Mid-Summer gardening in the Upper Midwest- MID SUMMER?

Hollyhocks starting to bloom along our fence.

These are so old fashioned and carefree, I just love when they start spiraling to the sky and blush into gorgeous blooms. The bees love them and the blossoms hold for quite awhile. Better yet, they reseed themselves, (I do help-by spreading the last of the seeds in the area.

After a MISERABLE cold spring and a record wet cool June, summer has finally decided to peek out from behind the clouds and visit us in Northern Illinois. 

And today---we are on our FOURTH consecutive day of sunshine, another record for 2015, LOL.  

Here is our back pond(non-pond) this summer, as our granddaughter likes to play--way too much--in water. So it is tipped over for the year. The pond is normally a nice size water trough, rigged up to a 1880 rusty pump found in the bottom of the well in the old fish store. (more fish store stories later)

The trellis behind, is just starting to fill with the purple blooms of morning glories. I have been doing my weeding early in the day, 6 AM actually, so I can visit them and say "Good Morning". 

Above, the mass of greenery to the lower right is the marjoram plant I have cut back twice this spring.

The purple Liatris are just starting to fill out and a basil in front has huge leaves, in fact anything green is overgrown to say the least, while flowers are small and late. 

Except for the Tiger Lilies 

which exploded this week in the front yard, like left-over fireworks. 

The Edible Garden

has not faired well either. Here is one of our new railing planters with herbs: basil, spicy globe basil and thyme. However they were slow to drain and quickly became waterlogged with our record precipitation, hence the wilt yellow leaves.

Quick Fix now---more holes drilled in the bottom. 

We splurged and purchased lettuce plants in May. (cold weather crop and all that) 

Today, this is the last of our six kinds of lettuce.

 We got three good pickings. Most drowned and rotted with the cool weather or the slugs and slime bugs took over.

This was the last picking yesterday as I pulled out the rotting stems. So sad to see our salads 

go. This was the first year we got celery cabbage heads --One and a quarter  out of six plants, the rest slug food. I will try and start some more by seed, if I can't find plants.

WHAT IS DOING WELL! 

The happiest plants and I'm not sure why--are the Asian Eggplants we planted from seed. They are dragging on the ground with beautiful small, sweet, purple goodness, as many as five to a plant. Anyway we have had them stir-fried, in eggplant lasagne, and just grilled. They keep well and everyone eats them here.

The zucchini are just starting, but no pickles, beans or yellow squash, yet. Tomatoes are struggling-the plants are full of leaves (some spotting yellow-again water issues)-but have only small hard fruit. The last few days of breezes and sunshine have helped.  But, we are now twenty-four days past our normal first big red tomato. We have had 3 puny ones, this week, which really don't count. 

THE BIG GREENHOUSE end of APRIL

It has been a weird year! We start our seeds in February and moved them out to a small greenhouse end of March, then to the large greenhouse (shown above after the move). All the plants are huge by the  May and get planted as early as possible. Some poor shivering cabbage and broccoli babies even suffered snow. 

I blogged about surprises in the gardening. 

Anyone who saves seeds or starts oodles of seeds, knows what label screw-ups are. I planted

Zinnas *I thought* around the base of the flagpole. I had a sneaky suspicion as the leaves grew larger that it might be something else.

So really large YELLOW ZINNIAS-- snicker,  at the bottom of the flagpole.

Like I said, it has been a weird year.

Now, as I write this the Cicadas are singing their first song of the year, fading in and out like an old crank Victrola…yes it is summer, finally.

May the Sun Shine, on your world for you Everyday!

Thanks for stopping by 

Sandi

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

Somethings OLD to REDO*~~~Junking Finds!~~~*

Quick share today.

Great JUNK from my last few junking excursions.

Flexible Flyer 1940-50s

I will start with my ultimate find, a Flexible Flyer 48" in pretty great condition at a garage sale for $10.00.  Will I REDO this, probably not---but next we'll be winter sledding on a hill down the street and probably used as a prop in many a Christmas Pic. I will clean it and put some mineral oil on the metal to keep it from deteriorating further. Love the chrome on the very front---making it a 'special' old sled. 

