House of Hawthornes

Peony Time

2013-05-24T08:13:00.000-04:00

It's time.

The peonies are here!!!

I know. Crazy, right? After this incredibly stupid winter and totally frustrating spring, the peonies decided to put on a show after all.

This vibrant pinkish-purple variety is called Victoire de la Marne. The "official" books call it a purple-red variety, but I swear mine are always more of a dark hot pink.

BTW, this photo is straight out of the camera, except for the watermark. If I would have tweaked it at all, the peonies may have blinded you.

Duchesse de Nemours is a beautiful white one. I can see this in a wedding bouquet. It's very virginal!

And my Sarah Bernhardt would be a delicate light pink, if it was actually blooming on time. This is the only bud that is even remotely close to opening right now.

Well, I'm off to some garage sales today, field day at my son's school, grocery shopping and buying some more flowers for the garden. And no really huge plans this weekend, just the normal picnic and parade type stuff.

What are you up to this weekend?

Linking with Be Inspired, Feathered Nest Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday

Could Someone Give Me A Hand?

2013-05-21T08:49:00.000-04:00

Last year when I was making hypertufa containers, I tried to make a hand to hold succulents like I had seen on Pinterest.

I broke my fingers. It was not pretty.

But, I wasn't going to let losing a few fingers keep me from my dream, so this year I decided to try again.

I used Playtex gloves as my hand form. And my gloves came with free flower seeds. Score!

I sprayed the inside of the glove with Pam cooking spray (named after me, because I'm so slick).

And wound up this florist wire onto a pencil to make these little corkscrew thingies and stuffed them in each finger (sort of like using rebar when they pour a concrete slab)

See my post on hypertufa containers for the recipe and safety instructions for making basic hypertufa. Since I wanted to make my hands super strong this time, I altered that recipe by doubling the amount of Portland cement used for this project.

I mixed up my hyertufa and stuffed the glove with the mixture, taking extra care to squish it down to the tips of the fingers.

After it was fairly full, I put tiny pin pricks in the end of each finger (of the gloves, not my own fingers) to let out a little trapped air and allow the fingers to be completely filled.

I put the filled glove in a plastic bag and let it cure for 7 days.

After it had cured, I used a razor knife to cut the glove off of it. Razors are sharp. Please do not cut yourself.

A slightly curved hand would have made a better planting surface, but I sort of like the hand coming out of the ground look!

It's very Addams Family-ish! In a cute way.

Sharing with Wow Us Wednesday, Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits, Be Inspired, Feathered Nest Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday

Lilacs, Tables and Husbands

2013-05-19T16:45:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday to you!

Can you believe that Memorial Day weekend is next weekend? I can't. It hardly seems like spring was here at all and now I have to worry about squeezing my butt into a bathing suit.

Regardless, we've had a pretty good weekend here with the lilacs blooming and yard sale season in full force.

Speaking of yard sales, I went to probably 15 of them on Friday. And this is all that I bought.

An $5.00 table for the back porch (Hey, look - it's the same table as shown in the 1st photo).

My husband is concerned that

A) it is wobbly
B) the paint is chippy and
C) the white square on top of it is contact paper, not marble inlay

He probably didn't hear me when I mentioned the "it was only $5.00" part.

Linking with Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Tweak It Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday

Dead People's Stuff

2013-05-14T18:00:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you, but when I go to an estate sale I try really hard to believe that the people that lived in the house have moved on to sunny Florida and they just need to get rid of some of the extra stuff they've accumulated over the years.

Can't wear a mink coat in Florida, now can you?

No use for a lawnmower at the retirement villa.

And no need to keep your 70's orange Tupperware when you're going to be enjoying all those early bird specials at Home Town Buffet.

But there is always someone who ruins it for me.

Maybe a neighbor from down the street that tries to strike up a conversation with me by mentioning that Fred died two months ago and he had been waiting for this sale so he could buy Fred's tool bench.

Maybe it's the worker at the estate sale who, when I mention what a neat house it is, tells me that it is going to be listed tomorrow, because the kids of the lady who died need to get rid of it fast.

