GrueneTree

Perfect Tea

One of the first introductions into the Southern Lifestyle is Sweet Tea and if you have never had it, it is pure heaven in a glass.

There really is nothing that makes you feel at home or welcome than a tall glass of well made Sweet Tea (Bad Tea is just insulting and not wished upon your enemy). A restaurant's reputation is made on the quality of their tea (Not an exaggeration). It may not sound that important but it is qualitative to America's ties to Apple Pie. Given the joy that Sweet Tea brought to my life I want to share the recipe. Which is so easy but it is much like watching french food being prepared- While you marvel at the flavor and enjoy the taste, if you were to watch its preparation you would cringe at all the eggs, cream and real cheese used. Sweet Tea's name is quite literal but I encourage you all to try it once and see if you can't live without it!

Ingredients:
3/4 c Sugar
2 Qt Water
2 One Quart Tea Bags (Don't be stingy, Go for the good stuff--Not Green Tea either, give it a real chance, pansy)

Boil the Water (I use an electric kettle because that sucker is fast). Pour said water into a pitcher and add sugar will still really really hot. Stir till dissolved (about 1-2 min). Then add Tea bags and walk away. I usually let mine sit for AT LEAST 5 min. No less. The less time time the tea has to sit the less flavor and the more sugar one is inclined to add. I have been known to let mine sit while I forgot and went and did some laundry. I would not let it sit for more than 45 min but don't watch it. Set the timer for 10 min so you don't forget but you are not tied to the kitchen. Then put in fridge or pour over ice and ENJOY. It is so good. Man, I need some now.

P.s. Not so fun fact about vacationing in Florida: For some weird reason Florida is not really southern and this is determined by the fact that it is rare to find Sweet Tea served in Florida. You can ask any Southerner and they will back me up.

Dog Daze of Summer

Treats are not an uncommon occurance in my house and when the word goes out, all dogs come a-running. All except Brittany, who at 15 runs more than she should then makes up for it with marathon naps. Far be it for her to miss out on treats just because she happens to be unconcious. She is after all being good and not getting into trouble and so by the losest definition should be rewarded for such upstanding (upstanding while napping...hehe) behavior. So we (and by we, I mean me) sometimes play tricks on her. My favorite is to put the treat as close as possible before she wakes up. This morning, I won. As you can see, I was able to prop the treat on her nose while she slept for at least 2 min, then I poked her to the other monsters would not steal her treat whilst she dozed. She then proceeded to sniff the entire house, just in case there was another hidden somewhere (which I have never done, but her mind works in weird ways).

I am the proud own of dining room chairs! Hooray. It seems like such a minor accomplishment for most, but I have been lugging chairs from the kitchen to the dining room since Sept. It feels good to have another deed checked off my list and a real place to feed friends and family. Oh, I should mention that I only had 4 kitchen chairs, so Garrett and I would sit on stools when we had more than 2 over, Not comfy. I scored these beauties at the North Ga Outlets, in which is housed one, Pottery Barn Outlet!!! Which also owns West Elm, double score. I have had my heart set on the square chairs for over year but the price tag made us star-crossed lovers. When I went to the outlet to pick out chairs, I had no idea these guys where there. How excited was I to see my chairs in my color! Though they didn't have any arm chairs, I have been in lust with these {let's call them school house chairs} since my last visit to the outlets, but at that time that didn't have these in arm chairs. There must have been some sort of planetary alignment that conceded the exact chairs I would love but hadn't considered putting together till then. Now, I must make chair pads.

Lastly, I have starting knitting for my baby or rather given the size of the finished product, my almost grown child. This bonnet could easily fit a 6 year old and would swallow the head of any baby. Though Garrett did have a big head, so maybe there is so good to be said for big headed babies. Otherwise, I might lose it before it fits.

It is blocking right now, but knit from Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in Celery and Denim. I don't recommend this pattern from LMKG. It was pretty easy but the directions are poorly and the knit on I-cord made no sense in the pattern but I finally figured it out, once I closed the book and experimented on my own.

