Milk Carton Tomato Cage Witch Craft: its Bewitched with Cuteness

Bewitching milk jug witch
Bewitching milk jug witch

Milk carton tomato cage witch: I was very pleased with this new tomato cage craft project for the fall. I wanted to create a new tomato cage Halloween character this year. My new milk carton tomato cage witch is part of my growing collection of tomato cage projects. I found a picture of a witch windsock a couple weeks ago and it stirred my imagination to come up with this not so scary milk carton tomato cage witch. Continue reading “Milk Carton Tomato Cage Witch Craft: its Bewitched with Cuteness”

Paris Tennessee Farmers Market Open June Through August

farmers market signThe Paris Tennessee Farmers Market is a great place to get all your fresh produce, jellies, jams, relishes, and honey . The temperature today was hot, but the market had a festive feel with multi colored tents,  visitors shopping and sampling ,and sellers doing a brisk business .  We got there early and they still had a good selection of vegetables and goods.

Vendors were busily attending to customers and giving out samples of bread, jellies and salads. The farmers market is brought to the community from the UT Extension and the USDA. All vegetables are locally grown and today’s biggest seller seemed to be the sweet corn. The other variety of choices, were green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, huge onions, green peppers, jalapeno, and cucumbers.  Vendors ranged in age from earlier 20’s to late 80’s and they offered homemade breads, relishes like zucchini relish, jellies like dandelion apple, which we bought, and local honey from the beekeepers.

Paris Tennessee farmers market
Dandelion Jelly
paris-tennessee-farmers-market-local-grown
Locally grown farmers.
paris-TN-farmers-market
Bustling activity even though it was a hot humid day.

The UT extension had a table set up with samples of a delicious Tri-pepper salad  and laminated recipe cards of the sample and a silicon large cutting mat just for stopping by.

Tri-Pepper Salad from the Institute of Agriculture at UT

This recipe is found at the Seasonal Eating Recipe Archives at the University of Tennessee Extension.
This recipe is found at the Seasonal Eating Recipe Archives at the University of Tennessee Extension Institute of Agriculture.

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons vinegar
3 sweet bell peppers (red, orange, or yellow, preferably 1 of each)
1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 small red onion, peeled and sliced very thinly crosswise
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, combine garlic and vinegar; let sit 15 minutes. Meanwhile, halve peppers. Remove seeds and white membranes. Cut peppers into bite-size chunks and set aside. Separate parsley leaves from stems; discard stems (you should have about 1 cup leaves). Finely chop leaves and set aside. Whisk olive oil, salt, and pepper into garlic-vinegar mixture. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Toss peppers, parsley, and onion with dressing. Add feta and toss gently. Serve at room temperature, or cover and chill for up to 2 hours. (Print the PDF of this recipe from the University of Tennessee here.)

More about the Paris Tennessee Farmers Market

Organized by the UT Extension , the Paris Tennessee Farmers Market is held every Tuesday and Friday afternoon from June 22 through August 31 at the corner of Ruff and Highway 641. The Paris Tennessee Farmers Market opens at 3 pm and ends at 5 pm.  Each Friday visitors will be offered samples from a special recipe.

The corner parking lot is reserved for Farmers Market vendors only, but the city lot to the immediate west is available for customer parking. I truly enjoyed the short time we spent there and will be looking forward to next Friday’s visit. Hope to see you there.

July 4th Table Decorations with 8 inch Tapered Luminara Candles

July 4th Table Decorations: Candles and Bandanas

My July 4th table decorations are simple and inexpensive. This year we are having a simple cook out for our July 4th celebration. But I decided to elevate the occasion with some decorating fun. If you have dishes that are red or white, you can easily use them for July 4th table decorations. Just add a few other inexpensive decorative elements you already have around the house.

It’s no secret, I love Luminara candles.  I also love baked beans and hotdogs, which is on the menu for today. The temperature is in the 90’s here today in Henry County, Tennessee. The humidity is way up there also. While you can use regular tapered candles for your July 4th table decorations, I think when the heat gets this high it’s best to stick with a battery powered tapered candle instead like the Luminara.

