The Last of Summer's Bounty: Sunflowers

Grew all of these beauties from seed and faithfully watered aaaaaaaaalll summer long, then staked so they wouldn't fall over. Now, I'm finally being rewarded with multiple blooms on each tall stalk. Happy, happy, happy. 

The First Sunflower of the Year

When you wake up to find this lovely addition to your garden, you know it's going to be a good day. :)

10 Simple Ways to Enjoy the End of Summer

It's hard to believe we're now staring down the last full month of summer. Wow! Now's the time to make plans to soak up the last of the long, long days and make some family memories (before school starts up again and your schedule gets packed to bursting). Here are 10 of my favorite ideas for simple, summer fun that don't involve a lot of planning or expense. Have fun!!

 Go to the fair. August is a popular month for local and state fairs and there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether it's rides, games or great food. Check online to find one near you.

Photo by bomobob on Etsy

 Go to a farmers market. Most markets will stay open into October, depending on the weather, but don't wait that long if you want to score some of the more seasonal fruits & veggies. You will also find flowers, crafts and wonderful food from local vendors and admission is generally FREE! The one where I live always has live music and fun activities for kids, including a playground and bounce house. It also happens to be located right on the Mississippi River, which is a fun place to hang out, all by itself. Some of them will even let you bring your leashed pets. The markets start early in the morning and are usually done shortly after noon, so you'll want to make sure to get there early in order to shop the booths before they're sold out and also to beat the heat.

Photo by thewheatfield on Etsy

 Get wet! Whether it's swimming at your local pool, a nearby lake, a friend's house, or even just dancing through a sprinkler in the backyard, you don't want to miss out on this summer-only activity! Many local pools now offer waterslides for the big kids and fun toddler-only areas. To save money, check to see if your local pool has a discounted rate for evening swim hours (mine is half price!)

Photo by NostalgiqueImages on Etsy

 Eat outisde! It doesn't have to be an elaborate picnic spread with Pinterest-worthy decor (although those are awesome too, if you have the time). Even if all you do is grill some burgers and dogs, there's nothing quite like eating a meal outdoors. Pretty soon it will be too cold, so ignore the bugs and get out there!

Photo Credit

 Have a water balloon fight. This is seriously one of the cheapest, and easiest ways to stay cool & beat boredom. Kids of all ages (and adults!) will have an absolute blast. Just be sure to clean up all the balloon shreds when you're done. Here is a list of ideas for water balloon games.

Photo Credit

 Go on a family hike. Wherever you live and however old your kids are, there's bound to be a trail nearby for you to explore. Go for 20 minutes or 2 hours. Whatever you're comfortable with, but spray yourself down with bug repellent, wear comfortable shoes & get out there! Also, make sure to bring along water, maybe some snacks and don't forget your camera.

Photo Credit

 Do footprint painting. All you need is a few different colors of kid-safe paint, and a large sheet of cardboard or paper. Then, let the kids go nuts. The best part is, clean up is a cinch. Just hose 'em off before they come inside!

Photo Credit

 Go see a fireworks show. The fireworks don't stop after the 4th of July! August is usually a popular time for end-of-summer celebrations featuring free fireworks. It's a great way to get the family outside for the evening. Check online for a show near you.

Photo by happeemonkey on Etsy

 Make homemade ice cream. It's easier than you think and a fun activity to do with your kids. It's also technically a 'science experiment' with delicious results! Here is even a recipe for making ice cream in a ziploc bag - no machine required.

Photo Credit

Blow bubbles. This activity never gets old. Seriously. Never. Head to the store for bubble supplies before they're all sold out (you may even get them at clearance prices by now). Or check out this recipe for homemade Giant Bubbles!

Photo by LightofLorrainePhoto on Etsy

Gifts from Nature

Took a break from designing today to gather some of nature's bounty to brighten up my kitchen and to admire the close-up, intricate details of my newest arrivals.

 I've got a bumper crop this year (and the bugs have been kind - not eating that many holes in the petals). My kitchen is so much happier now with this terra cotta jug of Purple Coneflowers to brighten it up.

New Zinnia blooms are popping open every day! I love the bright colors of the blooms and the geometric shapes of the buds are so interesting. These will last into October. 

July and Purple Coneflowers

All year long, I look forward to July, when my Purple Coneflowers finally bloom and all of the sudden my garden is an explosion of color. These last til the end of summer too, making them an especially welcome addition. Up next, Zinnias and Sunflowers! 

No-Bake Cool & Creamy Berry Dessert for the 4th of July

Looking for a quick & easy dessert for your 4th of July party? Try this cool & creamy, no-bake dish topped with fresh berries in festive red and white. I know what I'm making this Friday!! 

10 Easy 4th of July DIY Decorating Projects

Here are 10 of my favorite Easy 4th of July Decorating Projects. Whether you're 'crafty' or not, there's something here that everyone can do with just a little time (or hardly any). Happy Independence Day week everyone!!  

