Sunday Potager Ramblings #36 (Garden Projects)

Did you all catch it last week? I skipped #34 and went straight to #35… well, I am just going to leave it as such, lol. Not going to change it, will just pretend #34 happened and keep on moving on ; )

First of all… Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, dad’s to be, grandpa’s, mentors and other dad type stand ins! May your day be fabulous!

We are going to our daughter’s house for dinner tonight and taking a chill weekend here at home.

Gardening Bits & Ideas

Front porch with a green door, a welcome sign, and a blooming pink flowering tree. — *My tree form lilac is amazing this year!*

Here are this week’s garden bits, and fun diy’s. I also have a bunch of recipes for you this week.

As we have been working on our front yard makeover, I read anything and everything that has to do with border gardens/front yard gardens. This read about essential border plants is really interesting, gives you ideas for a happy, carefree border garden. Love the idea of self seeders. I will add some and see how they work with the thick layer of mulch we are covering the front yard with.

Here are 25 fun backyard design ideas. They truly are fun, lots of great ideas, but the first one is my favourite. I really want to figure out where to put one!

An old watering can is topped with a saucer of water and smooth stones for the bees, standing in a garden bed with various green plants and herbs around it. — *My bee bath is also loved by the little chickadees!*

Creating a bird friendly habitat. I am all about this. If you have been following me for a minute, you know that I am forever trying to entice songbirds to the yard. The little birds like chickadees, finches, and nuthatches. Hummers, too, of course. Instead of using food, I am trying to do it with habitat and flowers. No feeders to clean, and no feeders or houses for the cat to sit under.

A cozy kitchen featuring green cabinets, wooden flooring, and plants on the windowsill. A small table and chair are positioned near a wall with decorative shelves. — *my scandinavian home: Dreaming of a “Coolcation”? This Swedish Cottage Could Be Your Summer Sanctuary*

Summertime. This post is so pretty that I am adding it just for the photos. I wish we had this many flowers in bloom here already!

We have a family birthday party coming up at the end of the month so I was thinking that these diy citronella candles with herbs would not only keep the mosquitoes at bay, but look good, too.

Homey Bits & Ideas

A quaint backyard scene featuring a small white cottage with green accents, a pathway of stone pavers, and a tree with autumn leaves. — Surprisingly, my white and dark green did not make the top 4… but I stand by my choices ; ) Nothing better than this bold green in the depth of winter and very early spring, when there is no colour to be seen.

4 shed colours to boost your curb appeal. I love the third one!

This charming cottage reminds me of my grandma’s cottage. She passed away when I was 13, but I always remember her cute little place with great fondness. It was such a unique space, so homey. This cottage is similar except it is bigger, the kitchen is a great size while my grandmother’s kitchen was tiny. I love those green cabinets, but then again, I am in a green phase ; )

A cozy outdoor dining area featuring a long table set with colorful tableware and surrounded by wicker chairs, under a blue awning. Lush greenery and a rustic building with climbing vines provide a charming backdrop. — *How to create light shade for your garden in summer | House & Garden*

How to create light shade in a garden. Love this patio above, with the umbrella for shade. We purchased two umbrellas for our patio so that they would cover everyone at the table, rather than getting one super huge one. Best choice we ever made. When it is just hubby and I, we use just the one umbrella, but if the gang is all here, we can move the two umbrellas around so that everyone gets shade… if they want it. Some of the family members are sun babies and love the heat (puff, puff, I get sweaty just thinking about it).

This super cute yard sale stool makeover. I need to add a racing stripe to my step stool!

This kitchen for retirees is so calming and pretty. White oak and white make it a very serene feeling space. I have serious butler’s pantry envy, too!

Recipes & Foodie Inspo

*Quick & Easy Small Batch Raspberry Jam (no pectin) – The Marigold Potager*

3 ingredient strawberry jam, with no pectin added. Similarly, here is my no pectin, small batch raspberry jam recipe.

Strawberry lemon pound cake with lemon glaze.

Roasted zucchini panzanella (aka bread salad). I love a good panzanella, but have never tried one made with zucchini before. Or maybe you want to try this avocado panzanella instead? Both avocadoes and zukes are low reactive for both allergies and inflammation, if you are struggling with either.\]

Breakfast Bowls… yum.

From Martha… Zucchini salad.

Here are 9 ideas for mustard replacements if you, like me, have a mustard allergy.

From Martha… broccoli frittata.

One more from Martha… these 18 yeast bread recipes.

Now that I currently have no sourdough starter on the go (insert crying face here), I am looking at other breads to make till I get a new one brewing. Several of these breads look so good, especially this olive and cheese loaf that you see in the pic.