FRIDAY FLOWERS: THE STONE WALL

Last week you saw the story of our stone egg.

But the story began a week earlier as we put in a new stone wall...not quite as exciting or unique, but it fits perfectly and is just what the space (and we) needed.

Here is the west facing slope:

The stakes with white "flags" are for the gas and electric lines.

Somehow these pictures do not convey the total mess this place was! It faces west i.e. very hot afternoon sun, it slopes down to blacktop road i.e. very hot reflection AND that tree is a River Birch which means it sucks up any available water plus has an extensive, thick root system.

Trying to plant anything at all here was just about impossible. I couldn't dig down more than about one inch.

This was several years ago before we moved in: kind of a jungle out there...

Here's the beginning. Clearing the slope by cutting back about a foot.

Adding gravel. We only had to dig down about 2" as the frost here is minimal.

Layering stones and gravel:

The finished product!

Behind the wall we built up the soil about 6", so now I am able to plant! And, if we set up an irrigation system, the water will not run off into the street. 

                   Lucky plants will now have some protection from all that heat and black top.

Our orange umbrella is famous in the neighborhood. We have people stop by and say it just makes them happy to see it up!

 This year we opted for a huge one: it's 11' in diameter. It's Sunbrella fabric, it tilts, and it covers 

A LOT of territory in the sun. 

More on the umbrella later this season!

Succulents are very happy in the bright sun! That's Delosperma Basuticum (White-Eyed Ice Plant) on the right... and I don't know what the left image is. Anyone?

While this doesn't compare to the stone egg in originality and uniqueness, it's a very handsome, solid stone wall! As one neighbor said, "You've added real class to the 'hood!".

CORN BREAD SALAD

Surprise post today!

I wasn't going to do anything until the end of the week, but had to show you all this one..

Corn Bread Salad

It's from the June 2013 issue of "Our State" Magazine.

Corn Bread Salad: is that Southern or what?

Here you go:

1 corn bread cake, crumbled

2 eggs, boiled and chopped

1/2 c. red onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

Mayonnaise to taste

1 small can Mexican corn

1 small can white corn

2 chopped Roma tomatoes

4-6 slices bacon, crisp and crumbled

1/2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Combine corn bread, eggs, onion, celery, mayonnaise, Mexican corn, white corn, and tomatoes. Top the salad with crumbled bacon and Cheddar cheese. Refrigerate salad overnight.

Notes: I used the chunks of cornbread you find at Whole Foods.  I probably added about 1/2 c. of mayonnaise, not sure.. And, you could easily increase this for a larger crowd. They say this serves 12, but I doubt it (and it tastes SO good, it won't last long on the table, I am sure).

I just made it an hour ago for a big dinner tonight of my garden group. It's our last meeting of the year and always one of the best! I am the "communications director" and also write our monthly newsletter; so if I seem busy at times, I AM!

TIME FOR SOME ANTHROPOLOGIE

It's been a while since I've shown you more yummy, colorful, creative ideas from Anthropologie!

First up are the necklaces. I adore the "statement" necklaces and tend to wear short, almost choker necklaces every day.

All of these are great choices!

And then we have the dresses. Thank goodness dresses have come back in a big way and now floral prints can be seen everywhere.

Peter Som is their newest featured designer and oh yes, he has some absolutely stunning prints in this collection. They made this video of him in the New York Flower Market, talking about his love of flowers and how he translates that for Anthropologie.

Take a look:

Stunning!

Love this!

For the younger set...

Zebras: how cute!

Are you heading out to your nearest store??