Starfruit in my yard and Awards

I did a post a while back of our backyard. We grow lots of flowers but we also grow some very different things. This is a picture of our Starfruit tree. Have you seen one growing? It is technically a large shrub or small tree. It loves warm weather, but can stand cold temps down to the 30's at night. Can you see the Starfruit?



Can you see them now? They look like yellow leaves the way they hide in the center of the tree. Now is the time of year when they bear tons of fruit and they ripen right away and are so yummy. If you havn't eaten one they have the texture of a watermelon and the flavor of a loquat. I personally think they taste like a cross between a watermelon and a cantelope.



This is a close up of fresh ones off the tree. Just pick and wash and get ready to eat.



When you cut across the fruit they look like stars. I think the shape is so pretty in a fruit salad or topping ice cream. I also love to eat them just like they are as a snack. See the little seeds. There are clubs all across the country called Rare Fruit Growers where you can find out information about Starfruit and other kinds of rare fruit trees to grow, or you can grow them from seed. Cut through the fruit carefully so not to cut the tiny seeds. Wash seeds carefully and dry them. Plant them in good potting soil in a pot. They can be grown in a pot for several years. If you live in a cooler climate they can be placed in front of a window inside and when the weather warms put outside in full sun. From seed it will take about 3 to 4 yrs. to bear fruit, but in the meantime they do have pretty leaves that stay green all year long. Try one, they are such fun.

This past week I have been honored with three wonderful awards from some of the nicest people in the world.

The SISTERHOOD Award was given to me by Vanna @ http://lvroftiques.blogspot.com and Susan @ http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com



The Let's Be Friends Award was given to me by Shelia @ http://notesongs.blogspot.com



The If The Shoe Fits Wear It Award was given to me by Heidi @ http://bargainhuntinginthecorn.blogspot.com



All of these ladies are so witty, clever, creative, funny and just downright the nicest people you would ever want to meet. If you havn't visited their blogs you have really missed a real treat. They are very caring and loving and you will laugh, dream and be inspired by all of them. I know I'm suppossed to pass these on to others, so I am doing that just now. If you are reading this, then you are tagged and I would love for you to take all of them. I know you all so deserve it. I do appreciate these awards and all the wonderful people that pay me a visit. You guys make my stroll thru life so much nicer and I sincerely thank you.

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Starfruit in my yard and Awards

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Metamorphosis Monday ~~mini met~~

Welcome to my new blog and thanks for stopping by. Thanks to Susan from BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH, http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/, for hosting Metamorphosis Monday. This is my first time participating. I had planned to post my laundry room but the paint is drying as I type and the new appliances arrive on Tuesday. So for this Met Monday I would like to share an ottoman slipcover I made.
My friend from work gave me the ottoman but I wanted a change from the blue velvet. I also like when a piece can serve more than one purpose or be moved to other spots in our home. When I get a chair or two, or a loveseat, for the bay window in our bedroom, the ottoman can always be used there too. I chose a white denim fabric because I like a lot of whites and neutrals in our bedroom. The denim will also launder easily if one of the kids puts a sticky hand on it. Although I have made several slipcovers for couches, loveseats and chairs, I am by no means an expert seamstress. I hold, tuck, cut, pin, measure, guess, re-adjust, and hope for the best. I have yet to try welting/cording but hope to soon. Like the Nester http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/ says, 'it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful'.
This is the before:


Some in progress shots:








Now maybe I need to make a pillow for it. Thanks for stopping by for Met Monday and make sure you check out the other Met Monday projects.

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Metamorphosis Monday ~~mini met~~

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Making Drapes ~ Awards ~ Show and Tell Friday

Thanks to Kelli @ http://kellishouse.blogspot.com for hosting this Show and Tell Friday. Please be sure and go by her house to see a list of all the other participants. You won't want to miss a one.



First I want to thank Luanne @http://allinadayswork.blogspot.com for presenting me with this GOLD STAR BLOG AWARD. You can also reach Luanne @ http://blueeyedtango.blogspot.com I first met Luanne at Micasa and since we have become very good friends. She is so talented and such a really sweet lady. She paints beautiful murals, raises horses, decorates, enjoys her family and lives on a gorgeous farm. Be sure to go by and visit her, you will so enjoy her blog. Thanks so much Luanne, you're a special friend.


