Works for Me Wednesday-Shade Planters

We’ve got two giant oak trees in our backyard that provide us with the much appreciated shade.

However, it doesn’t allow for much creativity in the gardening department. Anything that requires full sun will not survive on the deck.  Most annuals that you’d put in a planter require full sun.

I’ve been experimenting over the last two years with what works in the backyard.  I’ve had success with some safe bets like caladiums, Impatiens, begonias, and even sweet potato vine works well.

Some advice when doing some container gardening is having something that gives height, something that drapes along the side of the pot, and something to fill in the middle.

Here’s what I have for some containers this year…

I decided to go with purple green and white for the containers on the deck this year.

I’ve got some Dracaena Spikes for height, purple Impatiens for filler, and Alyssum and Purple Heart for some draping down the side.

I’ll keep you updated as to how it fills out.

Hobby Hump Day/WFMW-Doggie Backsplash

We have a dog with jowls which means he splatters water everywhere when he drinks. To save my walls I created a “doggie backsplash.”

I took a ready made canvas from another project gone awry and stapled oilcloth around it. Its completely wipeable and prevents sludge from building up on the walls.

Leave a comment if you have a hobby you’d like to share!

Works for Me Wednesday-Easy Lunch

We’ve been doing some communal lunches around here. I just put a bunch of stuff on a tray and let the kids assemble their own lunches.  They love Lunchables and don’t even care that this isn’t the “real thing.” Sometimes I cut bread into quarters or cut star shapes out of it with a cookie cutter.

For more WFMW, check out the new host. Also be sure to check out my giveaway!

Works For Me Wednesday-Onions

Can your kids spot an onion from a mile away not matter how finely you chop it? Mine certainly can!

My tip for you is to put a little onion powder into what you’re cooking instead of fresh onions. You’ll still get the onion flavor without the complaints!

For more WFMW check out RIMD.

Easy Kids Valentine Craft

Its another Hobby Humpday, WFMW combo.

The kids and I did these for a test run, so I could bring them to Nathan’s class on Thursday.

So the supplies you need are a pencil, some glue, various colors of tissue paper cut in squares, and foam or cardstock hearts.

First thing you do is wrap a little square of tissue around the eraser end of the pencil like this…

Dip it into a little bit of glue

Apply it to your heart.

If your child can’t wrap the tissue this looks cute also

I drew a heart shape in the middle of mine as a guideline for a different color.

We turned ours into a chandelier mobile, but I think they would be adorable turned into garland by stringing them with twine or ribbon.

You can play along if you’d like, just leave me a comment.

Works for Me Wednesday-Snow Boots and Pants

To save money on snow boots, I always buy them in black or navy. That way either a boy or a girl could wear them and I can get 3 uses out of each pair.
I don’t normally buy snow pants, but if I get a screaming deal on a pair I always buy those in navy or black as well.
Instead of buying snow pants I just have the kids wear athletic, nylon or “swish” pants with some layers under them. Tight pajama pants work really well and they don’t ride up.

Now if I could only get Piper Ann out in the snow.

For more WFMW check out Rocks In My Dryer

Works for Me Wednesday

This post is really going to knock your socks off!

Piper Ann needed a different way to store her clips. We’re currently growing her bangs out, so they are a necessity.

I tied a piece of ribbon around her doorknob and clipped them to it. Pure genius!

I’m being facetious, btw, but it really does work for us.

Hobby Hump Day/Works for Me Wednesday

I’m combining these today, because it really worked for me today.
My baby sis is turning 18 in 3 days. I can’t believe it.

Anyway, to beat the mail lady, I made what I call the “7 minute card.”

1. Plug in glue gun
2. Since its a 7 minute card, there’s no measuring involved, but you want it to be a little smaller than half of a manila envelope.
3. Take double sided scrapbook paper and cut it to the size of your card. I used some fancy scissors, because the only normal scissors I had were sewing scissors and its a major no no to cut paper with sewing scissors.
4. Cut out petals out of random fabrics.
5. Cut a piece of ribbon as stem
6. Cut out a little leaf from green (or whatever) fabric.
7. Assemble your flower on front of card. I just used elmers glue, because it was quick.
8. Nathan got some alphabet stampers from a goody bag and showed no interest, so I snatched them. They’re from the dollar section at Michaels.
9. Stamp “Happy Birthday” on the front.
10. On a separate piece of paper, write or stamp a little message.
11. Glue to inside.
12. Hot glue button to center of flower.
13. Add giftcard, slide into bottom of manila envelope. Fold envelope over and tape. Address envelope and mail.
Voila…

Do you like that the inside of the card says “You’re eighteen!” She’ll probably be like, “thanks captain obvious!”
Link your Hobby into the comments.
For more WFMW, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday-Cutting Corn off the Cob

I think this is a tip from Martha Stewart. At first I thought it was pretty gimmicky, but it truly works well!

Use a bundt pan, and put one end of the cob in the hole. The kernels fall right into the pan, and not on the floor!

I was using this corn to make corn chowder. It wasn’t that great since its past its season.

My second tip is when you make corn during its prime, make a couple extra pieces. Cut the kernels off and freeze them. I keep a big container in the freezer and add to it every time we have corn. It makes for much better corn chowder in the fall.

Of course I didn’t do that this summer, because Oliver loves corn and ate all the extras!

More WFMW…

Works for Me Wednesday-30 minute cleaning

I’m trying out a new system to keep my house clean.

I did a thorough cleaning when my mother-in-law came to visit. To maintain the cleanliness I’m trying to spend 30 minutes a day per level picking up. I don’t count the basement into that, so I only need 1 hour/day. If i get everything picked up before 30 minutes is up, I roll the leftovers into cleaning the basement or my sewing room. I also try to take a wet rag and run it over the counters and toilets (in that order) in the bathrooms, so I don’t have to use chemicals very often.

Hopefully I’ll get to the vacuuming and dusting more often since there won’t be any clutter in the way preventing me from doing so.

So far its working. Hopefully I can keep it up.

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