Welcome to my
Perfectly Imperfect Life..........

Friday, August 26, 2016

Clock Makeover



One of the projects I finished for the living room was a clock.
Remember this little clock I picked up for 10 cents?

Plugged in my hot glue gun, pulled out my tote of jewelry
and I was ready to play!


I took her apart and put a "new" face on her
then dressed her up in my finest junk jewelry.


Two vintage bracelets frame her face,
vintage pearl clip earrings that were my 
Aunt's hug each bottom corner,
and some of Mom's vintage buttons cover the sides.


Here she is after her girlie makeover.
Lots of vintage jewelry, buttons and pearls
make my heart go pitter pat :)

She's ready to help me stay on time along with the other's 

spaced throughout my home ;)

I'm sneaking in another before photo ;)

After :)

You know I'm always on the lookout for a little clock..
big clock..any clock that starts whispering to me ♥ 



I guess you could say I have a thing for clocks......

and vintage jewelry...and old buttons....and bits and bobs... and..well,
I guess I have a thing for a lot of things


The Evolution of a Gazebo


When I saw this gazebo I fell in love and bought it.
I had one area left in the backyard from where the playground was when my youngest were little and from my Daycare days.

Once the playground was gone, an above ground pool went in and after a few years it just sat, so off it went to a family who would enjoy it.

That are sat for a few years until I finally got my gazebo - L♥VE.

The photo above was probably taken about a year after I got it.
Still fresh and ''new'' looking.
B salvaged 3/4 of the front arch you see,
and built a matching side to make it complete.
It became my entrance.
He did a beautiful job and couldn't ask for
anything more beautiful to go with my gazebo ~
did I mention I have always wanted a gazebo?

I planted Cecil Brunner climbing roses on each side of the arch,
in loving memory of my Mother.
I remember pulling up and parking - getting out of the car and being hit with that intoxicating fragrance.
She had a huge Cecil Brunner bush rose in the front parking area.
I hunted and hunted but couldn't find it in bush form so that's when the idea of the climbers came into play.
You can see one side starting to climb the arch.
Have never figured out why one grew so fast and the other slowly.


I happened upon these huge shutter doors at an estate sale,
wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but they were so cheap I couldn't leave them there. After a bit it came to me!
Mock French doors looking out to a row of Lilacs I had planted along the fence. That's what my minds eye saw anyway.
Unfortunately, I lost all but a couple of my
Lilacs due to the severe drought we are in.
All were from my Mom's plants. :(

Cecil getting it's groove on!

Along the sides of the gazebo I planted
Honeysuckle (also from Mom's garden).
Another wonderful scent from my childhood.
I wanted the gazebo to eventually be closed in by plants,
a private room if you will.


I also found a couple of old windows.
I knew exactly where they were going.
I hung them with strong chain so that when they became
covered with Honeysuckle they'd be strong enough to hold up.
I could see this area enclosed with just the windows to see through.

By this time a few years had passed and the cover had been torn and ripped from the weather. I went to the company's site and ordered another one after hesitating for a good long while.
The cover was almost the same price as what I had paid for the entire gazebo!  What a rip off!
I caved and bought it.

When it arrived we all went out to put it on.
We struggled and struggled.
I had ordered the exact cover from the exact gazebo we purchased but this one didn't fit perfectly as the original did.
The seams wouldn't match up with the frame's ''arms''.
Too tired to take it back off to send it back, we just made do.
It just looked wonky, like we had put it on crooked.
After 10-12 attempts all different ways,
I assure you it wasn't us!

Next I made a solar chandy.
There was a vent hole in the center of the
cover so sun was able to enter and charge.




A neighbor tossed out a partial bed frame
which I snagged for a ''fence/trellis''.
You can see both in this photo.


Here we go,
the cover is starting to tear.


Once it starts



 

Fast forward to Spring 2016


Arch covered in blooming Cecil Brunner


''French doors'' too


B and T bought me another climbing Cecil Brunner
for the opposite side of the gazebo.
It is covering one of the pieces of bed frame.