Let's make some drapes.
Since so many of you have commented on the drapes that I made for my Living Room and commented that you didn't know how to make them, I thought I would give you a really short sewing lesson and let you see how very easy they really are to make.



This picture shows the two fabrics I used. Just sew the two pieces together and cover the seam with a fringe or braid. Makes it look really custom.



I cut the my drapery fabric 9ft. long. For lining I use a twin sheet from Walmart that only costs $4, much cheaper than lining fabric. Cut off 12" on one side of the sheet and all the hemmed edges except the big top hem. Place right sides together with the big hem placed 9" from the bottom of the drapery fabric. The sheet will not come quite to the top of the fabric, that's ok. Just sew the two sides together.







Turn right side out. You almost have a drapery panel.



Make sure that you have the fabric smoothed out and the two returns of the drapery fabric on the sides even. Fold the top down 6" and then fold under 1/2" and either hand stitch or sew on machine if the stitching won't show on the front.



Press carefully, making sure to keep a really straight edge on both sides of the panel so your return facing is straight and to insure the drape will hang smooth and even.




The photo below shows the back side of the drape all sewn and pressed. I am going to sheer this panel on a rod, so I sewed another seam 2" down from the top to make a pocket for the rod. However you could either make pleats now or hang from rings or clips. You've just made a drape.




This picture shows the front side of the top with the rod pocket.



Since you used a sheet your lining hem is already done. Yeah, that's one step you don't have to do. Turn the bottom up a double 4" for the hem. A double hem gives the drape weight so it will hang smooth. Blind stitch hem and you're done. Now you can hang it and enjoy your handywork. Congratulations, that was easy wasn't it?

Thank you so much for stopping by, I always enjoy your visits. Hugs, Marty

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New Washer/Dryer and Laundry room re-do coming soon

Our Kenmore washer broke this week. Again. It was supposedly a 'Super Heavy Duty Extra Capacity' pair. The first set we had as newlyweds in our first home lasted 12 years, with often young family members staying with us while attending college. Loads and loads. When it was no longer worth repairing them, we replaced them with very similar model, also Kenmore from Sears (Canada). Big Mistake. When the washer broke in less than a year, we knew to buy the extended warranty. When it broke again, they came and 'fixed' the washer. Clothes should not still feel very wet when they come out, but they did. Extra spin cycle and extra dry time. Now, less than four years since purchase, Sears refused to extend the warranty. We were told they were not obligated to send to us or call us for extended warranty renewal. Funny how they call almost weekly for us to extend the fridge, stove, range-micro and dehumidifier! When the washer broke again this week, we decided enough was enough. Out with the Kenmores. Our hydro and water consumption, let alone the environment, will benefit. I did some research, keeping our budget in mind, and picked a mid-line washer and dryer pair from Maytag. Some had great features, cute colours, etc. but I was looking for affordable with the features I KNOW I will actually use. This weekend I will paint (out goes the 10 year old painted stencil) while awaiting their delivery Tuesday. After that some updating of decor for our oh so small second floor laundry. Now I'm off to check out some laundry rooms for inspiration.

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A New Award

For a while now I have loved reading all the wonderful blogs that everyone posts, and finally decided to join in on the fun. It is so thrilling to meet new people and to make new friends. This is such a warm and loving community. My heart is just thrilled when I see how everyone rally's around each other to pray, to laugh to encourage and to just be a part of their daily lives. I so agree with Ann @ http://lifeatannsplace.blogspot.com. that this wonderful community could give the world lessons in loving, accepting and caring for one another. She has honored me with the most wonderful award. The Best Blog Daily Thinker.

