Porch Vignette

I wanted to make one of the spaces in our porch

more welcoming

as it is normally a spot that collects clutter.

So, I started collecting a few things

from what I had around the house,

a few things from Dollarama and thrift stores

and a few things from yard sales.

This little garden ornament was from Dollarama.

I love butterflies and bees and flowers.

This little basket I found at a thrift store.

I love the vines on it.

This pretty little plaque was also a thrift store find.

I just love the colors.

This little jug was given to me many years ago.

I thought it went well with the pretty little box

that I found at Dollarama.

The flowers I had on hand

and can't wait until there are enough flowers

blooming in my garden to cut and add here.

I like my new little vignette

and hope it is a cheery welcome

for my back door friends :)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

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Herb Garden Markers

I have been seeing so many variations

of garden markers on pinterest

that I wanted to make some

for my herb garden.

I found some little wooden dowels at Dollarama

and I bought some wine corks at our local grocery store.

I took a medium-fine marker

and labelled the corks.

I broke the dowels in half

because I wanted smaller stakes

and then inserted them in the corks.

It was so simple and quick to make.

And it gives that little extra added touch to the herbs.

Quick, simple and economical -

my favorite type of project :)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

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Frosted Banana Snack Cake

For some reason at the end of the week

I always seem to have a few bananas that are overripe

and need using up so I am always on the lookout for

recipes that use bananas.

I like this moist cake but the frosting is what makes is super yummy.

This recipe is from the Pillsbury Complete Book of Baking.

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened

3/4 cup mashed, ripe banana

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1-1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp cloves

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Frosting

2 cups icing sugar

1 (3-oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp margarine or butter, softened

1 Tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350F.  Grease and flour 8 or 9-inch square pan.

In large bowl, beat sugar and 1/3 cup margarine until light and fluffy.

Add bananas, buttermilk, vanilla and egg; mix well.

Add remaining ingredients except nuts; mix well.

Stir in nuts.

Spread batter in greased and floured pan.

Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes

or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely.

In medium bowl, combine all frosting ingredients;

beat until smooth and creamy.

Spread over cooled cake.

Store in refrigerator.

Yield:  9 servings.

(Note:  I usually double this recipe and use a 9x13-pan)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

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Table for Canada Day

Canada Day is just around the corner

so I thought I would get a head start

on our celebrations with our table.

Red, white and maple leafs.

I started off with my white tablecloth with a cut out maple leaf border.

I added some red and then these little white mirrors.

And red candle holders that I found at an estate sale.

I couldn't have a Canada Day table without some flags.

And some red and white carnations take the center stage.

Some maple leafs as side accents on the table.

And of course red placemats and white dishes

with a little maple leaf accent in the bowl :)

Some red and white napkins in the wine glasses.

And my table is dressed for Canada Day!

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

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The Forgotten Garden

Do you have a corner of your garden

that tends to get neglected?

I have a little nook in the corner of our house

that seems to get forgotten about every single year.

It has potential so I said to myself

that this would be the year it would not be neglected.

So I went out and cleaned out all the weeds.

As you can see the one section wasn't left with much greenery.

I dumped in bags of good black earth and compost.

And gave this little garden a name.

Once something has a name it suddenly isn't forgotten anymore :)

Once I started talking about what I wanted to do with this little space

everyone got in on helping create it.

The little elf I found at an estate sale.

This mushroom I made way back when

when I was still in Junior High School.

My mom had kept it all these years

and when she heard about the garden

she thought that is where it belonged.

The cute little frog is a sprinkler

that my son gave to me many years ago for Mother's Day.

This little house I found at a thrift store.

I love the little butterflies dangling from the roof.

And this little fairy my daughter donated from her room.

The Tiger Lilies are just beginning to bloom

adding some vibrant color to this little corner.

I also added some African Daisies

hoping they will add some more color

as the summer progresses.

And this pretty pink Baby's Breath.

Even though my little garden is called the Forgotten Garden

it is no longer forgotten.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

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