Kate Collins's Blog, page 63
May 13, 2018
I USED TO BE TERRIFIED OF HOWARD STERN--NOW I'M NOT
By Mary Kennedy
I used to be terrified of Howard Stern and when I learned I was going to be a guest on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, I panicked. "You'll be interviewed by one of their top jocks," I was told. Top jocks. The words hung in the air. All I could think of was Howard Stern. Howard Stern. OMG. No!
"Will it be Howard Stern?" Long pause.
"It could be," I was told.
I called a writer pal who had been interviewed by Stern. "Is he as bad as they say?" I gulped. "Worse," my friend replied. "Much worse. He'll eat you for breakfast. And then spit you out."
Doing a bit of "self-talk," as the shrinks like to say, I reminded myself that this was going to be a good thing. I'd be talking about my new series, the Talk Radio Mysteries, that had just come out with Penguin-Random House. I'd be talking particularly about DEAD AIR, book one in the series. It;s all about a Manhattan psychologist who closes up her practice and moves to sunny Florida to be a radio psychologist, like Frasier. And she solves a murder in every book. My agent pitched it as "Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote."
It was all good, right? I figured I could hold my own on live radio, I used to work for a rock radio station in Nashville and had interviewed local guests on the local PBS TV station here in the northeast.
Free publicity for my book. What's not to like?
Of course, I hadn't factored Howard Stern into the equation. I knew radio jocks could be tough, raunchy (make that terrifying!) but nothing I hadn't dealt with before. I thought about Howard Stern's former sidekick, Artie Lange, who had left the show. Would Robin Quivers go easy on me? Would there be some female bonding? Hmmm. Maybe not.
I "near worried myself to death" as they say down south. And all for nothing, because in the end, I was a guest on the Wake Up With Taylor show, hosted by Taylor Strecker and her sidekick, comedian Kenny Z. The experience was wonderful, positive and I did 20 minutes of live radio! I had a terrific time! So much angst for nothing.
But back to the teaser at the top of this blog. Why am I no longer terrified of Howard Stern? Because I just learned he is a big-time cat lover and he and his wife Beth devote an incredible amount of time and money to cat rescue. In fact, they've rescued over 600 cats in the past four years. Surprised? I was, too! You can read more right here. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-....
Howard Stern a cat lover! Who knew? Maybe I'll meet him someday and tell him how much I admire the work that he and his wife are doing.
And if there's a morale here, remember not to worry yourself to death. Sometimes your worst fears never come true. Did you ever have an experience you were absolutely dreading, and then it all turned out ok? I'd love to hear about it.
Mary Kennedy
I used to be terrified of Howard Stern and when I learned I was going to be a guest on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, I panicked. "You'll be interviewed by one of their top jocks," I was told. Top jocks. The words hung in the air. All I could think of was Howard Stern. Howard Stern. OMG. No!
"Will it be Howard Stern?" Long pause.
"It could be," I was told.
I called a writer pal who had been interviewed by Stern. "Is he as bad as they say?" I gulped. "Worse," my friend replied. "Much worse. He'll eat you for breakfast. And then spit you out."
Doing a bit of "self-talk," as the shrinks like to say, I reminded myself that this was going to be a good thing. I'd be talking about my new series, the Talk Radio Mysteries, that had just come out with Penguin-Random House. I'd be talking particularly about DEAD AIR, book one in the series. It;s all about a Manhattan psychologist who closes up her practice and moves to sunny Florida to be a radio psychologist, like Frasier. And she solves a murder in every book. My agent pitched it as "Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote."
It was all good, right? I figured I could hold my own on live radio, I used to work for a rock radio station in Nashville and had interviewed local guests on the local PBS TV station here in the northeast.
Free publicity for my book. What's not to like?
Of course, I hadn't factored Howard Stern into the equation. I knew radio jocks could be tough, raunchy (make that terrifying!) but nothing I hadn't dealt with before. I thought about Howard Stern's former sidekick, Artie Lange, who had left the show. Would Robin Quivers go easy on me? Would there be some female bonding? Hmmm. Maybe not.
