{Garden}Kooboo chairs and other backyard delights

27 Monday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living

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Please note…I inadvertently published this story when it was not complete. Please excuse the missing pictures from the post on Friday. It’s intended publish date was Monday, complete with pictures. Sorry.

I first read about the Kooboo chair at one of my ‘must read’ blogs, Cote de Texas. Joni had written about them after making her purchase of the more expensive sister chair from Pottery Barn and then buying the Kooboo from Cost Plus World Market. HERE is her latest post about the chairs.

Isn’t this a wonderful outdoor dining space? These are the lovely Kooboo chairs (above). Love the stone pillars and stone table. A lantern over the table is so pretty!

I had mentioned the “need” for new patio dining chairs HERE and HERE and it wasn’t until this year we could actually afford to buy all 6.

The furniture has grayed nicely…the wood chairs look innocent don’t they, well cue the “Jaws” music and be ready to be swallowed by them if you attempted to scoot your chair up to the table!

As you probably know, if you do one thing to your home or yard, sometimes it creates the need for more projects in a given space. Such is the case with our back yard. Here are some of the improvements I’ve made this spring with more to come later.

Ta-da! These are the new chairs. I will eventually have the cushions recovered in a Sunbrella fabric. But for now the white cushions that came with the chairs work just fine and they are comfortable. We used them Saturday night and I’m happy to say that all agreed the chairs were comfortable.

The good news is that the “Jaws” chairs work well in a couple of other locations around the yard. No need to move these when they are acting as seating independent of a table (they are actually very comfortable). I love it when I can re-purpose something instead of eliminating it altogether.

I wanted to plant a bank of hydrangea in what I call my secret garden. I managed to get 3 good sized bushes planted. One is an Endless Summer hydrangea and seems to be putting the other two to shame. I’m hopeful that after a year of acclimating to their new home the 2 ‘homely pink sisters’ will begin to perform and I’ll have a wall of hydrangea growing by next spring.

Because we replaced the killer patio chairs with the Kooboo, we decided to get rid of a pair of Adirondack chairs (along with the foot stool and small table) on Craigslist. The Adirondack chairs were purchased for Hubby’s patio when he had a work assignment in Oakland and while they looked cute on his patio, they have never been very well suited to the corner of the yard we relegated them to. The killer patio chairs look much better don’t you think? I want to add some stone and pea gravel to enhance the area…soon.

Sold on Craigslist Sold on Craigslist

New to the garden…

We will ultimately add pea gravel and there will be a stone border. These “jaws” chairs are comfortable as long as you do not have to scoot them on concrete.

We had the trees in the back yard trimmed, professionally, and what a difference. There was an area of the yard that never saw sun due to the thick foliage. We now have dappled light and everything seems happier (or maybe that is just me!)

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the trees trimmed/sun shinning through to the ground after moving the “jaws” chairs to that location.

I’m trying my hand at growing clematis this year for the first time, wish me luck!

The side yard has been a challenge. I planted some camellia a few years back and they were on a snail’s pace as far as putting on height, which is what the wall needed. Well, while enjoying a birthday breakfast at my good friend Debbie’s house I noticed she had a bank of ‘ligustrum’ privets growing along her wall and they reached the top of the wall in a relatively short time. Being the compulsive person that I am I requested that my gardener duplicate this look for me. It will be a year or more before they reach the top but I believe they look better than what we had there before.

These will grown tall and cover the wall in green. So much better than a blank, white wall, don’t you think?

Burgandy ‘iceberg’ rose grows in the side yard and seems very happy.

There are still jobs to be done but hubby and I are pleased with the overall look so far and we’re especially thrilled that none of our dinner guests will end up with a broken limb due to the ridiculously heavy, killer chairs.

Meanwhile, we continue to work on parts of the garden that could use some attention…under the watchful eye of Madison…

We look forward to lots of dining outdoors, if the weather warms just a bit. *I sound like we live in Alaska, seriously, this spring and summer are some of the coolest I can recall and I’m a native born California gal! We’re still enjoying summer and truth be told, I prefer cooler weathers.

How is your garden growing? Do you entertain outdoors much? I’d love to hear from you.

The joy of spring

27 Friday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living

≈ 4 Comments

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my garden

I guess I’ve always loved spring…to be honest fall and spring is on equal footing for me. But spring, more than fall, is a favorite for so many reasons. 1) I love the Pacific Daylight Savings Time, which gives me time after work to work in the garden; 2) The garden is inspirational, even when it needs plenty of work, you can’t stop Mother Nature from doing her thing and in spring that means plants generally look good no matter what abuse they have endured over the winter; and 3) This season more than most holds promise of good things to come, new beginnings.

