While it’s still cold or wet outside, you can take some time to get your tools ready.
Harsh weather and foot traffic on snow-covered lawns can cause the soil to compact and make it uneven in spots. It can also alter the pH, making the soil less conducive to healthy grass and more welcoming to weeds and disease. Work through these steps over a few weekends:
All kinds of old foliage and debris accumulates in the garden during the winter, making a handy home for insects and disease as the weather warms. Clear it all out so your plants have room for a fresh, new start.
If you haven’t pruned your rose bushes yet, get to it at the first chance you have. As for trees, It’s best to prune branches while they’re dormant but after the coldest weather has passed, though dead branches can be removed any time. For some great information about trees, check out the Arbor Day Foundation.
Daylilies, Agapanthus, peonies and other varieties of clumping perennials that have gotten too big for their spots in the garden should be divided ahead of the coming warm weather, so their roots have time to establish themselves.
Seeds won’t sprout in cold soil, so even in temperate climate zones, starting seeds indoors gives them a head start. Seed packets will tell you how many weeks it will take for each variety to get ready before the optimum time to transplant them outdoors. It’s also fun for the kids to help pot the seeds and watch them sprout.
This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views expressed don not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.
Get outside
Studies have shown and proven that getting away from technology, our phones and even other people and heading outdoors has a positive effect on our stress levels. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden at home, then why not transform it into a little paradise for you to visit when things are getting on top of you.
Fill your outdoor space with beautiful blooms, shrubs and hedges and anything else that will be a feast for your senses. If you’d like to know more about which plants will work best in your garden, check out this website.
If you don’t have a large garden space to play with, consider growing plants indoors, or make use of the space you have on a little balcony or a windowsill.
If having something else to look after merely makes your blood pressure soar, then don’t worry. Take a trip to a park, a large wooded area, a lake – somewhere you can appreciate nature. Studies have proven that your blood pressure will drop and your heart rate decrease.
Unnecessary commitments
We all have so many commitments. To our families, our extended families, clubs, online activities, work, studies, social groups, things to do at home, DIY, and charity work just to name a few. Having too much on your plate is a huge trigger for stress and anxiety. All these things seem to demand your commitment and the last thing you want is to let anyone down. But if you’re putting your own health at risk, is it worth it?
Be brutal, go through your list of commitments and remove the ones that don’t bring you as much personal value as the others.
People
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I’m sure if I asked you the names of people who add stress and difficulty to your life then you wouldn’t be thinking for long. It could be bosses, co-workers, relatives, even friends that make like just difficult. You could try to do battle with them, to explain to them the issues you’re having, however they may take it personally, or simply not care enough to do anything about it. Cut them from your life where possible.
Exercise
Getting hot, bothered and tired sounds like the complete opposite to reducing stress, but studies have proven that getting up out of your chair and moving will help you see things more clearly. Exercising is a great way to eliminate your stress build up. You get quiet time, time to contemplate and best of all – a fit and healthy you, means you’re in better shape than ever to take on whatever life throws at you.
This is a sponsored guest post. The views and ideals do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.
I also dislike having to carry my house plants and trees in and out when they were loving their time on the deck this summer. I am not a winter person. The thing that I dislike the most is the drab grayness that happens right after all the beautiful, fall leaves fall to the ground. There is such a harshness in winter and even when the first snowfall comes the beauty does not last long. Before long, the drabness of the long cold winter leaves me longing for color.
While I do not have the power to change the weather in New York, I can do something to add color to my home during the winter season. I recently found a company called Permaleaf that has a collection of artificial plants, trees, and flowers that are lifelike and can withstand the elements.
They look great outside, on a patio, by the front door, in planters and more all around my home. I like that they are a nice way to add color during the gray winter months. I ordered a lavender plant in a nice black ornate planter and love it! It is easy to see how the elements will not affect it and I know it will make me smile to see those pops of color over the long winter.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
At Silk Flowers Direct, I can shop online from a vast selection of silk flowers, plants, topiaries, palms, trees, containers, custom items and even commercial products. I love you can choose from various filters that let me find items by the type of flower or plant, color, shape, quantity, material and more. Silk Plants Direct offers the largest selection of lifelike faux plants and trees for your home or office decor. They not only offer a collection of stocked products, but they also manufacture plants and trees to each customers exact specifications for turn-key solution.
Here is the beautiful Orchid I received and it is so pretty. I put it next to my tub and it is a gorgeous, tranquil piece that is perfect for gazing at when relaxing in the tub.
So take a look at the huge assortment of beautiful flowers, trees and plants at Silk Plants Direct and if you decide to purchase use the exclusive discount code, BLOGGER10 created for Mommy Ramblings’ Readers to save 10% on your order! Follow Silk Plants Direct on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the loop on the newest products and promotions.
I was sent the orchid silk plant to facilitate my review by Silk Plants Direct. As usual my words and views are 100% my own!
This one if for all the animal lovers. Have you ever seen the Rachael Hale line of bedding? If not, think big, and I mean big puppies and kittens. Oh and think pink, very pink! Perfect for girls who love puppies and kittens. As a world leader in animal photography, the Rachael Hale® brand has captured “the world’s most lovable animals” in images that can be seen on a wide range of products across more than 60 countries around the world.This includes Rachael Hale greeting cards, calendars, stationery, bedding, apparel, giftware and more.