Other piece of bed frame supports plants


Cecil just about covers gazebo roof


Between the Cecil Brunner and the Honeysuckle
this is the little section left for it to cover!
Perfect!

You're probably thinking all those scents would drive you crazy -
they all bloom at different times.
When one is done, another is just starting.
They all bring back sweet memories of growing up
and playing out in Mom's ''Gawgun''.

If you are looking for some Unique Garden Gazebo Ideas,
 there are some great ones I found here.

Sometimes it's hard to figure out which will look best with your garden style

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Fruit Infused Waters


We're back in the triple digits here.
Sweating like dogs, well, not actually - dogs don't sweat
but I digress.

Drinking water like crazy, but sometimes you just crave something a little different. So I've been making fruit infused waters again this year. They just add a slight flavor to the water making them very refreshing. They are also hydrating and detoxifying. 

Watermelon is our all time favorite. After slicing up the melon I cut up the rind into small pieces toss in a handful at a time into the infuser, muddle, add some more and so on. Let it sit overnight and I have my own yummy flavored water the next day.


I thought for sure I was going to lose my Nectarine, 
the fruit was really small and the tree had fallen to the side. I propped it up with a couple of cans and gave it extra water.
Come Fall I plan to stake it properly,
in this heat I don't want to disturb it at all.


This drought has not been kind to my garden. 
Limited watering has taken it's toll on a lot of my plants, 
losing many established 10 + year olds.

But it surprised me and came through!
The fruit may not be as big as in past years or as many,
 but they are just as sweet.



They make great tasting infused water ~ it tastes like Summer :)


When the Grapes came in I used them to make infused water also.
Sorry didn't get a chance to get a photo of the pitcher. 
Between the water being drunken and the fruit being eaten so fast, they were all gone before I knew it!
  

The Figs are ripening now. I try to get out every morning to pick them, but with all the Drs. appointments the kids have, it's been hard. With this heat wave they ferment so quickly on the tree a lot end up in the compost pile :(
I usually have 4 -5 for breakfast, love picking them fresh off the tree and eating them right in the garden!
It was my 4 day weekend with Izzy recently and she like figs too! I was kind of surprised, I thought the seeds would throw her off, 
but they are so sweet - I think that's what she liked ;)



If I have more than we can eat I will try infusing water 
with them this year.

It's really hard not to can and make jams like I usually do. 
But since I'm on a minimal carb diet (thanks Doc)
 jams aren't something I can have. 
I'm not even suppose to have any fruit or veggies...but it's Summer! We usually eat what we grow. It's odd not having a veg garden this year too.

Yeh, I'm cheating by having fruit for breakfast.
And by having the infused waters, but it's so difficult to get your mind turned around from what you were taught your whole life - ''fruit and veggies are good for you'' - to now eat more protein.
The kids labs show they are very low on protein, well maybe that's because meat is so expensive! duh!

I give, we are doing the best we can. Trying to eat healthy, but tomorrow, the ''all knowing'' will change their minds. What's good for you one day isn't the next. All I know is I never thought I'd say I MISS ZUCCHINI!!!

Keep cool!



I'm joining:

The Dedicated House  ~ Make it Pretty Monday
Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Projects Inspire(d)
Coastal Charm ~ Show and Share Party
Kathe with an E ~ Your Going to Love it Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday's
Knick of Time Interiors ~ Vintage Inspiration Party Wednesday
A Delightsome Life ~ Home and Garden Thursday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen ~ Share Your Cup Thursday
Milas Little Things ~ Idea Box Thursday
Posed in Perfection ~ Creative Ways Link Party
French Country Cottage ~ Feathered Nest Friday
A Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home
Shabby Art Boutique ~ Shabbilicious Friday 
Life with Lorelai ~ Home Matters 
Reviews, Chews and How-To's ~Awesome Life Friday
Rooted in Thyme ~ Sweet and Simple Fridays
The Cottage Market ~  Junkin Joe
Crafts a la Mode ~ What To Do Weekends 
The ROSEGARDEN in Malevik ~ Saturday Show Off
Pieced Pastimes ~ Saturday Sparks
Life on Lake Shore Drive  ~ Party Time at Bouquet of Talent
Across the Blvd ~ Snickerdoodle Sunday 

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Over The Moon!!!!