Ms Olive in the Library with the Candle Stick

I have not even begun with this room. I envision 5 ft wainscotting all the way around, light green plaid wallpaper,  2 walls of bookcase (floor to ceiling or near enough) a low ottoman under the table, 2 wing backs in the center and a small pedestal table between and the computer hiding away in the bookcases. I am turning my office into a library for comfy reading and daydreaming. But, this task is way down the budget list, so in the mean time, I made it pretty. It used to have an old to small rug, boring black broken giant desk chair and cords every where. Garrett wrangled the cords and I took care of the rest.

I brought this 70's chair from our old house and spray painted it an olive green. I really stands out on the new rug (50% off at Target Global Bazaar). I am much happier with the green and the room. It will work much better from now on.

Spring Training

Having just finished my roman shades in the living room, I found to reduce bunching, they need training. Here is an awkward shot of me doing just that. I make sure to raise and lower them at least once a day. They are already going up so smoothly after only a few days.

If you have a keen eye, you will notice another change in my living room (if you lack the eye- check out this post and see the old version). That's right, New Bookcase. Garrett built these and I love them. They are mostly finished. He is still finishing up the doors which will have 4 windows filled with a tin grating and green milk glass knobs from the Restoration Hardware outlet. Also from the outlet, check out our new Pottery barn outlet lamp and rug. Oh you can also spy the drapery fabric. I am going for triple pleats.

And here is a full on view of the new bookcases. I am still settling on what to put on top- I think lots of colored glass, because there is lots of great light but not much view, so i really want to capture the light. I think I need more shopping. 

Gruene Series, Vol 1

Gruene (Green) Series Vol 1- Composting
Composting is one of the easiest and best processes you can do for your home, garden and environment. Not only are you contributing less to land fills, but you are creating a valuable resource for you plants and eventually your family. This is especially true for a vegetable garden. Any vegetable garden is a source of bountiful and tasty harvest and there is not better way to ensure your plants are receiving organic material than to make it yourself.
Composting  is easy:

I purchased my compost container from Walmart for ~$40. It  is not the prettiest thing in my garden but considering its neighbors (Air conditioner 1 & 2) it is  in good company. Eventually all three will be fenced in with American Dream white Picket and  a lattice top but  until then  it is not too discouraging.  Set up was a snap (both literal and figuratively). The next step is slightly tricky but not once you know. Composting is not just kitchen scraps, in fact, if that is all you use you will have a den of flies of all kinds in NO TIME FLAT.
I must repeat this and make it its own paragraph- Composting is not only kitchen scraps.
Now back to the easy part- composting is made up of 2 layers:

• Green Layer: Kitchen scraps (no meat), you can use anything. I put my eggs shells (calcium), coffee grounds, vegetables & bread
• Brown Layer: Newspaper, cardboard, paper (I add my junk mail too since it is not always safe in the recycling bin)

Make sure to add your green and brown in layers as much as possible to speed composting, keep away flies and to ensure a healthy balance to your finished product. Just set out a bin for your brown layer by the trash can and keep a largish sealed jar under the sink for your green layer (I use one from Ikea). Once one is full dump it in your composter. Make sure to rip up the newspaper so it is not a whole page.
Once a week water your heap so it is like a wet sponge, this keeps up the decomposition and the heat. Also stir your heap once a week to help with balance and make the process faster. I keep a shovel out by my bin but a pitch fork is great too.
If you follow all the steps you should have a healthy pile of compost in about 6 mo, fly free and not smelly (that is why you don't use meat, also it is not good for plants).
Your blooms and veggies will thank you for it.

Cafe Curtains Ahoy!

I love green and I am not ashamed. I plan on greening up my house in every way possible (color wise and environmentally). The kitchen, especially, is targeted for the green bomb. I won't release details now, because in the past when I have shared my plans for the kitchen people respond with a grimace, wide-eyes or a look of extreme doubt. That is only because they can't see the finished product which currently resides only in my head. Trust me, it is going to be awesome.

