Update: Garden

I am really excited about how great my garden/yard is looking. I have been enjoying my gardening design class thoroughly and am learning lots!! I also have a wonderful gardening pro neighbor who has been giving me tons of advice. But, really the best thing about my yard is my husband, who helps me so much and is so willing to do all the hard manly labor. Thank you sweetie!

My poppies are just starting to bloom. I planted three plants in one small little spot and they have just gone gang busters. I probably have 40 blooms to enjoy! The orange tissue paper with purple center is so breathtaking!

Although one of my columbine died over the winter, this one made it and looks lovely!

My delphinium's are thinking about it. They need another week before they show-off their wonderful light blue blossoms.

I got these peony's from my old neighbor when I was moving into this house. I planted five separate plants three years ago (last fall) and just said a little prayer. They are all doing really well, some are budding more than others, but I will take whatever I can get. Peony's are my absolute favorite ~ I love this deep red!

Longest Arches in the World

#1 Landscape Arch 290 ft. long

While in Salt Lake, at my favorite doughnut shop, I picked up the local paper. Normally I don't read the paper, but a headline caught my eye. The Salt Lake Tribune had a fabulous article about Utah being recognized for having 6 out of the top 10 longest naturally created arches in the world. All 6 arches can be found in southern Utah a mere 4 1/2 hours from my house!

#2 Kolob Arch 287 ft. long

#6 Rainbow Bridge 234 ft. long

With all my big plans for the summer, I am totally adding a few of these ARCHES to my list of rockin' outdoor summer trips! What nationally (or worldy) recongized attractions do you have by you?

Hot Potato Salad

Ever wanted to be the cook who made the dish that was a total hit at the picnic? We'll look no further, this Hot Potato Salad will make your phone ring off the hook with everyone requesting the recipe.

Hot Potato Salad:

• 5-7 medium size potatoes ~ chopped and cooked
  
• 8-10 links of sausage or slices of bacon ~ cooked

Sauce:

• 4 green onions diced ~ green and white parts
• 3/4 cup real mayonnaise
  
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 package hidden valley ranch dry mix
  
• 2 tablespoons fat/grease from sausage or bacon

dice and boil potatoes until tender

dice and chop green onions

combine green onions, ranch, mayonnaise, sour cream and fat

After mixing sauce add potatoes and sausage. Pour into a 9 by 13 pan and cook uncovered at 375 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes - until dish is cooked through. Serve Immediately. This dish is also great the day after -just reheat in the microwave.

Art Shoppe Treasures

The hardest thing about the hosting the Art Shoppe is: I have to find all the vendors. Actually, that part isn't hard at all (that is my favorite part!) What is hard is: I love every vendor and love what they sell....so once the shoppe starts I have to sit there for three days and lovingly gaze at all their great products. Actually, that part isn't hard either! Trying to keep my spending under control...now that is the hardest part!

Here is a little peek at some of the wonderful things I got at my own Art Shoppe. I am like a kid in the candy store!

Families are Forever Frame by Creation Cottage

"Sidney" by Winborg Sisters Design

Baby Burp Clothes by Elle Design Cottage

Vintage Fabric Dolls by Mariah Made

Pink and Black

Last fall I made a Pink and Black Quilt for the Tom and Lucy Art Shoppe. I thought it would be really fun to sell tickets and raffle it off to one lucky winner! (picture of quilt here) The only person(s) who really bought a substantial amount of tickets were my Mom and my good friend Ella. (p.s. my Mom won!)

That being said, I got a great idea and thought, "I am going to make a quilt every time we host the Art Shoppe." after a few years I will have this amazing collection of quilts to have as a memory. Now normal I have these fantastic ideas and then do nothing with them, but this time I promised myself I would make another quilt! And I did.

I kept the quilt very easy and my colors were already picked out for me ~ pink and black. With all the inspirational coin quilts floating around in blogland I constructed a pattern almost on the spot. (because I am awesome! jk) I got my inspiration for the machine quilting from a great quilter: Rebekah, I love her blog and her preppy quilt!

Of course the quilt has tons of polka dots ~ go figure! I love the binding fabric it is my favorite. It was originally bought to be the sashing in the middle, but once I layed it out I liked the black and white better.

Yay, for me!

Getting Out of Doors

When I first met my husband "getting out of doors" in my family consisted of a campfire in the backyard and Oxbow Park. Growing up I was perfectly content with that, but now that I have boys of my own and a very "outdoorsman" type husband, I love to get dirty and enjoy more of what nature has to offer. I love the fact that my youngest in now old enough to really enjoy it and explore what Utah has to offer my "wild boys"!

If your family is at a place where you can get out-of-doors without coming home broken and bruised visit the National Parks Service to find some great family friendly spot to visit this summer. You can search by state, national park, kid friendly and more!! I know we are taking full advantage of everything this summer has to offer!

Harry and the Hendersons

Remember this movie? I actually remember going to see Harry and the Hendersons at the theater with my family. On Saturday, Adam and I went out on a date to see the new Startrek movie and thought the boys needed something On-Demand to watch with babysitter.

Needless to say it made quite the impression on my 7 year old! We watched it all over again on Sunday. My boys loved it and were anxious to give away all the best parts.

Gardening on the Mind

I have really had gardening on the brain, this past week. I think after such a long winter you can't help but want to hit the nurseries full steam ahead. After being in California Adventure for spring break and seeing all the foxgloves there, I got inspired. I planted two foxgloves under my aspen trees in the back yard. It looks so good I am thinking about going back and buying a few more!

Side note: For Mother's Day my husband bought me a gardening class. I am so excited: 3 classes, 2 hours long ~ learning from a master gardener all about bed design and flowers! I am a lucky girl.

First class is this Tuesday!

Flower Garden

Here is a sampling of some of my favorite flowers in my garden right now. After my three year old (soon to be four!) helped me put all the flowers in the vase he proclaimed: "Mamma, now we have a flower garden in the house." Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

Art Shoppe Success!

The Art Shoppe is over and although I am ready to relax and take a break, I am sad because it is so much fun and lets face it: I love to shoppe boutiques! We had plenty of amazing vendors and products to go around. My only ALAS is: there isn't much for boys and I wish I had a little girl to spoil with all the cute girly things!

I loved spending the weekend with Marie and my little sister Kitty - laughing and having a grand ol' time. Thanks for everyone ~ friends and family who came to the shoppe and showed their support. I appreciate it so much.

Now back to regular posts tomorrow...