The Newton clan has had a very unbelievably long scary weekend with several life altering moments throughout, which we all made it through with God's help.

And again with God's help I am happy to announce

that 

Melissa's pricey Remicade Infusion copays ($775. per infusion + $50. each visit) are being picked up by
The Ankylosing Spondylitis Assistance Program!!!

This medication will help her so much with her pain management.
YIPPEE!!!!!

I'm joining:

Create with Joy ~ Wordless Wednesday
Oh My Heartsie Girl  ~ Wordless Wednesday
Be There 2 Day ~ Wordless Wednesday
Crafty Spices ~ Wordless Wednesday
Talbert Zoo ~  Wordless Wednesday
image-in-ing ~  Weekly Photo Link-up
Moms Own Words  ~  Wordless Wednesday
Tots and Me ~ Wordless Wednesday
 


Snug Indestructible Rubber Dog Balls Review #dogballreview



Snug Indestructible Rubber Dog Balls


-Colorful rubber dog balls are perfect for fetch and other games
-3-in-1 – Get 3 different multi-vibrant colored balls with each individual pack
-All natural, heavy duty rubber is thick, tough and durable
-BPA free – Never worry about your dog’s health as these are 100% safe for all pets
-Easy-to-clean, great for pools, ponds and the outdoors. Measures same as standard tennis ball – 6.5cm/2.5” in diameter

Product Description

Make the most of your time with your pet!
Play in the park, by the pool or just in the backyard with your dog and have the best times with these outdoor dog balls. Great for fetch or other games, these rubber dog balls can turn a boring afternoon into hours of fun for you and your pet! These dog ball toys will float in water and the smooth surface is easy to clean - simply rinse with warm soapy water.
Multiple colors and 3-in-1 pack!
Our dog balls feature two different colors each and there are 3 individual balls included in this pack. Colors include combinations of blue, orange, purple, pink, red, and yellow. Multiple colors make these balls clearly visible in all environments and easily distinguishable from other pet toys.
Made with thick, heavy duty natural rubber
Does your dog chew all its toys to pieces? Don't worry-near indestructible, these dog balls are made from heavy duty, high quality rubber which ensures that they'll withstand even the most aggressive chewers. The thickness and durability of these toys mean they'll last you and your pet well into the future.
BPA free and 100% safe
There are no harmful toxins or compounds included in the manufacturing of this product-each rubber dog ball is 100% BPA-free and perfectly safe for your pets. Safety is guaranteed by our high manufacturing standards and by the quality of the materials used for these toys. We know the safety of your pet is your top concern, and that's why it's ours too.
Standard tennis ball size fits any dog ball launcher
These balls measure 6.5cm/2.5" in diameter, the standard size for toys of this type and the same size as a tennis ball. This means they will easily fit any standard dog ball launcher that you already own.


The Review

The balls come packaged in a net bag



with a cardboard hang tag which easily opens without scissors.

 
Included are 3 color combos - blue/red, blue/yellow, and blue/orange.

(All for me? at once? I'm so confused!!!!!)
 
The balls have a good weight and feel good in your hand - solid, not squishy. They have a good bounce on hard flooring
and even bounce on carpet.




The size of a tennis ball, perfect for my son's Amstaff who LOVES her tennis balls. She loves fetching, catching, chasing, and of course, chewing them.




We do however need to work on sharing!
Katie may not like to chew, but she likes to chase :)


These balls exhausted her several times
(with her claiming all at times!)


and held up to their claim, indestructible. 
They have lasted with no damage to them thus far.
Awesome!



Snug Indestructible Rubber Dog Balls are quality made with strong chewing, hard playing dogs in mind. If you have a dog that destroys their toys, balls, etc., you definitely will want to give these a try!



 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a
discounted price from the company. Regardless, all opinions expressed are 
my honest opinions based on my personal experiences. 

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