July 4th Table Decorations: Re-purpose What You Have

July 4th Table Decorations: Candles and Bandanas
July 4th Dinner for two

The trick is to think outside the box and to incorporate items you have in your color palette that can be easily re-purposed.

I thought a little candle light, and a few patriotic bandanas seem appropriate for July 4th table decorations.  To do this, I am using my 8 inch tapered Luminara candles and my bandana print scarves.  It’s a simple and inexpensive way to decorate my little dinner for two table without spending money on expensive place mats or a table runner that I’ll only use a couple times a year.

I have an insatiable love of these Luminara candles, because they look realistic and they are quality made and did I say they also have timers.  A hot summer day on the porch is a perfect time and place to use them, because a wax candle would soften and melt in a very messy way in this heat before the Ambrosia salad is served.  Unfortunately photos do not do the realism of the candle flicker justice, but they are remarkably realistic.

The Luminara candles also come in different sizes and shapes. Like the ones I am using today, the tapers are perfect, not just for July 4th table decorations but for every other holiday occasion.  At Christmas I have used them for window candles and the safety factor is not an issue. The fact that they have timers that go on and off automatically is fabulous, you just set them once and watch them go on and off.  For roving cats and swishing dog tails, these can be knocked over and there are no burned tails, or noses, or the messy clean-up of melted wax spilled on carpets and tables.

I hope you all have a safe 4th of July and happy fun celebrations.

Dog Anxiety Issues Thankfully solved with Thundershirt

My dog Riley, a miniature schnauzer uses Thundershirt for dog anxiety issues

My dog Riley, a miniature schnauzer uses Thundershirt for dog anxiety issues We have dog anxiety issues in our house. Our two-year old miniature schnauzer has struggled with dog anxiety issues since we adopted her as an eight week old puppy. She’s a small dog for her breed only ten pounds.

She is calm when it’s just us in the house, and when there isn’t someone coming to the door or walking past the house.

But she always seemed to have a problem with taking car rides and meeting new people. Our dog’s anxiety would kick up with a lot of barking, trembling, and panting.

Most people recognize these common symptoms of dog anxiety, but there are other ones that are less well known. I’ll share them in case you are wondering if your dog has an anxiety issue.

Common Symptoms of Dog Anxiety:

  • incessant scratching
  • chewing on paws
  • barking and retreating
  • hiding behind a person or object
  • when the tail is low and only the end is wagging
  • dog licks it’s chops even though it is not eating
  • when a house broken dog  goes into another room and urinates or deficates
  • when a dog cocks its ears back

She started to behave the same way when we had thunderstorms. We saw our dog struggle with restlessness, panting, and trembling. We knew we had to do something to help her calm down.

Dog Anxiety Issues Solved with Thundershirt

I had seen a demonstration for the Thundershirt for dogs and thought it looked too good to be true. The idea that a simple shirt could calm our dog down seemed too easy to be effective. But after our last thunderstorm, I decided to give it a try.

The Thundershirt is a lightweight material coat that Velcros around the dog’s belly and around her chest.  She seems to tolerate the coat very well. We’ve survived our first storm since purchasing the Thundershirt. The difference it has made in her storm anxiety is reassuring us that we have made the right decision. I really believe the Thundershirt is helping her with this problem.  The panting and the pacing was not happening, and she was comfortable enough to just lay down.

The next test will be the fourth of July. This year we will have her Thundershirt on and ready for the all day fireworks displays.  I feel confident that she will make it through the day without any problems and we won’t have to resort to drugs to calm her down.

If you are having the same difficulty with your dog, I recommend you give Thundershirt a try. Be sure to measure the dog’s chest diameter when ordering so that it is a good fit and you have picked the right size.  There is a video on Youtube showing how to measure for fit.  Not tight, but reassuring to the dog like a gentle hug.

