Sunday, June 2, 2013

Create Your Own Cottage Garden



I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman

The end of May through June is one of the busiest times for our family. We have three birthdays, the end of school activities and the garden season is in full swing. Last week I wrote an article on cottage gardens, which I love. I was surprised at the history of this type of garden, and it made me love them even more. In some ways it was a combination of a cottage garden as we think of one now, and a potager or kitchen garden. They were very useful, yet charming. You'll find the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Cottage-Garden.html

I hope your week is lovely:)
~Brenda


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Memorial Day and Garden Goodness



They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


I hope everyone takes a minute to reflect this Memorial Day as we gather with our family and friends. I am truly grateful to the soldiers and their families that have served and died in for our country.

The gardener in me cries out "Let's get this party started!" every May when the evenings warm, and the soil is finally ready for me to sow seeds and plants again. We are revamping two areas this year, one as a Butterfly and Hummingbird garden in a hot, sunny area, and another into a Woodland garden in a shady, moist location.  I'm transplanting, sowing seeds and purchasing a few new plants as our budget allows.  I was doing research for myself and put together an article on creating a Butterfly and Hummingbird garden to share on OFL.  I think you'll like the frugal tips, and the advice on what annuals and perennials to use without breaking the budget. The article is here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Create-A-Butterfly-Garden.html


~Enjoy the weekend:)  Brenda

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

A Mother's Day Menu



A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

The quote above always makes me smile because I think of how I take the cupcake that fell over, the eggs with the broke yolks or the heel of the bread.  I don't remember when I started doing it, but I'm sure it was after we had children.  The funny thing is--  I truly don't care about those things, and I'm sure I'll keep doing it:) 

It's been busy at our house, but this weekend I wrote a new article with recipes and tips for a Mother's Day menu.  It's easy enough for teenagers to make on their own, or younger kids with the help of dad. Feel free to print out the article:)  It's here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Mothers-Day-Menu.html .

I hope everyone has a lovely Mother's Day,
~Brenda

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

Sunday, April 28, 2013

May Gardening and Landscape Tips


It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

I hope you all had a beautiful Spring weekend. May begins in a few days, so I've written an article with tips on nurturing and preparing the garden and landscape. I started cleaning my flower and herb beds this weekend, but came down with a cough, so I had to take a break. The first of my daffodils bloomed, which always brings a smile to my face, even while I'm coughing:) The article has tidbits on the following and more:

Peonies
Bulb Care
Roses
Lavender

You'll find the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/May-Gardening.html

~Brenda

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Restaurant Style Soups Made Easy



Come and let us seek together
Springtime lore of daffodils,
Giving to the golden weather
Greeting on the sun-warm hills.
~Lucy Maud Montgomery

We enjoyed a few days of Spring, and then it was gone and in its place was sleet, snow and temperatures below 40. Sigh. However it's suppose to be in the 60's next week, so maybe it will feel like Spring again:) My daffodils are popping up, but none are blooming yet. I also spotted buds on the maple tree and the lilac. I know some of you are already enjoying blooms!

The last two weeks I worked on three soup recipes in my quest to make a nice, restaurant style soup without having to use difficult recipes or expensive ingredients. The results turned out wonderful so I wrote an article with all three recipes. You'll find the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Elegant-Soup.html

~Brenda

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Frugal Sewing Tips from the 20's

 
Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Yesterday was our first warm day! It was in the 60's here in Michigan and we were actually able to open a few windows.  Lovely:)

Last week I wrote a new article with sewing tips from the 1920's.  One tip inparticular tickled me with advice to reuse "bloomers".  The article is here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Frugal-Tips.html

I hope you all are enjoying the Spring days!

~Brenda

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Spring Sunday Brunches

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day. ~W. Earl Hall 

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend.  As I write this it's snowing again in Michigan, but we still have many signs of Spring, so I'm sure the warm days are coming soon. I wrote a new article with recipes from the 1920's that are perfect for Sunday brunches.  You'll find:

-Coconut Breakfast Bread
-Oatmeal Gems
-Hominy Waffles
-Rice Griddle Cakes

I also share some tried and true tips for cooking perfect pancakes.  The article is here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/1920-Easter-Brunch.html

~Enjoy!  Brenda