Wildflowers

Last July, I posted about visiting Wild Seed Farm in Fredericksberg, TX. (Click here if you want to go back and see it) We got a little carried away while we were there and bought enough wildflower seeds to blanket our neighborhood. We thought all you had to do was throw the seeds down and they would grow. Yeah, we really thought that!!

Anyway, after reading the directions, we decided to do a much smaller area and see what happens. We put a ring of rocks around some trees, threw down some dirt - because we mostly have rocks in the backyard), the sowed the seeds according to the directions. It wasn't hard, but it was more prep work than we thought.


The seeds we planted were labeled Hummingbird and butterfly garden. They started sprouting almost right away. I was worried that they would freeze in winter and spring, but they've made it just fine. I think...

But all we got was a bunch of white flowers and a few purple flowers that stand up on tall, very thin stems. We have lots of butterflies and hummingbirds come through the yard, but they don't stop here.

Mostly they visit the plants around the pond. Which is fine with me as that's were you'll find me most of the time.

I didn't know that bees and butterflies would be attracted to calla lilies. Which in turn attract anoles. They are all so fun to watch.

This is Nala. How did she get in this post? She's always following me around, but she's getting old and lays down on the cool flag stones whenever she gets a chance and watches me to make sure I don't do anything fun that she'll miss out on.

Newly planted snap dragons. They're sooo pretty and always brighten up any garden or flower arrangement.

I love pansies because they're always smiling. I thought these would be spent by now as I've had them for a long time. But they're Johnny pop ups so they're always preforming. Love that!

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Mystery Bird

One of the joys of my slowly developing garden are all the sweet little birds that come to visit. We get Cardinals, Lesser Yellow finches, American gold finch, wrens, woodpeckers, doves, etc. But there's one little guy we can't find in our bird book. He, (or maybe she) has all the markings of an American goldfinch except that his body is pure white! See him in the middle of the photo hiding behind the sock?



He's very shy, so it's hard to get a good picture of him. At first we though it was some kind of gold finch with a mutated gene that made his grayish feathers white. But then we saw TWO! Can they both be mutated?



He has a dusting of yellow on his head, black wing tips and then everything else is white. Snow white.

This is the best picture we got of him. My daughter got it through her bedroom window on the second floor. But it's not as clear as it could be because it's through the glass. Does anyone out there have any idea what this little guy is? Or, any idea where I can find out?

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Beautiful Crocheted Pillowcases!

Although life is good, it is very challenging and has been taking up much of my time. I haven't really had a chance to make posts the way I'd like, or share my thoughts lately. And with everything that's been going on (nothing bad, just busy), I haven't had time.



The easiest things for me to talk about are linens. And since I've posted a lot of picture of embroidered items, I thought I'd share some beautiful crocheted pillowcases.



This beautiful pair of PC's are hand crocheted AND embroidered. I love it when I'm lucky enough of find something like this. It's very rare, at least for me, to come across a pair of pillowcases that are expertly crocheted in my favorite colors of pink, have great embroidered detailing AND are in excellent condition.

Aren't they beautiful!" Love the pink and white and a touch of green in the embroidery

When I bought these wonderful purple pillowcases, I thought the were a pair. But when I got them home and really looked at them, they aren't exact. One pillowcase is bigger than the other, but you can tell they were made by the same person. Hubby's pillow must have been bigger than the wife's (or vice versa).

The crocheted inserts of pink stand up roses on these pillowcases goes all the way across the bottom edge. Usually it's only a small part of the pillowcase. I like the extra special touch of the yellow centers, too. How cute is that?

Just look at all that work! Sometimes I wish I can do crochet like that...Ok, LOTS of times, I wish I could crochet like that, but the amount of time involved seems daunting to me. I'm so glad there were and are ladies out there willing to do it so that you and I can enjoy their work.

I usually buy pinks, blues and lavenders, but when I saw these gorgeous sunny pillowcases, I had to get them! They're beautifully hand crocheted in such a happy color. I just know they'll be perfect to brightens some ones bedroom. How can they not? They're gorgeous!

Hope you had fun looking at these beautiful pieces of art!

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

These pillowcases will be available for purchase shortly at my eBay store.

Basic Care of Vintage Linens

I often get asked how to care for linens. It’s pretty easy and not as scary as some people might think. So here are some very basic cleaning and storage tips for vintage linens that have worked for me. *

This first method is what I use when I bring home a new batch of linens. I feel that sanitation far out weighs any damage that might come to the linen. Most of the linens I find have been stored for years and years in attics, basements, etc. so I want to be sure they’re CLEAN before I bring them into my home and yours.

Washing vintage linens really depends on their age and condition. Pre-treat any spots with a commercial spot cleaner. (I use Spray N Wash or Shout) Soak if necessary- see recipe below. If the item is relatively new (40 year or newer) and there are no structural problems, I wash it in hot, hot water with Tide and oxy clean or Biz on the gentle cycle - slow agitation, slow spin, double rinse, and tumble dry on medium. I pull it out of the dryer while it's still hot and lay them flat so as to avoid as many wrinkles as possible.