As I have mentioned, I’ve been working diligently in the garden to try to get it to look like I imagine it should…

Image via Content in a Cottage

This spring I’ve planted a few new (to me) plants in the garden and thought I’d show you pictures before I kill them or they rebel and turn ugly. Wait, that sounds too pessimistic, I just want to show you the pictures while they are fresh and new and putting their best blooms on.

Clematis Sunset Garden book states there are over 200 species available. The plant is deciduous here in sunny, Southern California, or at least the variety I purchased (I confess I can’t remember what it’s called…the tag was accidentally tossed). I found out about the Willow Obelisk Trellises HERE

Oriental Poppy papaver hybridum ‘Lavender Breadseed’ I found this plant thanks to Trouvais HERE. It is supposed to reseed easily and I love the benefit of that…buy 3 plants and over time end up with 30!

Daisy ‘Silver’ Double I think daisies are sweet and I enjoy them in certain table settings or as a simple spring/summer floral arrangement, but I ordinarily wouldn’t plant them, but this one reminded me a bit of a pincushion flower. I grow a lavender pincushion without a problem, but I’ve wanted a white pincushion for years now and when I finally saw one at Rogers Gardens for a mere $10 for a 1 gallon plant I splurged only to have it shrivel up and die 6 weeks later!

I really like shades of blue in the garden. Lobelia is a favorite and I found this columbine that had a trace of blue to it. I’ve planted some delphiniums which were pretty small so it may take them awhile.

Sweet Peas I purchased this armillary in Rosarito Beach, Mexico years ago. This year I planted some sweet pea seeds at its base and am happy to report that thanks to the unseasonably cool weather we’ve had this spring they are actually growing and there are a few blooms. (See, I can find a silver lining most any place!)

I talked about planting the wine box HERE. My dear friend Carla gave me the box and suggested herbs. I planted them last year and this year the chives have bloomed. I like the blooms as much as I like the ease of cutting a few chives when a recipe calls for it.

I didn’t take a picture of my hydrangea garden but the Endless Summer I planted it just about to pop. I’ll take pictures later.

What are you growing this spring…I know some of my blog friends in other parts of the country are blessed with peonies and lilacs, lucky you!

Your wish is my command

25 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Gardens, Maintenance, Misc, Outdoor living, Renovating

≈ 8 Comments

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renovating

Hubby and I have been married a very long time. I consider this a good thing and sometimes scary the way we will inadvertently dress alike without seeing the color shirt/blouse the other one is putting on; or thinking we’re hungry for the exact same thing once one of us has mentioned a menu option.

An example of our being in sync occurred recently and I thought I’d share the story with you…am I desperate for post ideas, or what?

A few weeks back I posted about a new storage container I was fond of…this was a surprise to me because I had fought the notion of having storage containers cluttering up my ever so small pantry for years. Anyway, I blogged about the OXO pop storage container HERE in part because I like to share information with my readers on products that are all they are advertised to be and then some, I’m generous that way.

Hubby read the post, which in and of itself pleases me no end. I can’t tell you how sweet I think it is that he takes time out of his busy day to read my ramblings, but I digress.

So, along comes Mother’s Day and he tells me he has a gift for me. I had asked that he give me my usual hand-picked pound of See’s candy and that was more than enough. Alas, he had my requested See’s and a large box which contains a set of OXO pop-up storage containers. I was a little concerned at first that our smallish pantry wouldn’t be able to accommodate the set but low and behold, we managed. Thank you sweetie, for being such a thoughtful guy.

This is the best (IMHO) and I keep my list of favorite specifics.

To that end I thought I’d blog about some other items on my wish list…hey this just might work!

Our back yard is in desperate need of new grass…specifically Marathon sod, with sprinklers. We have never put sprinklers in the back yard and have gotten by without them up until now. We sometimes travel in the warmer months and it would be wonderful to have auto timer sprinklers taking care of business while we’re gone.

Our guest bathroom is a fright. When we purchased the house 29 years ago the previous owner had installed chocolate brown Kohler tub, toilet and sink. Some time about 15 years ago the brown, much like a black car, showed every scratch and scrape that it had endured and we had a company come and coat the tub and sink with white enamel. We replaced the toilet. This lasted us until about 2 years ago…the coating has begun to chip…we now have a tub that resembles the Gateway computer box (except it’s brown and white) and the sink is brown (since the coating came off in nearly one piece there).

