Flower-Power's Blog

C'mon by!
Mar 14, 2009 | 7:04 PM PST
Tags: bath bars , tealights , tarts , candles , sachets
This post has been edited by an administrator

    

I make bath bars, tealights, tarts, candles, sachets!    So stop by sometime.   ~mary~

sad news
Feb 26, 2009 | 7:27 PM PST

This morning early, our beloved bunny Muz had passed away.   For about a day or so, he began to show some signs that he was sick, it sounded like a cold or something...we made sure that he was kept warm and had plenty of water, but then the following day he stopped eating...I tried gently to feed him but he was just so weak...he did come to me when I called his name...but just laid his head down.   we couldnt' figure out what happened.   We had Muz going on 5 years.   .... so sad. 

We just get so attached these lil' creatures...they become part of our family.   We spent most of our day (when we weren't working) sorta feeling sad.   

Well just wanted you all to know... its funny....just after I wrote about our little friend back on February the 14th.

Goodnight Muz.

Just thinking
Feb 17, 2009 | 10:37 AM PST

been thinking... I have some seeds that I could share... Holly Hock seeds to be sure.

It would be a mix....if anyone would want any.

 

Recipe for cake
Feb 16, 2009 | 10:10 AM PST
Tags: Cake , recipe , war , eggless , butterless , milkless , no fuss.

War Cake

This old recipe was developed around 1918 during World War I to compensate for shortages of milk, butter, and eggs-- its milkless, butterless and eggless.  What a treat for someone allergic to dairy products or eggs!  And one of the best parts of this dark, heavy cake is that you mix it all in one pan--no fuss and hardly anything to wash.

2 C. brown sugar

2 C. hot water

2 teasp. shortening

1/2 to 3/4 C.  raisins

1 teaspoon each of salt, cinnamon, and cloves

3 C. flour

1 teasp. baking soda, dissolved in hot water,  Couple of teaspoons hot water for dissolving baking soda

Mix brown sugar, 2 cups of hot water, and shortening in a medium-size saucepan.  Add raisins and salt, cinnamon, and cloves.  Mix and boil for 5 minutes after it first bubbles. Remove from stove.  Let cool completely  (very important!)

After cooling, add flour and baking soda.  Mix well. Pour into a greased tube pan and bake for 1 hour at 350 to 375 degrees.

Recipe from Heloise Hints for All Occasions

Sowing Blessings
Feb 16, 2009 | 9:14 AM PST
Tags: sow , blessings , patient , God , harvest

If you want to make a difference in other people's lives,

Be thoughtful and considerate, be slow to criticize.

Be helpful when your're needed,  let others know you care,

Be patient and forgiving when hurts are hard to bear.

Do always unto others as you'd have done to you,

For when you sow God's blessings, you'll reap His harvest too.

-Vi B. Chevalier

Sunday the 15th.
Feb 15, 2009 | 5:15 PM PST

It would be wonderful to sleep in tomorrow however I must go into work.   We had too many days off for ice, snow, cold.    Aw well.. its good to work.  

Boy- when Spring rolls around we really need to get outside and clear out dead plants, and decide what we should do with our front yard.    I have very old (rotted out) landscape timber to replace.   We thought last year of replacing it...but it never got done.    We're gonna have to decide on replacing it with landscape timber or brick or stone.    The deciding factor will be the price. 

After church today, we shopped for groceries... after putting away everything...I was tired.   Slept almost 2 hrs.    I must of needed the rest.   

Well better get up from here and get ready for my work day on monday.    I have to be there pretty early in the morning.

I cannot decide which plants I would like in our garden this year.   I do know this...if you want to keep japanese beetles outta your garden plant some catnip plants.   It works!  I'm not kidding.   I planted a bush directly in with my veggies...and it kept the pests away.   Just wanted to throw in some advice.

Have a good evening and for those of you that have a day off Enjoy!

