Thyme for Herbs

Cold, Wild Winds

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:05:00 +0000

This past weekend we went to Traverse City. Traverse City is at the top of the mitten near the little finger of Michigan and is known for cherries and it's wineries. It's a beautiful spot and is a favorite of most Michiganders.
We set out on a wine tasting trip but it wasn't a great day for that, just because we had to run in and out of buildings dodging raindrops. It was cold and miserable. Once inside, each place had a warm fire going in the fireplace. That along with a bit of wine warmed us up quickly until the next time we had to dash to the car.

We visited the Good Harbor Vineyard and also the Ciccone Vineyard and Winery , which is owned by Madonna's family. It ended up being so miserable out that we gave up, went out to eat, and then started for home.

On the way north, we stopped at an observation point to view the Lake and the white caps. The wind was literally roaring, and I could stand next to the railing with my arms out and lean into it as it held me up. We all realized that we must be crazy to be out in this weather.

This is an area called Fish Town in a small city by the name of Leland. The waterfall is a fish ladder which the salmon jump to go back to their spawning grounds. It's fun to watch on a nice sunny day, but on this day just a quick glance was all we needed to satisfy our curiosity.

On a good day you can walk the docks and watch the fishermen at their work. Here are some nets hanging on a rack. The shops were all closed, as it is now past tourist season. I guess that is really a sign that winter is coming soon. But in true Michigan fashion, the next day the sun was out and only light jackets were required, except for a few hardy souls who dressed only in their shirtsleeves hoping to put off wearing winter attire for a little while longer.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

What Did I Tell You?

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:48:00 +0000

This is the same tree that I posted a picture of yesterday. And just as I thought, after a night of rain and wind, the leaves are completely blown off.

With November only a few days away, we now settle in for a long winter of grey skies, cold, and snow. The inevitable change of the season is upon us. We can only pray for an Indian summer and a January thaw to ease the way to spring.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Falling Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

If you're not living in the Eastern or Midwest part of the US, you might not be able to enjoy our fabulous color changes. This year colors are spectacular. Even through the overcast days, the skies were painted with a frame of red, yellow, rust and orange. Here in Michigan we have the added benefit of the dark green pines.

This sugar maple is in my back yard. I'm afraid it's on it's last day or two.

The grass is now carpeted with falling leaves. Tomorrow my husband will start up the mower and grind these up to mulch, but today I can enjoy the glory of it all.

Even the steps are completely covered.

Yesterday we traveled about an hour north to look at a house on a lake that's for sale. The shore is thick with cattails that are also turning shades of rust and brown.

The trees on the opposite shore reflect in the still water. Across the street from the house was a forest of colors, but I neglected to take photos. Needless to say, even after living here all of my life, I am still in awe with Autumn.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Vote for DK Mommy

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Diane Kidman over at dk Mommy Spot, has been nominated for a national Naturally Beautiful Blogger award and she needs your votes.

Diane has been blogging for three years. She writes about being natural and "green." There is such a variety of topics that it's impossible here to tell you all about it, but they run from children's' toys to natural soaps and cleaning hints. Diane is studying to be an herbalist also, and as she progresses through her studies she passes on many hints about natural health and beauty aids that she has learned about, as well as tips on cooking organic and healthy meals. This blog is a must for anyone who wants to help save the planet and is interested in protecting your family from the chemical invasions into our lifestyle.

Please take a moment to visit dk Mommy Spot (even if you're not a mommy.) I'm sure you'll enjoy what you find.
And don't forget to vote! Here's the link to her web site.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Thyme for a Stuffy Nose

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet must-roses, and with eglantine.
- William Shakespeare,

So many herbs have multiple uses and they often overlap each other. I think it is nature's way of providing, so that whatever season or whatever herb is growing in your area, you can find something to ease your discomfort. Thyme is one the most versatile herbs around, yet we often think of it only for cooking purposes.

Thyme can be used as a moth repellent, and a mouthwash. The Romans used it to cure a hangover and to bathe in to ease aches and pains. We often think of lavender associated with pleasant dreams, but thyme can also produce the same relaxed and gentle sleep. Just put a little in your pillow case and then it's nightie- nightie.

