You Never Have to Buy a Zinnia Again!

Zinnia's are by far my most favorite annual. They are strikingly beautiful and long lived. I was sad this year when I went to the nursery and they were out of them. After speaking with my neighbor about how sad I was, she ran into her garage and pulled out an old grocery bag. My first thought, "thanks for the trash". She laughed at me and told me to open it up. There were dried zinnia heads in there. She told me to plant them and they might bloom. I was a skeptic but I was also desperate to have zinnias in my yard. I was surprised to have them come up. So this year do not throw out your zinnias when you are winterizing your yards. Save the spent blooms and plant them next spring after the threat of frost. Free flowers!

S'more Time!

If you have ever thought of putting a fire pit into your backyard know that it is not hard. With a little planning you can have one in one weekend.

Supplies Needed:

about 40 cement pavers (I used the 12" ones from Home Depot)

construction adhesive (optional)

sand (if you do not have dense soil)

pea gravel

shovel

First, select the site that you want the fire pit at. Dig out a circle to accomodate the pit. I did not worry about the size. I just made sure that it was large enough for the pit because I wanted an edge of gravel around the outside.

Dig out the sod and pile up the dirt in the center. If you are working on a slope or on an area that you would prefer to use sand then clear this out and put sand in its place. The sand will help you level up the pavers easier.

The most important thing is to start at your lowest point and make sure that the pavers are level side-to-side and front-to-back.

Work your way around until you get the circle completed. Once I would get two of them level side my side I would put one on top of them to keep them in place. If you like you can adhere them together. I did not do this because I tend to like to move things around in my yard. I built mine up three levels but you can go up as many a you like. Place the gravel around the outside and the inside of the pit. Done. Time for s'mores!

I just LOVE dirt!

A new flower bed. That makes--I don't know maybe 11 (my Mothers Day present--I got to go dig this out and plant it on Mothers Day--no interruptions).

My son at his piano recital--My daughter refused to let me take her picture.


One of my daughters comptetition dance teams.

My son at a baseball game (yep he's left handed)

This time of year is the absolutely craziest time for our family. We have dance competitions, plays being preformed, piano recitals, baseball games starting, gymnastic preformances, and that is in addition to all of the regular activities that I have my family in.

This does not include the itch that I get to get outside and plant. I have already started a new flower bed with a couple of more planned. Weeding--We can not forget weeding--that takes on a whole new life on its own. I then feel the freedom to run outside. Oh sweet freedom--to run on actual pavement instead of the treadmill. It makes you feel so alive.

If you are a runner check out this cool contest going on. It is through utahrunning.com. I am excited because I would love some of these prizes.