I "near worried myself to death" as they say down south. And all for nothing, because in the end, I was a guest on the Wake Up With Taylor show, hosted by Taylor Strecker and her sidekick, comedian Kenny Z. The experience was wonderful, positive and I did 20 minutes of live radio! I had a terrific time! So much angst for nothing.
But back to the teaser at the top of this blog. Why am I no longer terrified of Howard Stern? Because I just learned he is a big-time cat lover and he and his wife Beth devote an incredible amount of time and money to cat rescue. In fact, they've rescued over 600 cats in the past four years. Surprised? I was, too! You can read more right here. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-....
Howard Stern a cat lover! Who knew? Maybe I'll meet him someday and tell him how much I admire the work that he and his wife are doing.
And if there's a morale here, remember not to worry yourself to death. Sometimes your worst fears never come true. Did you ever have an experience you were absolutely dreading, and then it all turned out ok? I'd love to hear about it.
Mary Kennedy
May 12, 2018
You never know what's going to happen
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm currently working on the second full-length Lotus Bay Mystery. Also, as mentioned, I've had a bit of trouble writing it--and not because I haven't had a lot of ideas.
There I was minding my business, typing away, when there was a knock on Tori Cannon's front door. There stood Avery Simon, Property Manager for Lucinda Bloomfield, who may or may not be a villain. Simon hands Tori an invitation to tea. And when she arrives at Lucinda's home -- who opens the door?
Yes, a butler! A valet. A gentleman's gentleman! In rural New York?
I didn't know it at the time, but said butler may just have a bit of a past.
See, I do have a lot of ideas ... I just don't always know where they are going to lead me. Hopefully, my readers will be as intrigued as me.
A REEL CATCH is scheduled for publication in August. Click this link to find out more about the book.
What would you think if you went to visit someone and a butler answered the door?
May 10, 2018
Is the long drought over?
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
I don't believe in writer's block. Despite the fact I haven't written anything of substance since last October, it wasn't from a lack of ideas. Holy smoke do I have ideas. I have ideas for stories up the wazoo ... but I also suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I bought a SAD light and I used it just about every day over the winter, but ... still, I couldn't write, which left me feeling even more depressed.
And then in March we lost both of our cats to the ravages of age. That was a devastating blow.
But then ... last week ... the weather turned. We had several warm days in a row. I went and sat in my porch, editing my manuscript (what there was of it) and suddently I wanted to write again. In fact, while it's only May 11th, I've written more on this story this month than I have for any month in the last YEAR. (Yes, I started it in May of 2017.) It won't be warm outside during the weekend, but I can still sit in my enclosed porch and write ... and I intend to do so.
One of the big stumbling blocks for the next Lotus Bay novel was the lack of a title. Yesterday morning, I was determined to assign one. First, I wrote a short description of the book. I must admit, it's not yet very good, but it was a start. And then I remembered that two years ago I put together a list of possible titles for the entire Lotus Bay series. Of course, then I had to find that list. Did I name it something easy to find? That would be a huge NO! But eventually I did find it and right at the top of the list was ...
A REEL CATCH.
Perfect!
No sooner did I make that decision than I contacted my cover artist. While I don't yet have a cover, I'm pretty sure that once I do, I'll run with the story and finish it in no time flat. (Make that 4-6 weeks ... which, when writing a book, is definitely no time flat!)
Of course, because A JUST CLAUSE comes out in paperback on May 5th, and POISONED PAGES comes out on July 10th, it means that A REEL CATCH can't come out until August. So be it. Each books deserves an opportunity to shine.
But I'm writing again and that makes me happy.
Are you happy that the 2nd full-length Lotus Bay Mystery is on the horizon?
I don't believe in writer's block. Despite the fact I haven't written anything of substance since last October, it wasn't from a lack of ideas. Holy smoke do I have ideas. I have ideas for stories up the wazoo ... but I also suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I bought a SAD light and I used it just about every day over the winter, but ... still, I couldn't write, which left me feeling even more depressed.And then in March we lost both of our cats to the ravages of age. That was a devastating blow.