Blessings to you, Mary

Muzzy the bunny
Feb 14, 2009 | 8:58 AM PST
Tags: Muzzy , French Lop , sweet , lovable
On my avatar you'll see a pic of our bunny Muzzy, ....he's very sweet, and lovable...he stays in a heated hutch (for winter) and its cooled in (summer)...he keeps to himself...not worried about a popularity contest...no not he!   He's satisfied...munching on empty paper towel rolls, eating bananas, lettuce, apples, ...not sure what else....and a diet of bunny kibble.    For exercise he runs and kicks up his heels in our garage....and he'll sit real still to get in some loving hugs.... he such a sweetie pie....    our muzzy.    Breed: French Lop

Happy Valentines Day
Feb 14, 2009 | 8:44 AM PST

Yesterday, the school kids celebrated with a pre-valentines day party... by the time I get them in my class... they are on a sugar high.   Its hard to get them to settle down.   Anyway... this got me to thinking...when I was in school from the 60's through the 70's... I don't remember having tons of parties at school.   Now it seems they celebrate anything & everything.    Valentines day back then, we made large envelopes to hang on the front of our desks to drop in a card...and maybe the teachers would provide a tiny snack of some sort.   Birthdays were celebrated...the birthday person brought in cupcakes...and most of the time they were homemade!    I know, so many things have changed since then. 

.....just some thoughts....  

Well, time to get ready to do errands and hubby says we are eating out...sounds like a plan....   Have a blessed day everyone!   :)

Is it Spring yet?
Feb 14, 2009 | 4:35 AM PST
Tags: Spring , kids , ladybug , robins , cardinals , school , plants , garden

I'm hearing a Cardinal outside just singing up a storm!   In the past few days I've heard the chirps and singing of Robins too...what a nice reminder that Spring isn't too far away. 

 In my class at school, the kids were busy building with legos and one happened to notice a ladybug just crawling around the table.   They screamed, Miss. Mary!, there's a bug over here, come quick!!   As I walked up to the table, and offered my hand to the little bug...the kids just looked at me...how can you let a bug crawl around on your hand?  Oh, I don't mind at all..  this one little girl was actually frightened of this little creature..she kept saying....don't ladybugs bite?   They don't bite I said.  They are a gardener's friend.   They eat the harmful bugs that try to destroy plants.   She wasn't convinced.    :)

I enjoy my work with the kids.   They are a lot of fun. 

Is it Spring yet, at your house?

I'm back!
Feb 14, 2009 | 4:10 AM PST
Tags: garden , soy candles , soap , snow , Spring

I'm happy to be back on the garden guide forum.    I have kept myself busy over the summer months.   One is I started my own little business.. of making my own soy candles.    I also make my own natural herbal soaps as well, I had been looking for a facial soap that wouldn't dry out my skin and cause redness, so the herbal soaps are an answer to my prayer.  

BTW...if anyone was wondering about my Father-in-law....yes he is doing better...and went to work almost immediately.   So this is good.

I've missed you all!    And especially now since Spring is "trying" to come around the corner!    I have noticed some little green leaves and stems popping up from the cold frozen ground.    Amazing.

With the rise in prices at the grocery store.... we are planning to expand on our garden.  This past summer's heat was just so trying on the plants....we tried hard to get everything to grow...but it just didn't work.     Even my brother's garden failed in some areas, which actually made me feel a little better.   

Is anyone doing a seed swap on this forum?   

I'm just sooooo tired of all the cold temps and snow...although we didn't have as much as other's did....and it IS SNOWING again out there!!!!   yikes....     *it doesn't seem to be snowing now*...I just looked out the window.    GOOD.   Maybe it will stay away for good.

Well, hope to hear from you guys and gals...   Have a blessed weekend and Happy Valentines Day!