The first deployment of green into said kitchen is via curtains. I really like cafe curtains in kitchens but feel that they are often too girly or country. Wanting neither and feeling a need to man-it-up as a nod to my husband- I woke up one morning with an idea for a curtain rod. I already knew what fabric I would use and felt I might need to tone it down with a more masculine look because the fabric might be construed as flowery in the eyes of certain home-dwellers with less artistic vision (yes, Garrett I am talking about you). My idea: big beefy marine cleats,  crisp white rope, and grommets. The idea worked flawlessly and I am INLOVE with my new curtains and Garrett even approved. I also added a twill, herringbone camel colored ribbon at the bottom.

The Goods:

• I purchased the fabric from Kris a while ago and it sat for the right project.
• The twill ribbon actually tied 2 throw pillows together that I purchased at Target. I loved the thickness and the color so I kept it. Pack rats Unite!
• I purchased the marine cleats at Ace Hardware. I went to Home Depot and Lowe's too but their cleats were too wimpy. These were roughly $2 each. Steal!
• The rope I bought at Ace and it is just regular rope. I knotted the ends and let them fray a little
• The curtains were real simple. They are about 6 inch wider then each window and half the height of the window plus hems and seams. Don't forget your drapery weights or the bottoms will stick out like a bell. I added grommets from Joann's (They are the only place I found silver) and the project was complete. The curtains are unlined because of the covered porch the windows face and I didn't want to cut down on the light.

They are the first green into the kitchen and they might be the best!

Office Space

So I have been working on some sewing project for a neighbor of mine and let me tell you, I have never hated sewing more. Everything went wrong and I am so glad it is over. I made some box pleat valances, about 21 knife edge pillows and 4 (all different sizes) bench cushions with zippers and piping.

I HATE PIPING.

It was Murphy's law all over the place (which means that when I took pictures the memory card was not located in the camera). She was really lucky I didn't go office space fax machine on those cushions. I was SOOOO close. I won't go into the details but I am glad it is over. She loved everything and I am so glad. Word to the wise: When making seat cushions with foam 1)cut the foam to size with a electric craving knife 2) wrap that sucker in batting. I was supper pissed when after about 4 hours of wrestling with fraying fabric, zippers, and piping, my seat cushion looking like it had on underwear 3 sizes too big. You know the look I am referring too. You have a pair like that, that you wear on laundry day. My mom rescued me. She took me to lunch and then we bought some batting. We put it on and their was a collective sign of relief. Well, really it was only me signing. Mom knew what she was talking about. I think I was hold about 5 breathes so that explains that.

While I am glad it is over, I am also glad to have accomplished those cushions. I think I will reevaluate whether or not I factored them into any of the rooms of my house.

Speaking of my house! I am painting the sewing room! Hooray. It is the first room to be painted and I am over the moon. The color is from Mt Vernon, Washington's Daughters room. It is the best color and it almost perfectly matches the Fiesta color Peacock. Here is a sneak peek. I am much further now. All that is left it the bit at the top. Then the guest room. I am painting that Copper Coin. I will post pictures of that later this week.

Last but not least. I am starting a new sweater pattern. It is my Deep V Neck sweater. Here is a teaser with more to come later. I have also started the Tangled Yoke from Interweave Knits. I am using the steeking technique.   

Poinsettia & Holly Felt Wreath

I love this wreath and if my Blog stats are correct so do you. Wanna make your own? Great! Here is a pattern and a quick how to. Refer to This Post for preparing the wreath with Fleece (I used Blue Sweatshirt Fleece). Then download this pattern and cut out 4 pattern piece from wool felt for each flower. You can adjust the size, but mine are all the same. Then arrange the felt pieces like 2 crosses and place one on top of the other with the bottom one skewed so that it resembles a flower and you can see all the petals. Stitch the center to secure. You can choose just about anything for your center. I choose Buttons and I love them. Then slip stitch the flowers onto your wreath. Be careful to tack down all your petals or else they may flop down on your door and you will have a droopy wreath (not very Christmasy). Next, I used a holly leaf picture as m template (just Google Holly Leaf and search through the images till you find one you like). I cut out 2 leaves for every cluster. I also used Buttons for your berries or felt circles. Remember Poinsettias come in a variety of colors so go crazy and use up your scraps. Enjoy!

