In the Garden

I love this time of year. After a long winter it's such a relief to be outside in the fresh air. I don't even mind working in between the intermittent showers of rain we've been having. It's so much fun planning and thinking about the garden.   I find myself at the garden centres oodling over the tables of flowers and imagining the scent of fresh herbs at my doorstep.  Pinks and purples and dainty little white flowers. 

Self control is not easy surrounded by all those beautiful flowers. If I don't go with some plan in mind I have been known to buy more flowers than our garden can accomodate.  That's probably why we're in the situation we are in.  It's time to reevaluate the garden.  Now that some of these perennials and shrubs have matured they just don't look quite right.  Cut back, move, divide...this is my quest for the week.  I shall be ruthless, but loving.

We have to stop meeting like this!

I am a sucker for little animals.  I have a real love-hate relationship going on with the little rabbit family from the neighbour's deck.  They can be so destructive to my garden but I can't resist these little guys!  I think they come over every afternoon not just for their garden meal but for the picture taking session.  They seem to be getting quite used to me!

 With all the rain that we've been having, and the grass seeds we've just applied, we haven't been able to cut the lawn for almost two weeks now. As you can see these little guys are quite pleased about this!

Yesterday, I finally had proof that there are two bunnies as they were visiting together.  But too quick for me to catch in a photo.  I'll just have to wait until our afternoon viewing today.

Thank you!

Thanks so much to LuAnn of  Back Home Again for featuring my jewellery on her blog today.

Serendipity: Handmade Jewelry Vintage Vibe!

The Metamorphosis of a Banana

I'm not exactly sure when this happened to me but at one point in my life I began to feel my stress level rise over the fruit bowl and the vegetable drawer in the fridge. When carefully trying to decipher what is still good to eat, what's still ok for the guinea pig and what is definitely not good for consumption I'm washed with guilt for the waste.   Slimy peppers and wet bags of green goop that I believe once was lettuce.  Quite disgusting as I slop them into the compost.  For me though, it's not the veggies, or the bruised up apple, or even the dried up plum that makes me feel as guilty as an overripe banana does.  In terms of the fruit bowl what is sadder than seeing a bruised up dejected banana?

Truthfully in our family the banana has a very short edible life.  For me it has to be just past the green stage.  It's ripe, but it's still firm.  I can thoroughly enjoy this dear fruit at this moment, soaking up all its potassium and goodness.  But mere hours from now, as it softens and slightly browns I can barely think of it without causing a gag reflex. 

I can't eat it but I can't bear to throw it out at this stage.   I guess it's just knowing the potential of this little guy.  I mean I could save it and repurpose it at this stage.  With my help it could be something incredible again - a gorgeous, golden top muffin, a moist slice of banana bread or any number of baked goods.  This is where the guilt comes in.  I have the power to remedy the situation just by baking a batch of muffins...but I rarely do.   Banana cake?...occasionally.  Usually though it stays there in the bowl until the very last moment, no recipe could save it from it's inevitable trip to the composter.

 Recently, I can proudly say I did save a banana from it's impending doom.  I made this amazing banana cake with a thick cream cheese frosting. Delish!

P.S. I know you can freeze a banana to use at a later time but this hasn't worked out so well for me yet.  I've done this only months later finding some ice encrusted glob of indeterminable brown substance in a squashed ziploc bag.   Maybe one day, when the freezer and it's contents are sorted and organized...one day.

In My Backyard

Well there was quite a bit of commotion outside my window a few minutes ago.  A slight bang on the window, the sounds of wings flapping and such.  I went to the window and looked out to the ground below the birdfeeder thinking I would see a bird that had been stunned by his misguided flight into our window.  Instead, there was nothing...until I looked up at the fence...and this is what I saw.

Wow isn't he spectacular.  I think it's a peregrine falcon or maybe a hawk but I'm not actually sure. 

  Maybe someone knows?

Anyways, quite a treat to see so close up and he was quite accommodating to stay while I ran for my camera and snapped these pictures.

The Sweet Scent of Spring!

I know for some of us it's still hard to believe, with the snow and the cold blowing winds, but spring is really on it's way. It's a mere 32 days away to be exact.  I can handle that!

While we wait for the snow to disappear and the crocuses peaking above the ground,  here are some of my latest spring inspired designs.

Sweet as candy pink jade earrings.

Romantic rose necklace.

Love Blooms.

A new line of sterling silver stud earrings.

You can find all of these and much more in my Etsy shop.

nancywallisdesigns.etsy.com

and my website

nancywallisdesigns.com

Wear a Little Love!

...and I'd like to share a little love!

I'm having a Valentine's Sale in my etsy shop this weekend. You can save 14% off everything!

Also, if you spend $35 or more (after the discount and not including the shipping charge) you will get FREE Shipping to U.S. and Canada.  International shipping will be reduced to $4. 

Coupon Code: VALENTINE

Happy Shopping!

Must use code to get the discount. 

If eligible, the shipping charges will be refunded through paypal after the transaction.

(See my shop annoucement for full details.)