It's Summer in St. Louis - HOT!

I took a stroll through the yard the other day. Every day I take my two puppies, Scout and Finch, for a walk around the yard. They are only interested in finding worms to eat and catching squirrels, but I don't mind as long as they stroll with me.
I didn't winter sow as many plants this year, but I had plenty. One of my favorites are the Sunflowers! These were planted along side the house and I had to crop the picture in order to screen out the garden hose and the meter reader....lol!
I start most of my plants by seed. These were planted a few years ago and I divided the plant and transplanted them into some beds we started in our front yard.
This beautiful flower is called a Brown Nose Rudebekia (I'm pretty sure..). They reseed everywhere, but I planted this bunch under our Black Oak tree. They hide the Iris that have already bloomed.
Last, but not least, is my Blanket Flower. I started this flower about 5 years ago and it has happily reseeded all over the yard. They bloom all summer!

The Cook

I decided to pull the crock pot out and make some soap today. I was pretty well stocked for several weeks, so I haven't made soap in what seemed like ages! Above is the "cook". The oils and lye/water are almost done cooking. I melted my oils on high and cooked on a low setting.
Here it is all ready to add the essential oils. This batch has Lemongrass and Basil oils. It smells divine! I waited a few minutes between turning off the crock pot and adding my essential oils.
One plus of soap making is that clean up is easy! I put the crock pot in my sink, add all my spoons, cups, and spatulas , add water and walk away!
Of course, I will have to come back and rinse everything off before I put them in the dishwasher. :)
A long shot of the finished soap. I sprinkled lemon peel on the top. It will be ready to cut in just a few hours. These will be in my shop, at Crestwood Court, in a few weeks.

I'm going to miss Summer!

I love Fall. In fact, it's my favorite season....but I'm going to miss Summer!

St. Louis Cool Art and Jazz Festival At Queeny Park

I have my first show this weekend! I'm so excited! It's a 3 day show at the Cool Art/Jazz Festival at Queeny Park. I'm leaving in a little bit to help set up. ShowMeEtsy is a group of Etsy sellers from the St. Louis area. We have a Street Team on Etsy and you can visit our group on our Blog.

Cool Art/Jazz Festival

Art, live music, food, kids' activities. This weekend's Cool Art, Hot Jazz Festival in Queeny Park is filled with fun for the whole family. For art lovers, there are 130 juried artists from all across the U.S. and Canada showing off their paintings, scuplture, photography and more. The interactive children's program gives kids of all ages the chance to meet the artists and learn more about their work. Local emerging artists, like the ShowMeEtsy group, will also have booths at the festival where they will be selling jewelry, decorations and other crafts.

Cool Art, Hot Jazz Festival
August 15 - 17, 2008
Greensfelder Recreation Complex
Queeny Park, Ballwin

A Morning Walk Around My Yard

Navy Blue Hot Processed Soap

Well, they were supposed to be navy blue! I actually like this color, although navy blue would have been nice. IRL they are a dark gray blue. The soap is scented with Rosemary and Bergamont...yum!!!

Window Box Planting

I just love my window boxes! Our garage is a side entry and our windows face the street. This is the window box on the left side. Ignore the refections of our gardening tools that were out that day!
Window box on the right. In the front there is a Japanese Maple Tree, Holly bushes, and many, many, perennials. The Vinca that you can see hanging from the box reseeds in my garden every spring. I just cut off several pieces and stick them in the dirt!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! I'm spending the day with my family today. My DD came in from Chicago and we are having friends and family over for dinner and fire works.
The picture above is a Columbine bloom. I started the plant, by seed, last year and it bloomed this year!

St. Louis Summer

I'm having such a hard time with posting pictures and lining up the typed words, so I decided to list the flowers at the bottom.
Pictures starting at the top are: Sweet William, Salvia, Red Hot Pokers, Peony Poppy ready to pop, Speedwell, and Gallardia. All started by seed...by me!

First Time Trying Botanicals In Cold Process Soap!

A lightly scented soap with Sandalwood and Vanilla...yum!
This was my first time trying botanicals in my soap. I used Calendula petals.

Is Spring Here Yet????????????

May I bore you with my excitement that Spring is almost here?? Since I'm stuck in a cast, and can't get around the yard yet, I'll just have to nourish my quest of flowers through my extensive albums of THOUSANDS of pictures of my garden!



Red Hot Poker...one of my favorite plants! They shoot out like fire crackers and are about 3 to 4 feet tall.



Blanket Flower...a beautiful plant that shows it's pretty face all summer long, and into the fall.



Johnny Jump Ups...a cheerful Hello in the spring. They are a great ground cover and I just love the blues, purples, and yellows!