These astilbe companion plants like the same moisture and light conditions and will make a beautifully coordinated garden bed. Astilbe is a gorgeous perennial that is right at home in a shady moist garden. You can grow it alone, but a well designed garden looks better with more than just one type of plant. Keep …
There are many chocolate colored flowers available, but Chocolate Cosmos gets a special boost. I give it this rating because, not only does it have a lovely dark chocolate fragrance, but it is also one of the top 10 rarest flowers in the world. The plant is a perennial and is easy to grow and …
These DIY Music Sheet Coasters are the perfect way to put me in just the right mood when I take a break for some much needed “me time.” I have such a busy life. There seems to never be enough time to get everything done that I need to do. Sound familiar? With the endless gardening …
I thought it would be fun to share this project that shows how easy Re-growing Carrot Greens from carrot scraps is. Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now remembered in more that 193 countries! When I think of Earth Day, I think of recycling, taking …
The other day I grabbed my onion basket to get some garlic and found a clove that had sprouted. My first thought was I guess I will see how Growing Garlic Greens Indoors works out! This time of the year, I love to tend indoor plants, since there is not much growing outside. I use …
This cement-block raised garden bed makes a great home for hardy succulents and colorful annuals. It is easy to assemble and makes tending the plants a breeze. A few years ago, I used a group of cement blocks to make a corner planter for my succulents. I LIKED it but didn’t love it. It …
Growing onion bottoms is a great way to use parts of the onion that would otherwise end up in the trash. Onions are such a versatile vegetable. I use them almost every day in recipes. I always seem to have onions growing in various places in my house and garden. Growing onions indoors can be …
These Roast Beef Wraps with cheese and roasted red peppers make a great party appetizer or fun lunch treat. I love quick and easy recipes that still look pretty and taste amazing. It’s even better if they are easy to prepare! Keep reading to find out how to make them. Time to make some Roast …
Lithops, a variety of succulent from South Africa, has the common name living stone. The term living stones seems to be a paradox? How can a stone be alive, you might ask? Keep reading to find out more about his unusual plant. Succulents like lithops are drought smart plants that are super easy to …
These Blueberry Granola Bars are just full of flavor and the perfect choice for those grab and go busy mornings. Americans love granola bars. They are used as a post workout snack, a quick breakfast, or a healthy dessert. Granola bars even have their own national day, celebrated on January 21 – National Granola Bar …
It’s time for a change out of my table centerpiece. I love this type of project – gather a few supplies, poke them into the floral foam and voila – a pretty Spring Table centerpiece. My husband made me a centerpiece box to use for Thanksgiving. It graced my dining room table for Thanksgiving and …
Growing begonias gives you easy-care plants with gorgeous flowers and pretty foliage. Begonias are a very popular plant worldwide. They are used as bedding plants and can also be grown as indoor plants. There are lots of different leaf types, colors and flower formations. Tips for Growing Begonias. As an Amazon Associate I earn from …
Garden Sheds have become a fixture in many back yards. But your garden shed doesn’t have to be plain and boring, as these great looking buildings will show. If you have been gardening for long, you will know that tools and gadgets soon start to take over your yard. Your garden shed can be as …
This Shiplap Barn Door step by step tutorial will show you how to make a sliding door yourself, easily. If you are a fan of the HGTV show Fixer Upper, you will know that shiplap has taken the decorating world by storm. Mr. Gardening Cook and I decided to use it as part of our …
Looking for a little luck and prosperity in your home? Try growing a Braided Money Tree Plant. This fabulous indoor plant has a braided trunk, glossy leaves and is easy to care for. This technique of braiding the trunk is thought to symbolize looking for money and luck! The braided money tree plant has been …
This orange cherry mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that the whole family can enjoy. It is fresh and bright, and the perfect choice for those times that you are looking for a a pretty party time drink that contains no alcohol. After all, who doesn’t like the look of party drinks? There is no reason …
This Orange Bundt Cake with a light orange glaze is my latest attempt at pleasing my husband’s sweet tooth. My husband loves any type of dessert that is made with fruit. Lemon meringue pies, orange cheesecakes, apple crumble – you name it, if it has fruit in it, he’ll love it. There is something just …
Astilbe is one of my favorite perennials for a shade garden. There are not many plants that really like the shade that also flower beautifully, but Astilbe is one of them. Astilbe colors could even be called the stars of a shady garden. Astilbe makes a wonderful border edging plant for a large garden bed. …
This cute coffee pot terrarium is the perfect bit of household plant decor to have nearby when I have my morning cup of coffee. It puts me in a good mood for the day just to look at it! Using recycled items in my DIY projects saves me money and also helps our environment but …
These burlap tea bag jars are the perfect way to store my special tea bags. Their romantic look seems to be just waiting for me to reach in and start a new memory! This DIY project is easy to put together with a few basic supplies and a couple of hours of time. Burlap is very …
If you go to the big-box hardware stores around the holidays and during the winter months, you will most likely find African Violets for sale in a lovely variety of flower colors. African Violets are much easier to grow than you might think and they are one of the most popular indoor plants grown. Keep …
For me, there is nothing quite like the taste of an Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Ah – the joys of using a slow cooker. When the weather is cold and you are looking for something comforting for dinner, bring out your crock pot. Cooking beef this way ends up in the most amazingly …
I thought it would be nice to start an Osiria Rose Photo Gallery. If you love growing perennials, it may be worth trying to find this Osiria rose, in spite of its reported growing problems. Osiria Rose is a hybrid tea rose that was first hybridized in Germany by Mr. Reimer Kordes of Germany in 1978. …
Peeling onions is something that many cooks do on a daily basis but the job brings along tears. Do you know why onions make you cry? There are many types of this versatile vegetable and most will make you cry when you chop them. Find out about the onion varieties here. Onions are easy to grow …
Are you thinking more about your overall health and fitness? These 11 food and drink substitutes help me with my weight loss, and also have other beneficial effects for my general health. I had a scare late last year that had me in the hospital for a few weeks worrying about my heart and my …
This recipe for Pan Seared Halibut with a Butter Dill sauce is a perfect way to serve this delicious fish, whether you are a gourmet cook or still finding your way around the kitchen. The sauce is mild but very flavorful and is made before the fish is cooked to make sure that the whole …