Thank you Craft Magazine

Stitch N Bitch

Well, I started a knitting group in my neighborhood and it was a success from the beginning. In my whole experience teaching knitting (all of 2, count 'em, 2) it seems I have a knack for it. Our first meeting was Nov 20 (just 2 days before Big Thursday) and 3 ladies showed. I taught one that night. This past Tuesday (oh, silly me, I forgot to add that we meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month), 5 ladies showed and I taught 2 to knit, one the purl stitch and taught one a 2 min refresher. She hasn't knit since her daughter was born 8 mo ago and even still only the knit stitch. The group/class is scheduled to go from 7-8, but we were there till 9pm. I enjoy getting to know my neighbors so much. One of the ladies (she was crocheting that night) lives right across the street and this was our first meeting. Man, I love my new neighborhood! We also learned about 1 mo before we moved in that one of Garrett's good friends, that he grew up with, also lives in the neighborhood. His wife and I have become close and we are actually planning a Neighborhood Networking Party for January. We have a big brainstorming meeting next Wed that oddly enough will require wine, food and probably alot of discussion over how crazy Britney is this week. It is bound to be very productive.

On the baking front: I am making cookies....lots of cookies. It could be that it is cold or the holidays but I can't keep sugar, eggs or flour stocked enough. Totally unrelated, my jeans are a little snug. Hmmm.

I have also rearranged my living room. It all started with changing the slip covers, which in and of itself is a 2 hour endeavor. Then, I just wasn't happy with the arrangement. One couch was up against the left wall and you could not see the TV while sitting on it. So means 2 humans and 2 dogs would usually squeeze onto the other which was parallel to the fireplace. This meant that when Garrett got home and I was still cooking that the majority of our conversations were with his back to me facing the TV. This doesn't make for very involved conversations. Now we can use both couches and I get at least half his attention should the TV be on. You don't pick the battles you think you can win, you fight the battles that are worth fighting.
I think my favorite piece in the living room is the secretary desk by the fireplace. This is not its final home but it works to cover all the wires we have over there. Eventually we will add built in bookshelves that will continue out from the fireplace. I also want to introduce more traditional furniture. This modernish-ness really worked in our old house but our craftsman style needs something different. I was thinking along the lines of the red velvet couch from "Because I said so" It has a rolled back and arms and it is tufted. I did find a similar one that is a very good price, no tufts, but comes in velvet. What do you think?
 

Ga-Ga for Garlands

I recently participated in the Ga-Ga for Garlands swap and it was alot of fun. I showed you my garland for my partner and it seems, as she says: "Great minds think alike". We both used felt/fabric combo and a bunting style. I love my garland and think is fit perfectly in my house. I can't wait to find out where she found those wonderful snowflakes. I will need to get some because when my sister, mom and sister in law see this garland, they are sure to want their own.

I love the vintage buttons she used to join the buntings together and the silver sparkle is just enough. The garland reads Happy Winter in case my photography is not as clear as it should be. Thank you so much Lori!

I made a crucial decision this morning that I needed a new wreath for my front door. on a recent trip to Michaels I saw a Martha Stewart Tissue paper poinsettia wreath. I spied the template inside and I thought it would look much better in felt. A few brains storms and try and I had a Poinsettia and holly felt wreath. I will try to whip something up in photoshop as a template in the nest few days but it is all just free hand. The holly berries are vintage buttons and so are the poinsettia centers. The poinsettias and holly leaves are wool felt. The wreath is covered in inside out fleece. I love this so much and I glad I did it early so it can hang longer!

Last but not least are my new fabric coasters. I was gifted these photo coasters last year and have always thought they would look better with fabric. I dug out some scraps and cut them to shape and slide them in place. The scraps are kept in place with some scotch tape. It took 5 min but I think they look like $1 million dollars (and no, I am not holding my pinky up to the corner of my mouth. Who does that any way!)

Happy holidays!