Monthly Archives: July 2015

Friday Feature

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Woohooo!! It’s Friday, I’m off the 9-5 grind and I’m happy…it’s been quite a week for me so I really need this weekend to re-group.  Well today I’m going to introduce you to the artist behind the beautiful Head Planter I posted a couple days ago.  If you missed it – click here.  Cynthia Edwards is a self-taught crafter who had a vision and went for it.  Two years ago she made her first head planter by cutting a hole in a doll’s head and giving it a faux metal painting.   She knew she wanted to take her creation to a higher level and in March 2014 she began making her new line of  head planters.  Her motivation was: first  she loves head planters and second: she wanted more of them. She lucked up and saw an ad for a company going out of business and had lots of items listed.  She decided to go and low and behold they had mannequin heads, although, they were not mentioned as being for sale, she immediately envisioned them as head planters.  So with her vision and belief that people would love them, along with her hubby’s blessing they contacted the owner and settled on a price – and the rest is history. She got all the other supplies needed on a wing and a prayer (Lol – which I’m sure we’ve all been down that road) and started making them and that’s how her little business was born.

Cynthia says her inspiration varies and could come from a suggestion, a color , plant, a flower, or even an animal she sees.  She also says  there are times when she’s working on a piece, a thought will come to her on how it should look, and her imagination simply takes control.  But in the end, the head tells her yes or no, sometimes they even seem to have their own ideas and she just goes with the flow.  Here are some of her latest creations..

This fiery creation is called “Flame”

 

This burgundy beauty is called “Pothos”

 

The exotic beauty here is “Nerida”

 

The copper beauty is “Dulcina”

 

She’s called “Queen of Hearts”  (and I see why)

(this is an oopsy… I don’t have her name)

Meet “Queen Bee”  🙂

This lovely lady is “Alvara”

Madame butterfly is called “Belle of the Ball”

This majestic lady is called “Honey”

and saving the best for last is “Ms. Laroux Lagniappe”

When she’s not in her shop creating these beauties,  she loves spending time with her family, gardening, being online with her gardening club, beading, painting other forms of art, making furniture and reading.  In other words – this is one very busy lady!! For sure!! She shows her work on gardening sites that she’s in and they have been selling by word of mouth. If you’re interested in ordering one, she’d love to hear from you.   You can find her on Facebook or email her at: caesheadplanters@yahoo.com

I truly hope you enjoyed meeting these lovely ladies and invite one into your home.. Until next time.. I hope you all have a Fabulous weekend!!   Smooches

Giving You Heads Up!

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A few months ago I joined a Facebook group “It’s a Garden Thing“.  I truly adore being a part of this group of friendly people who love their gardens and sharing them with the cyber world.  In this group there was a lady showing some beautiful head planters. I was mesmerized on how beautiful they were. My motto is plants are people too.. green people and they need you to nourish, groom and sometimes even talk to them.  Head planters almost makes you feel like you’re talking face to face with your plants.  Looking at their faces with empty heads makes you think, what kind of hairdo would complete their look (you know how we women love our hair to be right 🙂  – it sets the tone)  “Head Planters” give your plants the personality they deserve.  I did some research for head planters.. here are some favorites I came across:

This African Queen head planter is beautiful.  I love the beaded detail along the side of her face

VIA

VIA

and this little darling in pure white is simply lovely

VIA

VIA

and for buddha lovers.. these are perfect

VIA

VIA

and then there’s this one with it’s exotic eyes

VIA

VIA

You can so much fun with them creating a new look simply by changing her hair. Are you intrigued yet? Well, I couldn’t stand not having a beautiful planter so I asked who, where, & how do I get one.  Low and behold, they were being made by a group member. I contacted her and she showed me some of the ones she had left. The minute I saw this lady.. I screamed.. she’s the one!!  I want her – so ladies (and gents) …. I’d like for you to meet Elfredah..

 

Here’s the clinker.. I have an aunt name Alfreda.. how coincidental was that.  I couldn’t wait to get her and settled into her new home with me and my green family. She arrived and  I went to the nursery to find her new hairdo. The plant I found is called Emina.. and guess what.. my twin’s name is Amina.. (both pronounced the same) so you know this planter was meant to be for me and this is her new look all dressed up!

