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Within the confines of this blog, you will find bits and pieces of the life and times of myself, my family and friend dear and near., far and wide, few and far between. You will find bits and pieces of my world, tho small to some, but huge to me. You will find everything from 'soup to nuts',; recipes, hobbies,crafts, gardenings,loves of my life, GrandLoves-a-Plenty, and even my pets... Sooo, if you can handle family life, enjoy the tour of my 'Stuffings'.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sugar, All in a Day's Play

My sister Mel has been making gum paste (sugar) flowers. When I saw them, I thought, that doesn't look so hard, so I paid her a visit this morning to give it a try. She showed me her creations of sweet peas, irises, a trillium, mums and calla lilies. They were beautiful, dainty, just lovely. She gave me a dab of the gum paste and challenged me to make something. Well, let me tell you, it was no easy task. I only managed a few leaves before the sugar started to dry in my hands. I quickly lost patience and it's driving me crazy. Surely I can do this, I'm thinking. With Mel still on my mind, I decided to come home and make one of her dessert bars instead. This I knew how to do. These are her Chocolate Oatmeal Bars with a gooey chocolate center. Oh my, I should not have done this. They are a piece of the devil, for sure. Why am I so tempted by the sweets lately? Wait, I made them for Bill, just in case he needs a quick pick-me-up. Of course, I forgot he has a fasting lab in the morning so he wouldn't even try one. I cut a third of it for neighbor Gene and another third for my brother to take home. At least it won't be staring me in the face in the morning. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Hooray for that. ( Mercy, they are good tho. )
Backtrack. Bars are done and cooling, a quick salad and out the door I go. I still had to make 'Project 3'. On my way to the barn for tools, I thought, How Cute! A little fawn laying in front of the rockbed hiding behind the grass.
Another 'tom foolery'? yes. It's only a painted fawn on a rock. I painted him 5-6 years ago and each spring he moves around the yard several times until he's big enough to run and play in the field. His mother is always near by grazing somewhere at the woods edge or in the back of the field, just so she can see her little one is still safe. That part of the short story is true. A pair of fawns are born near our barn every spring. We have seen their mom hide them here and there nearby. Hopefully I will be able to share proof in another month or so.
This is my 'Project 3' of this spring. I had some red dogwood and grapevine left from the wattle projects. The old rose arbor was in need of replacing so this is the new one. I love the way it turned out! The robin was sitting on the top shortly after I finished, checking out the mailbox birdhouse on the woodshed. How exciting if she uses it.
As long as my transplant shovel was handy, I planted a yellow climbing rose at the feet of the arbor. My luck with roses has not been shining, so keep your fingers crossed for me. They sure would dress up the bare twigs.
Look what Bill brought home for me. He says it's a two-seater. He's kidding, of course. Looks like 'break time' to me., but I'm going to use it as a planter for ivy and petunias, I think. Or maybe, Corsican mint and blue lobelia. It needs to be moved to the front yard.
I still had plants to continue to transplant. I found Autumn Joy Sedum in the ditch that transplanted into the rock bed, Dolly Madison Lilies are by the bird feeders, Red Bee Balm found a new home, as well as Woodland violets.
After a cup of Chili, I was too exhausted to putter, but did anyway. I had to beat the pants off my dear hubby and brother at another evening at cards. It was my pleasure boys. Ya see, they always gang up on me but tonight the cards were with me. Hahahahaha. They are so lucky that I am such a good sport.
That's it folks!
For now...
BlessYa'll from Dar

16 comments:

Hildred said...

Love your newsy posting, especially your gardening news. You had a busy day and sound so contented with it.

holdingmoments said...

I've really enjoyed reading this post Dar, and through some of the earlier ones. You have a life so very different from mine, but the way you describe it all, I feel like I'm right there with you all. Thank you.

Paula said...

That arbor is pretty even if the rose doesn't grow but I bet it will.

Helen said...

Sounds like you had a very busy productive day. Love that new flower pot. I would like something like that. That cake looks so yummy. Helen

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Dar: Looks like some fun projects.
BTW: No fish, am heading out today.

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

Love the arbor! I too love roses but am much better at killing them than growing. I love that little planter! If you turned it the other way it looks like a pair of overalls without the straps! The chocolate bars looks so scrumptious!

jack69 said...

So now it is strip poker! (I beat the pants off him!!) LOL

Good entry, you are one busy lady. I thought the fawn was real. What a neat idea. Of course you are full of 'neat ideas and projects'.

Sherry cannot read about the gooey chocolate center. You could have stopped with Oat meal Bars. hahaha

It is obvious to the most casual observer that that is a 'Split one Holer'. hahahahahah What a great planter!
TAke care and enjoy the coming weekend.
Love from NC.

deb said...

Love your fawn rock! And your arbor! Trult enjoyed your post...ooo those bars look soooooo good!
*hugs*deb

Darcie said...

And just whyyyyyyyyy did you not call ahead to let me know you were making those bars????? Hmmmmmmmm?????

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Darla, I love your little heart you made in your rose arbor... I have a blog friend who collects hearts. She'll love yours... You did good!!!!

Well---guess you'd better leave the sugar flowers to Mel... That seems to be a talent just for her... BUT --you have lots of talents also!!!! The Chocolate Oatmeal Bars sound yummy!!!!!

I love my Autumn Joy Sedum... I have it in several places around our yard...

Have a great week.
Hugs,
Betsy

Dee-cs said...

I wish I had your energy. lol Your very artsy and fun. I like that. :)

Your fawn reminds of a concrete critter I have had for years. Matters a fact it looks like your fawn curled up napping under my Guy's Grandma's sedum-type flower that she gave us many moons ago. I love little things like this. I think it gives a lawn charm and warmth. :)

Wishing you a weekend of wonderful projects!
:)

Lucy said...

Hello Dar, You always have something new and interesting. I am itching to get out in the whiskey barrel and wishing well and get some plants in. Run out of wind right now but after next week if everything gets cleared I will be as good as new, as an 80 year old woman.

Anonymous said...

Love the painted fawn and thanks for sharing your life and photos with all of us. I enjoy coming here and reading your posts. :)

Dianna said...

Okay, Sweet Dar, don't go holding out on us...are you willing to share the recipe for the Backtrack Bars? My husband is still talking about that wonderfully moist chocolate dump cake recipe of yours.

Love your gift from your hubby, too! Ivy will be beautiful winding around that!

Shelley said...

My mouth is watering for those chocolate oatmeal bars - looks wonderful!

RURAL said...

That fawn rock is adorable. Seriously I had to look twice, to see if it wasn't real.

How cool to know that you will be seeing the real thing again this spring.

Jen