Kaseys Korner

tropical beauty

This is a story about taking chances.  Chances that end on a happy note (with a big payoff), that's what I'm talkin' about.  You'll see exactly how when you scroll down to the second photo.   But first, a little history to fill you in.  I bought the hibiscus pictured above at Lowes (in April).   There was no accompanying photo, just a description on the container that said "flowers yellow with pink center."   Sizing up the plant in the container, I was somewhat dubious that it would ever bloom let alone survive.  It really was just that sad looking and all of about six pathetic inches tall.  Why I decided to go ahead and buy it, I'll never know.   Let's just say I am SO GLAD I did.   As in, I got the fairy tale ending I wasn't even dreaming of this morning when the first bud opened:

Isn't she a knock out??  The description on that container hardly came close to doing it justice.  I'm calling it my "sunset" hibiscus because (a) I don't have any clue what the real name is and (b) it reminds me of one of those gorgeous sunsets that turn the sky first one color then another before ending with that perfect golden light we all wish would never disappear.  I think it's exquisite and it's inspired me to take more chances.  If even half of them turn out as well, I'll feel like the lucky girl I think I am today.

Variegated sunshine

Sunflower, sunflower, lemon gold hue ~ who in the world can resist you?  Certainly not me.  I bought this sunflower not for the flowers so much as for the foliage.  Here, in the picture below, can you see the variegated leaves??  They are white with green viens.  

I don't think I captured it as well as I should have but trust me, it's very striking in the garden.  I have it planted next to the "summer sky" echinacea that I posted about yesterday and together they light up their corner of the garden.  The official name is Heliopsis helianthoides 'Loraine Sunshine,' ~ it was a "Blooms of Bressingham" perennial last year or come to think of it, maybe it was the year before????  For some reason (most likely space constraints) I only bought one plant but it's definitely one of those carefree, happy-go-lucky perennials that you wish you had more of in the garden.  It will bloom from now 'till frost and that is a good thing!

fiery Echinacea

Check out my 'Summer Sky'  Echinacea that has recently started blooming.  It's like a searing heat wave just to look at it, isn't it??  I received two plants last summer as special offers from Wayside Gardens (when I ordered some Brugmansias).  At the time, I wasn't sure if I would like them or not (since I'm partial to the traditional pink variety) but they've positively won me over. 

There's no ignoring that bright zing of color ~ not that you'd really want to ~ it's like a shot of happy!   Even from underneath....

I had no idea there were so many varieties of this hardy perennial.  It makes you want to run out to the greenhouse, doesn't it??    

splotches of color

Hurray ~ all the painting is done.  I had two additional projects to scrape and repaint and I've finally finished them up and can share them.  The first one is my rocker.  As you can see, I did not take a new photo ~ how could it get any better than this one with my cat all in a huff??  For the record, he was majorly annoyed with me because I hauled him out of a comfortable position in the house to plop him on the seat (thinking he would make the photo more interesting).  Ha.  Never, ever, ever decide where a cat is best suited (or use them as a photo prop if it isn't their idea).   Not cool.  Any who, back to the rocker ~ I repainted it the same "eggplant" color (since it was also peeling) ~ isn't it pretty especially with my containers as a backdrop??   Now that I've used the oil based primer, I'm hoping painting the chairs won't be a yearly chore but can extend to every several years?? 

Lastly, my vintage toolbox got a once over with "sunshine" yellow spray.  It looks so cheery now, much better than the plain wood & metal it was.  I really did a terrible job preparing it for paint ~ as in ~ nothing.(no sanding, no priming, etc.)  Just plain lazy spraying.  I figure if it peels it will just contribute to that "aged" look that's so popular now.  So there you have it, these, combined with my key lime chairs, complete my garden painting (at least for this season). 

stars & stripes

A quick post (since today is jam packed with activities) of a recently published card created for todays holiday.  The flag is a McCall's "wallie" ~ they make great embellishments, don't they??  I connected it to the back of the card using two painted metal hinges (antique white acrylic paint).  I love the primitive "country" feel it imparts.  Reminds me of the "simpler" life I'm always striving for (but usually coming up short on).  Have a safe, enjoyable holiday fellow Americans!

patriotic blooms

Because I'm thinking red, white & blue this pre-holiday morning I thought it might be fun to post blooms in those colors?  Here's my American flag colored trio:

Red ~ Crocosmia Lucifer. (bulbs started in March)

White ~ Physostegia virginiana 'summer snow' (obedient plant) just beginning to open.

Blue ~ Myosotis sylvatica (forget-me-nots) still blooming beautifully next to my water spigot.    And that, folks, is my patriotic garden display.  What's blooming red, white and blue in your yard??  or better yet, what's blooming in your flags colors?   One more note, a BIG thank you to Cinj from Cinj's Chat Room for bestowing my blog the Arte Y Pico Award.  I'm so honored that she is inspired by the papercrafting projects I post on here.  I'll have to give thought to who I pass it along to as there are so many worthy blogs that feed my creativity. 

vintage joy

There's been some major "happy dancing" happening around our house in the last 24 hours.  All because I had the good fortune to "happen upon" the coolest thing for my yard yesterday.  I'm still pinching myself!  (and making hundreds of trips outside to "ooh" and "aah" over it)  Please don't hold it against me ~ I know how it feels to wonder why I don't stumble across neat stuff ~ but I can't say that anymore!  Okay, are you ready?  I mean really ready???  (it's just that fantastic!!)  drum roll, please.......

Ta Da!!!!!!!!  Isn't it absolutely, positively, the most beautiful vintage birdfeeder EVER??   If it's possible to be in love with an inanimate object, then I'm 100% completely smitten.  As in head over heels.  Woo hoo. 

ode to June

Whoa summer ~where are you going in such a big hurry??  How did June enter and exit so quickly?  It seems impossible that we are already flipping the calendar to another month.  It made me a touch sad this morning as I know the school supplies will soon be filling the aisles in all the stores and another summer will have come and gone in the blink of an eye.  We're off to the pool today, it seems a fitting way to welcome July.  I'm not relishing getting into a bathing suit but I'll make a mad dash for the water and once I'm in, it will be fine and fun and refreshing.  Layout from last year (as you can see).   Something about this photo has always appealed to me ~ the golden summer light, the cows grazing peacefully ~ I'm not sure??  Whatever it may be, I still say, please summer, SLOW down.  I'm begging you, pace yourself.....  

waiting patiently

but beginning to get anxious to get into the ground and do some "real" growing ~ my little flat of annuals, started from seed the end of April.  Some people might think it's silly to start seeds so late in the spring but I do it to fill in the holes left after the poppies and bleeding hearts finish blooming (and the dead foliage is cut back).  They'll be planted this week, be much happier and bloom till the end of the season (so hang in there little guys)!!  Now off to do some Monday chores....

pass the syrup

My daughter loves pancakes.  Any flavor, any size, but this chocolate chip version especially called her name when we were selecting something new to try from the "Chocolate Celebration" recipes by Paula Deen.  They were a bit sweet for my taste (even being the chocoholic I am) so next time, I'll put fewer chips in the batter.   Super easy tho and fluffy too (you separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat them until stiff peaks form).  I will repeat that technique with my other favorite pancake recipe because I enjoyed the texture so much.  If you care to try them out, here's what you'll need:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp Sugar, 1 1/2 tsps baking powder, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda,      1 1/4 cups milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs (separated) 1 cup mini chocolate morsels

Mix all ingredients together except egg whites (which you beat separately) and add the mini chocolate morsels last.  Spoon batter onto the griddle, cook, serve and enjoy!!