The rules are to post it on your blog and pass it on to 10 other deserving bloggers. There are so many of you, in fact all of you, however I finally narrowed my list down to these 10.
1. Debbie @ Congessions of a Plate Addict http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com.
2. Christine @ Christine's Home and Travel Adventures http://christineshomeandtraveladventures.blogspot.com.
3. Kathy @ Emptynester http://emptynester.blogspot.com.
4. Cyndi @ Life on the Prairies http://lifeontheprairies.blogspot.com.
5. Mumzie @ Mumzie's Pumpkin Place http://mumziespumpkinplace.blogspot.com.
6. Barb @ Grits and Glamour http://gritsandglamour.blogspot.com.
7. Ellie Mae @ The Twins Mama http://thetwinsmama.blogspot.com.
8. CC @ Catherine De The Cups http://catherinedethecups.blogspot.com.
9. Lori @ Basketball, Gymnastics and Me http://basketballgymnasticsandme.blogspot.com.
10. Shelia @ Note Songs http://notesongs.blogspot.com.

I am truly honored to receive this award and in my heart I believe everyone in our blogworld deserves it. Hugs, Marty

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$28 Bathroom Redo ~ Metamorphois Monday

Thanks again to Susan for hosting this wonderful Metamorphois Monday. Be sure to visit her at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to see all the fabulous posts. With so many talented women, you will not want to miss any of them.

Today I would like to show you my bathroom transformation and I would like to offer two apologies. First many of you have already seen this picture, and second I do not have a before picture. However since I think someone somewhere made a mold of this bathroom and gave it to every builder in the country and they just stamped them out by the hundreds or thousands, a picture probably really isn't needed. It's the standard big mirror, cultured marble counter, sink and tub surround with basic cabinetry and the cheapest faucet they could find. I have had my decorating skills challenged with having this bathroom in my last two homes.



With a new home and many projects that need to be done and the fact that my money tree is suffering from extreme drought and frost bite, I really needed to be creative. I started digging for accessories and decided a tropical theme would be in order. So armed with a plan I mixed 3 colors of leftover paint together for the walls, $18 for 3yds. of fabric for the drape, $5 for the bamboo rod, $3 for the tissue box I painted with a bamboo design, and $1 each for the soap box and mirror from the Dollar store. The clock and vase I had and the floral arrangement was made from remnants of several older ones. It may not be a remodel, but for now it will do and I really like the color and tropical feel that it has. Just another example of what we can do using what we have and using our imagination.

Thanks for stopping by, I always enjoy your visits. Hugs, Marty

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Goodwill Shopping ~ Show and Tell Friday

Thanks to Kelli @ http://kellishouse.blogspot.com for hosting this Show and Tell Friday. Please be sure and visit her to see all the other participants and their show and tell posts.

My new favorite place to shop is Goodwill. I have had such fun finding great things to decorate with and wonderful dishes to add to my collection. This past week I've made several trips to the two that are near me and picked up more treasures, so I thought I'd share my latest finds.

On a previous post I showed you all the white dishes that I found, and now I've been on the search for accessories and serving pieces to go with them. I love these pretty candlesticks and the colors and flowers just looked so like spring. (Sorry, I just noticed one of the candles was crooked.)



The tea set went so well with the candlesticks and had the same pretty colors and flowers. The teapot was $2 and the cups were $1 each. So pretty for an afternoon tea on the patio.



The little bunny would be perfect to hold a few cookies to enjoy with the tea. He cost $2.



Isn't he just the sweetest thing.



The little basket would be lovely with some fresh flowers from the yard. I love the tulips and the raised design. It was $2.



Isn't it great that the basket has different flowers on each side.



This gorgeous lattice bread basket will be perfect to go with all my new white dishes and for only $4.



The raised flowers on this large bowl match one set of plates that I found on a previous shopping trip. A great piece for $3.



I was thrilled with all these latest finds and hope you enjoyed seeing them. Some of you have also found some wonderful furniture and linens at your Goodwill. I did go through the linen section these trips and although I didn't find anything that fit my color scheme, there were many lovely things. I'm sure that section will become a favorite also. If you havn't been to your Goodwill in a while, give it a try, you just might find some great treasures too.