THE BEST PART only $10.00, junker's remorse at 'cheating' the owner---none what-so-ever, she was downloading her garage and she said her children didn't want it. Still has the great graphics intact. OLD clothes line still attached. These sleds were the ultimate in sledding in the 1950s, pretty controllable (except on ice--I cracked both my front teeth when I was twelve, careening into a tree), totally destroying the other sled brand, my American Flyer.

NEW Fairy, Gnome, Barbie greenhouse

I include this as a junking find, but its NEW found at a big box craft store for $4.00. 

It's perfect size for miniature greenhouse. The lid opens and screams to be painted cottage chic. 

REDO, maybe, I may wait on that and live with it as is for a bit as is.

Shallow Glass door cabinet cabinet

This OLD cabinet was a steal at $8 until I got to the register and found

 it was 1/2 price Friday at a remote Charity Thriftshop. Mind you thrift store's in Chicagoland are not always thrifty, but I seldom balk at prices in stores that are connected with charities, because profits go for good causes. My plans, a fresh coat of paint, a dowel rail across each shelf. The shabby cabinet should make a new home for polish, perfume and ephemera or maybe a jewelry cabinet, not sure yet.

Totally Kitschy Iron PINK? shelf -1940-50s

Found this at the Northwinds Perennial Farm show from my June post, Great Show! 

I did pay $10.00 for this, but I have never seen a three-tiered one before. First thought--REDO the PINK-- and turn it upside down, use it for jewelry, and display, 

but maybe for a shelf in the shipping craft room. Such a dilemma!

OLD wooden dresser insert

This was OLD and dovetailed, had disgusting silver cloth in it, from who-knows-when. The wood is not terribly heavy, but after cleaning will make a tray with the addition of handles and some trim. This will definitely be a REDO.

Drawer does scream to be a shelf though.

OLD plates for mosaics-99cents to $1.99

The red plates are vintage Wachtersbach from matching their holiday pottery. I have quite a few mugs, so these may not go to the mosaic collection, unless I am desperate for red. The strawberry plates are Royal Stafford Wildberry or Strawberry and are not that old, but I love the green leaves. 

 The small navy blue has a great raised border and the lighthouse plate has a chip but great colors.

Last plate Marked Japan "La Ville"

This is a great old 'crazed' dinner plate, this will be great in mosaics, can't wait.

 OLD Silver Plate Shell bowl

I did think twice on this piece, $12.00, it was from a Goodwill and has adorable little feet. Unpolished, it has already found its home at the feet of my garden nymph and will be part of her new garden pool.

 Nymph Garden Pool

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and visit again soon.

Sandi

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

What's NEW, OLD and GREEN? An unexpected Visitor and accidental Raspberries

Somethings: New, Old, Green and unexpected.

Hiya! I want to welcome you to our soggy part of the world, water-soaked Chicagoland, way, way out in the Northwest Suburbs.

Yesterday, between thunderstorms and the brutal HEAT, I ventured out to pull a few weeds. I saw this poor soggy little Toady. He lurked in the stones around the water trough pond and then escaped into the herb garden---or mushroom-weed garden depending on how you look at it.

Two things that love the record producing rains Chicagoland has suffered along with about one-third of the country, are mushrooms and weeds.  Now I don't mean those little scrape away weeds, I mean three-foot high thistles and tons of nasty looking stuff I have really never seen before. And the spearmint, OMG, it is like an alien scourge that will swallow our world, as we know it. (I have been pulling the same dang mint, since 1984.) Seems nothing besides poisoning the environment will rid us of it, either! NOT--We go GREEN!

So, with every clump of thistle, silver maple, or mint tangle and enthusiastic-alien-weed I pulled, this poor little Toady jumped into the next batch of weeds.  After I tickled his head, he finally disappeared into a mass of tarragon and I left him in peace. 