It seems every one I know is complaining about coughs, colds, aches and pains. Along with that comes the stuffy nose. If the bug has got a hold of you, too, try this for a natural way to help you breathe a little easier:

2 pints boiling water
4 drops of thyme essential oil

Pour the boiling water into a bowl. Add the oil. Put a towel over your head to contain the steam, and breathe in the decongestant fumes deeply for about 10 minutes. After treatment, rest for half an hour in a warm place.

I hope for your sake that you manage to avoid the flu or a cold this season; if not, maybe it's time for thyme.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Yarrow and a Cold Cure

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Plant me a garden to heal the body,
Betony, yarrow, and daisies to mend.
Sage for the blood, and comfrey for the bones,
Foxgloves and hyssop the sick to tend.

An Elizabethan Herb Song

I'm sure you've heard of echinacea associated with curing colds, but have you heard that yarrow also has some of the same properties? Here's a recipe for a brew that you can take to shorten the days that you spend with a miserable cold. Remember if you don't have these herbs in your garden that you can dry yourself, you can always find them in your local health food store or online.

1 t. dried yarrow
1 t. dried elderflower
1/2 t. dried peppermint
pinch of cayenne pepper

Put the herbs in a warmed pot and pour freshly boiling water over them.
Cover and let stand for 10 minutes, then strain.
Stir in the cayenne pepper and drink as hot as possible.
Add honey to sweeten, if desired.

Yarrow has been known as the iodine of the meadows and fields. A few years ago I wrote about my personal experience with a cut finger and yarrow. You can read about it here.
So don't dismiss this as just another pretty yellow flower, and if you're planning your garden for next spring, plant some yarrow. You'll be thrilled with it's many uses.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

The Glory Days Are Over

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:07:00 +0000

This is what I found after the first hard frost.
May my morning glories rest in peace.
So sad.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Chamomile for Comfort and Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Chamomile is probably my favorite herb, well, besides lavender, oh and then there's lemon balm, -- or wait, what about feverfew and sage and -- well, you get it-- I love herbs. I love smelling them, handling them, cooking with them, and using them in various ways.

But truly chamomile is a favorite and probably the one that got me started. My mother used to make me chamomile tea, so I guess it's a source of comfort in that way. Sitting next to a garden with chamomile and breathing in the scent is said to give you strength. I find it lifts my spirits.

A nice cup of chamomile tea takes away the stresses of an especially hard day.

I found this Elizabethan herb song recently, and I wanted to share it with you.

Plant me a garden to heal the heart,

Balm for joy, and the sweet violet

Cowslips, pansies, and chamomile

To ease the pain I want to forget.

I would love to know the melody that went with these words. Maybe I'll have to write one myself.

Chamomile has so many uses it's impossible to list them all. In this economy, if you have an herb garden nearby which is in bloom, or were wise enough to dry herbs at the end of summer you can save quite a bit of money on health and beauty aids.

Here's a simple skin cleanser I enjoy:

2-3 T. chamomile flowers

1 pint water

1 t. lemon juice

Put the flowers and water in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.

Cool and strain the liquid.

Add the lemon juice and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

When needed, gently cleanse the face and neck with the lotion using a soft cotton pad.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Mum's the Word

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Here's my front porch. Not as elaborate as other years, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a house I might have to leave, (if it sells, that is.) So for now it's mums and pumpkins only, maybe I'll add more as I go along.

Mums add a burst of color on an otherwise dreary day.

And how about these beautiful asters? I love this purple color. It makes quite a splash in the garden as the rest of the plants are beginning to die out.

Even the trees have something new to offer. These are the berries on the flowering crabs. Take the time to look at your trees up close; you'll be surprsied at what you find.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Applause

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Blotanical awards! It was well-deserved in each and every category!
You can find the complete list at Blotanical.

