Giant Bubbles!

So back around 4th of July I wanted to make these giant bubbles.

I had seen it on a blog to do it yourself.

We had one years ago made by Klutz.

I tried to take the easy way out and buy one but they don't make them anymore according to the gal at the store.

Fortunately my friend Heather had a post on how to do it.

And we were off to home depot for supplies. (See Heather's link for how to details)

This took all of 5-10 minutes to put together.

I did hammer tap the screw eyes into the dowels to get them started, than just hand twisted.

Ellie surveying the progress.

Big bubbles here we come!

I have to confess we did not use the glycerine or the distilled water.

I am told the glycerine will help the bubbles stay together better.

But this was entertaining. And almost addictive!

Ellie and will hunt for glycerine today to see if it makes a difference.

We will let you know!!

Summer Fun in the Pool!

Summer is here!

Madeline is the best big sister!

She played in the pool with our little fish for hours!

Ellie has learned to swim and does not stop!

Hope you are enjoying some warm summer days!

Before and After....The House Has Been Painted!

We got our house painted....it looks so much better!!! We have been in our house nearly 11 years. We bought the house new. People on the street started having their houses re-painted which made us realize how badly ours was in need of painting as well.

The colors in these pictures is not great, but those shutters flanking the window above the messy garage used to be a hunter green...

The back of the house had a bunch of cracks that were made worse when they installed the support beam for the covered patio. (I should have got close ups...it was pretty bad.)

AFTER: The new color scheme is a khaki called Stay Awhile (made by Frazee), the white trim is called white shadow also by Frazee.

Hanging Flower Pot Update

Remember when I posted how to make the hanging pots a couple of weeks ago? Well, I know the finished product did not look like much. Thought you might like to see the change in just two weeks!!
Hope you all had a Happy Mother's Day!

Hanging Flower Baskets

Every year a make my hanging baskets for the front porch. Usually I try to get them assembled in March but I was a little behind this year. I made two for my front porch on Monday, this is what it looks like as of this morning. I know it does not look like much yet, but give it a month or so and it will become a big flower ball. If you are interested in making one of these see the process below... This is what you will need.

A wire hanging basket

A bag of green moss (not spaghnum moss)

Some potting soil of your choice.

4-5 six packs of flowers

(Your choice choose what is best for your location, my location gets morning sun so I stick to impatients and lobelia, but I have used begonias, pansies, dusty miller you can use your imagination.)

1 topper plant

I usually pick one plant to go in the center on top this year I am using vinca minor, it has a purple flower and will trail down. I also like to use fuschia (but I could only find upright version this year, I like the trailing version so it will hang down.)

You can always use more plants so it looks more finished from the get go, I go with a little less and let it fill in, it is a little cheaper that way too.

I made two baskets so I have a few more packs then I mentioned above.

My helper...put the bag of moss in a bucket and soak with water.

Line the bottom of your basket with the first layer of moss.

Put a few plants in evenly spaced. I usually put the rootball in the center and gentley push the plant to the outside of the basket thru the rungs.
Put another layer of moss along the edge. Layer in some soil and add more plants.
My helper didn't really want to get dirty.
Keep lining the sides of the basket, working your way up, with more plants on dirt.

Place additional plants on top. I also put a layer of the moss all over the top dirt you see pictured here to help trap in moisture. (I did not get a picture of that but you know what I mean.)

Then hang it up. Once it is hung water thoroughly. (Hanging first is helpful, because if you water first it gets pretty heavy.)

I like these hanging baskets because the flowers will protrude from all areas of the basket. These plants do need to be watered daily as it is exposed to air more than a pot, and also feed regularly. Mine usually last about 6 months!!