~Mary~  aka Flower-Power

 

Just Found Out...
Jun 4, 2008 | 11:08 AM PST

Hubby got a call from his brother this morning, letting him know that his dad was in the hospital.    The doctors found blocked arteries, so stints had to be put in.    Guess he's doing fine thus far.    He'll have to spend the night down at the hospital.    

His mom and dad already have a tour of Europe booked, they leave this monday.    Lets hope he feels good enough to go. 

We are always the last ones to find out anything.   They went on a tour of Europe back in '99.

My hubby and I did all our travels back when he was in the Air Force.    I don't like to fly...so it was a leap of faith for me to fly from Japan to the states about 6 times.   Of course the saddest time was for my father.  

I have a middle ear disorder, making it hard to do much of anything that calls for fun.   No more rollercoasters for me, nope.     I can't even watch a merry-go-round spin...makes me feel like I'm falling.

I'm glad we decided to move back to our home state of Indiana....where its nice and flat.   I don't mind gentle rolling hills like that of southern Indiana.... but I did not like the hills of Arkansas....  I would find myself getting dizzy just watching the scenery go by.   I was okay driving myself from point A to B..... sometimes I would have a dizzy spell...  but it would quickly pass...so I could keep on driving.

After a  very bad night of horrible lightening and threats of tornados.... the sky is clear....the sunny sun shine is peeking out.... hopefully my garden will dry out.   Hubby said it was under water this morning.   oops!     

Well.... I've been loving coming to GG and posting my thoughts and memories.... like sitting on your front porch and chatting with a neighbor!     Those days don't come by that often.... I have one neighbor we can chat with, but she's always so busy.   Aren't we all.

Its afternoon, I'm still in my jammies.   We have Bible study tonight at church.   Got to get something done around here.....

10-4  good buddies!  :O) 

I've added more photos to my albums, come by sometime.

I'm back....more memories
Jun 3, 2008 | 11:18 PM PST

Its still looking pretty bad - frequent lightening.   They say to stay away from windows when its this bad....  but since I'm curious.. I just have to take a peek.    Infact thats how I snapped the pic of lightening on the evening of the 30th May.    I love to take pics of weather happenings.  Clouds, just anything that strikes my fancy. 

One of these days, I've got to get pics of the funky looking plants that grow along our back fence line.  Some look like some sort of Holly's... others I'm just not sure.  

Hubby has gone to bed....and so must I...    eventually.   :O)

Speaking of storms--back in the year of '76 I believe...  I wish I had the newspaper clipping but my brother has it...  anyway... now that I peeked your curiousity....  my dad, along with my brother and his friend were on a fishing trip to a place between Texas and Lousiana.   (I'm trying to jar my memory of the name of the lake)  anywho....  my dad was in one boat while my brother and his friend were in another boat...not sure how many  feet or (yards) away they were from one another.... but... they had been fishing most of the day, when it was time to get fishing gear put away and get back to camp.    As my dad recalled back then, he said there was not a cloud in the sky...the sun was shining ... way back in the distance he could hear light thunder...he figured well let me tie up lose ends and get my pole put away..... while he had his pole in one hand and getting the line untangled.  Out of nowhere....BOOM... my brother then recalled... hearing the big boom...looking over at my dad's boat....  he couldn't see dad!  Where was he?!?!    After a few minutes... dad was able to lift his hand in air, signaling that he was okay.   My brother said, that when he heard the Boom... the water BOILED and BUBBLED from where the lightening had hit.   Leaving a scorched ring around their boat!!   He said, WoW! If it made the water boil then what must dad look like??  

Eventually, people from surrounding camp sites, came with helping hands and an old door off a trailer to carry our dad to the shore.    Dad was indeed okay.... thankfully, he was dressed in several layers of warm clothing, the first few layers had been burnt badly....  later, in the hospital...  the doctors found 3rd degree burns on his chest, back, and side.   They were able to do skin grafts to repair the damage....  The doctors said he was very lucky to be alive.  Most people do not survive lightening strikes.   

