We were celebrating my FIL’s birthday at our house and I noticed that my gladioulus were starting to bloom so I picked them. While I was in the cutting garden, I also picked some Nigella stems that were full of seed pods, and some dahlias. I grabbed a few oakleaf hydrangeas and then I wentContinue reading “BIG Bouquet from the Garden”
Author Archives: cathyboettner
Strawberry Basil Vodka Gimlet
We have gotten some really delicious strawberries this year and I decided to make a cocktail with them for some friends who are coming over. To start, you need to assemble all your ingredients. I took about 25 large strawberries and about 3 1/2 cups of vodka and processed them in the blender. I thenContinue reading “Strawberry Basil Vodka Gimlet”
Blueberry Lemon Jam
We had this during our trip to Highlands, NC and it was fantastic, so I decided to make some. Here’s how I did it: Ingredients: 4 cups frozen blueberries, thawed 4 1/2 tablespoons pectin 1/4 cup lemon juice Zest from 2 large lemons 5 cups of sugar Process about half the blueberries in the foodContinue reading “Blueberry Lemon Jam”
Tacos and Margaritas
My jumping off point for this table was the adorable margarita glasses I found while thrifting. It’s a little guy napping in front of a cactus–for $1/each, they had to come home. I also found the striped dinner plates for less than $1/each–Lemon Zest by Dansk. If I were going to do this for real,Continue reading “Tacos and Margaritas”
By the Seashore…
We had people coming for dinner and I didn’t want to go and get flowers, so I improvised with items that I have on hand. I love the aqua glass lanterns and shells on top of the sisal runner. I used Wedgwood Maxadura Chargers and tan plates from Ballard Designs and aqua napkin in woodenContinue reading “By the Seashore…”
Strawberry patch and Herb Garden
We did a major thinning of the strawberries this spring and they are starting to produce some nice sized berries if we can get to them before the birds do. You can see where our gutter overflows ALL THE TIME. We have a new downspout coming and we’re going to have to route it alongContinue reading “Strawberry patch and Herb Garden”
Just when I thought I was finished…
I sprayed the outline for adding more river rock around our forsythia, but hadn’t considered that the wild bermuda hadn’t really started growing when we put the rock down…so…it’s popping up everywhere. I will have to stay after this all summer to ensure that I get rid of it completely. In other news, I prunedContinue reading “Just when I thought I was finished…”
Setting Sail for Supper
I’d been pondering a nautical theme for a table after I found the super fantastic nautical themed canape plates from Phillipe Deshoulieres while thrifting. They are great art deco looking designs and each plate is different. I used the coir runner again because it reminds me of ropes, plus a blue pitcher with white flowers,Continue reading “Setting Sail for Supper”
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
My rhubarb produced enough harvestable stalks for me to put some in the freezer, and to make some jam. I love strawberry and rhubarb together and it tastes like summer to me and reminds me of my grandmother. Here’s how I made it: Ingredients: 4 cups of crushed strawberries 2 cups of rhubarb cut intoContinue reading “Strawberry Rhubarb Jam”
Raised bed Gardening
I have already harvested arugula and radishes from our stock tank raised beds, but had to pull all of them up because they were bolting. I am behind on posting, so here’s where we are: Last year our raised beds were a LOT more successful because my husband added the little irrigation system that youContinue reading “Raised bed Gardening”