How to Fit a Thundershirt for Dog Anxiety Symptoms

On a Kindle Fire Seniors will Feel Right at Home Reading Books

On a Kindle Fire Seniors will Feel Right at Home Reading Books

On a Kindle Fire Seniors will Feel Right at Home Reading BooksKindle Fire: seniors will love reading again. I know I do. I have always enjoyed reading for pleasure and the used bookstore was one of my weekly stops to refill my new reading adventures passion.  Before I retired I was reading medical records for 8 hours a day, so I had slowed down a bit on my free-time reading.

Now that I am retired and time is all I have, I am back to reading in a big way.  The only thing that has changed is I no longer read the actual physical book since my daughter gifted me with a Kindle Fire.  I am aware that a lot of people still love the actual books, but I got tired of my hands cramping with some of the hardcover books or the really fat paperbacks.  Here are some of the reasons I love my Kindle, and why I believe Kindle Fire for seniors is a better alternative than using books.

On a Kindle Fire Seniors will Enjoy Several Features:

  1. On a Kindle Fire seniors can adjust the font size and type of the print to a comfortable reading experience.  I could almost read without glasses if I adjust it to a larger font.
  2. On a Kindle Fire seniors will enjoy the backlit display that can be changed to your preferences. The Kindle Fire has sepia tone, black background with white letters or white background with black letters.
  3. On a Kindle Fire seniors can enjoy ease of handling, I can prop it on my lap and be hands free, except for swiping it to change the page.
  4. I can get all my books free from my local online library in my town. They have thousands of books in every imaginable genre that can be downloaded to my Kindle Fire.  I use the “Overdrive” online library site that is managed with my local library card. I also use “Bookbud” which has low-cost and free books.  If a book is not available on Overdrive you can go on a wait list and your library will email you when it is in.
  5. Amazon also has books online that Kindle Fire owners can purchase. The options are great, and you can read reviews from readers on book you may be interested in. If your are an Amazon Prime member, you will also be allowed to get one free book per month in their Kindle lending library right on the device.
  6. On a Kindle Fire seniors will also enjoy the history feature. With this feature the Kindle keeps track of the books and author you have read.  Which helps if you keep accidentally choosing a book you have read in the past, which I have done a few times, especially if it is my favorite author.
  7. Books are only one feature seniors can enjoy on a Kindle Fire. I can play games on the Kindle, go on Facebook, see ideas on Pinterest, shop online, read newspapers and magazines. You can even listen to music and watch videos, visit the web, check and send emails.  It is truly a very handy item.
  8. The size and weight are also a plus, I can slip it into most average size purses and carry it around without shoulder and arm pain.  It is nice to use  while waiting for doctor appointments , oil changes, or any other situation you my run into. It holds a charge for quite a long time.
  9. Another feature I love about the Kindle Fire is it’s ability to save pictures. I have several of my favorite pictures of my grandchildren on the Kindle. If I have it in my purse I can share them with my friends.
  10. On a Kindle Fire seniors can enjoy easy online shopping through Amazon Prime, if they are members. Amazon Prime is set up on my device and through it I am able to order all kinds of things with just a few clicks. The best part is free shipping and delivery in 2 days. I love the ability to use shopping lists on Amazon and to save them to purchase later if I desire. Amazon will even notify me if the items have a future price change.

Kindle Fire: an Improved Retirement Reading Experience

The Kindle Fire is easy to learn how to use. I have had this Kindle for the past 5 years and although I am not very computer savvy, I have been able to operate this without any frustrating problems, and it has become my favorite tool for reading.

Residents of Henry County Tennessee

To check out free ebooks for your Kindle, iPad, or Nook visit Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. Regional Ebook and Audiobook Download System. You must have a library card to check out free ebooks. You can also visit their Facebook Page: Tennessee Reads.


Porch Makeover DIY Project: Inexpensive and Easy Updates

DIY porch makeover remodel with newly spray painted chairs.
easy porch makeover with Rustoleum metallic paint
My easy porch makeover on my southern style back porch.