Isn’t she a beauty… I absolutely love it!!  On Friday’s Feature post, I’m going to introduce to you the HeadMaker Lady.  So I hope you join me in getting to know a little about Cynthia and I’ll be showing you more of the lovely ladies she created.. So stay tuned!    You may want to order one for yourself.  Smooches ?

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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This is sure to please the sweet tooth.  Who doesn’t like Pineapple Upside Down Cake??  I’m admitting it’s another one of my guilty pleasures.  This recipe can’t get any easier – trust me.. and the best part – it’s not too sweet.. just enough to satisfy that craving.

1 can sliced pineapples (in heavy syrup)

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)

1/4 cup pecan halves

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 granulated sugar

1 1/2 tspns baking powder

1/2 tspn salt

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 cup milk

1 lrg egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350.  Drain pineapple, reserving the 2 tblspns – (tip: mix the remaining into a fruit punch for a more tropical flavor).  Melt butter in a 10″ cast iron skillet over a low heat.  Add brown sugar, stirring until the sugar is melted.  Spread evenly covering the bottom of the skillet.  Remove from heat.  Arrange pineapple slices on top of the brown sugar.  Add pecans around the pineapples.  Set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients plus 2 tblspns of pineapple juice and mix at medium speed approximately 4 mins.  Pour cake batter evenly over pineapple in skillet and bake approximately 35 mins or until the cake springs back when gently pressed with fingertip or insert toothpick in the center and if it comes out dry – its done.   Serve warm with vanilla ice cream (I used Butter Pecan 🙂  Oh — and one last thing —  ENJOY!!

 

As always – cooking is easy with a little “TLC”

 

 

 

A PoP Day

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It’s been so dreadfully hot these past few weeks and I’ve just been enjoying the pool at mom’s house… but I decided to finally get a few little items done.  I called it my PoP day.. the Power of Paint.. I spend lots of time lounging in my Rest Haven and look around and see a few things that need sprucing up. Like the big planters.. They’ve been bruised over time and there’s a little vermin running around my yard knocking them over..(I feel like the Bill Murray in CaddyShack – boy do I want to get him)..

 

Of course hubby thought I should throw them away.. Me.. no way.. they’re still standing.. lol.. got a couple of cracks at the top – but all in all.. still worth keeping.. and for $6.00 they look like new

After I picked up this pretty cool pelican from Ross – I thought a touch of gold would do good in the garden

Then I found this old hat buried under some items in the garage and figured.. why not flip it and fill it..

 

Added a few bricks to cover the outer edge pallets and a few more plants around it

I think I like the upside down hat planter..

 

 

I’m still contemplating the iron hens&chick holder… I’d have to take all that apart..soooooo…you know how that goes.. (another day..lol).  Small changes but nice impact for this space.

I love how the sun hits the gold and gives it a glam glow..   Then I had this clay pot.. the worn out look was looking too worn out..

So, for another $3.00 it got a new look

Now I can smile when I look around at these pots again .  🙂

 

 

 

That’s all I could do.. cause BABY!!!! It’s HOT OUT THERE!!!

Tah-tah

 

Mustard Rub Grilled Rack of Lamb

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Yum

It’s a good feeling when you go to a restaurant and have lamb and your hubby says.. Yours is better 🙂  chuckles..Pat on my back… and not to toot my own horn.. I think he was right.. Here’s our recipe to share with you.

1 1/2 tblspn kosher salt

2 tblspns rosemary

5 large garlic cloves minced

1/2 cup dijon mustard

1 tblsps balsalmic vinegar

1 tblspn spicy brown mustard

(This is enough rub for 3 racks – if you’re making less you can divide the ingredients or just store the remaining in the refrigerator)

Allow lamb to soak in a mixture of vinegar and water for about 30 mins (this helps tenderize the meat and ease the lamb-y taste).  Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend… Using a knife, make slits in the lamb.  Make a few small slits in lamb and rub all over lamb – saturating it (in the process of rubbing, I use my fingers and also put rub inside the holes – marinade for at least 30 minutes.   Grill until done – Remove from grill, cover and let rest for about 5 minutes before cutting

The garlic/mustard flavor enhances the flavor of the meat and blends perfectly

 

See how simple that was.. As always cooking is easy with a little “TLC”

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