Or the homeowner's daughter quietly asking the estate sale crew if they have found her mom's wedding photos yet, because before she died she told her daughter to make sure she kept them safe.

{covering ears} la la la la la {covering ears}

It's hard to stick my head in the sand, when at every turn, I'm reminded of the fact that I am buying dead people's stuff.

Not that I don't like dead people's stuff, there are some great deals to be had at estate sales and auctions. But there is definitely something weird about traipsing though someone else's house and snatching up their once cherished items.

Speaking of dead people's stuff, I found this cool old barn at an estate sale this weekend. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but it was pretty neat and the whole reason I went totally out of my way that day to attend the sale.

Not sure if it is a kid's toy or maybe an unfinished bird feeder?

I'd ask the previous owner. But he's dead. Or so I've been told.

I sure hope he's smiling up there in heaven knowing that I'm enjoying his barn.

Do you go with the stick your head in the sand theory at estate sales? Or is it just another place to find good deals for you (not saying you're heartless of anything)?

Linking with Wow Us Wednesday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Be Inspired and Fabulously Creative Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Saturday Night Special, Crafty Country Cottage

Pink Snow

2013-05-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

I walked out the side door the other day and did a double take.

It looked like it had snowed overnight.

A pink snow.

No idea what this tree is. Sort of has the bark of a cherry tree, but produces no cherries, so who knows.

The day before, it was covered in the most luscious pink flowers. Then a wind storm that night blew almost all the flowers off when they were still in their fluffy blooming gloriousness.

A little gift from Mother Nature.

I'm considering it a peace offering for all the weirdness she's put us through this spring.

For all the mommies out there, I hope you are enjoying your Mother's Day!

Keep On Trucking

2013-05-09T06:52:00.000-04:00

After I made my chicken feeder planter, I grabbed another one of my thrifty finds from last weekend and turned it into a planter too. Nothing is safe from potting soil around here!

After I de-girlified it by removing the unicorns and rainbows (thank you, Goo Gone),

I taped the tailgate door down to keep the dirt from dumping out the back. Dump trucks tend to do that.

Then I added a small layer of stones for drainage,

an even smaller layer of charcoal just because I had it left over from my terrarium project

and a really thick layer of potting soil.

Then planted some Limelight Japanese Stonecrop in it

and I was ready to haul my load.

How is your planting going this year? I still have a few things to get potted up. Then I have to get my porch in order. Then sew some pillow covers for the outdoor chairs. Then maybe repaint the Adirondack chairs.

Maybe I can relax in June.

Linking with Be Inspired, Feathered Nest Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday, Saturday Night Special, Metamorphosis Monday, Sunday Showcase, Tweak It Tuesday, Inspire Me Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday

Chicken Feeder Fun

2013-05-07T08:11:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to do something with a chicken feeder for a while now, so I was super excited when I found one this weekend.

I've had a couple people mention the turquoise color of it from the photo I posted on Sunday, but that may have been more my poor photography skills than actual color.

In person, it really looks more like the green color of your Grandpa's John Deere tractor that has been left out in the elements and had raccoons living in it for 20 years or so.

Since I don't own chickens, using it as an actual feeder was out of the question. Two dogs + flock of chickens = lots of feathers flying. And not in a good way!

So I hatched a plan to turn my chicken feeder into a planter. Totally not my very own original idea, but still a fun one.

The flowers are Million Gold Melampodium, which look like miniature sunflowers.

I thought they looked farm-ish.

There are other fun chicken feeder ideas out there in blogland.

Michael from Inspired By Charm made a gorgeous table centerpiece out of one of the long chicken feeders.

Source: Inspired By Charm

Rita at May Days uses one as a super cute plate rack.

Source: May Days

And Daune at Cottage In The Oaks made a cute succulent planter out of a feeder similar to mine.

Source: Cottage In The Oaks

Have you caught the chicken feeder bug yet? Sort of like the bird flu, only more fun!

Linking with Tweak It Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Be Inspired, Feathered Nest Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday, Saturday Night Special

To The Bat Cave

2013-05-05T17:26:00.000-04:00

We've had a great weekend here so far. Lots of planting, yard clean up, and a couple sales to go to.