But then ... last week ... the weather turned. We had several warm days in a row. I went and sat in my porch, editing my manuscript (what there was of it) and suddently I wanted to write again. In fact, while it's only May 11th, I've written more on this story this month than I have for any month in the last YEAR. (Yes, I started it in May of 2017.) It won't be warm outside during the weekend, but I can still sit in my enclosed porch and write ... and I intend to do so.One of the big stumbling blocks for the next Lotus Bay novel was the lack of a title. Yesterday morning, I was determined to assign one. First, I wrote a short description of the book. I must admit, it's not yet very good, but it was a start. And then I remembered that two years ago I put together a list of possible titles for the entire Lotus Bay series. Of course, then I had to find that list. Did I name it something easy to find? That would be a huge NO! But eventually I did find it and right at the top of the list was ...
A REEL CATCH.Perfect!
No sooner did I make that decision than I contacted my cover artist. While I don't yet have a cover, I'm pretty sure that once I do, I'll run with the story and finish it in no time flat. (Make that 4-6 weeks ... which, when writing a book, is definitely no time flat!)
Of course, because A JUST CLAUSE comes out in paperback on May 5th, and POISONED PAGES comes out on July 10th, it means that A REEL CATCH can't come out until August. So be it. Each books deserves an opportunity to shine.
But I'm writing again and that makes me happy.
Are you happy that the 2nd full-length Lotus Bay Mystery is on the horizon?
Sale on MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES
by Karen Rose Smith
Do you like tea, scones, and salads? Then you might want to visit the fictional Daisy’s Tea Garden in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I have good news about the first book in the series MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES that includes mystery, a bit of romance and recipes. It will be on sale for a Kindle Deal from May 14-20, 2018 for $.99. It will also be on sale for $.99 on Nook May 16.
Daisy's Tea Garden has become a gathering place in Willow Creek, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania. Daisy, widowed mom of two teenagers--one at home and one who recently started college--along with her aunt Iris, are the proprietors. Although her aunt is in her golden years, she's enjoying the company of Harvey Fitz, wealthy CEO of Men's Trends. (Harvey's favorite snack at the tea garden are Lemon Tea Cakes.) The only problem is that Harvey isn't yet divorced. When Harvey is murdered on the tea garden's patio, Aunt Iris is the prime suspect. But Daisy soon discovers many residents of Willow Creek are suspects--from Harvey's soon to be ex-wife, to his children to his business colleagues.
Daisy's focus has to be on her adopted daughter Jazzi (Jasmine) who wants to search for her birth parents. But with the help of a former detective turned furniture store owner, Jonas Groft, she finds answers for both her daughter and her aunt. (Daisy lives in an unusual home renovated from an old barn along with her daughters Jasmine (16) and Violet (18). Their two cats, a tuxedo feline named Pepper and a dark tortoiseshell with a unique split colored face named Marjoram, are important members of their family.)
MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES on Amazon
MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES on Barnes and Noble
Do you like tea, scones, and salads? Then you might want to visit the fictional Daisy’s Tea Garden in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I have good news about the first book in the series MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES that includes mystery, a bit of romance and recipes. It will be on sale for a Kindle Deal from May 14-20, 2018 for $.99. It will also be on sale for $.99 on Nook May 16.
Daisy's Tea Garden has become a gathering place in Willow Creek, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania. Daisy, widowed mom of two teenagers--one at home and one who recently started college--along with her aunt Iris, are the proprietors. Although her aunt is in her golden years, she's enjoying the company of Harvey Fitz, wealthy CEO of Men's Trends. (Harvey's favorite snack at the tea garden are Lemon Tea Cakes.) The only problem is that Harvey isn't yet divorced. When Harvey is murdered on the tea garden's patio, Aunt Iris is the prime suspect. But Daisy soon discovers many residents of Willow Creek are suspects--from Harvey's soon to be ex-wife, to his children to his business colleagues. 
Daisy's focus has to be on her adopted daughter Jazzi (Jasmine) who wants to search for her birth parents. But with the help of a former detective turned furniture store owner, Jonas Groft, she finds answers for both her daughter and her aunt. (Daisy lives in an unusual home renovated from an old barn along with her daughters Jasmine (16) and Violet (18). Their two cats, a tuxedo feline named Pepper and a dark tortoiseshell with a unique split colored face named Marjoram, are important members of their family.) 
MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES on Amazon
MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES on Barnes and Noble
May 9, 2018
Faster, Faster, Faster!!!
National Bike to School Day. I was surprised to see this in that I didn’t think kids rode their bikes to school these days. I think it’s a great idea! Start the day with exercise and fresh air and trying to race your buddy. What’s more fun than that.I lived about two miles from school and walked every day till about the sixth grade when the parents finally figured I could ride to school and arrive in one piece.
These were the days of no helmets so no helmet hair. That was nice but still the hair looked like it was combed with an eggbeater by the time I got there. At first I didn’t care, I just loved the idea of riding my bike to school and getting there so much quicker. But then as the sixth grade wore on I realized I really didn’t like looking a mess so that meant a fix it job once I got to school. And of course I’d discovered boys and wanted to look nice.
But even this didn’t deter my love for riding my bike to school. I can still remember that bike. It was blue and I loved it. I named her Gretchen after some book character that I can’t think of right now but that bike was my ticked to more than getting to school fast it was my ticket to freedom. With a bike you can go so many places!The big problems was then and is now is the traffic. Now people are getting into the bike thing and there are bike paths! My daughter in NYC rides all over the city on her bike scaring the heck out of me. But she says the city is loaded with bike paths to make it much safer.So my question to you today is… Did you ride your bike to school? Do your kids? Do you have bike paths in your neighborhood?Keep on peddling.Hugs, Duffy
May 7, 2018
Coming This Summer
by Maggie SeftonI'm still relaxing near the Potomac River enjoying Springtime and will return to the super busy Northern Virginia Metro area later this week. I'll be joining with family for a fun and hectic family get-together for Mother's Day.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd mention my upcoming new Kelly Flynn Knitting mystery which will be released July 3rd of this year. DYEING UP LOOSE ENDS has a fascinating murder for Kelly to figure out. Plus---four years will have passed since the previous Kelly Flynn mystery ONLY SKEIN DEEP, so a lot has happened in all of the characters' lives, and I think readers will enjoy catching up on where each character is now and what they are doing.
And---the two younger characters, Cassie and Eric, are both now 20 years old and are sophomores at the local university---Colorado State University (in the real Fort Collins). And they have all sorts of plans for their lives as well.
So----don't forget to look for DYEING UP LOOSE ENDS this July. I think you will enjoy "catching up" with the characters. :)
May 6, 2018
IF YOU COULD RELIVE ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE
By Mary Kennedy
A local theater company is doing a production of Thornton Wilder's wonderful play, Our Town. The play is set in 1938 in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. When a young woman named Emily dies in childbirth, she realizes that she can relive just one day in her life. She decides to the return to the morning of her twelfth birthday. As Emily observes her family members, she has a heightened awareness of life and finds it painful to watch her family members take their time together for granted.
I asked a few close friends this question: "If you could relive one day in your life, what would it be?
Their answers were intriguing. No one mentioned the "big days" in their life--the sort of major milestones like their wedding day or college graduation or the day they landed a big job promotion.
Instead, they focused on days when they felt most connected to their loved ones.
One mother whose children were all grown up, said she'd like to return to one sunlit day in North Carolina when she took her young children berry-picking.
When they got back home, they all joined in, making a berry cobbler. It was a day that she and the children treasured.
Another friend recalled a wonderful sunset dinner she hosted for her parents and sister on the beach . It was a beautiful, balmy night and she was so happy to see her whole family reunited.
Another friend recalled a trip to Hana in Maui, Hawaii that she took with her fiance. If you've been there, you know that the road to Hana is wonderful and winding and can be rather treacherous! They had one mishap after another during the nine hour ride; a flat tire, a fender bender and they ran out of gas! But somehow they laughed through the entire series of misadventures and cemented their relationship.
How about you? If you could relive one day in your life, what would it be?
