Decorating a Fireplace Mantel

Decorating a Fireplace Mantel takes practice or at least I think it does. It has to feel just right when putting your objects up there. It doesn't always have to be symmetrical-meaning the same on all sides, it can be asymetrical or different on the entire surface, but the heights of objects need to vary and the size of objects has alot to do with it.

I first take into consideration what I am feeling at that moment: color, texture, lighting. I enjoy having the little white lights up there so that in the early evening, rather than having an overhead light on, I can have a little twinkle in the kitchen along with a candle lit on the counter and it is super cozy.

My mantels in my home are on the smaller size because they are all faux or fake mantels and not real built in fireplaces. I gather my objects and always try to have a back drop behind the objects on the blank wall. If you walked into my home, you would notice I have trouble keeping a wall blank. I have one right now in my living room that is blank, ready to be primed and painted, and I just can't determine if I like it plain or not. So anyway, get a painting, a mirror, a plaque, a series of dishes or photos and hang them up first so that you are not trying to adjust your wall and break any of your precious finds. After you have your wall or mural done, then start placing your pieces on the mantel. Use books, perhaps cookbooks if it is in your kitchen, use glass, wood, pottery, perhaps some flowers in a vase, a candle placed (always be careful of those candles:) perhaps an odd vintage looking gadget, tuck a little picture frame of one of your children, yourself or a relative in between the pieces.

More later.

Apple Tree, Cherry Tree, Blueberry bush and Yellow Raspberries

This here apple tree in my front yard needs to be pruned. It also has some serious problems with it; a green mold fungus type thing on all of the branches now. The past two years, it has gotten worse. I have been able to use the apples to make an applesauce, but I have to wash the apples good because of a black spot on them. Too bad, because there are alot of apples.

Yesterday, my son Josiah helped with planting the cherry tree. I really wanted peach, but I settled for the cherry which eventually, I will try to have more trees of fruit. I love harvesting from my own yard and then I can share.

Today, we got the hole dug in no time, mixed some peat moss, humus and the existing soil, and added it to the area of the blueberry bush.

I quickly took the yellow raspberry bushes I had soaking in water for it's roots overnight, and dug a couple holes, placed them in, added some potting soil as an ammendment because my soil here is sandy, sometimes clay like, and also orange the color of rust.

I have been working in the yard about 3-4 hours a day. That is about all I can take with the fibromyalgia. My body hurts so much that I just fall asleep when I come in. Not meaning to complain, actually very greatful for the health that I now have. I couldn't even lift a gallon of milk, so this is awesome. I guess it is just that the yard is so big, and needs so much work and I heard it is going to be raining.

I love planting flowers, but I love herbs and plants that bare fruit. I have a lychee tree in the front. Last year was the first year of fruit. I didn't even know what they were, these pinkish raspberry colored rough textured little balls. I guess these can be quite expensive to buy and I thought well if this tree survives here in New England, and I could plant more trees, maybe I could have a little business. Always trying to come up with something new to earn some money.

Women's Journal

As I have been working on this journal, a special journal just with women's pictures in it, my 18 year old son was looking at it a couple of weeks ago, and said this one was his favorite. My favorite is the one below with the aqua colors and flowers.

Decorating-Easy and Down Right Cheap

Take a walk with those pruning sheers, scissors, or knife and cut away those wonderful branches, dried flowers and weeds. Layer them in a vase in all different directions and put in an entrance way, kitchen table or even the bathroom as I have done in the orange room.