Check out these adorable bedding sets featuring puppies and kittens. This Rachael Hale® sets are a dream in easy care minimum iron cotton rich percale.
Rachael Hale So Sweet Kitten Quilted Comforter Set and Duvet Set feature an adorable kitten that will melt your heart along with pink flower accents. The comforter and duvet are reversible with kitten design on one side and pretty flowers on the other. Girls will love the way they can switch things up whenever they want a change. The comforter and pillowcases are easy care 225 thread count percale (60% cotton and 40% polyester).
The So Sweet Kitten Duvet Set features the same easy care percale and thread count as the comforter set. The single bed set features the duvet and one pillowcase.
The perfect accent piece is the 18″ by 18″ So Sweet Kitten Cushion that is also made of the same easy care percale.
Now for the puppy lovers, the Puppy Love bedding is golden as in adorned with adorable golden Labradors. The sweet puppies are hard to resist and the comforter and duvet are reversible with the puppy design on one side and heart design on the back.
Accent the bedding with the 18″ by 18″ Puppy Love Cushion.
Twin Duvet Set:
Double/Queen Duvet Set:
Twin Quilted Comforter Set:
We were very impressed with the quality of the fabrics and the cuteness factor in this bedding. The comforters are a medium weight not too heavy not too light but good year round. If you have fallen in love with these sets, you are in for a real treat!. Dissero Brands is sponsoring and awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! 4 lucky blog readers are going to win:
1 Twin Comforter Set (choice of Puppy Love or So Sweet Kitten)
1 Duvet Set (choice of Puppy Love or So Sweet Kitten in winner’s choice of single/twin or double/queen size)
1 Cushion (choice of So Sweet Kitten or Puppy Love)
Rachael Hale Puppy Love/So Sweet Kitten Bedding Bonanza Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway below using the Rafflecopter widget. Good Luck!!! Open to US residents.
I see posts on Facebook from people upset that the dandelions are growing on their lawn They talk about bringing out the “big guns” (pesticides), to get rid of them. I cannot understand it when they would rather expose their kids and pets to the pesticides rather than let a few or maybe a lot, of pretty yellow weeds grow.
As I was pondering the thought, my little ones came out onto the lawn and scanning it they marveled, “Look at all the pretty yellow flowers! Don’t step on them they are so nice. How did we get so many?”
Today I was the recipient of a very special dandelion placed on my laptop while I was out of the room. A very special flower from my seven-year old.
My preschooler brings me home dandelions in his backpack and by the time he gets home they are closed and dry, but he still asks me to put them in water. I treasure the dandelion bouquets they bring me as this time is so precious and their vision so pure. Seeing these weeds as beautiful yellow flowers, something to share with their mother and something to preserve. The innocence of these children makes me think of something I heard once, if dandelions were hard to grow everyone would want them.
A few years ago I wrote a post entitled Embracing the Dandelions and today I am still embracing the dandelions and embracing the love that brings me them and asks, “Aren’t they so pretty mommy?” You know what? They sure are! They are more beautiful than roses because of the thought and love behind them. It’s only a matter of perspective and this mom will forever be embracing the dandelions and the sweet memories.
Don’t forget our Scentsationals give-away ends soon so be sure and get your entries in. I am warming some cinnamon vanilla now and it smells so good. We have so many great reviews and give-aways coming up so make sure you subscribe to the blog and like us on Facebook so you don’t miss any. Happy Spring everyone!!!
What have you seen that tells you spring is near? I would love to hear. Hope everyone is doing well and remember we have our give-away for the Gourmac cookie stamps ending soon so be sure to get yourself in it.
The first thing to note about this pan is its weight. One could easily get a great bicep workout just by lifting the pan a few times. The detail is also amazing. There are 7 different flowers and the name of each flower is written into each cast iron mold.
A nice assortment of recipes accompanied the pan. I chose to make the corn bread muffins. The recipe is as follows:
Corn Bread Muffins
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Yellow Corn Meal
1 Egg Well-Beaten
1 Cup Milk
5 Teaspoons Butter, Melted
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add corn meal. Add to mixture: egg, milk, and melted butter. Beat until smooth, but don’t overmix. Bake in the greased muffin pan at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
I made the above mixture and it filled the muffin pan exactly.
The muffins are a very generous size. As soon as they achieved the desired golden brown color, they were removed from the oven.
The muffins just lifted right out of the pan without any problem or sticking. The muffins were beautiful, big, and airy.
Add some butter and enjoy!
Don’t they look delicious?
I give this pan and the John Wright Company 2 thumbs up! I think I am going to have to try their cookie pans next. They have great cookie pans that have lots of neat designs like: Alphabet Cookie, Sweetheart Cookie, Sleigh Full O’Toys Cookie and many more. Their molded cookie recipes with these pans, I just have to try. All of the John Wright molds are coated with their exclusive non-stick coating, “Ironclad Non-Stick Coating” If you would like to purchase one of their pans you can call their toll free number for the nearest store, 1-800-444-9364. You can also order from their website at http://www.jwright.com
I hope you give their pans and recipes a try. I am telling you these are the most delicious corn muffins I have ever had. Try it, and see if you do not agree.