Mary Kennedy
A local theater company is doing a production of Thornton Wilder's wonderful play, Our Town. The play is set in 1938 in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. When a young woman named Emily dies in childbirth, she realizes that she can relive just one day in her life. She decides to the return to the morning of her twelfth birthday. As Emily observes her family members, she has a heightened awareness of life and finds it painful to watch her family members take their time together for granted.
I asked a few close friends this question: "If you could relive one day in your life, what would it be?
Their answers were intriguing. No one mentioned the "big days" in their life--the sort of major milestones like their wedding day or college graduation or the day they landed a big job promotion.
Instead, they focused on days when they felt most connected to their loved ones.
One mother whose children were all grown up, said she'd like to return to one sunlit day in North Carolina when she took her young children berry-picking.
When they got back home, they all joined in, making a berry cobbler. It was a day that she and the children treasured.
Another friend recalled a wonderful sunset dinner she hosted for her parents and sister on the beach . It was a beautiful, balmy night and she was so happy to see her whole family reunited.
Another friend recalled a trip to Hana in Maui, Hawaii that she took with her fiance. If you've been there, you know that the road to Hana is wonderful and winding and can be rather treacherous! They had one mishap after another during the nine hour ride; a flat tire, a fender bender and they ran out of gas! But somehow they laughed through the entire series of misadventures and cemented their relationship.
How about you? If you could relive one day in your life, what would it be?
Mary Kennedy
May 3, 2018
What about privacy?
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
For the past year, I've been watching a LOT of Youtube videos. So many younger-than-me women seem to have no problem showing off every aspect of their lives. They post videos that invite you to watch them clean their houses. To meet their children. To investigate their closets, explore under their kitchen and bathroom sinks, and some of them seem to have no shame when these places are filthy and littered with mouse droppings and/or worse.
How did this happen? Was it the advent of (so-called) reality television? Where everybody and anybody wants their 15 minutes of fame, even if it means showing their home in the midst of a hoarding situation?
How does someone like me, who is encouraged to engage in social media on a daily basis, handle such an onslaught?
Judiciously.
Yes, I have made a few videos. I have two Youtube channels. My book video channel and my Lorraine's Fun Stuff channel. One thing you won't be seeing much on the latter is ME. I don't feel comfortable in front of a camera. I like to think of myself as an okay photographer, but don't put me in front of one. There are very few photos of me taken these past 20 years. I have never had a professional author photo taken because ... I just don't like to be photographed. These days there is far too much "shaming" on social media. Just the other day, one of my FB friends posted that she had been fat shamed in a restaurant because she dared to order chicken salad.
Chicken salad is now something to be shamed for eating? Holy crap! If so, I'm in big trouble!
Yes, I like to see the home tours that are displayed on Youtube. They're fun ... but showing the outside of your home, and telling what city you live in? Isn't that just an invitation for someone to come and rob you--or worse? And showing pictures of your children or grandchildren knowing how many perverts are out there? Okay, as Mr. L likes to say, I am definitely paranoid.
And what about Facebook's admission that our data--and I was informed mine was among that, even though I did NOT download an app that was the cause of the problem. One of my "friends" did and now my FB data is compromised. Thanks, friend. NOT. Luckily, I don't post anything of a private nature. Okay, I've told my readers of my ongoing grief over losing my cats--and on this venue as well--but I never tell people where I go, or what I do. And if I do, it's after the fact. Sometimes weeks after the fact.
Readers want to be connected to their favorite authors, and I get that. I'm a fan, too. But compromising one's safety or that of their loved ones is far too easy these days.
Does that make me an old fart? Maybe. But some things should just remain private.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
How about you?
For the past year, I've been watching a LOT of Youtube videos. So many younger-than-me women seem to have no problem showing off every aspect of their lives. They post videos that invite you to watch them clean their houses. To meet their children. To investigate their closets, explore under their kitchen and bathroom sinks, and some of them seem to have no shame when these places are filthy and littered with mouse droppings and/or worse.
How did this happen? Was it the advent of (so-called) reality television? Where everybody and anybody wants their 15 minutes of fame, even if it means showing their home in the midst of a hoarding situation?How does someone like me, who is encouraged to engage in social media on a daily basis, handle such an onslaught?