Today, Toady was hiding under the Saucers

Poor little guy---I had dumped five huge saucers of water right around this stump, and it wasn't until I moved the last one, did I see him. He finally jumped into the fenced garden, probably in totally paranoia from the water monster chasing him.

Then I moved my flower pots around into the less colorful areas, as I often do as the landscape changes. Everything is totally overgrown and green because of the weather.

Somethings: OLD

 While Junking, I found this OLD marvelous silver-plate shell bowl at a Goodwill--it's huge, and the plan is to add a new pump for my Nymph fountain, if I can figure out how to hide the tubing or maybe let the water spill over the silver edge into another container. 

We had a washtub under the Nymph's decking last year, but the frame has sunk so deep into the saturated soil, I can't get the tub back under there? 

I will have to see what is available to slide under the existing decking. 

Going GREEN

One of the great joys of gardening, besides the wonderful fresh food, exercise, 

and commiserating with nature is the experience (not always comfortable) of really never having

 ANY control. 

Be it weeds, bugs, weather, or cold temperatures, there are always 

the curses, joys and an occasional surprise of unexpected Gifts. 

The house behind us sold two years ago. The previous owner was a great guy and gardener. We shared our bounties back and forth over the fence. His rhubarb was divine and he had a raspberry patch that backed up to our fence. We got to pick what ever berries from the canes spilled onto our side.

The new owners, not quite as enthusiastic about gardening---dug up the rhubarb and gave us some, we have it growing now on our side. But, I was really disappointed in fall, to see all the raspberry bushes gone: cut, burned and dug out. 

This year, low and behold, raspberries invasive as they can be, traveled along their unwanted roots across into our welcoming yard and filled up the skinny boxes we have along our fence. Waalaa! Six-foot high canes full of huge cascading red raspberries! 

New Accidental Rasperries

Fighting the birds and mosquitos this morning, I picked about 3 quarts of really ripe raspberries.

After a very quick dip in fresh clean waterand a quick shake in the sieves (Granny's)

I drained them on paper toweling as they are very water-soaked and so ripe.

I think I will make a thick sauce we can pour over frozen yogurt tonight.

GOING GREEN

The raspberries, moldy or over ripe, under ripe and miscellany went into the compost bowl.

Yes, we compost almost everything. I buy GREEN paper products that decompose.

Our vegetable waste, eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea goes into the compost bin and eventually to the pile. In the bowl, you can see the rinds of the casaba melon we had this week, and the lemons from our tea, and eggshells from breakfast. Now out it goes to the turning bin with some compost starter. 

Sorry to end on the note of garbage, LOL. But that is the day in the life of a gardener, toad keeper, nymph enhancer and composter.

Thanks for stopping by, and please come back again.

Sandi

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

From the GARAGE: OLD and REDO!

Junking with my Grannys in the Garage 

I think blogging is a way to share some of my family treasures, my own JUNKING illness, and what to do with it all. 

Thought I would be honest here, and show you just part of this month's unearthing of our families' hoards. Just as many Baby-Boomers are having to do, we sadly had to deal with my parents' passing and their leavings. I fondly look at it as an archaeological dig at times, as my mother never dealt with her parents items, nor my grandmother with hers or my grandfather's, plus both being collectors of many, many SOMETHINGS: OLD or unusual. 

As an only child, in the end there was no quibbling over any of it, other than my husband shaking his head as we filled a huge dumpster with real garbage, while driving truck after truck to Goodwill and Salvation Army, and then packing tote after tote into our truck and car from my parent's garage, basement, and packed wall-to-wall, post-war house. 

NOW, all I have to do is walk to our packed garage or basement and pick a tote, box, bag, or stack and unearth--who knows what? I have promised myself not to leave it all---for MY KIDS to deal with. So come and go junking with me in my garage.