Porch makeover DIY project is a success! This project was very cost effective. In under $100 I created a porch makeover that offers a fresh look, and it took very little time.

Since moving to this house in Henry County, Tennessee, I  have really wanted to enclose my covered porch to create a four season room. But the cost of the process is more than we can handle at this time.

Tired of looking at my old, outdated, and mismatched outdoor furniture, I decided to do an easy porch makeover that wouldn’t cost a lot of money.

My Easy Porch Makeover Tips

First of all, the best way to begin is with a good power washing. If you don’t have a power washer, it’s a great investment. We use it to clean our outdoor furniture as well as our vinyl siding. I already have a wicker loveseat and chairs, and they are not in bad shape. I quickly power washed them to reuse them in my porch makeover plan. I also power washed the outdoor dining set as well to prepare it for paint.

At the start of my porch makeover, my biggest eyesore was my 15 year old patio dining set. It is too comfortable to get rid of, but it was worn and a dull beige color.  My newer wicker outdoor loveseat and chair set is an oil rubbed bronze color. I love the dark, rich color, so I decided to get a few cans of Rustoleum that would match to coordinate the design.

The home that we live in is sort of colonial /cape cod/farmhouse style. It is white with dark charcoal shutters. I decided to use red as my accent color in cushions and flowers for my porch makeover.

I power washed my old outdoor chair set, let them dry completely. Then I spray painted them with Rustoleum metallic paint in the oil rubbed bronze color. Luckily the paint was on sale so it helped to keep the cost down.  I did have to buy 9 cans of spray paint to complete the job.

Porch makeover with rustoleum paint makes old chairs look brand new.
Before and after porch makeover using Rustoleum paint for professional look.

I was very happy with the way they turned out, my only problem was that the weather was not helping. When I started to paint it was dead calm, and half way through the job the wind kicked up to gale force and I had to quite for the next three days.  Remember to check the weather forecast before you start the job. It will make it much easier.  My problem is I get all charged up about a project and can’t wait to get into it and see how it will all look when I am done.  I am trying to have more patience in my old age but its hard for this old dog to learn a new trick.

I already have materials for my next porch project. After thrift store shopping this past weekend, I was able to purchase a small wooden cabinet. I plan to remodel it and turn it into a potting table. I will keep it along the north wall of my covered porch and  use it to keep my fertilizers, pots, and hand tools neatly stored away.

For me the thrill is in updating and designing DIY projects that look great and are inexpensive.

Deco Mesh Pumpkin Decor: DIY Project Using Wire Plant Hangers

deco mesh pumpkin DIY

Pumpkin of Deco meshMy Deco Mesh Pumpkin DIY project recycles my summer wire baskets. This DIY autumn pumpkin decor is easy and inexpensive to do.

Since moving south and enjoying the extended spring and fall seasons has  truly been an added bonus.  The time to decorated for fall is upon us, and being able to enjoy fall themed decoration from September till we switch them out in late November for Christmas makes it really fun.

Deco Mesh Pumpkin Materials:

  • One roll of 10 yards (21 inch mesh) should be enough to make this deco mesh pumpkin.
  • Two round wire hanging planter baskets (available at the Dollar Store, Big Lots).
  • 4-6 pipe cleaners/ chenille stems or a rubber band (available at the Dollar Store).
  • Paper covered floral wire/ grapevine wire/ natural bind wire.
  • Wired burlap ribbon.

Deco Mesh Pumpkin How to:

  • I started with two old wired baskets that I kwik tied together to create a pumpkin shape. See the image below as an example.
  • Then I used pipe cleaners, which are also called chenille stems to band together the tubes of deco mesh on both the top and bottom.
  • These pipe cleaners connect the 18 tubes of Deco Mesh as instructed on the video tutorial.