Finally, our patio set is from Costco and is made from “tropical hardwood” which is meant to look like teak and mostly does. It has grayed with age (something I like) and is well designed. Here is the catch, the chairs weigh a ton and will not slide on the concrete. No matter what we try, including fancy “guaranteed to slide” feet. So when we entertain al fresco we must warn our guests to move the chair in a certain way lest the chair collapse on them. *I forgot to mention the chairs have a couple of settings and can fold. So I would like to replace them with the Kooboo chair from Cost Plus. You can read about them in detail (and compare them to the Pottery Barn chair) HERE.

So, just in case we hit the lottery and you are looking for gift ideas, honey, here you go. {giggle}

A toast to spring…beverage recipes

11 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Drink, Entertaining, Outdoor living

≈ 4 Comments

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beverage recipes

So after a tempting week of warmer temperatures in the usually warm Southern California, we have been once again plunged into days of drizzle and gray. Yes, I’d like cheese and crackers with this whine!

Anyway, I forged ahead this past Mother’s Day weekend with work in the garden and an eye on the future spring/summer temperatures that will undoubtedly arrive and stay at some point.

With summer temperatures visualization in mind (visualization is supposed to work to make it so, right?) I thought I would post a couple of really delicious beverages that can make you indifferent to outside temperatures. 🙂

Images above via Brabourne Farm

Yellowbird

Beverage (Bon Appetit 1980)

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Ingredients

2 cups orange juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 ½ cups rum or vodka
1 cup Galliano
¼ cup Grand Marnier

Preparation Instructions

Mix all ingredients and pour over ice, garnish with pineapple spear, orange slice and cherry (optional)

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Tropical Garden Punch

Beverage

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Ingredients

5 cups Dole pineapple juice

2 12-ounce cans guava nectar

1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate

1 cup vodka (optional)

2 limes thinly sliced

Preparation Instructions

Mix all and pour over ice. Garnish with lime slices.

Rogers Gardens ~ Spring

02 Monday May 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Outdoor living

≈ 7 Comments

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Rogers Gardens, Spring

I posted about Rogers Gardens late last fall (HERE) and while my photography didn’t really do it justice I thought I’d give it another “college try”.

Besides, the light in spring seems to make everything look so much better.

When the seasons change I find Roger’s Gardens to be a wonderful source of inspiration. The nursery is so much more than plant materials and gardening supplies. There are 2 large gift galleries that offer everything from antiques to small gift items. Prices in the gift gallery are not overly expensive and its a great source for hostess and birthday gifts. Whoever they hire to stage the various vignettes in the gallery does an amazing job and I will often get ideas for decorative accessories and table settings.

Unlike the gift gallery, most of the live plants are relatively expensive so I usually visit for ideas and then search out alternate sources. I feel just a little guilty about doing this, but when you see the lines for the cash register I think you realize my paltry purchase wouldn’t make a bit of difference in their bottom line.

The buyers find some interesting antique reproduction pieces, like the slightly rusty, large clock. Roger’s carries a wonderful array of cement putis, plaques and planters.

See what I mean…there are so many beautiful and unique plants to get ideas from. The topiary with succulents planted at the base were tempting.

Bleeding heart has always been a favorite. Columbine is another beautiful spring and summer favorite.

Purple calla lily…so beautiful Astilbe, another delicate beauty.

I wanted some planting ideas for my secret garden (HERE) and Rogers truly finds some of the most unique specimens.

Thanks for joining me on this field trip to Roger’s Gardens. Do you have a favorite nursery for buying plants?

Fun in the sun

27 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening, Maintenance, Outdoor living, Renovating

≈ 2 Comments

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Outdoor living

As the weather warms I begin to focus more of my attention on life outdoors. I want to be in the garden, working or playing, and I look forward to meals on the patio.

This lovely outdoor seating space is Cote de Texas‘

Image via Country Living

Villa Saladino in Santa Barbara has a lovely outdoor seating area.

Image by Simon Upton ~ Jill Brinson Home

Our patio~teak, gray with age

Image via Velvet & Linen

As I’ve mentioned before, we have lived in our house since 1982. Each room, inside and out, has been renovated at least once, sometimes more. Our back yard is in need of new sod right now and a decision must be made about the 2 gigantic ficus benjamina trees growing there. Roots of these trees threaten to take over the world (beginning with our back yard). The trees do provide a canopy of shade that rivals an outdoor air conditioner on the hottest days.

