A Few New Plantings Around the House

Hi all, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but things have been rather busy around here.  Yesterday was a beautiful day for Fathers Day and hubby and I added a few new plantings around the house.  We plan to edge the gardens in old bricks we have, but I thought I would share the pretty flowers we planted for now. They are already attracting butterflies which is what I wanted. I hope everyone had a great Dad's day weekend!

Summer Thyme Picnic- New Display

I love picnics!  There is nothing better than to spread out the blanket and relax and enjoy some summertime good eats.  I decorated my bay window with this old picnic basket filled with an array of prim goodies, mason jars filled with canned summer fruits, ginger beer bottles for a refreshing beverage, lemons and limes, and an old civil war song book to read.  I hope this weekend is a relaxing one for everyone and maybe you can find time to even have a picnic.

Taco Pasta Skillet

I made this for dinner tonight and it got rave reviews from the hubby and kids so I thought I would share this easy recipe. It fed 6 people and hubby had 2 servings.  I served it with crusty bread and a green salad.

1 lb	ground beef
1 c	chopped onion
1 c	sweet corn (frozen)
4 oz	diced green chile peppers, drained
1 pkg   2/3 c	taco seasoning (1.25oz) water
1 lb	penne pasta (1 box)
4 oz	sliced black olives, drained
1 c	shredded monterey jack cheese (divided) can of diced tomatoes sour cream fresh cilantro

Brown the ground beef and onion in a large skillet. Drain. Meanwhile, cook your pasta of choice according to the package directions.  I used ziti.
Add the corn and green chilies to the beef mixture. 
Add the package of taco seasoning mix and 2/3 cup of water and stir. Add 1/2 C of the cheese and the olives.
Simmer for 5 mins.
Drain pasta and add to the meat mixture. 
Serve topped with the remaining shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream and cilantro.
Enjoy!

Happy Sunday!

It is a gorgeous day here in New England.  The highs will be in the low 70's. I hope to get more yard work done and just enjoy the day.  I switched up the farmhouse table this morning.  My Mother in Law who recently passed away had given me this lovely victorian lemonade set that was her Mothers. I filled it with the hot pink rhododendrons that are blooming in the yard and added a few more victorian pieces around it and used a vintage tablecloth with strawberries galore on it.   I think it makes for a bright and cheery table. While I still love my primitives, I do like to decorate in other styles on occasion and love to mix things up between primitive, farmhouse, shabby chic, and victorian. Maybe it is the Gemini in me.  How about you?  Do you stick with one style regardless or bring other treasured pieces into your decor even if they aren't the majority of your decor?

Catmint ? You Would Think The "Cat" Part Would Have Given Me a Clue

Hubby and I went to Home Depot this morning to pick up a lawn mower starter and of course I can't leave that place without walking through the garden dept.  I saw the tall spikey purple flowers and thought they were pretty and a decent price at $5.97 so I purchased three 2 qt. pots. I noticed it was called catmint when I got it home and so I tore off a leaf and smelled it...yep minty. I wonder why they call it catmint?   So I decided to put the plants beside the garage where it gets a lot of sun. One of the kittys was nearby and immediately began to roll on the plant knocking half of it flat to the ground.  Another comes by and starts chewing on it.  Yikes. I tell hubby that I think we bought catnip!  I was afraid they were going to flatten the rest of my flowers and seedlings there so I replanted all 3 plants in an old cranberry box and put it on the side of the house. So the kitties are havin' a hell of a time with my new plants and hubby is grumbling about wasting 15 dollars. lol

Little Mama is staggering off after rolling on the plant for 15 minutes.

Misty comes by to take a "hit" off the plant.

Catmint plants all replanted in their new box. Uh oh...Mama is back for a second roll and Ty is getting his fill too.  I wonder how long the plants will look pretty? lol