Go to Blotanical.com to join the thousands of gardeners who share information, knowledge,and photos.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

A Day in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Last weekend we spent the day with our grandson. It was perfect weather for a day at the park and lunch sitting at picnic table under the shelter of the tall maple and oak trees. It's a beautiful spot with a spring-fed pond and stream. You can see the bubbles coming up from the bottom of the little pond as the water comes to the surface. It is so clear that it looks like it is a few inches deep, but in reality is more like 4-5 feet.

Vinca covers the hill. It loves the moisture and shade this area has to offer.

What little boy doesn't love sticks? You can do so many things with them!

The ferns and hostas were still beautiful and lush green.

There's even a special arbor for weddings. People were beginning to arrive for the ceremony. I didn't have the nerve to take a picture of the bride. It's a private day for the family, and not for paparazzi, don't you think?

Is that a fish? Or just a leaf floating by? Poke it and see.

And now it's time for a round of golf. My these new plastic clubs Nana bought are wonderful!

It was a special day I will never forget. I hope he will remember it too as childhood turns in to adulthood.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Words of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Has anyone ever carved words of love for you?

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

A Look Through the Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:07:00 +0000

On Sunday I was in the park and just happened to look up. The view was spectacular and made me dizzy.

For more Skywatch Friday shots, go here.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Blotanical Award Nominations

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:51:00 +0000

I truly don't know what to say. I made my daily visit to Blotanical.com and discovered that I had been nominated for the Best Michigan Blogger Award. I am so surprised and thrilled.

I have to admit that I didn't even have a chance to nominate bloggers myself; I have been so busy. Each time I thought, I'll do it tomorrow; then before I knew it, the chance had passed me by.

Today, I decided to cast my votes before it was too late, and as I was scrolling down the categories one at a time, I came upon the 50 states of the United States. My goodness, there was Thyme for Herbs in the Michigan category! I'm stunned.

If you've never been to Blotanical and you love gardening, you really should join. You don't have to blog to enjoy the many different and exciting gardens, instructional articles, and garden tours around the world. I have learned so much since I became a member. Click on the sidebar links to the many gardens you can find there.

If you do mosey on over there, and feel so inclined, I would love it if you were to vote for me. But the biggest thrill right now is the nomination. Yes, I know that's what all the people who are nominated for an Academy Award say, but it's really true, and I thank you so much.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Surprises

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:42:00 +0000

This happens every year at this time. I'm out of things to say about my garden and of course there's not much left to the garden anyway to talk about. I have a few articles stored up that I'll use a little at a time, but by and large, I can't think of a thing to say.

Some of this lack of brain activity comes from the fact that I am thinking about something else 24-7. Our house still hasn't sold! We are having another open house on Saturday so we've done a few upgrades to try to entice the new people who may be coming through. We installed a new dishwasher and washing machine, as well as a new breaker box, painted the garage and the balcony railing. Of course, to accomplish this meant multiple trips to places like Lowe's and Home Depot. I was quite irritated to think that I was purchasing these items for someone else, when I had needed them all these years myself. Oh well, that's what the TV shows say you should do to sell your house.
Being in these stores, and seeing all that is offered for a home do-it-yourselfer started conversations with my husband about the next house and new garden plans. Will there be room for arbors and a potting shed? Will we have room for vegetables and fruits? After spending hours on the computer researching and dreaming about our future, I stumbled across this site, which includes ideas on all kinds of projects, from home repair to gardening. It spurred me on with a new idea for my blog. In the future I will be pointing you to new sites to visit for your gardening projects and home projects, and letting you know how our plans are coming.
I haven't forgotten about my daylilies and herbs, I'm just in limbo for a while. If I happen to travel and find an exciting garden to share, I'll pop that in, too. I guess what I'm saying is that for a while this site will be full of surprises.

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Oh my, Those Morning Glories.

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Oh my,those wonderful morning glories!
I never planted morning glories this year, but they reseeded themselves as they often do. Then around July I noticed them starting to climb up my arbor.

Now look at what I've got -- Just when fall is bringing a dead and dry look to the garden area.