 1) With a little paint and a little tape, and possibly a stencil for the stars, you can turn every-day mason jars into wow-worthy and reusable vases for your 4th of July party.

2) Simpy tie American Flag-printed bandanas together for instant festive bunting!

 3) Making these lawn stars involves just cardboard or posterboard and some flour. A great project to get the kids involved!

 4) Just write your favorite patriotic saying on a chalkboard and surround it with a few pieces of red-white-and-blue decor.

5) Use colored sand to create festive 4th of July votives. A great project for older kids.

 6) Even if you don't have a big American Flag to hang up, you can still get in the Independence Day spirit by adding some red-white-and-blue throw pillows into your exisiting decor.

 7) I love this ridiculously simple decorating idea! Works for inside OR outside. I think the mini flags are only about $1 each.

8)  Cut triangles out of red-white-and-blue fabric or bandanas. Fold the top edges over and secure with safety pins or sew. Run a length of yarn through them and you've got a super-cute banner!

9) Sew some red-white-and-blue bandanas together for a festive tablecloth.

10) This ribbon wand could be a safe alternative to sparklers or just a way for the kids to have fun and show their patriotic spirit while waiting for it to get dark outside.

New BLOOMing artwork and a summer sale!

 In between gardening projects, I finally found time to finish my 'Bloom Where You're Planted' prints and list them in my Etsy shop. This is the 1st piece of brand-new artwork I've created since before I got pregnant with my son (over 3 years ago). Woot! Woot! To celebrate, I'm offering 15% off all purchases from my shop (with Coupon Code: BLOOM. Good through the end of August). Happy Day!!! :)

Shalom Schultz  Designs on Etsy

My Bargain Shade Garden

Back in April, I promised I would share a pic of my flea market planters that I scored for just $16, once they were all filled in. Now that it's mid-June, they are looking quite lovely, if I do say so myself. The two long wooden ones sit on either side of my porch, where a blend of New Guinea Impatiens, regular Impatiens, Vinca Vine and Coleus thrive in the shade. Didn't get the big metal tub planted this year, as I had too much yardwork to do before the bugs and heatwave arrived, but there's always next year. 

My Russian Sage and The Scent of Summer

The Bluebells are gone and my Irises are already starting to fade, but while I'm waiting for my Purple Coneflowers to explode into bloom in July, I have purple, wavy and deliciously-scented Russian Sage.

Life's Better In Flip Flops

I NEED this sign to display on my mantel this summer. Is it not the absolute, hand-on-heart truth? Raise your hand if you LOVE flip flop season!!!

Bloom Where You're Planted...Finished the Sketch Today

So this is what I've accomplished in the past 2 weeks since I posted the photo of my partial sketch. I have to say, I was definitely motivated by all your encouragement to continue working on it in whatever pockets of time I could find (15 minutes here...30 minutes there...). So thanks again! The next steps to finishing the art piece, now that it's been scanned, are for me to move and re-size portions of the drawing digitally until I have the layout exactly where I want it (this is where it helps to be a graphic designer). Then I will print it out, VERY carefully trace over it with a fine art ink pen, then re-scan it again and digitally color it so I can offer it in different color combinations. After all that, Voilà! It will be done...hopefully before the end of the summer. :)

Casual Country Flower Arrangement Using Grouped Glass Bottles Tied with Twine

I wish I would have seen this idea before I set out garage sale-ing this past weekend (as these etched-glass bottles are so pretty and something you don't see every day), but what a lovely, effortless flower arrangement! Just tie several glass bottles together with some twine. I can't wait to try it out the next time I have company.

Flea Market Style Relaxing Front Porch

I prefer outdoor spaces that don't try to hard to be 'living rooms' which is why this one seems so perfect to me. I can just imagine returning here after a long walk or time spent in the garden, propping up my bare feet on the table and relaxing with a glass of lemonade while the warm summer breeze ruffles my hair...soon.

http://www.thecottagemarket.com/2013/03/porch-decor-30-perfect-porches.html

Easy DIY Tote Bags for Summer

Lately I can't stop thinking about the Farmers Market that will be open in just a few short months (and all the snow will be gone!). But a great way to pass the time and get ready for warmer weather is to make some cute new DIY Tote Bags to take outside with you. Here are 4 easy tutorials to try. Have fun!

Pillow Case Tote,http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/how-to-sew-a-pillowcase-tote

Geometric Painted Canvas Tote,http://www.collectandcarry.com/2012/04/diy-geometric-painted-tote-bags.html

No-Sew T-Shirt Tote, http://www.socreativethings.com/10-minute-cloth-bag-no-sew-needed/

New-Sew T-Shirt Produce Bag,http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/06/super-easy-summertime-tote-bag.html