I bought my first chicken feeder on Friday.

No, I don't have chickens, but I have plans for it.

I also found a 1963 Ball canning jar recipe book. It's called the Blue Book. I assume a nod to the blue canning jars, because there are hardly any dirty pictures in it :)

I found a no-name kid's dump truck, that may or may not have spent a lot of time in the sandbox.

Loving the unicorn stickers on it.

I have a feeling it used to be a girl's truck.

I posted this on Facebook and Instagram this weekend, but thought the rest of you might enjoy it.

It's a sign that was posted on the porch at an estate sale I went to this weekend.

The best estate sale sign. Ever.

I am happy to report that no bats dove into my hair and I made it out unscathed.

Linking to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Tweak It Tuesday, Knick Of Time Tuesday

Little Miss May, Can We Have A Talk?

2013-05-01T19:34:00.004-04:00

The first day of May is called May Day.

And mayday is a distress signal.

Just a little space separates the two.

I think it is very important to point that out this year, with all the wacky snow storms going on in parts of the country today.

Let's get you back on track, Little Miss May. We had to fire that prankster called April. Don't screw this up!

Birds and Snot

2013-04-29T16:13:00.000-04:00

Well, lookie here. You can actually plant in these vintage planters.

Who knew they were good for more than q-tips, pencils and silverware?

This weekend was a doosie with a capital D. My son has been sick since last Thursday with a really nasty cold, so I've been inside watching cartoons for 99.9% of that time.

I did get to escape snot patrol for a few minutes on Saturday morning and hit a garage sale where I was able to pick up a few goodies like the bird planter ($1).

It looks McCoy-esque, but it is not marked, so I'm just guessing on that.

I just could not pass up this nice sized Atlas canning jar. I think it's a half gallon size ($3).

I was actually thinking of using it for a terrarium, but may just use it to hold stuff. You can't have enough places to put stuff (said the lady on the Hoarders show).

I bought the flour sifter and deep fryer basket as possible planters (50 cents and 25 cents respectfully).

Can't decide if I want to do more junk gardening this year or stay with more traditional type planters.

I like the junk gardening, but there's only so much junk you can use in the garden before your yard starts looking cluttered and the city starts knocking on your door. I've not gotten that far, but I do think there is a fine line there.

Did you find anything good when you were out this weekend?

Linking with Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Thriftasaurus, The Nifty Thrifty, Tweak It Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Be Inspired, Fabulously Creative Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Saturday Night Special

And The Winner Is . . .

2013-04-26T14:45:00.002-04:00

Well, no one is a winner, per se.

But the voting has been completed and the results have been tabulated on Mr. Bear:

70% said - I love him and think he is just the right amount of kitschiness. Don't you even think of getting rid of him!

0% said - Wow, Pam. He is hideous! Please remove him from my site immediately. (The positive attitude of my blog readers is impressive!)

29% said - I'm going the way of Switzerland here.

0% said - His cuteness is just an act. I think he is evil and will stab you in the eye while you're sleeping! (Really, no one's mind goes to where mine goes?)

We're not discussing where the other 1% went.

So I guess he's staying here. Yay!!!

He's currently holding q-tips in the bathroom. No, I don't have a green metal picnic basket in my bathroom, but the light was so bad in there (which is a good excuse to explain my lack of mascara today) that I brought him into the kitchen to photograph him.

Thanks for all your help on this pressing matter.

A Jar Full

2013-04-24T18:44:00.000-04:00

Back when I was in high school, 5 years ago give or take a century, terrariums were all the rage.

And they are all the rage again.

Cool. Groovy. The bee's knees, I tell you!

All you need to make your own is:

- a container
- gravel or small stones
- charcoal
- potting soil
- some small plants
- fun doodads to liven up the place

I bought my Anchor Hocking cracker jar at Walmart for $5 and change. It comes in different sizes and this one is the large 1 gallon size (for those huge saltines, I suppose).

I scuffed up the metal lid with sand paper and spray painted it to give it a more vintage look (I used Rustoleum's Lagoon color).