I visualize this…

Image via French Kissed

I would love to create a gravel or decomposed granite pad where we could place some furniture, maybe dining furniture under the umbrella of the trees and living room furniture on the patio. Pictures like this (above) are my inspiration (Thank you Jermaine).

Image via 5th & State

When we replace our sod (which is now a combination of assorted green weeds and grass—fortunately when its mowed most people don’t realize it isn’t 100% Marathon sod.

Villa Saladino—nice vista, but the grass is lovely, so green.

I think there is something very soothing about green, whether it be grass or plant, it cools me down in the summer months and cheers me up on a gray day.

Image via House Beautiful (Edmund Barr photo)

Image via 5th & State

Vines are another benefit to a yard with cinder block fencing or overly plain wood-fencing. They can soften the space and add interest. Our back fence is cinder block and it’s completely covered in vines so its very soothing and makes a lovely backdrop for the other shrubs and flowers.

Oh wait, how did this get in? Well, you have to admit, Mr. Darcy walking in your yard would be exciting!

Have you started any landscape improvements this year?

A new recipe for a spring BBQ

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Flowers, Food, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 4 Comments

Image via Graphics Fairy

I’m eager for spring to show its sunny self and present us with an opportunity to dine al fresco and enjoy a yummy burger. We’ve had a few days that have hinted at it’s permanent arrival…only to be followed by overcast, gray skies! (I know, stop whining. It could be worse!)

Image via French Essence

I’m normally a beef burger kind of gal but this recipe enticed me with the seasonings used and I thought maybe I could eat one healthy burger every now and then, I mean what’s the harm, right?

I mentioned Epicurious a couple of weeks ago and this “Best of Epicurious” recipe site (within their site) is chock full of deliciousness. If you like tasty recipes that are tested by lots of readers who send in glowing reviews I urge you to link HERE. If you’d like to print a clean copy of this recipe, click HERE.

Grilled Turkey Burgers with Cheddar & Smoky Aioli

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INGREDIENTS:

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 pound ground dark-meat turkey
4 1/3 -inch-thick red onion slices
1 large or 2 small red bell peppers, quartered
4 slices white cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
4 sesame-seed hamburger buns
Arugula
Pickle wedges
Corn chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Toast cumin seeds and coriander seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until aromatic and slightly darker in color, shaking skillet often, about 1 1/2 minutes. Cool. Finely grind toasted seeds in spice grinder or in mortar with pestle. Whisk mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic, and ground spices in small bowl. Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Place turkey in medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons aioli; mix gently. Using damp hands, divide turkey mixture into 4 equal portions, then form each into scant 3/4-inch thick patty, about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Using thumb, make small indentation in center of each burger. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle burgers with salt and pepper. Brush onion slices and bell pepper pieces with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill onions and bell peppers until soft and charred, about 4 minutes per side.

Grill turkey burgers 5 minutes. Turn over; grill until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Top each burger with 1 cheese slice and grill until meat is cooked through and cheese melts, about 1 minute longer. Place 1 turkey burger on each of 4 bun bottoms. Arrange grilled red pepper pieces, then grilled red onion slices over. Top each with dollop of aioli and some arugula. Cover burgers with bun tops and serve with pickle wedges and corn chips.

Have you barbecued your first burger of the season yet? If so, what’s your favorite?

Spring has arrived…per the calendar

30 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Outdoor living

≈ 8 Comments

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English gardens

Since spring is sure to arrive any minute now…it’s officially on the calendar but isn’t in full swing. Mother Nature has toyed with us and there’s been a couple of spring-like days but I’m still waiting for the real deal.

So while I wait I thought I’d dream of what I want my garden to look like.

No, I don’t have a thatched roof cottage but I wish I did!

Somehow the Brits just know how to grow flowers without them looking too contrived, almost as though they grow wild.

In case you imagine this entire post is a fantasy, I do have a white garden gate to the back yard…now I just need to tame the wildness that has occurred over the winter months.

Okay, this garden is being shown because wouldn’t we all love a tennis court in our back yard, especially a grass court!

I am going to work on my herb garden this spring. I want more herbs than I’ve had in the past, maybe even a pepper or two.

This image is not part of the Options 1st set, Flickr

If my yard had more sun I’d definitely be down for a few raised vegetable beds.

It seems that in England flowers even grow in baskets on bicycles!

The above images are via a website I discovered thanks to Rosemary at Content in a Cottage called Options 1st…enter at your own risk!