Antique French enameled Fish Poacher

I was so happy to find this, Mom picked this up in the 1980s in an antique shop in N. Illinois. It is a medium-sized fish poacher with some chipped enamel, but complete with the lifting tray and a snug fitting lid. It has  lovely dark blue mottling in the thick white enamel. A French kitchen necessity, the poacher goes across two burners on a standard stove. I will keep this to use, as we eat fish 2-3 times a week, and next time I have a whole fish for poaching, I will share the experience, and the recipe.

SMALL CEDAR CHEST circa 1930s

This was my mom's OLD cedar chest from her teens in the 1930's. 

I commandeered this as a child for my Sweet Sue doll 

and the doll's antique homemade clothing, (circa 1840's to 1870's-I did a school project on this).

Sweet Sue had many small antique accessories and items packed in here. 

I plan to repack the trunk with those antique doll items later for my granddaughter to play with.

The chest is hand built, with brass hardware and brass stripping with hammered nails to hold the pieces of cedar together. It is scribbled inside and on the bottom, $3.89--a bargain for a fine, handcrafted trunk.

Australian Souvenir Punched Pillow cover WWII. 1943-5

This is from my Grandpa and Grandma's items. My dad was a Technical Sargent in a Surgical Hospital unit stationed in the South Pacific and eventually in Australia during WWII. This was sent home to MOM and says, "To Dear Mother from Australia". 

The Koalas are skiing and very three-dimensional in punched wool. This was stored in another cedar chest for 65 years before I found them, apparently never used.

CAMP SHELBY souvenir pillow, acetate and pink fringe 1941

This is a real step back in time also. A Mother and Dad silky pillow from Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

My dad's unit did their maneuvers training there in 1941, before the war broke out. 

Inscription reads 

MOTHER and DAD

In all the years I've known 

you both 

You planned and strived 

for me

Thru sacrifice of everything 

That could a pleasure be

This token of love I'm sending 

to you 

Just as a thought from me.

What to do with these pillow covers, I'm not sure, as my one son is taking my Dad's war items. Now, can a PINK SATIN pillow with long silky PINK FRINGE fall into the WAR category,

 I'm not sure, LOL.

Tin Ash bucket and two Railroad Lanterns

I think these are from my paternal grandfather.

 I vaguely remember the OLD ash can full of sand and oil in his shed for keeping his garden and workbench tools clean and polished. His tools were never rusted, 

because of the dipping in the oily sand. The can still smells like oil 54 years later.

He was a nightwatchman in his later years (pre-1960s) for J.I.Case Mfg. These lanterns were found buried in the back corner of Dad's garage-where no one had been for 40 years. I will do more research on the lanterns, after I clean and bring up the colors and impressions, and also clean the glass. 

One can always use another oil lantern for power outages, maybe even a red one.

Orange coffeepot circa 1960s

Porcelain Pumpkin cup and saucer 1940-50s?

Nice enameled orange teapot probably a 4-cup size, I know this is from the 1960s. This will land in my Etsy shop, BarberryLane https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane soon.

The porcelain enameled tea cup and saucer are unmarked, and a bit sloppy in execution, so not Bavarian. Probably from China or Japan, circa pre-1960, because I found it wrapped in 1964 newspaper. One of my mom's treasures stashed and forgotten. This will end up in the shop, or in a vintage collage for Halloween. We will see, REDO?

WOOL Carding PADDLES circa 1890s or older

These are 19th century farm equipment, from my husband's side, and used by his great-grandmother for carding wool to smooth, clean, and align the fibers. This made the wool ready for quilts or spinning in the 19th century and date before 1898. The black ink imprinting on the back of the wooden paddles: 

The Only Genuine

Old Whittemore Patent 

improved

No.8 

WOOL 

L.S. Watson & Co.

Leicester, Mass.

The Watson company was founded in 1842 and when the owner died the company was passed to the son and the name changed to the L.S. Watson Manufacturing Company in 1898. 

These are keepers because we have very few items from my husband's side, Bohemian farmers in 

NE Wisconsin since the 1850's. 