The newspaper, did a story on dad...his story made front page news.   Dad told the newspaper that he remembered being thrown back-hard.  His head & body landed between two full tanks of gasoline...he was afraid it might ignite...but nothing happened.  Thank God.    The handle on the pocket knife he carried in his back pocket was now melted...and the blade scorched from the extreme heat.   The seat, crafted out of a plastic bucket chair was now blown apart.     Amazingly enough... he lived to tell his story... he was now famous among the towns people and they came to visit the man that had been struck by lightening.   

This story is also etched in my mind.   When my mother and I first heard about it.... she was busy sewing and I was sitting on the couch eating ice cream.    The phone rang.   Mom asked Dad if he caught anything.   Then I heard her say, how bad?   Is it like a sunburn?    Dad didn't want my mother to worry so he didn't say much, not until she saw for herself.... she could hardly believe that he lived through it!    ;O)    

My dad loved to tell stories.... but that one was certainly true.   

I miss dad.    He was a very special person.

......good nite everyone.....   

Rolling Thunder & Rain
Jun 3, 2008 | 10:04 PM PST

Rain, rain and more rain.   Thunder pounding.    Guess, there's more to come....gosh.   I'm getting tired.    I would like to see this nasty weather end.   There's been sightings of tornados.   And some damage in parts of Indiana.   Thursday, temps will reach the 90's.  yech.   I'm not into muggyness.   Makes me feel tired when it gets too hot.  

.... Until next time... I'm off to beddy by....zzzzzzzz   

Garden happenings
Jun 3, 2008 | 9:53 PM PST

Earlier this afternoon, I looked out unto the garden through the window of the back porch... and noticed more plants popping up...no spinach yet.   bummer.    If I don't see something soon, I'll just plant more green beans..our favorite.  

Hubby and I talked about putting up a deck... and possibly a privacy fence between one of our neighbors.   When we step out into our enclosed porch, their dogs will just bark and bark.. very annoying.   And when we mow within our fenced in yard, the dogs will stand up to the fence and growl and bark.   They used to call the dogs to come in but anymore they don't do anything about it.     So we thought a fence just down that one side would help to block our view of "doggy-ville".   They currently have 3 good size dogs and have added a fourth.   Jeepers.     We don't mind doggies, however, when we feel our "space" is threatened.. then its time to do something about it.    I know one day as I pulled up in the driveway... I heard my neighbor getting loud...and he was looking into our yard.   So I walked around the side of our yard... surprised to see their dog running about and playing in our yard!   So I asked politely...whats your dog doing in our yard?   Oh, she got excited, and jumped the fence.  Oh.    He finally was able to get her back over the fence.    I was glad about that.   *sigh*  

Our other neighbor, is respectful toward us...always keeping up her lawn and surroundings.  Sometimes, her friends will come by to visit, they'll talk loudly... or play their stereos, however, if they see us in our yard...they'll  be nice and turn it down.    We appreciate that. 

Storm Watch
Jun 3, 2008 | 9:25 PM PST

Its after midnight, and very bad storms are in the forecast until 3 AM.  Ugh.    I was watching the weather cast, then decided to get my mind off of the weather, and upload some pics here on GG.   I uploaded pics of Japan, Mt. Fuji.     I'm not into heights, so you can imagine when our friends invited us to go on a trip to Mt. Fuji.  OY.   There's a road that winds up the mountain,... we went to a place where you could walk out to a landing like a deck, look through binoculars to view awesome sights.   But I'm thankful that it was somewhat cloudy with fog, light rain falling mixed with snow so I couldn't see to the bottom of the mountain.  Hubby and our friends were bummed.   I just didn't care at that point.   The air was thin so very hard to breathe.   We walked around the landing area, then made our way to a gift shoppe.    Drove back down the mountain and ended up at a lake, there are several around Mt. Fuji.... just beautiful!  

I'm hearing more thunder in the distance, I guess I should get off of the computer.