Fresh out of the dryer

If the linens are yellowing or have age-related lines, pre-treat with a spot cleaner, and soak in hot water with equal parts of Tide with color safe bleach, Oxy-clean and (believe it or not) Cascade Automatic Dish Washing soap in powder form. Dissolve all the powders before adding your linens. Stir often with a heavy spoon, plastic broom handle, etc. Soak for up to 48 hours, stirring every so often. Then rinse really well, and launder as usual.

If you’re washing something you already own, hand washing is best, but washing on gentle in the machine is ok, too. To extend the life of your linens, it’s best to line dry until just damp, and then toss them into the dryer for a few minutes so that they’re nice and soft.

This darling towel clearly states my daily activity. It's a keeper!

It’s best to iron embroidered pieces from the wrong side. Turn pillowcases inside out and press on medium high heat. Turn them right side out and just do touch ups. Only use starch when you are going to use your linens right away. DO NOT store items that have been starched as it may cause yellowing, attract bugs and even cause fiber breakage. Don’t iron creases into linens, and fold them only after the fabric has cooled.

Stacks of sweet smelling, clean linens!

Store your linens inside where they won’t be exposed to moisture, too much heat or too much light. Never store linens in plastic bags or plastic bins as this may cause CFC gases to be released onto your linens which causes yellowing. (Citric acid – Lemon Juice – usually will take care of that, but why go through the bother). Also, plastic traps moisture which can lead to mold and mildew. Try not to fold your linens the same way every time. The best way to store linens for long periods of time is to roll them around acid free paper and wrap with acid free paper.

If you have a truly antique piece or a prized heirloom piece from Grandmother, please consult a professional.

*Please remember that although I deal with linens on a daily basis, I am not an expert and am just passing along what has worked for me over the years. These are merely suggestions and no guarantee is implied or stated. Sometimes, no matter what you do, little holes appear after cleaning and some stains just don’t want to come out.

(This adorable laundry bag hangs in my laundry room. It's another keeper that is just too cute to let go. I had trouble with it hanging straight so that the image was easy to see, until I had one of those "Ah Ha" moments. I just slipped a large piece of card stock in it. Now it hangs perfectly and I can enjoy it every day!)

Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!!

Patricia :o)

Great saddness

Yesterday my heart stopped as I read the blog of a very dear friend. She lost her oldest son. Her name is Becky (I wrote about her give away only a few days ago). I met her years ago through eBay, and although we've never met face to face, I can tell you that I count her as a wonderful and loveing friend.

This news has left me so saddened. I can't let go of it. I just can't imagine the pain and anguish and suffering that must be going on in her home. It's something that I just can't wrap my mind around. He was a healthy, handsome very young man. He was a good son and happy, so full of life.

I wept when I read the news. I wept as I fell asleep, and even now, my heart continues to weep.

There's nothing I can do for her, nothing I can say. Even to say that I'm here for her is a big joke. How can anyone ever say or do anything that will make her feel the slightest bit better. Thankfully, she, her husband, and her younger son are a wonderful and tight family. And, with even greater thanks, she and her family knows our Lord, who truly is the only one who can walk with them through this valley.

I just don't have the words to express how I terrible I feel. Please hold her and her family up in prayer.

Shamelss Plug!

I just HAD to share these gorgeous vintage pillowcase I have up for sale on my eBay store. I know this is a shameless plug, but I can't help myself!








If you love the chic & shabby or the romantic look. You'll LOVE these. If you love pink roses on white cotton you'll LOVE these.



These are done in the prettiest pink floss and minty green leaves. The openings are beautifully trimmed with a pink hand crocheted trim.

Just look at the gorgeous hand work! Can you just imagine the time it took to make these?

They're in excellent condition, too!

I wanted to share these beautiful pillowcases because they are just too gorgeous. Even if you're not interested in purchasing them, I thought you'd enjoy looking at them.

BUT if you are interested, you might want to act fast. They are listed as a buy-it-now for $34.99 (free shipping in United States) in my eBay store.

They'll be listed until February 9th or until some one buys them. Click Here or on any of the pictures to go to my eBay store.

SOLD - Thank you!

GREAT giveaway from Sweet Cottage Dreams!

Becky, at Sweet Cottage Dreams, is have a wonderful giveaway. She's giving away so many beautiful things, you gotta vista her! Not only is she VERY talented in all the pretty pillows and banners that she makes; not only does she have the pretties blog with fun and beautiful posts; not only does she have one of the cutest Scottie dogs; But she's also one of the nicest ladies I know in blog land.

I "met" her several years ago through eBay and she's just a sweetheart. You'll enjoy participating in her giveaway, and I know you'll just thoroughly love her! So be sure to drop by and give her a big shout out from me! Hugs and smiles,

Patricia