Blue Enameled Drip CoffeePot

This was my grandmother's from Denmark (circa 1930-40s) A Scandinavian blue, enameled three-piece, drip-coffee pot. (cover is currently missing on this one). A cotton fabric grounds bag was tied around the ring section, then you poured boiling water (patiently) into it and the rich, strong coffee dripped into the pot. Then, the grounds bag and ring were removed, and the lid placed on the pot for serving. 

My grandmother was notorious for leaving her gas stove burners on, and burning, 

yes, literally melting holes in the bottoms of her teapots and coffeepots. I have several I use for planters.

She flamed many a towel, potholder and an occasional apron, too. 

So, I have two of these pots. This one, with melt holes has a simple mason jar inside for use as a REDO vase. Hopefully maybe the cover will show up in another tote. I will keep this, just because, I can smell her delicious coffee and cardamon baking, just by looking at it. 

Walnut Pillar for Table? or REDO?

I can't blame my ancestors for this one, I bought this or dug it out of the trash---honestly I don't remember---in the 1970's or 80's near my parent's cottage in the middle of Wisconsin. It's pieced, but  all walnut and machine turned. A chunk of the base is AWOL after all these years, but that doesn't mean it will not surface in the future. Either way---it's a fantastic hunk of wood, and I'm seriously going to do something with it now, I promise, Hubby! 

REDO!

I'm really tired of my grandmother's lamp in the living room, 

maybe this could be a huge HUGE REDO lamp?

UH-OH! I'm not doing very well with this batch of goodies, as most are falling into the keep pile. But honestly, so many of the smaller items found with this stash, have already landed

 in my Etsy shop, BarberryLane, https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane

Hope you enjoyed this trip into my garage, and as always, Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi

Green and Shabby Shopping

(A 2015 post revisit...I just need an Antique show right now!)

ANTIQUE GARDEN SHOW ~ Northwind Perennial Farm, Wisconsin

Fabulous shopping at the Northwind Perennial Farms Antique Garden Show  

Nestled between Burlington and Lake Geneva in southern Wisconsin was this wonderful shabby chic garden show on the weekend of June 10--12, 2015 We arrived about 2pm on Saturday to cars and pickups lining the sides of the country road and the anticipation only grew as we watched people loading their cars with GREAT STUFF!

The perennial farm itself was gorgeous--in full late spring bloom with iris, campanula, and flowering trees and bushes. Winter was hideous in the midwest and this Spring, she dragged her cold wet feet into early June. Everything was at least 2-3 weeks behind in blooming.

 

ANTIQUE GARDEN SHOW ~ Northwind Perennial Farm, Burlington, Wisconsin

Each of the farm buildings displayed unique country farm and garden antiques, as well as vintage and new gift items. These are available all the time. Vignettes were accented with plantings and pots filled with their huge varieties of perennial plants. 

Here, two vintage concrete chickens share the front of the coop with real chickens, while real ducks wandered here and there, sometimes beneath your feet or hiding under the huge hostas. Cats, goats, and a goose here and there added to the authentic OLD FARM atmosphere. 

 Down winding paths of crushed rock or laid brick were magnificent perrenial plantings mixed with vintage accents such as this lovely maiden calmly feeding imaginary, or maybe not, chickens!

 We lost track of how many ponds and pools dotted the landscaped grounds. The paths went on forever and were landscaped to show Northwind's fabulous design skills as well as their plants. Every peek around a corner was breath-taking and natural. Careful selections showed these perennials thrive in the hard midwest winters and almost all were mature with not a bare spot to be seen.

 

This dry river bed lined with rocks went on forever laced with three foot tall Iris and clumps of blooming chives, along its path edged exhibitors of shabby, garden and farm antiques and collectibles.  

Here is the link  The Northwind Perennial Farm website:

One of the many great booths was Diane Passi -Floral Designs and Antiques. Here is here simple display of Porch Pole Candle holders or simply artifacts. Nestled between them are Northwind's rosemary plants and a potted succulent. Simply staged in front of old shutters, the candles and original paint on the posts was most inviting. I snagged my shelf here.

