The Everyday Home: July 2011

I can't believe my last post was Feb 11, 2011. It doesn't seem that long since I was typing away on my last post. I have been contemplating getting back into the world-o-blogging. Can I get back into the swing of it? Do I even have the time?
Will anyone even care that I am blogging again? LOL

But, some very dear friends (many of them Bloggers, as well) gave me some great advice. Blog not because you feel you must, or to keep up with the Blogging Jones's...but because I simply want to.

So that is why I am here today...because I want to be.

Life, family and my career keep me unbelievably busy...but I have found over the past few weeks that I really miss the creative outlet of blogging. So....here I go. I can't promise how often or how long I will stay...but hopefully you will enjoy it while I am here.

Blessings, Barb

Before I share my first post in over five months...I want to share with you two of the love's of my life... my Grandloves...Devin Blake, 21 months and Cole Hayden, 5. They have just been accepted by a modeling agency. What hams! :)

Devin ...or as we call him, Roo Roo.

My Little Man....Cole.

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Ball or Mason Jars!

I love 'em! Blue ones, Clear ones, Mason Jars, Ball Jars. In my family, there were three main uses for these jars, ranging from the practical to the simply charming and asthetic. They were always a staple in our family, and even now I have saved several of these vessels from my grandmother's home which I put to use.

Peony filled Ball Jar

These beautiful glass containers evoke memories of days spent with my Mammy (my grandmother) - helping her put up jars and jars of vegetables and fruits and even pig's feet (yes, I am a Country girl through and through - lol). I remember the heat in her farmhouse kitchen, the feel of sweat rolling down your face in a steam filled kitchen, the smells drifting from those massive cookpots (I love the smell of cooking corn)....and the feeling of accomplishment to see dozens and dozens of jars turned upside down on every surface of counterspace available - waiting for sealing rings to set. I was the official "lid pusher." Once the jars were turned right side up, it was my job to "push in" the lids to see if they "popped." Popping was not a good sign and meant the jar had not sealed correctly.

The second memory, and something I still love to this day, was filling those jars with handfuls of blooms. I loved going out to my Mammy's or my Mom's flower gardens and picking Daisies , Queen Anne's Lace or Peonies...and filling empty jars to the brim with cut flowers. There is nothing that is more simplistic in style than a jar filled with fresh flowers. Today, I use a small jar to hold cut herbs such as my rosemary, on my kitchen counter.

Wouldn't these be pretty lining a walkway, hanging from shepard's hooks...as a special greeting for your guests.

I love these mini "terraniums" filled with succulents such as the Hens and Chicks, above.

I found this pic at The Thrifty Parsonage.

http://thriftyparsonageliving.blogspot.com

I love this candle filled jar hanging from the peg.

But what brings me the most joy, and still plays a role in my life today....is drinking good ole' Southern steeped sweet tea right from a Mason Jar. I am telling you folks...tea just tastes better from a Mason Jar. Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint....
and you have yourself a small glass of heaven.

I am an iced tea afficienado. Although you can't beat the basic recipe, I love to play around with Sweet Tea recipes. Such as my Sangria Tea Recipe below.

If you don't have any vintage Ball or Mason jars, they are readily available at most antique stores for fairly cheap. I have seen them on ebay for as little as 50 cents a jar. Buy one or two...fill them with flowers, or tuck in a candle (add some sand at the bottom), or fill them with shells.
Then sit back and enjoy one of the Country Pleasures of Life.