, wanting to grow herbs and produce. In the past I studied herbs and knew many of them have… Continue reading How I Created Raised Garden Beds For Free

Gardening, Herbs, Uncategorized

An Easy Way to Multiply Many of Your Garden Plants

A while ago, I wanted to multiply a lot of my plants but didn't want to go to the hassle of propagating cuttings in pots. I'd have to buy more potting soil, fill containers with soil, plant the cuttings, keep the pots watered and finally when the cuttings root, adjust them to a sunnier position,… Continue reading An Easy Way to Multiply Many of Your Garden Plants

Gardening

Turn Sprouted Potatoes Into Many Fresh-Grown Potatoes

If you're like me, there's always a few potatoes left in the bag of store-bought potatoes that shrivel and sprout. It's easy to turn these potatoes into many fresh-grown potatoes. Just take each potato and cut into chunks with at least one sprout, then plant in a sunny area with well-drained, amended soil. They do… Continue reading Turn Sprouted Potatoes Into Many Fresh-Grown Potatoes

Gardening, Herbs, Home And Garden

How To Propagate Oregano – It’s Easy!

Last summer I purchased fresh oregano from the produce department at the grocery store with the intention to start new plants from the sprigs. It was not long after the pandemic had begun and I had decided to do all my shopping online and pick up or have everything delivered, rather than going to the… Continue reading How To Propagate Oregano – It’s Easy!

Gardening, Herbs

A Less Expensive Way to Get a Few Basil Plants

When I was laid off last year due to the pandemic, I had decided to start a garden. I quickly found out that many other people had this idea because seeds and plants were hard to come by. I had to get creative in getting plants for my garden. I noticed my grocery store had… Continue reading A Less Expensive Way to Get a Few Basil Plants

Gardening, Home And Garden

Start Seeds Earlier Than The Last Frost Outdoors

I don't have a lot of space to start seeds in my home and the last frost date here is usually the first week of April. So a few weeks ago I tried a little experiement and planted some seeds outdoors. I planted Brussels Sprouts, red onion and Asparagus seeds thinking they may do better… Continue reading Start Seeds Earlier Than The Last Frost Outdoors

Gardening, Home And Garden

How To Propagate Plum Trees With Semi-Hardwood Cuttings

Growing our own produce is a great way to begin becoming more self-sufficient and eat more healthy. Some of the produce we buy from the grocery store is grown with chemicals that are not good for us and grown a great distance away so by the time we get it, much of the nutritional value… Continue reading How To Propagate Plum Trees With Semi-Hardwood Cuttings

Gardening

Food Forest Update: Tomato Plants from Slices, Herb Cuttings, Potato Plants from Potatoes and More!

At the beginning of the pandemic, I decided it would be a good idea to grow as much produce as possible. My yard is a blank canvas for the most part. I used to be an avid gardener up until my marriage ended 12 years ago. Six of those 12 years I lived in an… Continue reading Food Forest Update: Tomato Plants from Slices, Herb Cuttings, Potato Plants from Potatoes and More!

Advice, Being Self Employed, Self Care, Self Improvement, Uncategorized

Creating a Little Stability in a Time of Instability

The past couple of weeks have been surreal. It's hard to believe what is happening. Each day that goes by I keep thinking the Universe/God/Higher Power has slowed us down and put a stop to the way we've been living because it's been damaging us and our environment. It's crazy that the entire world is… Continue reading Creating a Little Stability in a Time of Instability

Advice, Being Self Employed, Food/Cooking, Home And Garden, Self Care, Self Improvement, Thrifty, Uncategorized

Covid19 Stay-Home and Lifestyle Thoughts

A few years ago I had FOMO (fear of missing out) and didn't know it. I didn't have the money to go to restaurants, bars, vacations, movies. I didn't have a partner to share all these good times with like everyone else seemed to. I'd dread the weekends thinking everyone else was out having the… Continue reading Covid19 Stay-Home and Lifestyle Thoughts

Gardening, Self Improvement

Mother-Daughter Time – Gardening and Inspiration to Live Life to the Fullest

My daughter Shauna and I were having a conversation about yoga last night which reminded me of Tao - the 96 year old that does yoga and has started ballroom dancing, so I showed her the video on Youtube, which brought tears to her eyes because Tao has such a beautiful spirit and is living… Continue reading Mother-Daughter Time – Gardening and Inspiration to Live Life to the Fullest