Oh, The Woes of Technology!

Dear Ones,
Let me begin by saying that I apologize for any inconvenience
that my trying to switch from Blogger Chrome~ to ~Google +
and back to Blogger Chrome may have caused for any of you!

What a nightmare!!!

So~o~o let me begin by saying that . . .
in the beginning when I didn't switch to Blogger Chrome,
*I couldn't load photos to my post,
*Nor could I leave comments on your posts.

I switched to Blogger Chrome and life was good 
until. . . April 19, 2013 
when I pushed the button to upgrade to Google+.

Fearful, once again, I would be unable to operate my blog,
I joined Google+. 
BUT. . .
* Many of the blogs I follow no longer show up on My Blogs.
*My faithful followers have notified me you can not comment.
*Also, my own Comment drop down bar has disappeared.

Here's what I have done. . .
*I switched back to Blogger Chrome!
    However, the same issues exist!
*I have sent a Help Requester to Blogger!
     I have heard nothing!

Thank you for your patience 
while I'm working towards a satisfactory solution.
I appreciate your patience more than you could possibly know!
*and if any of you ladies in the Land of Blog knows of "the fix",
please contact me with details. I will try your suggestions.


My schedule, the week of April 29 thru May 4
is overpacked here On Crooked Creek, 
but I will be working towards a solution each free moment.

During this trial time, feel free to leave a comment 
under my FB posting from On Crooked Creek.
( Posted under my name and not my blog name.)

Many, many thanks to those of you have e~mailed
to make me better aware of the problems with Comments.
I can see by the amount of Views that you're still with me
. . .and I am continually blessed by your friendship and support.

Until next time. . .

Front Porch Pottings. . .

At last,
our Winter has come and gone!!!

So~o~o. . .
"Mr. Ed" and I took advantage of the nearly 70 degree weather
and went potted plant shopping for the front porch!

A "New Look" Dusty Miller with silvery white leaves 
combined with a "Super Cascade Blue" Petunia 
with deep green leaves and dark purple flowers 
fill the top of a two~tier wrought iron vintage planter.

Froggy stands watch over the empty bottom planter
as we anxiously await for a new shipment of Sweet Potato Vines.

Moving around to the entrance of the front porch
we have placed our three~tier corner shelving unit.

Last February, while updating the decor in Studio One,
I painted these rose motif  brass fronts
on my galvanized planters a soft Versatile Gray.

One nice thing about paint. . .
if you're not satisfied with the results,
you can paint over it!

I much prefer the creamy ivory PaperWhite 
painted atop the Versatile Gray using a dry brush technique!

The smaller of the three galvanized pots 
is the perfect size to hold these abundant fragrant masses 
of "Wonderland Purple" Alyssum 
combined with "Silver falls" Dichondra.
Vigorous, fan~shaped silvery leaves exhibit cascading growth.

Directly beneath is a larger galvanized pot containing 
Gold Leaf Tansy "Isla Gold" Tanacetum. 
Yellow button flowers appear in the Summer
 from the golden foliage resembling fern leaves.

Silver and gold foliage ~
purple and yellow flowers ~
I'm swooning just thinking of the sight that will welcome guests
as they arrive On Crooked Creek!

The final galvanized planter 
holds a perennial "Indian Feather" Rosy Jane.
Soft white blossoms with an edging of fuchsia 
should bloom all Summer.

The sun turned to cloudy skies late this afternoon
here On Crooked Creek, and yes. . .rain is in the forecast.
However, the nighttime temperatures 
are not predicted to drop to freezing.

Front Porch Pottings are making a pleasing entrance
to our home On Crooked Creek. . .at last!!!


Until next time. . .

Tree. . .

Unfortunately, 
On Crooked Creek had an over~abundance of trees 
when we arrived here on this side of the Prairie 11 years ago.

The unfortunate part is most of the trees were Cedar.
I'm highly allergic to all evergreens. . .
especially Cedar!!!

One exception to the Cedar trees,
this Ornamental Plum Tree has to be my favorite!

This feminine, petite tree
resides at the edge of the Fairy Garden
and just North of the back deck On Crooked Creek.

Once the blossoms have disappeared for the Season,
rich purple hued leaves stay until Autumn each year.

A final soft pink blossom,
protected by a new branch,
clings fast as the winds threaten here On Crooked Creek.

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com

Mary @ Little Red House for

Thursday's Inspiration!

Be sure to visit for inspiration 

and some excellent photography 

from the Land of Blog!

Celebrating 40 Years!!!

Today,

On Crooked Creek, April 24, 2013

"Mr. Ed" and I are helping our son celebrate his 40th birthday!

Our sons favorite cake is plain and simple. . .
yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting.

Since we will be celebrating a milestone of 40 years,
"Mr. Ed" and I embellished the frosting with peanut butter cups!

Wanting to make this birthday a bit more special for our son,
we decided to make him his favorite cake into cupcakes.

At the grocers to pick up the ingredients,
"Mr. Ed" and I found these over~sized parchment paper
cupcake liners. . .perfect for my over~sized muffin pan!

So~o~o. . .
while it hailed, thundered, lightening, 
rained and the wind howled,
"Mr. Ed" and I made a single layer cake 
and six over~size cupcakes.

* * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * 

Once the cake and cupcakes were cooled,
I iced them with milk chocolate frosting. . .right from the can!

I cut two regular size peanut butter cups into half, 
then in half again to make the triangles for the center.

I cut two more regular size peanut butter cups 
 into 10 ~ 12 smaller pieces 
and "Mr. Ed" dropped them randomly on the tops.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Six over~sized cupcakes. . .

and one single layer cake.

All it took was. . .
1 package of Yellow Cake Mix
1 can of Milk Chocolate Frosting
8 single regular size Peanut Butter Cups
to make celebrating 40 years. . .

a piece of cake!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.stonegableblog.com

Yvonne @ StoneGable for

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits!

Be sure to visit for
amazing inspiration!

Pretty Peat Pots!

When it's time to divine those plants from your Garden 
or begin some Garden seeds anew,
why not 'pretty~up' your peat pots? ? ?

Before. . . 

These plain 3~inch peat pots 
were purchased at our local Wal~Mart.

. . .After!

Wanting to set a unique presentation display 
for my upcoming talk on Herbs~Edible Plants,(here) 
I remembered some adorable Easter decorations
made by Donna @ The Decorated House(here).

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *
I began by painting the peat pots 
with various shades of creamy ivory and soft muted gray.
Some of the coffee filters 
were dipped to tip the tops for a finished appeal.

Once the paint and coffee filters were dried,
I folded a coffee filter in half.

I remember very little from Home Economics 101,
but did some cutting to ease the ruffle of the coffee filter
to better fit the peat pot!

When I had determined the correct size needed,
I removed the remainder of the coffee filter 
and hot glued into place.

Embellishing with  some satin ruffled sage green ribbon
to mimic the coffee filter ruffle gives a finished look to one set.

The next set of five gray peat pots 
needed to harmonize with the chosen color palette 
for my presentation.

Black and white gingham checked ribbon
accentuates the green herb seed packets rather nicely!


Although my presentation for my circle group was Herbs,
I chose to decorate a few pots with flower seeds, as well.

In preparation for an upcoming Tea On Crooked Creek,
I chose a feminine color palette of creamy ivory, green and pink.

To creamy ivory peat pots,
I added chartreuse with white polka dot grosgrain ribbon,
then hot glue a taupe and white vintage button in the center.

My choice of  Zinna flower seed hues are
Envy (chartreuse), Purity (creamy ivory) 
and Dahlia Purple (Pink).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Most all the supplies were already "on~hand".
My only expense ~ less than $2  for the each package of peat pots!

Amazing what a few packets of seeds,
some inexpensive peat pots splashed 
with paint and embellishments in an afternoon 
can do to transform your Garden or dining table 
into a work of Art!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.stonegable.blog.com

Yvonne @ StoneGable for

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits!

Two~by~Two. . .

Just one more thing 
in a very busy week On Crooked Creek. . .
a Two~by~Two Dinner Group!

For several years,
the Fellowship Committee at our Church
placed members of our congregation together in dinner groups.

Placing new(er) members with Seasoned members
allows for congregational blending 
along with an amazing time for fellowship!

Peoples lives are b u s y!
Since retirement, 
we have set aside some time just for fellowshipping!

So~o~o. . .
this week On Crooked Creek another couple,
whom we adore, came  for a Two~by~Two Dinner Group!

Although I wanted to set a elegant table for our dinner,
I kept a simplistic table setting 
to allow for comfort and ease of conversation.

"Mr. Ed" has been quite eager 
to do some "grilling" On Crooked Creek
and had already chosen to make his delicious Rib~eye Steak!

Here's the evenings menu:

Two~by~Two

Vegetable Soup

Rib~eye Steak

Mashed Potatoes

Mushroom Gravy

Green Beans

Croissants

Raspberry Clafoutis

Colombian Coffee 

Raspberry in Paris Rooibus Tea

I chose newly purchased creamy ivory floral bouquets 

tied with an ivory satin ribbon 

to place in my urns for the centerpiece.

Placing each atop a plain white cotton

with polka dot organza runner defines the table 

and allows for free flowing conversation!

Picking up the green in the center of the florals,

I chose my everyday sage green dinnerware.

Soft Robin's egg hued linen dinner napkins

encircled with ivory, green leaf and red berry napkin ring

brings a sense of Seasonal flavor to the tablescape.

I adore this leaf embossed
creamy ivory serving bowl!

Newly acquired Home Laughlin
gravy boat with soft golden edge.

Vintage cream ware oval serving platter
from my ever~growing collection!

I chose some of my favorite serving dishes

for our menu selections!

Our Two~by~Two Dinner Group table 

set simplistically for good food and wonderful fellowship!

Began as this . . .

                      . . .and finished as this Two~by~Two Dinner Group.

On Crooked Creek,

the fellowship sweet continued long after sunset!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.stonegable.blogspot.com

Yvonne @ StoneGable for

On The Menu Monday!

And. . .

www.betweennapsontheporch.net

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch 

for Tablescape Thursday!

Be sure to visit

for you’ll come away

filled with amazing inspirations

for use with your own families menus 

and in your own home décor!