I have bought these jars numerous times over the years and always paint the lids and then all of a sudden they look like they came straight out of the 50's.

I added roughly 1/2 inch of stones on the bottom, followed by 1 inch of charcoal and topped by 2 1/2 inches of potting soil.

Then I gingerly planted the plants, set my Adirondack chair and purple martin birdhouse up, misted the foliage with a little water and screwed on the lid.

I don't expect to have to water it again for a few weeks, if not a few months. A few years might be pushing it.

Wouldn't these make a great Mother's Day gift?

Add a box of wine and a card and you're all set.

Linking with Feathered Nest Friday, Be Inspired, Fabulously Creative Friday, Saturday Night Special, Wow Us Wednesday

Earth Day and Watering Cans

2013-04-22T16:43:00.000-04:00

I finally got some outside yard work done today. Much more clean up to do, but at least I'm not feeling so far behind anymore.

Speaking of yard work, in honor of Earth Day I took a photo of my temporary porch decor.

Also known as "what I couldn't carry back inside after a photo shoot in the front yard one day and I totally forgot about it and left in on the front porch and then when I noticed it, I thought it didn't look horrible, so it's staying for now".

Watering can = water = nurturing our plants = Earth Day
I was trying to be all fancy by using Pioneer Woman's Seventies action in Photoshop on this shot.

Because the first Earth Day was in 1970.

Don't know what I would have done if the first Earth Day was in 1980, because there is not a really iconic look to 80's photos besides big hair.

Linking with Tweak It Tuesday

Vintage Animal Printables

2013-04-21T11:40:00.001-04:00

Back in March, in my Silence Of The Lambs post, I showed an old children's book print that I had framed.

Of a lamb, hence the name of the post.

The lamb came from a book that I found by accident while cleaning my office (it's amazing what you can find if you just clean every once in a while). I have no idea what the title of the book was since the cover is missing, but it is similar in size to a children's coloring book and is probably from the early 1900's.

I scanned them for you and you are welcome to print them off or save them for projects.

The copies you see on this post have been dummied down a little, so this page wouldn't take forever and a day to load. But if you need higher resolution images, you can download them from Flickr if you wish. On Flickr you can change the size of the photo under Sizes and then download it under Download (I love how they make it simple like that).

Links to higher resolution images on Flickr:

Vintage Cow Drawing
Vintage Horse Drawing
Vintage Cat Drawing
Vintage Camel Drawing
Vintage Sheep Drawing

Oh, and I did not pretty up the images, they look as they did when found, so they have more of a realistic vintage feel to them. Please feel free to brighten them up yourself in your photo editing program if you prefer a crisper, less authentic look.

Linking with Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Knick Of Time Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Feathered Nest Friday, Be Inspired, Fabulously Creative Friday

Lost

2013-04-18T17:39:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling a little lost in blogging lately.

What? Too soon for an Amelia Earhart joke?
I'm trying to up my game and suddenly my normal everyday posts seem lame. Not exciting enough. Not good enough.

But you know what? I like to buy crap at thrift stores and yard sales and church sales, so I am going to go ahead and show you what I bought last weekend even though it is not going to knock your socks off, darn it!

Well, you saw my Amelia Earhart book that I found for a quarter at a local church sale.

At the same sale, I found this 1 quart Pyrex bowl for another quarter. It did not have a lid to it, but it's about the first piece of Pyrex I have found lately that is not yucky from having been thrown in a dishwasher. It is actually in great shape.

BTW, I know very little about Pyrex, but I do know that it does not do well in the dishwasher.

Do any of you Pyrex loving people know what pattern this is?

A 1983 Empire Plastics snowman blowmold for a quarter.

25 cents seemed to be the theme of the day at the church sale.

Susie: Hey, Margaret, how much should I price this at?

Margaret: Well, we have a lot of 25 cent stickers left, so how about 25 cents!

I sat him on this chair so you could get an idea of his height. Which is small.

And a enamelware basin bought for a buck.

So even though it was not the church sale of the century, I still found a few things and walked out of there for under $2.00.

Thank you Avery Labels for your pre-printed price stickers.

Linking with Sir Thrift A Lot, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday