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Friday, June 22, 2012

Square Foot Garden & Hinged Door Cage


Last year was my first attempt at square foot gardening and it was a complete FAILURE!  Despite trying every tip or trick I could find, my garden was eaten by the rabbits and squirrels that frequent our yard and didn't get a single fruit or vegetable out of my garden.  So this year I decided a completely covered cage was the only sure way to protect it.  

After getting a few ideas online, my husband made one from PVC pipe, chicken wire and zip ties. 




I got my square foot garden frame from Sam's Club and it's not the traditional 4'x4' size.  I couldn't have a cage that just lifted on and off like most of them I'd seen -- it would've been too awkward to maneuver. 




 I wanted something with "doors" so I could access my plants easily.  So my husband made some hinged doors using zip ties.
 


His idea was brilliant!  It stays shut with stakes on the outside (though we'll probably get a little latch at some point) and the two doors swing open so easily. 



I am so excited for my plants to grow! This year we planted sugar snap peas, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, carrots and beets.  We also have strawberries in a hanging basket and cherry tomatoes in a garden pot.  I admit I stand out there every day, just looking at my garden and grinning giddily.  Now those pesky critters can't touch my plants and I will be able to enjoy the harvest.  :)





Wednesday, June 20, 2012

WIWW-Chelz







Salmon Tank- Target
Cream Tank- Downeast
Navy Cardigan- Target
Cropped Pants- Buckle
Sandals- Payless (old)
Necklace- F21













Typical Utah weather has us guessing what the temperature will be day to day! This pic is 2 weeks old...sorry! We had some cold weather 2 weeks ago that had me bring some of my cardigans back out. It is kinda hard to tell in this pic but my tank is a really pretty salmon color.



-chelz
  

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde




Monday, June 18, 2012

Easy Sugar Cookies




Every now and then my husband will make a batch of cookies for us once the kids have gone to bed. He will make different ones from my recipes, but one night he decided he wanted sugar cookies and I did not have a recipe for some. I have to admit I don't like to make sugar cookies from scratch cause they usually take a long time to make, so I usually make them out of the packets. Chris went onto allrecipes.com and found a sugar cookie recipe he wanted to try. They turned out great! It was a super easy recipe and you didn't have to chill the dough in the fridge. They were light and fluffy. Definitely worth a try!



1/3 c. shortening
1/3 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt


1. Cream butter, shortening, and sugar together.
2. Add egg and vanilla
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt and then add to the wet mixture
4. Roll dough into balls and dip in sugar


Makes one dozen.
350 for 10-12 min






-chelz