Isn't it a beauty? This morning I spotted a rose/fuchsia color starting to bloom. I guess it's never too late. Oh my, those morning glories!!!!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Last year I took a poll as to whether or not I should paint my garage. The majority of you voted with me to keep the rustic look. My husband has been wanting to paint it for years, but I held back because I liked the way the peeling paint complimented my garden features.
Well, since the house is up for sale, we have come to realize that not everyone shares the same opinion about gardening and the weathered look. The plants around the garage wall are about ready to go into hibernation, so the time is right. The awful job of scraping has been completed and it looks like the weather is cooperating. Today the garage is getting a fresh coat of white. What do you think?

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

It's Bedtime!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:03:00 +0000

"Janie, it's bedtime." Oh how I hated those words when I was young. The only good thing about it was that my mother let me read in bed for a half hour. I still do that to this day.
As a young wife and mother, bedtime was a wonderful thing. Soft bed, darkness, and quiet -- until the baby started to cry. Sleep was always in short supply.
Today bedtime can be whenever I want, but sleep evades me. I guess that's part of getting older. But bedtime also means something quite different than pillows, blankets, and my husband's snores; bedtime is when I get my garden ready for it's long winter nap. It's hard to believe that the time is already here. It is still August after all. But this is what the garden looks like, so the deadheading has begun in full force.

Dry, brown leaves and lots of weeds are pretty much all that is left. With all of the rain we have had, it is difficult to work the garden cleaning into my schedule.

Dying Brunnera as it goes into hibernation for yet another year.

The evening primrose leaves are turning purple and the flowers heads are now just seeds.

A Siberian Iris I have already cut back.

An overgrown herb plot needs lots of attention, but my time has been spent elsewhere and my interest is waning.

And then there are the beautiful Rudbeckias (black-eyed Susan, gloriosa daisy). They keep the color going as they imitate the shades of bright sunshine which will be seen less and less as each day of autumn passes into winter.

My last daylily bloom -- Daring Deception -- made a valiant effort to give one more bloom for the table.

What does your garden look like right now?

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Universal Deck Planter and Obelisk - Giveaway # 10

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

THE GREAT GARDEN GIVEAWAY BONANZA #10

Oh no, It's the last day of The Great Garden Giveaway Bonanza! Did you miss some days? Some of the giveaways sponsored by Safer Brand are still going on. See the sidebar to enter day six, seven, eight, and nine.

But let's see what Giveaway #10 is:

It's another obelisk, similar to giveaway #8, but this one is in the Antoinette pattern that matches the planters for giveaway #7. This obelisk is 47 inches tall, and constructed of rust-resistant steel. It should fit well in any decor with it's black, powder-coated, antique finish. I've been very impressed with the quality of all of the giveaway products from Safer, and this obelisk is no exception. I can't wait to see it in my new garden next spring!

This is an all purpose planter from made by CobraCo. It, too, is in the Antoinette motif, constructed with the same rust-resistant steel and black finish. It's a 12-inch basket that has been designed in such a way to allow it to sit on a fence or deck post, deck railing, deck corner post, or mailbox post. It also comes with the coco liner. The liner holds the excess water and then releases it when the plant is dry, conserving water, and allowing the freedom to water it less frequently. These two items are winners in my book and come with a retail value of $70.00. If you'd like to be a winner of this package offered by Safer Brand, enter now!
1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Saferbrand.com site.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Friday, August 21, 2009 at Midnight ET.

Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Fire Ring and S'more Forks - Giveaway #9

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

What???? It's not over yet???? Hurray!!! There's still two more days to go!!!
THE GREAT GARDEN GIVEAWAY BONANZA #9
Today's giveaway is sponsored by Safer.

I don't know your feelings about campfires; I know some environmentalists are against them. I'm a Michigander through and through, and here we take our campfires very seriously. It's considered our right to have a fire, if you don't live in a city setting, that is. I'm in a country/village area now, and everyone has a fire pit. When I move to the North Woods, it will almost be expected that you have somewhere to sit around a fire in the evening with your friends. To me, having a campfire is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing things I can do.

