Wednesday, August 29, 2012





 The Gazebo @ Keystone College

 It must be that I am very aware summer is quickly coming to a close that I see the sun as brighter, the days as shorter, and thus the time spent outdoors more precious.
It was with this in mind that The Gazebo in the heart of Keystone College campus , located in LaPlume, Pennsylvania,seems the perfect spot for a late summer luncheon. I did not have to look far for dishes since my sister in law had a closet full of green cabbage dishes. She was willing to share and I now am keeping my eye peeled  for the same when I am in TJ Max's.A trip to the local Farmers Market provided all the vegetables I needed to fill an Adirondacks basket. I love this idea for a centerpiece. I would like to hear  about other unique centerpiece ideas. Brass silverware, a wedding gift from a friend who lived in Vietnam for awhile, was just the ticket to capture sunlight and the reflection of the gazebo's ceiling.
It always amazes me when I find something that I had forgotten about, like the silverware, and    suddenly I find a new use for it.
I am left wondering what else do I have in the attic and how can I use it.
Better yet, I start to wonder what might be my friends' attics!
Please feel free to share any treasures. I promise to return everything.
Mary Ellen from Scranton, thanks for the idea of jello in a glass vase with seasonal flowers.
There are so many grasses and fall flowers that I think you could take this idea into Thanksgiving!


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Table of the Month August

The lazy days of summer are quickly turning into the dog days of summer.
Side walks are steaming, flowers are wilting, and we long for the cool of  shady trees, or shelter of  air conditioned kitchens.
Two good friends, who know me well, gave me the wonderful  sunflower tin, that they found in the Long Wood Gardens gift shop.
As soon as I saw it, I felt sure it would be one of my favorite things and that I would  put it to good use.
A simple piece like this can make an ordinary table more inviting.
A summer luncheon if a perfect time to fill it with flowers, in this case sun flowers, place on the table, then listen to the complements.
Mouth watering juicy tomatoes are not only good to use to make tomato sandwiches, but can serve as a
seasonal centerpiece. Last year a woman, with whom I was doing physical therapy, introduced me to the earth box . This year I now have all the tomatoes I want! What a great invention. I am sure many of you are using them. I would love to hear what  vegetables you are growing and what month watering ways you are putting them into your dishes.

August 5
How nice to hear from Ellen in New Hampshire who told me that her sister also loved the Earth Box.
She uses it on her deck to grow fresh herbs. What a great idea. I might just have to get another one next year!