Thanks for stopping by, I always love it when you come to visit. Hugs, Marty

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Learning and many names

I thought I would share one photo from my first attempt at a tablescape some months ago. I said then that I need more practice and to collect some more goodies. I am still trying to do this. I was Northern01 on RMS back then. Then I started leaving comments (always kind I hope) as Elizabeth. While drifting around blog land I came across another blogger with the name 'Elizabeth'. I decided to change mine to 'Elizabeth in Ontario' a while back so as not to be a copycat or whatever. All these names became so confusing. When I set up my new blog I decided on 'blue clear sky' and after much fumbling around I think my comments will now be as 'Elizabeth blue clear sky'. I hope. Thanks to Susan at BetweenNapsOnThePorch for sending me some directions. I am open to more suggestions especially if it helps me as I stumble around Dashboard/postings etc. Thanks also for the kind comments left by some bloggers I admire so much.

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Learning and many names

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blue clear sky~~my new blog

Hi, after spending some time at Rate my space I found my way to several of your blogs. I found that while many people were very kind, others were not. I decided to follow the kind people, who happen to have great style, too. I was thrilled to find mysweetsavannah, Susan from BetweenNapsOnThePorch, and Gollum. I admire mom_of_german_shorthair on RMS for her kind comments too. Through their blogs I found others who also inspire me, Just Beachy, Restyled Home, The Lettered Cottage, My Romantic Home, Back Porch Musings and others. I searched their older posts for inspiration and checked in almost daily for new posts. I have added comments to some and joined my first (and only so far) Tablescape Tuesday (oops Thursday now) thanks to Susan. While I have many great ideas, I struggle sometimes to decorate my home the way I dream of (my budget, confidence and time often get in the way.) I also struggle with defining my style. I like so many things! I want a bit of western rustic and at the same time a northern lakeside or beach feel. I also like some romantic and elegant touches too. So confusing. I will continue to visit my favourite blogs for inspiration, laughs, tears, etc. but I hope that by having a blog of my own, I will be able to more easily join weekly blogging events. I have a lot to learn but I hope to have fun on the journey.




images: HGTV DreamHomes

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Living Room Summer Look ~ Met. Monday

Thanks again to Susan for hosting this wonderful Metamorphois Monday. Be sure to visit her @http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to see all the wonderful posts.

When we moved into our new home and I discovered that my carpet wasn't beige but cocoa, I couldn't use my favorite reds and golds. The red made the carpet look pink and the gold made the carpet look dirty. So I finally found some dark peach tones and pulled the room together with cocoa, chocolate and peach. Looked good to me and so there it stayed. I have never been one to change things very often. Just put it together and leave it alone. Then I started seeing all the beautiful rooms you gals change all the time and my dear friend Kathysue changes hers for the seasons, so one day I told her I thought it would be nice to have a cooler summer look since we live in the desert. Now this lady has more decorating talent that accidentally drips off her little finger than I have in my whole body. She immediately said "Oh, I think a cool blue/green, linen and white would look great". Perfect, so off to the fabric store I went.

These two pictures are the before with peach.




I found three great fabrics. One with tulips, a stripe and a plaid. The tulip linen was on sale for $3yd, the stripe is an outdoor fabric and the plaid is a tablecloth from Ross. I thought the colors worked great together, and inexpensive at the same time. Out came the sewing machine and off to work I went.





I had already been collecting white dishes and accessories from frequent shopping trips to the Goodwill, so I started pulling everything out and trying my hand at tabletop vignettes with all my thrifty finds.



The fairies I borrowed out of the yard and with a new coat of whitewash, they looked great. Isn't that little face just precious.



All of the accessories are my Goodwill treasures or things I already had.



I used my grandmother's platter as a tray for the tea set, and her little glass candleholders. These were always on her table.



I thought a luncheon size tablecloth looked more casual for summer. Notice how the blue/green pops out in the painting. Somehow I never noticed that before.



Even the books on the end table are from Goodwill.



I love the much cooler look of the room, it just seems so refreshing to walk through it. Now when the summer months hit those all too often 110 and 120 degrees, I can think of cool breezes and ocean waters. Well, I can dream anyway. Thank all of you ladies for always inspiring, and most of all thank you Kathysue, you're a special friend.

I appreciate you stopping by, I always look forward to your visits. Hugs, Marty

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