I was thrilled when Safer Brand asked me to review this Moose Campfire Ring from CobraCo. It's going to give a little class to my campfire area at my new location. The moose and pine tree motif will fit right in with my wooded surroundings. The ring is constructed of heavy duty metal in a black matte finish. It comes in 4 pieces but is easy to assemble with the tools that are included. Once put together you will have a fire ring 36 inches wide and 9 inches high. It's just the right size for a small gathering to roast hot dogs and marshmallows! But that's not all---

Included, just for this giveaway, are two CobraCo S'more Forks. I have to say these are the nicest hot dog forks I have ever used. It's a stainless steel fork (39 inches long), quite a bit longer than the average hot dog stick. That's good for those fires that get a little too hot. I can't tell you the number of times I have almost burned my hands trying to get in close enough to the fire.
This stick also has a nice wood handle with a leather strap for hanging. The tips of the prongs are blunted. It takes a little firmer push to get it on a hot dog, but the safety factor is worth it.
The campfire ring and forks together retail at $71.00. If you're anxious to win this package offered from Safer, here's how you can enter.

1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Saferbrand.com site or something that you'd like to own.
　
2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.
　
4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.
Good Luck!!
　
Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at midnight ET

Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Ugg Boots Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:23:00 +0000

What does Ugg Boots have to do with gardening? Nothing, other than I really like to keep my feet warm and comfy. I'm miserable when my feet are cold.
After a day of gardening outside in the fall weather, which is coming very soon, I think it would be nice to toast my feet in some comfy Uggs. I've heard a lot about them but never had a chance to give them a try myself.
If you've always wanted to try a pair, here is a link for a chance to win some Ugg boots of your very own! UGG Giveaway

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Obelisk and Hanging Basket - Giveaway #8

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

The Great Garden Giveaway Bonanza #8!

These two wonderful items, made by CobraCo, are being grouped together for the eighth giveaway in this garden series. Today's garden items are being offered by the Safer Brand company. I've always been a fan of the antique green/verdigris look so this set is especially attractive to me. Both of them are made with powder coated, rust resistant steel. The obelisk is 9 inches wide and 50 inches high and it's solid! This is one piece of garden art that will be in my garden for a long time.
The design is called Eminence. The obelisk is so beautiful that I might have trouble planting a vine to grow up it; I don't want to block the fantastic royal-like pattern.

The hanging basket is 14 inches wide and has three matching Eminence medallions. It also comes with the coco liner ( see yesterday's giveaway for a similar basket.) I've been browsing through Safer's web site the same as you probably have, and I've got my eye on a matching chair planter! All I can say is, "Wow!"

This set is put together for the giveaway and retails for $50.00. If you would like these for your garden, here's your chance to have it for free! Thanks to the Safer company you can enter to win:

1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Saferbrand.com site.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 18th at midnight ET.
Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Deck Planter and Hanging Basket Giveaway - #7

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

THE GREAT GARDEN GIVEAWAY BONANZA #7

Did you think we were finished with The Great Garden Giveaway Bonanza? You ain't seen nothin' yet!!!
Now, it's time for the Safer brand company to step in. I didn't know until a few weeks ago that they are a sister company to Birdfeeders.com. Safer brand has been a favorite product of mine for a long time. I regularly use their insect killers, and fungicides. I like the fact that they are OMRI approved (Organic Material Review Institute) It's a great way to take care of your garden without harming the environment and your family.

Safer also has many garden decor items including planters. I don't have a deck, but when I finally do move, there will be one at the new house. I'm looking forward to using this deck planter. It's 24 inches long and includes brackets that adjust to fit your wooden railings from 3-6 inches wide.
Both of these planters come with coco liners. Coco liners are made from coco fiber, a natural byproduct from coconut farming in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). They retain the water and release it when the plant is dry. Less watering is easy on me and the environment.

