What's Bloomin'?

 

There's always something new blooming in the garden. Here's what's happening this week.

These tuberous begonias are gorgeous! I have to remember to use more of them in the future.

And here's one of my proudest gardening moments this year. I GREW GRASS!

I've had such a hard time growing grass in the shady areas of our yard. But conditions must have been ideal this year because I finally succeeded. Yay! I usually sow a Scott's Sun and Shade blend in the spring and again in the fall. 

Things are looking lush this year! I will need to keep everything well watered during the heat wave this week.

Easy Summer Appetizer Skewers

 

Summertime is the time for cookouts and gatherings, potlucks and picnics.

I needed an easy appetizer for an outdoor gathering. Skewers seemed like a good option.

These Caprese salad skewers are made with Italian salamis, marinated mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes, along with some fresh basil from the garden.

And thanks to these delicious mozzarella balls marinated in olive oil, this was a cinch to put together.

Here's another offering that blends the flavors of summer.

Watermelon skewers! Simply cube the watermelon, skewer, and add crumbled feta, chopped fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze from Aldi.

Easy summer living. Blessings on your Sunday, cafe friends!

Summer Book Haul

 

My favorite warehouse book sale at the county fairgrounds was this week. The family that runs this sale offers this to the community about three or four times a year. I think the next sale will be in October.

Great deals! I go with a list of authors and titles in hand. And I always take photos of  my bookshelves at home so that I can access them to make sure I'm not getting any duplicates.

This week, I found a couple of Dorothy Gilman mystery titles to add to my collection.

I also found a stack of Laurie Colwin books. A great deal at $2 a piece.

I found a few assorted titles on my wish list, including a book of Robert Frost's  poetry for my son, Sam. Sam and friends started a poetry club in his high school that is still going strong today! And the cool thing about this Robert Frost collection is that it includes a few poems he wrote while living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sam will love that!

I found a stack of Mary Stewart books. I love old books with cool dust jackets.

I found this book and it spoke to me. I loved Pippi Longstocking as a girl, and this edition is illustrated by an artist I quickly recognized from a kid's show called Charlie and Lola. A fun, whimsical style. This book was in perfect condition, too.

Here's another special book: a copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen that includes a curated collection of unique maps and letters and ephemera related to the story.

Interactive! How fun! 

And it was in perfect, pristine condition, too.

I also bought a few books to give as gifts.

My bookshelves are getting pretty full! I may need to get another bookshelf soon!

By the way, I tell everyone I know about this sale. And this week, I ran into my brother and sister-in-law there, as well as a friend from church. I'm spreading the word and sharing the bounty!

Looks like my summer is booked!

Inspired by the AOS

 

Oh, the A.O.S. got me again this week.

What's the A.O.S.?

The Aldi Aisle of Shame, that center aisle of weekly rotating items that you never knew you needed until you saw it there...and then you had to have it!

Everyone on the AOS Facebook group has been raving about these cute coffee tins this month. And when I saw it, I knew I had to have it, too.

The bonus? Not only is it cute, but it's also filled with delicious ground coffee that I've been brewing and enjoying this week.

I was inspired to make this coffee card yesterday.

Lots of different products from different companies, mixed together to form a unique brew.

It's looking pretty patriotic here!

Having fun with the red, white and blue, both inside and outside in the garden.

Easy Summer Gardening

 

I made the decision this year to not plant any vegetables in the garden. 

Last year, I spent too much money with too little results. I just don't have the proper yard for growing a veggie garden. Between the shade of the trees and the roaming deer, it seemed like a waste of time and effort.

But what I do really enjoy are fresh herbs in my cooking. And I like the convenience of popping right out my patio door to the deck and finding what I need.

Basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, chives. I also put in two sweet banana pepper plants, and I'm trying to grow some dill by seed.

If I can find a pre-planted pot of cherry tomatoes, I might add that to this spot as well.

In the spot where I used to grow the veggies I am trying lots of varieties of zinnia and cosmos by seed. We will see what happens.

When life gets complicated (Lyme disease, aging parents, travel, writing), it's best to scale back on some things and try to find those things that bring you joy.

A Blue Moon Father's Day

 

Dads like this guy only come around once in a blue moon, which is why he needed a blue moon Father's Day!

It started with the new shirt, which had a pattern called Blue Moon. And that got me thinking. Didn't I see a recipe once for a Blue Moon cupcake?

Here's how it works. Using a Duncan Hines box yellow cake mix, I followed the directions but swapped one cup water for one cup of Blue Moon beer. I also added orange zest to the batter.

For the frosting, I used  yellow vanilla frosting (Duncan Hines) and added one tablespoon orange juice and one tablespoon of the beer. After spreading, I sprinkled each cupcake with more orange zest.

The cute little moons? I made those using Catherine Pooler's Star Gazing stamps and dies, along with CP inks, and taped them to some toothpicks.

This combined two of my husband's favorite things...beer and frosting! 

A fitting way to celebrate his special day.

Soda-Lighted

 

So, at last year's Concord and 9th Inventory sale, I ordered the Soda-Lighted bundle, knowing I would get around to using it one day.

And that day finally happened. What was I waiting for? This set was so fun!

For the first card, I was inspired by Vernor's Ginger Ale. Vernor's is a Michigan soda that locals revere. Michiganders think that Vernor's can cure everything. Stomach ache? Vernor's! Headache? Vernor's! Fever? Vernor's!

For the next card, I was inspired by Faygo, another Michigan soda company. And by the way, we call it "Pop", not "Soda". Faygo has so many great flavors. Rock and Rye. Moon Mist. I went with Grape here.

And finally, just a fun floral can with a straw, ready for sipping.

These cards made me so happy. I'm hoping they'll make the recipients happy, too.