Judiciously.
Yes, I have made a few videos. I have two Youtube channels. My book video channel and my Lorraine's Fun Stuff channel. One thing you won't be seeing much on the latter is ME. I don't feel comfortable in front of a camera. I like to think of myself as an okay photographer, but don't put me in front of one. There are very few photos of me taken these past 20 years. I have never had a professional author photo taken because ... I just don't like to be photographed. These days there is far too much "shaming" on social media. Just the other day, one of my FB friends posted that she had been fat shamed in a restaurant because she dared to order chicken salad.
Chicken salad is now something to be shamed for eating? Holy crap! If so, I'm in big trouble!Yes, I like to see the home tours that are displayed on Youtube. They're fun ... but showing the outside of your home, and telling what city you live in? Isn't that just an invitation for someone to come and rob you--or worse? And showing pictures of your children or grandchildren knowing how many perverts are out there? Okay, as Mr. L likes to say, I am definitely paranoid.
And what about Facebook's admission that our data--and I was informed mine was among that, even though I did NOT download an app that was the cause of the problem. One of my "friends" did and now my FB data is compromised. Thanks, friend. NOT. Luckily, I don't post anything of a private nature. Okay, I've told my readers of my ongoing grief over losing my cats--and on this venue as well--but I never tell people where I go, or what I do. And if I do, it's after the fact. Sometimes weeks after the fact.
Readers want to be connected to their favorite authors, and I get that. I'm a fan, too. But compromising one's safety or that of their loved ones is far too easy these days.Does that make me an old fart? Maybe. But some things should just remain private.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
How about you?
Ways to Pretty Up Your Outdoor Space
by Karen Rose Smith
This is the time of year I appreciate most when winter fades into a growing season that brings color back to the gardens. Once a home decorator, I enjoy freshening up and decorating outside, too...to pretty up the patio and our outdoor space. Here's how I go about it.
FLOWER POTS IN VARIOUS SIZES
From plastic pots that looks like ceramic to actual ceramic to clay, they all pretty up a patio when filled with greenery and flowers. I like colorful plastic that looks like ceramic (WalMart always has a selection) because I can find bright colors. They are also easier to handle because they are lighter. We have a store called "Ollie's" that brings in a truckload of pots every spring.We have found some beautiful ceramic pots there for $10-15 in sizes from large to small. I prefer ceramic and plastic to clay because the clay pots don't hold water as well, especially as we move deeper into summer heat. Make groupings as you would with wall decorations around your patio furniture. You can also add hanging pots on ground hooks for a different and lush feel.
SOLAR LIGHTS
Solar lights and decorative items add enjoyment to your patio time. Not only do we enjoy the glow when we're sitting on the patio in the evenings, but even when I'm in the house and look out at the patio in the dark, those soft glowing lights are welcoming. This solar cat is a new addition to our patio year and glows blue!
HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Each spring I look forward to hanging hummingbird feeders. It might take a little while for them to put you on their trail, but they'll find the feeders...especially if you plant phlox, zinnias, coneflowers and hummingbird mint in your gardens. It's an amazing sight to be sitting on the patio and having the hummingbirds flit from flowers to feeders. They're beautiful, happy little essences of nature.
FLOWERS
Around the patio I try to plan gardens with blooming times in mind. I like to always have something blooming. In the spring, we go from daffodils and tulips to poppies and roses. Zinnias, phlox, marigolds and snapdragons see us through the summer.
FOUNTAINS
Fountains can give a peaceful feel to your patio. We don't have our fountains on the patio itself, but close by in the garden where we can hear them. Fountains attract birds and hummingbirds.
ORNAMENTS
Come spring, I hang an ornament...just for the fun of it... in the garden or from an overhang. It usually involves a lot of sparkle with beads. My sister-in-law created the totem below with vintage glassware
PATIO FURNITURE
Patio furniture can add pizzazz to your patio. But it doesn't have to be new or expensive. A can of spray paint can work wonders. Over 50 years ago, my dad gave my mom two patio chairs that are the most comfortable I've ever sat in. Each year we refresh the color. For the past few years, this bright blue coordinates with the other blues on our patio. That chair gives me a sense of connection to the past.