Both the deck planter and the hanging basket are from the Antoinette Collection so the wrought iron design matches very nicely. The basket is 14 inches wide x 7 inches high. Both of these items are top quality, made by CobraCo. I'm sure they will look beautiful at my new home, and I know one of you lucky readers are going to enjoy them, as well. The two of these together retail for $50.00. Here's how you can win:

1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Safer Brand.com site.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Monday August 17, 2009 at midnight ET.
Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Tiffany Style Birdbath - Giveaway #6

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

THE GREAT GARDEN GIVEAWAY BONANZA #6

What do think? Isn't this gorgeous? This is the 6th in a series of giveaway items being offered by Birdfeeders.com. If you've ever checked out one of my other blogs called Happenstance House, you know how I love stained glass and anything Victorian-looking. This Avant Garden Tiffany Style birdbath is right up my alley, and literally makes my heart race with it's beauty. It's made with real glass/ceramic pieces formed into this mosaic hummingbird design. The top is 15 inches in diameter and the base is 21 inches high.

The base is made of wrought iron, has a rust resistant finish, and folds for easy storage. This is important to me. In this climate, I have to put away all of my garden items for the winter. Some of you don't worry about that and can garden all year long. SO even though this is a little late in the season for me (I only have a month of gardening left) you lucky Southerners can use this for months to come. I think the only negative would be that the feet of the legs are very small, so make sure you place it on a solid foundation such as a piece of patio stone or wood; it's possible it could topple over if it was on dirt only, especially in a heavy rain. Other than that, I only have good things to say about this birdbath!

This is the last of the garden giveaways sponsored by Birdfeeders.com BUT not the last of the giveaways. I'll just be moving on to other outdoor items in the next four days.

If you're interested in owning this Tiffany Style Hummingbird Birdbath (Retail Value $90.00), you can enter to win here;

1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Birdfeeders.com site.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Sunday, August 16th at midnight ET.
Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.

Perky Pet Hummingbird Feeder - Giveaway #5

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Marie) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

THE GREAT GARDEN GIVEAWAY BONANZA #5

Have you been following along with Thyme for Herbs all week? If you have, you know what this is all about. If not, I'd better tell you because you won't believe it! Birdfeeders.com is sponsoring a 6 days of a ten-day giveaway of garden and outdoor items!
The feeder shown here is one of 5 birdfeeders being offered for you to win, each on a separate day. This one is the Aster Top-Fill model. It's bright and lively, just waiting for your hummingbirds to sample its sweet nectar.

Hang it in a spot where the little hummers can fly in and out of easily. They are very fast movers but still an easy target while hovering, so they need a quick exit path. In order to coax them to your garden, place the feeder outside as soon as the weather warms up, even though they may not have migrated to your area yet. That way it will be fresh and ready when they are.

Watch closely for ants and bees in the feeders; keep your feeders clean.

It's also important to keep the nectar fresh and Perky Pet has found a way for you to do that with very little effort. Just mix the powder nectar with water. Follow the directions and measure carefully to get the correct ratio of powdered nectar to water.

After a few days, check your feeder to see if it is ready for cleaning. Perky Pet has a cleaning mop that's just perfect for the job. The long stem allows you to reach inside and swab out the bottom of the feeder and the feeder holes.

Birdfeeders.com would like you to have the chance to win all three of these items for your garden. Here's how:

1. Leave a comment about something you learned at the Birdfeeders.com site.

2. For a second chance to win, sign up as an e-mail subscriber with Feedburner, Feed Blitz, or become a Google Follower (see sidebar.) Then leave a second comment telling me you have subscribed or that you are already a subscriber.
If you subscribe in more than one way, leave a separate comment for each.

3. For a third chance to win, blog or Tweet about this contest with a link here, then come back and leave another comment telling me about it.

4. If you're not a blogger, be sure to leave your contact e-mail address like this to avoid spammers: pianananna(at)gmail(dot)com. If I don't have a way to reach you or you don't respond in three days, your name will be disqualified, and I will choose again, picking my favorite answer.

Good Luck!!

Open to US residents only, 18+.
Winners will be chosen by random.org.
Email addresses will not be shared with any third parties.
This Giveaway ends on Thursday, August 13th, 2009 at midnight ET.
Watch the side bar for links to all 10 giveaways!

Don't forget to visit An Herbal Bedfellow for healthy recipes made with herbs, and also my newest blog:
Happenstance House -- A journal about my Victorian home and all of it's contents.