You can reach her at https://www.facebook.com/diane.passi and she has some great pictures of this show posted.

My original source for this fabulous show was this exhibitor, Jeanine with more wonderful pictures of the show. HER booth was fabulous as were all the booths. 

Check out her blog with pics http://chippyshabby.blogspot.com/2010/06/antique-garden-show-northwind-perennial.html

My finds: a unique wire basket, a really kitschy three tiered metal shelf from the 50's, a heavy grain scoop. Sorry nothing that will land in my shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane

E found several items, including a mounted horse head plaque and more. A successful and wonderful day in the country---worth the 150 miles round-trip wandering the Midwest Wisconsin roads. There are rumblings of another show in fall…sign up at Northwinds for an event calendar or visit them The Northwind Perennial Farm website:

Thanks for looking 

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!

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Sandi

Somethings Old, New, Green, Redo!

Church Pew Redo

I found this wonderful church pew with at least five coats of paint at the Lake County Fairgrounds Antique Fair. The seven-foot length will be perfect extra seating on the backyard deck. I just loved the funky layers, two shades of brown-tan, the varnished oak, a cream, a turquoise and the country blue.

oldnewgreenredo

Let's get started on the redo. DIY Ladies, this will be totally doable on your own, except for moving the pew, as oak anything weighs a ton. 

The pew was sound, but I reinforced the legs by pre-drilling holes and inserting deck screws and wood glue from the inside out to keep the wood from splitting at the seams. I drilled a series of holes for drainage in the rear of the seat.

oldnewgreenredo

It's wise to use a mask and gloves when working on old finishes, many before the seventies contained lead and other harmful substances. Chipping paint, while a romantic 'shabby chic'

look, is a true hazard to a curious toddler. 

After a vigorous scrubbing with Murphy's wood soap and hot water, I scraped and then I orbital sanded with 60 grit to remove all the loose paint layers and even out the finish. The  shop vac and a damp cloth removed all traces of dust and debris. The surface is  finally ready. Tip: remember to wear a mask when emptying your vac and change the filter before using it again.

I applied two sparse coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane-clear semi-gloss (indoor/outdoor) varnish. We intend to use this on the back deck for extra seating--so much nicer than tripping over folding chair legs.

oldnewgreenredo

Ready for sealing.

oldnewgreenredo

Church pew seat and Helmsman Varnish with sponge brush

The Helmsman varnish is very runny, and needs to applied quickly in thin coats. I used sponge brushes (not recommended on the label) to avoid carrying too much varnish on the tilted surfaces. Sponge brushes help to soak up excesses instead of pushing it around. I had no significant deterioration of the sponges, other than normal wear from an irregular surface. I used two sponge brushes for the two coats. They don't last long, but I save the handles to use as dowels for other projects. 

Some drips occurred, but this can be brushed out in the next coat. I only waited two hours between coats, as it was a very warm and low humidity. After curing the two coats for a week, the finish is very tight and very shiny. 

oldnewgreenredo

Waterproofing the legs

Tip: Weather proof the legs by submerging the wood into large oil drain pans of  Cabot's Wood Toned Deck and Siding Stain, 19200 Natural. This soaked in nicely and used almost a full quart of stain/sealer. This project will be on a raised deck, but this step is absolutely necessary for furniture in contact with dirt or grass.

My husband and I have a difference of opinion on the 'look' of vintage furniture. While I'm thrilled with the existing patina, he would like to see this pew solid country red to match the doors on the shed. Temporary compromise; the existing finish has to be stabilized, so he has agreed to give it a chance as is and it can always be painted in the future.

This is just one of a history of marriage challenges between a pocket-protector husband and an artist wife, LOL.

oldnewgreenredo

PS: After a month the finish has mellowed and the shine has gone way down. 

I can't wait to use it every day, come join me for a cup of your favorite!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi

My shop is at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BarberryLane

Thanks for stopping by, I love all your comments and questions and will try and answer them all.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

 I'll be sharing at these fine blog parties:

Sandi