I bought the deco mesh at the local Walmart.  I also bought some wire curls, burlap ribbon for leaves and fall floral picks  to decorate the top.  To create the stem, I cut a large brown paper bag in half and twisted by hand as tight as I could and stuck it in the top hole and it was done.

Here is a nice video from Trendy Tree on how to make the Deco Mesh Pumpkin Project:

 

Two wire hanging baskets connected to form ball.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The local produce stands and home centers are showing great looking mums and other fall plants , pumpkins and gourds in all sizes and shapes.  I like to wait on getting the pumpkins till later, so they will not rot or mold before Halloween.  I have been collecting over the year a variety of artificial pumpkins and gourds that help fill in spots and crevices.  I also have my eye on an old wheelbarrow wagon at the local resale shop I am hoping to pick up if the price isn’t out of my reach.

You can get more ideas from my Pinterest boards

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisjroman/

“Happy Fall!”

Sunflower Wreath DIY with Burlap Ribbon for Summer

sunflower wreath DIYMy sunflower wreath DIY themed door hanger turned out better than I imagined.

I have always had a love of sunflowers.  They are like the true sign of summer and just seem to make you smile.  I have grown sunflowers that were as big as your head and some as small as golf balls.

So with the passing of the fourth of July and weather steaming up, I felt the time was right to decorate my front door with my beloved sunflowers.

How to Make a Sunflower Wreath DIY Project

The biggest cost to this wreath was the purchase of the oval-shaped grapevine base.  It measures approximately 19″ long by 16″wide.  The price was $4.99 but was on sale at Hobby Lobby so I only payed $3.50 and was thrilled with this find.

My next purchase was at the Dollar Tree where I bought 4 sunflower bunches for $1 dollar each.  I also picked up a few other spikes at the same price to add some symmetry to the design.  These bunches I actually just slide into the stick base and they held beautifully.

Next and finally I added the wired burlap ribbon that I already had on hand, so my total was approximately $12 for the completed wreath.

It looks great on my front door, which is under a covered porch.  I do get a lot of afternoon direct sunlight on that door , that is one reason why I prefer to attach my floral stems into the base rather than hot glue them due to the melting of the glue because of the sun.

Total time spent was about 20 minutes and little jute tie on the back for hanging and the job was complete.  I hope you try one of these with your own favorite flowers, just sit back and enjoy the comments and compliments that you will receive.

For more ideas visit my wreath board on Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisjroman/wreaths/

Western Tennessee Gardening and Landscaping Tips for Homeowners

western Tennessee gardening hostasWestern Tennessee gardening can be very rewarding for the average homeowner with the right knowledge at your fingertips.

This has certainly been the longest winter in decades.  Now that the weather is changing and we are seeing more warm nights I’ve begun to get the gardening bug. With fewer cold days the spring greening has begun.

Tomorrow we are expecting to go into the eighty’s here in western Tennessee.  For years I’ve lived up north where the growing season was much shorter. The sight of the red buds blooming and the Bradford pears loaded in white flowers is a reassuring pattern I look forward each year.  It brings plans for all the yard work that is part of the regeneration of plants and grasses that need immediate attention.  It is the start of my western Tennessee gardening season.

As a retiree who relocated to western Tennessee several years ago, I had to adjust to soil and climate changes and choose plants that work well in this area. I found a couple resources that are quite helpful for avid gardeners new to Henry County, Tennessee. Here is a nice flower and shade gardening guide for Tennessee that lists annuals and perennials and best planting practices for them.  And if you’d like tips on landscaping plants that are native to western Tennessee, view the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation guide.

Western Tennessee Gardening Tips

Over the years I’ve experimented with my garden. I’ve learned to rely on nutrient rich potting soil for best yields where I live. Our property has a lot of clay in the soil and it has made gardening a small challenge for me.

Soil is essential for high vegetable yields no matter where you live. Of course in the Midwest gardeners are spoiled with rich black soil that makes gardening easy. This is what I’m accustomed to.

