Is your Thumb Black [like mine]?

My thumb is black. So, if you're like me and that short, slightly fatter finger on each of your hands is not-so-very-green, then you should heed this advice. Carefully.

It's sure great to learn new things and don't worry earth, my attempt at getting you to cooperate is NOT over. But, I've decided [with a little persuasion from the wise mother] that this year, my flowers will flourish and they'll glow and be bright with life [not death like they have in been in previous years].

Do you know what this takes? LITTLE [to no] INTERFERENCE.

Here's what I decided to do. I canned the window boxes [although this breaks my heart just a little] and I bought two gorgeous, full hangers for the front steps.

Exhibit A.

For the back porch, I did all my regular herbs [they seem to like me just a little bit], but, for lack of space, until a larger house, with a larger yard happens upon my travels, I had to, sadly, can the veggies as well. But, I purchased some more pretty pretty flowers.

Exhibit B and C.

I've made a decision. when I'm at the store, driving past a garden center or nursery, etc., I'm going to pick up more plants. A few here. A few there. and soon, my back porch will be a garden haven. That's the goal anyways. And then I'll be back with more [photos].

Taxidermy. And Faux Taxidermy. AS ART.

I have a bit of an fascination with taxidermy. You know, 'the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display' [says Wikipedia]. It's not technically the 'act' of the 'mounting' that I'm interested in, though. I'm more interested in the finished product. Or, really, the idea of seeing a dead animal hanging on the wall. And by 'dead', what I really mean is preserved and beautiful. That was a little long-winded [my apologies]. I think it's very interesting, as a form of art, when used in the correct room or setting.

I mean, how perfect do these deer look? The animal printed textiles make it. And the cricket print? These people are really obsessed, huh?

How about this bird sanctuary. Can you really look at this and say, in completely honesty, that you don't want an owl displayed in your house/apartment/condo?

So what if you have quite found the right spot in your home? Or, maybe you don't have the right space for a taxidermic display.

Well. We've got options for you. 


There's quite a selection over at Williams-Sonoma...

Urban Outfitters has a couple of options. 

For a measly $98 [or so measly when compared to the real stuff], the Deer Trophy Wall Sculpture is perfect.

And, for a slightly lower price and drastically different look, check out the Giant Cardboard Taxidermy, for $52.

And never, ever forget Etsy! Check out this AWESOME orange Moosehead for $125. 

So, there you have it. Faux Taxidermy, at it's finest. I still swear, when I find the right space, I'll have a deer hanging on my wall. Beware. Until then, I'll stick to the fake stuff.

[HOH Recipe Box]: Garbage Salad

Do not be alarmed, fair readers - the name of this dish should not deter you from reading further.

Garbage Salad is, in my life anyway, the stuff of legends. My mother has been making it for as many summers as I can remember, and I look forward to the first garbage salad of the season - without fail - each May. It's not for everyone (my esteemed pal Dena is no fan), but for those of you who think it might be up your alley, you simply must give it a whirl.

Ingredients:

1 lb. regular pasta (NOT whole wheat, has to be plain, and some sort of short macaroni style - whatever you fancy).

1 package frozen green peas

1 pt. cherry/grape tomatoes

6-8 hard boiled eggs

2 cans chunk light tuna in water

1 c. mayo (or so, depends on how moist you like your pasta salad)

Salt and Pepper

To Do:

1. Set water to boil, do the pasta thing as per usual.

2. When the pasta is pretty much cooked, dump the bag of peas into the pasta water (with pasta still in it) to quickly thaw/cook them. Strain pasta/peas and run some cold water over to bring the temp down and avoid overcooking

3. Hard boil eggs (I like the 10 minute method - cover eggs with cold water, set on high heat to boil and once they start boiling shut the heat off and let them sit for 10 minutes - never fails)

4. Halve your tomatoes (makes for easier forking)

5. Drain tuna, separate with fork into mixing bowl

6. Combine everything, starting with a little over 1/2 c of mayo and adding gradually to desired creaminess.

7. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Sure, the ingredients are totally pedestrian. Sure, it may be close to some other tuna macaroni salad you've had before. Sure, the combination of eggs and tuna weirds some people out.

None of this matters. Garbage salad is summer cookout perfection on a plate. Serve it up for your next bbq and I guarantee you'll have many, many fans.