Dragonfly Treasure

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Fairy Gnome Garden Made by the Kids

What do you do when you're working on your Fairy Garden

and the Little's are over?

You have them make their own!

I had gathered up up some fun items I had :

sea shells, faux succulents, small rocks, etc.

I also picked up a couple of bowls,

Fairies and Gnomes at the dollar store.

I divided up everything into 2 bags so there wouldn't be any arguing.

''I'' received the Fairy bag and ''B'' received the Gnome bag.

After placing some soil in each bowl they started making their perspective homes.

''B'' liked putting the soil in the bowl.....then stuck in a faux succulent and took off to play.

''I'' planned it all out. She was very meticulous.

Looking for just the right piece..

She worked on it slow and methodically.

If something didn't look just right, she'd take it all out and begin again.

''B'' would drop by every once in a while to see what was going on.

He finally decided to give it a try.

Once he started, he liked it.

I was really surprised at how long it kept them entertained.

''B'' tried to copy his sisters

Looking good♥

When they were done they were pretty proud of themselves.

''I's'' Fairy Garden

''B's'' Gnome Garden

Best of all, when interest is lost, they don't need to be watered since there aren't any live plants. They can also rearrange and play with them anytime they want.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Keep Mosquitoes Away with this DIY Spray

Yes, I'm dating myself with this one!

Paul Harvey had a segment years ago, where he shared this spray recipe.

Over the years I think people have forgotten about it.

So here it a reminder with photos on how to make it.

Only 3 ingredients needed:

Big bottle of BLUE cheap Mouthwash

3 cups of Epsom Salts

3 stale 12 oz. cans of cheap beer

Mix all 3 ingredients together until salt is dissolved.

Bottle of mouthwash

Epsom salts

stale beer

FYI, start with a large pitcher.

I had to switch - it's a lot of liquid! LOL

Stir until salts are dissolved

Pour into a spray bottle.

Makes quite a lot.

Spray anywhere you sit or hangout outside, it won't harm plants or flowers.

I spray it on my window screen from the inside out

(so I don't get my windows dirty ;)

I spray the deck and walkways throughout the gardens.

It does make a huge difference.

Recently had the Little's here and spent a lot of time outside playing.

Happy to report no one received a bite.

Paper Dolls to Make

Enlarge, print, assemble, play!

Monday, July 29, 2019

Early Morning Rolly Polly Hunting ~ WW

New pets to take home

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Good Snails Came to My Rescue!

I know, you must be thinking I've lost my mind!

What on earth - good snails?

She's cracked it good this time!

LOL

You know by now I really dislike using any type of chemicals in my garden,

not only because of our pets but for us too.

I prefer to keep the ''garden in balance'' using natures methods,

for every bad bug there's a beneficial bug just waiting to devour it.

That's not to say I get discouraged from time to time

and feel like tossing a grenade out there and just be done!

Yep, those nasty crawly, slimy snails eat

just about anything in sight!

They love my Hollyhocks,

one time I counted 5 on one stem.

I try to go out every morning and pick snails.

Sometimes I stomp, squish, smash....

BUT

I don't have to do that too much anymore.
The herd has dwindled. (Happy Dance!)

These that we see so frequently are the common Brown Garden Snail (Helix Aspersa) a terrestrial gastropod mollusk - one of the best known species in the world.

To say this guy gets around is an understatement!

Last year I started noticing different types of snails in my gardens.

I thought 'Oh great, they've sent word out to ALL their cousins!

They're having a garden party!'

Figuring I wouldn't have much of a garden left,

I threw my hands up in despair and went in the house.

Had a conference with myself,

then decided to research these new visitors.