Western Tennessee gardening requires an area with deep soil that drains well. It should be medium textured, because if it’s fine-textured, like clay soil, it will stay wet late into the spring. Clay soil is difficult to work with and tends to crust. Your garden area should not be sandy either. Sandy soils dry out too quickly, and they also require frequent fertilizing. If you are planting on a sloped garden bank make sure it isn’t too steep or it will erode. And of course, most importantly, make sure your garden gets a good six hours of sunlight
or more per day to produce well. The University of Tennessee has a great guide for growing vegetable gardens at home.

Western Tennessee Gardening Plants

  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Sweet and Hot  Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Onions
  • Eggplant
  • Zucchini

Western Tennessee Landscaping Plants

These plants are my favorite. They are easy to cultivate and readily available. They can also be split and used to expand your landscaping look over the years:

  • Hostas (perennial plant, full shade)
  • Ferns (perennial plant, full shade)
  • Day Lilies (perennial plant, part shade)
  • Heuchera
  • Lantana
  • Geraniums
  • Calibrachoa
  • Hydranga
  • Hardy Hybiscus

Western Tennessee Flower Gardening

western tennessee gardening flowering plants
I have a passion for hostas, heuchera, and hydrangea. I also have an overabundance of Poison Ivy.  I find myself roaming the yard and looking for signs of their return.  My list for the local nurseries grows larger every day and if the old back can hold out I look forward to getting my hands in the dirt and doing some planting in the next few weeks.

Every spring I seem to mentally choose a color scheme for my annual plants and set out to get them,  some time it is so hard to stick to my plan when I see some of the spectacular flowers and varieties of new plants.

This year I am going for the red theme with lime colored greens for some contrast.  I just picked up some red and gold Lantana that is so pretty and from past experience draws hummingbirds by the dozens to the porch.  Coleus in the lime green is being matched with the burgundy colored one and will be placed among the hostas and heuchera for contrast.

There will be some removing and changing areas for plants that just are not doing as well as expected.  We have a horrible vole infestation in our area and they seem to love to eat my plants from the bottom up,  so this year I am planting a lot of my hostas in pots in the ground. I am also going to try placing hardware cloth (like a fine wire mesh) around the roots when I plant them to deter the voles from eating  the roots again.

Well, it’s time to get my garden gloves  and plastic shoes on and load up on the “Aleve” to get me through the day. Hope you all have a great spring and happy gardening!  See more on my Pinterest board.

View 20+ Styles of Raised Garden Beds - Eartheasy.com

Helping Hand Paris Tennessee: Raising Money for Poor

Helping Hand Paris TN home decor donation.

bird houseHelping Hand Paris Tennessee is a wonderful organization for volunteers as well as those in need. Since moving from the north to the south, there has been a some adjustments and differences to overcome, but the move has been a blessing. Retirement in the south, especially in Western Tennessee, has been the best thing we have done for ourselves.  We have met great neighbors and have a much greater social life than we have ever had before.

Tennessee is known as the volunteer state and the neighbors and friends have introduced me to many worthwhile organizations that need hands on help from volunteers willing to put in the time and energy.  The one I have worked at the longest in past three years is the Helping Hand’s Organization.

Helping Hand Paris TN, a Non-Profit for Those in Need

This is a  wide regional interaction in getting churches , neighborhoods, clubs, businesses, banks and individuals to contribute baked goods, crafts, dinners, and donations to be auctioned off .  The proceeds are divided in the county for needy families and aid for those in financial difficulties.  This is not a one day event. The donating and auctioning is done six days a week for the months of January and February. The auction is done through the local radio station and bidding is fast and furious.  Thousands of dollars are made everyday, because of the generosity of people who care about each other.  No middle man or administrated costs, just people who give what they can and help those who cannot help themselves.  I am proud to be a part of this.

Past Auction Items at our Local Helping Hand Paris TN

These are examples of items often up for bidding at the Helping Hand events in our Paris Tennessee area. If you are in the area, come join us, or visit Helping Hand on Facebook.

 

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