An abundance of Succulents and other crazy ideas

Have you noticed how succulents have been showing up everywhere for the past few years?  In all the decor magazines, design blogs, everywhere one looks.  No longer do you have to head to a plant nursery to find them, they are even sold in the grocery stores.  A few years ago I had a hard time finding them anywhere except a garden center. I thought the trend was waning, but it doesn't appear that it is.  Even if it is, I still like succulents and real ones grow pretty well in the desert climate in Boise.

I found this wrought iron shelf/cd rack about 4 years ago, at the thrift shop.  I think it is/was a cd rack anyhow.  I really love the curvy shape of it. My plan was to eventually fill it with small succulents, using a collection of bowls and pots that I already had.  It sat in a corner of the garage just waiting until I would finally move to my house in Boise.  Well this last trip, I was in Michael's one day and saw that they had their faux succulents on clearance.  A light went off in my brain, and I thought, wow, I don't have to wait for real ones, I'll just use these in the meantime.  

I'm pretty pleased with how this project turned out.  I've mixed in a few rocks that we've picked up here and there along the way.

Hubby used to roll his eyes at some of the ideas I would get. But he admits they usually turn out well, so he doesn't discourage me from buying or saving some mundane item that I will turn into something else. He's pretty impressed with the succulents.  He also really likes the metal colander I turned into a light fixture over the kitchen sink. 

 

One time long ago we were coming back from a Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, and I spied a dead branch along the side of the freeway.  We went back and got it and were almost arrested by the Highway Patrol. Even though it was supposed to be "temporary", it is still holding up the curtain over the entry door windows, 20 years later.  Yes I have eclectic tastes and our home is a mixture of things we both really love. 

Unpredictable April

What should I wear today?  Yesterday afternoon when I walked to the mailbox , it was 85 and humid.  Still warm last night and breezy.  This morning when I went outside it was 40 and very windy, and starting to rain. We are getting some of the arctic air that is sweeping down from Canada.  Parts of the country are getting ice and snow, we most likely will get rain which we always need, and maybe some hail, which we don't need. I have to run out later and do some errands.  I wish I had some of these...boots , I would wear them today. 

I was trying to grow succulents in the kitchen windows, but with the solar screens on, they weren't getting enough light.  So I removed the screens from a couple of the windows, and they seem to be much happier.  I like having the screen off, but am afraid I will need to cover my table with something to keep that end of it from fading from the sun. I cleaned the inside of the windows, but haven't made it to the outside yet. You can see that it is raining.

 

I was enjoying the view of the backyard while having coffee. With the solar screens on, when it rains hard it plasters the screens to the windows and you can't see out.  Taken through the not entirely clean window.  We have not done any spring clean-up in the back yard yet.

 

 

Last night Hubby was at a dinner meeting, so I was on my own and made this salad.  I had made us both the same thing on Monday night, except I added hard-boiled eggs.

 I don't usually buy bagged salad, but do sometimes buy the spinach when in a hurry.  I was all excited to see the new Fresh Express Spinach and Arugula, as I love arugula.  Well, as I was searching for where it was......I started counting them.   The bag had 6 tiny leaves of arugula!!! What a disappointment. Was I wrong to expect a few more? I don't think so, but yes, they can say, it did have arugula.  I went online to make a comment at their website, but they wanted the product code of the item, and I had already tossed the bag.  I think I will buy another bag today and see if the same holds true, then I will have the information when I write to them.  I've been thinking about growing a small kitchen garden outside the back door. But the way the squirrels have eaten my succulents, I don't know how much luck I'd have.

 

Well, I'm off to experience some April weather.

paper or plastic

When given the choice I always say paper. I read that it takes more energy to produce them than the plastic. But the plastic has now been recycled so many times and is so thin it tears apart before you even get home with it. When it comes to the grocery bags, before you can even get to the car sometimes. Besides, the plastic ones just irritate the heck out of me.  They seem to be a blight on our landscape. They are blowing around and stuck in trees everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen a paper one hanging from trees or blowing down the street.  You can at least use the paper ones quite a few times, and then still cut them up and paint on them if you wish!    Truth is, it takes an incredible amount of energy to produce both kinds, and both are bad for the environment.  So what are we to do?

   Most times I carry my own canvas bags with me, but there are times I'd like a paper bag from a particular store. Yesterday that was the case, with all three places I went. I really love paper bags.. Kraft brown is one of my favorite colors anyhow.

Sunday shopping with the hubster.  It was his birthday, so I took him to Denny's for his free Grand Slam.  I think it's one of the few places that still gives you breakfast on your birthday.  It's kind of a kick...and about the only time of year we actually eat at Denny's.  Then we went a few places we hadn't been in awhile.  Central Mkt, Anthropologie, Big Red Sun.    Just strolling, mostly.                       

Here's what came in the bags we brought home.

Hub wonders if I can keep this little air plant alive.  I killed the last one with a little too much misting.

Bowl of succulents, they need dappled sun and not much water.

Woody Harrelson is a very funny guy.  Uppercase is an amazing publication.  Too bad it is $18.00!

In the afternoon, the Birthday Boy went golfing.  I read the new Mags and took a long nap.  A Perfectly Fine Sunday.