Via UGardeners, Flickr

I will work on my roses so that they bloom like these (above) and try my best to get rid of the sawfly that has plagued them every summer for the past 5 years!

And finally, I will tend to my sheep…oh wait, I don’t have any sheep. Sheep and chickens, I’d like them both but might have to move to be allowed any!

Happy Spring and hopefully, we’ll all feel the warmth of the season soon!

Outdoor holiday decorations

13 Monday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in DIY (do it yourself), Gardening, Outdoor living, Traditions

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Christmas, holiday, home

When I think of decorating for Christmas, indoor decorations get more of my attention than outdoor…until this year. 5^th and State, a blog site I recently stumbled upon, featured a DIY on planting outdoor planters for Christmas. If you’d like to see more visit HERE.

I live in Southern California and let’s face it we’re simply NOT going to be celebrating the holidays with freshly fallen snow.

left & right images via 5th and State

image via Country Living

That said when we entertain friends and family they will pull up to the curb and the first thing they see is the entrance to our home.

image via 5th and State

I’ve always done wreaths, sometimes fresh sometimes fake faux. I don’t have a bias since I’ve seen beautiful versions of both.

This year I will attempt to go a little beyond the front door wreath. (By the way, we do hang a string of lights across the front of the house but due to the design of our roof line it would be suicide for anyone to get up on the peak of the roof to really do the Griswold Family Christmas version of Christmas lights).

I picked up some Ilex berries from a local floral supply store and added them to the cone shaped boxwood in the urn by the front door.

The berries are faux but festive!

I also planted some cardinal ivy geranium in the planter on the right side of the door but, sadly, they are not in full bloom right now.

There will be more red blossoms later in the year, probably after Christmas but maybe in time for St. Valentine’s Day.

image via Martha Stewart Living

I put a bow and some holy on the lantern that sits by the door, I guess that will be a good start to branching out beyond the front door wreath.

I used a wax battery-operated candle so that I can turn it on and not worry about it catching anything on fire.

Welcome to our home!

image via room service

Maybe next year I’ll put a pre-lit garland around the door!

With all of the options for incredible wreaths I will have to try a new one each year! {just kidding} What are you doing to welcome guests this year?

Are chicken coops just for farmers?

17 Wednesday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Outdoor living, Trends

≈ 4 Comments

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chicken coop, raising chickens

In addition to always wanting a small studio/playhouse/garden cottage in the back yard, another outdoor adornment I’ve always recently wanted (in the sense that I’ve given it some thought) is a chicken coop. Wouldn’t it be great to wander out your back door and pick up fresh eggs?

These images from this post on Velvet & Linen got me thinking about having your own coop. This particular coop is on the grounds of a beautiful home owned by Penelope Bianchi. Read more HERE. Don’t be surprised if you get lost in the beauty of this home—the chicken coop is nothing compared to the rest of the grounds. Brooke of Velvet & Linen takes you on an amazing tour of the Bianchi home in Santa Barbara (complete with chicken coop).

Ahhh, mommy chicken with her chicks.

I’ve seen several magazine articles on the trend and if it weren’t for the fact that our fair city will NOT allow chickens and/or livestock of any kind (except where zoned which as far as I can tell is NO WHERE in my city), I’d have a couple of hens roaming my backyard.

These little chickens won my heart in Austin's Eastside Cafe

When I visited Austin, Texas earlier this year, I was treated to lunch at a wonderful restaurant that had a bit of land planted with vegetables and herbs as well as a chicken coop filled with many varieties of chickens.

In this feature in Country Living Eleanor Mondale has a chandelier in her kitchen coop. Now that’s my idea of style!

Doesn't this look like fun...cute chickens and chandelier in your chicken coop!

{images courtesy of Country Living}

The Mondale farm even has a pet miniature pony...I've always wanted a pony. {kidding}

Martha Stewart even hosted a show where guests brought their chickens with them to the show—I didn’t see it but wondered what kind of havoc that would have created.

Chickens seem to come in a variety of colors, even the eggs.

A neighbor and former kindergarten teacher at the local elementary school used to have a couple of hens she had obtained by way of one of her class lessons. In the spring the class would follow the progress of eggs in an incubator. Once they hatched the teacher would keep a couple of the chicks. She said they (chickens did a great job of keeping the snail and slug population in check). Unfortunately, the city made her get rid of the chicks.

Maybe I’m naïve but the southern California girl wouldn’t mind living on a farm! Is it like wishing for snow—honey, you don’t even know how much work farming is!

What will I want next…