I happened to be in a part of our county that I do not often get to visit in. Driving through this gorgeous farmland, I came to a home of a friend that I had not seen for a long time. Her daughters and my daughters attended the same school for many years. I heard that she opened a gift shop at the barn behind her home. I had flashbacks of this lady and her very artistic skills with flowers and plantings. I pulled into the driveway carefully trying to avoid hitting all of the cats that were lazily enjoying the afternoon sun. I saw my old friend walking out to her shop and realized how much I had missed seeing her the last few years. The funky purple planter filled with flowers and sitting by the side of the road, was a warm welcome for anyone passing by, to stop in and pay a visit.
The name of her shop is "Tansy Meadows", just in case you happen to live anywhere near this part of the world.
The plantings in this pot(which she made from concrete), were so beautifully placed and the colors looked so nice together. There were five pots in a row, and she said they were already spoken for. I totally understood why. She said she makes lots of these concrete pots with holes in the bottom for drainage. They can withstand all kinds of weather.
Here she had pansies planted in the seat of an old wooden chair that she had painted purple.
She told me that she likes to paint garden pieces wild and fun colors.
This is the view from the driveway of the shop. She later took me into her kitchen and this amazing view is what she sees from her large kitchen window. I think I would spend the day washing dishes, if I had this view.
Lots of old canning jars graced the shelves of her quaint, old barn gift shop. If jars could talk, what a story they would tell.
Another old wooden chair with pansies planted in the seat, and a bow tied to the top of the chair.
The name of her shop is "Tansy Meadows", just in case you happen to live anywhere near this part of the world.
The plantings in this pot(which she made from concrete), were so beautifully placed and the colors looked so nice together. There were five pots in a row, and she said they were already spoken for. I totally understood why. She said she makes lots of these concrete pots with holes in the bottom for drainage. They can withstand all kinds of weather.
Here she had pansies planted in the seat of an old wooden chair that she had painted purple.
She told me that she likes to paint garden pieces wild and fun colors.
This is the view from the driveway of the shop. She later took me into her kitchen and this amazing view is what she sees from her large kitchen window. I think I would spend the day washing dishes, if I had this view.
Lots of old canning jars graced the shelves of her quaint, old barn gift shop. If jars could talk, what a story they would tell.
Another old wooden chair with pansies planted in the seat, and a bow tied to the top of the chair.
One of the many cats just relaxing in the warmth of the afternoon sun.
I remarked about this piece up on the wall of the shop. She said, "oh, that is an old wooden frame that one of the school mothers gave her, many years ago." This is what she chose to do with the frame...how very clever.
I remarked about this piece up on the wall of the shop. She said, "oh, that is an old wooden frame that one of the school mothers gave her, many years ago." This is what she chose to do with the frame...how very clever.
An old wooden box filled with fresh herbs and plants, and an old stone bunny. What a creative mind she has in using all shades of green and many different textures.
Here are some more of the concrete pots she created and planted with colorful flowers. She had only planted the flowers a little while ago, so you can imagine how pretty they will look weeks from now. An enjoyable break in my busy day. Time with an old friend and the privilege of seeing once again the God-given talent she has utilized in this little gift shop out in the middle of the farmland. Our short time together was a blessing, and I've thought about it often as I continued on in my day's duties.
Here are some more of the concrete pots she created and planted with colorful flowers. She had only planted the flowers a little while ago, so you can imagine how pretty they will look weeks from now. An enjoyable break in my busy day. Time with an old friend and the privilege of seeing once again the God-given talent she has utilized in this little gift shop out in the middle of the farmland. Our short time together was a blessing, and I've thought about it often as I continued on in my day's duties.
Early last evening I had the opportunity to visit a new, improved, and larger store in our area called "Tuesday Morning". I understand from talking to one of the ladies at the store, that they have locations throughout the United States. I find it to be quite a fascinating store containing many items that are unique and they offer a huge variety of products. When I walked in the door I noticed on the one shelf many tied clusters of real looking, faux flowers. I purchased one of clusters for 10.00. Now, first of all I will always favor real, from the garden flowers. In the summer I am always cutting bouquets and having them in my home or giving them away. But, these looked fairly real, and I knew that I had three old milk bottles that I had purchased for .50 each at a flea market, last fall. I brought this one cluster home, divided it into three clusters, added water to my milk bottles(at first due to the colorings on the stems, the water turns slightly green, so let the flowers stand in it for a few minutes...empty the water and add clear).
I folded a large unlined index card in half, and used my stamp and ink to make a simple card. I keep stacks of the unlined cards and often use them with ink and clear stamps to make cards. Easy to write messages in the inside too.
On Saturday we spent the evening our daughter and son-in-law's home. We had a delicious dinner! After dinner the air hockey game that we had given to our grandson for Christmas, was brought out to the family room. We had no idea what a big deal this was to these little people, until we saw the great look of anticipation on their faces. And to think that Papaw would be playing too, was even better.
The concentration and expectation were so evident on their little faces. This was BIG!
Oh, the sweetness of victory when it finally comes. My husband is thoroughly enjoying this fun stage of being Papaw, knowing full well that eventually papaws turn into grandfathers in a very short time. But for now, he treasures his popularity and admiration.
Here is pictured my personal version of cheesecake. I am actually not a big fan of cheesecake, although I do enjoy a slice of exceptionally good cheesecake, once in a while. There is a family in our area of the country that produces one of "the BEST" cheesecakes ever! It is a family business and it started with the mother in the family producing one amazing cheesecake. Her husband(if I understand the story correctly), took the recipe, reproduced it and took it to local restaurants. The rest is history. This company has grown and you can find" Pellman Cheesecakes" in restaurants and grocery stores throughout the eastern United States. Like I said, I only indulge in a slice of this gem, once in a great while. The rest of the time, this is how I enjoy cheesecake.
I take one or more(depending on how many parfaits that I want to serve), of Weight Watcher's strawberry, cherrry or blueberry cheesecake yogurt. Today I used the cherry cheesecake because I was out of the strawberry cheesecake yogurt, but it tasted every bit as good. I layer graham cracker crumbs in a glass parfait dish. I add the cheesecake yogurt, sliced fresh strawberries(or blueberries or sweet cherries), a dollop of light Cool Whip, and then I repeat layers of the same. I refrigerate the parfaits for at least a few hours, and sometimes a day or two. The flavors blend so nicely over time. It is so quick, easy, low in calories and refreshing. Perfect to serve for a ladies luncheon or dinner. I do not know much about the Weight Watcher's plan, but I do know they sure do make good yogurt.
