In the Garden with Joyce Routh

Joyce Routh beside one of her flower gardens

I know it may seem early to start thinking about spring gardening, but now is the time to start planning.

One of my friends and fellow readers, Joyce Routh, wanted to share some of her gardening experiences, so in honor of the Bloomfield Garden Club, here she is:

“I had a beautiful flower garden all summer on the back patio,” says Joyce. “For Mother's Day I purchased some bedding plants and a couple of large pots, and I planted various flowers and plants in them. My mom and I had red, yellow, orange, and green blooms all summer. We even had a potted rose bush.

Photos courtesy of Mike Routh

“Then not to be outdone, I purchased a large tub planter from Big Lots and filled it with dirt and planted cucumbers, and we had fresh cukes. I put a tomato cage over the pot and had the plant climb it.”

It sounds absolutely delightful, Joyce! And I love the pictures of all those gorgeous flowers! Thank you for sharing!

I hope Joyce's story and these pictures will motivate you to beautify your yard this spring! Enjoy!

Collection of Writing Tips

I rarely post blogs about the craft of writing because there are plenty of others who do such a fabulous job. However, once in a while, I come across some excellent sites with helpful hints for writers that are interesting and have helped me. Even if you don’t write professionally, there are times when you need to get your point across via the written word.

Here are some I’d like to share:

• 30 Tips from Famous Authors
• Edgar Allan Poe’s Tips for a Better Story
• Writing Principles from Strunk & White
• Tips from the Masters
• Writer’s Helper
• Tips from Mark Twain
• Improve Your Writing

Recycled Fashion

Add your own style by replacing the buttons.
Cohdra/Morguefile.com

The concept of recycling items for fashion isn’t new. My grandmother told me about some of the things my great-grandmother did with potato and flour sacks to make them into various garments and accessories.

When I worked as a product information fashion writer for the Home Shopping Network, I saw a wide variety of lines. Most of it was nice but rather conventional. However, one of the designers caught my attention because it was so unusual at the time. They made handbags from colorful candy wrappers.

Since then, I’ve become more aware of taking something old and making it new again. As I get older, I realize that I need to be careful with this, or I might wind up looking like a bag lady. However, most teenagers and early twenty-somethings can get away with almost any recycled look.

Here are some ideas for recycling items for fashion:

• Replacing buttons on clothing with unique buttons from clothing found at thrift stores and garage sales.
• Turning the leg of an old pair of jeans into a handbag or tote.
• Cutting an old T-shirt into strips and making a fringed scarf.
• Refashioning a pillowcase into a skirt.
• Replacing an old watchband with ribbon.
• Designing sweater clips from old jewelry findings.
• Braiding strips of old T-shirts into headbands.