We refresh our patio with flowers as well as items we've collected over the years. It's a space for relaxation and peace and prettying up the space is a joyous undertaking each spring. I hope you enjoy your outdoor space as much as we enjoy ours.
This is the time of year I appreciate most when winter fades into a growing season that brings color back to the gardens. Once a home decorator, I enjoy freshening up and decorating outside, too...to pretty up the patio and our outdoor space. Here's how I go about it.
FLOWER POTS IN VARIOUS SIZES
From plastic pots that looks like ceramic to actual ceramic to clay, they all pretty up a patio when filled with greenery and flowers. I like colorful plastic that looks like ceramic (WalMart always has a selection) because I can find bright colors. They are also easier to handle because they are lighter. We have a store called "Ollie's" that brings in a truckload of pots every spring.We have found some beautiful ceramic pots there for $10-15 in sizes from large to small. I prefer ceramic and plastic to clay because the clay pots don't hold water as well, especially as we move deeper into summer heat. Make groupings as you would with wall decorations around your patio furniture. You can also add hanging pots on ground hooks for a different and lush feel.
SOLAR LIGHTS
Solar lights and decorative items add enjoyment to your patio time. Not only do we enjoy the glow when we're sitting on the patio in the evenings, but even when I'm in the house and look out at the patio in the dark, those soft glowing lights are welcoming. This solar cat is a new addition to our patio year and glows blue!
HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Each spring I look forward to hanging hummingbird feeders. It might take a little while for them to put you on their trail, but they'll find the feeders...especially if you plant phlox, zinnias, coneflowers and hummingbird mint in your gardens. It's an amazing sight to be sitting on the patio and having the hummingbirds flit from flowers to feeders. They're beautiful, happy little essences of nature.
FLOWERS
Around the patio I try to plan gardens with blooming times in mind. I like to always have something blooming. In the spring, we go from daffodils and tulips to poppies and roses. Zinnias, phlox, marigolds and snapdragons see us through the summer.FOUNTAINS
Fountains can give a peaceful feel to your patio. We don't have our fountains on the patio itself, but close by in the garden where we can hear them. Fountains attract birds and hummingbirds.
ORNAMENTS
Come spring, I hang an ornament...just for the fun of it... in the garden or from an overhang. It usually involves a lot of sparkle with beads. My sister-in-law created the totem below with vintage glassware
PATIO FURNITUREPatio furniture can add pizzazz to your patio. But it doesn't have to be new or expensive. A can of spray paint can work wonders. Over 50 years ago, my dad gave my mom two patio chairs that are the most comfortable I've ever sat in. Each year we refresh the color. For the past few years, this bright blue coordinates with the other blues on our patio. That chair gives me a sense of connection to the past.
We refresh our patio with flowers as well as items we've collected over the years. It's a space for relaxation and peace and prettying up the space is a joyous undertaking each spring. I hope you enjoy your outdoor space as much as we enjoy ours.
May 2, 2018
Grab the Grill
Okay, its spring in Cincy...finally. Actually we went from having the heat on this past weekend to 80 tomorrow. We never get spring here so much as we get winner...that’s where winter and summer meet and crowd out spring altogether.In the South they have two months of spring
where everything is in bloom. It’s kind of a progression from azaleas to daffodils and tulips then the big bang of the magnolias. So now that it’s finally warm here and I can go outside without a jacket...Yippeeeee...the first thing I want is something grilled. I’m dying to throw on the charcoal and bring out something cow or pig and light the match.
Through rain, sleet, snow and ice some true grillers are at it all year long. I have to admit I’m pretty much a fair weather griller. Oh I can put up with rain but come winter I’m hunkered down inside with my slow cooker and oven.IMHO there’s nothing better than a burger on the grill! I saw somewhere that to get the perfect burger you put an ice cube in the middle. Really? Anyone do that?
So my question to you is... Do you have a secret for grilling your fave food? A special rub, BBQ sauce for your grilled chicken? Special spices for the best roasted corn ever?This is so making me hungry!
