Design Post Update

Everywhere you turn, there is a new idea of what your home should look like. Do you want the down home feeling of country or the rustic atmosphere of cowboy or western dcor? Do you want old items, new items or a combination? What about sunflowers? Do you have to have roosters, cows and pigs to have a true country style? It should boil down to what makes you happy and makes you smile when you enter your home.

Sure, you want your home to be neat, clean and a place where invited guess upon entering will say, WOW! But getting from the idea in your head to the final room design is a challenge at best. First, choose a room. We will choose the kitchen for this example. Second, what do you want to include in your dream kitchen. Start by listing all the colors, dcor themes and accessories, including types of furniture. Go wild and use that imagination. Now, categorize that list side by side to help you decide what you really want. Heres an abbreviated example:

Colors: off white, red, green Kitchen Dcor: applies, roosters, sunflowers Furniture: round oak table, old pie safe, vegetable bin Accessories: butter churn, old wooden ice cream maker, braided rug

The list could go on and on. However, once you start writing down your ideas, you will see what you will want and can start scratching off the items that do not fit into your final design. While this exercise can take days, weeks, months or even years until you really know what you want, it is possible to sit down and create a room design very quickly for the person who knows in her heart what she wants.

And that is where the heart comes in to play. Ok, so you fell in love with this gorgeous old round table but it is dark and dreary. Use some elbow grease, and refinish it. Now you have a wonderful oak table that needs a rug underneath it. Still going to put an old braided rug under your new creation? How about a rooster and apple rug that has a black background with red and green in it? So, scratch off the braided round rug and add that rooster/apple rug you saw in a magazine. Always remember to keep those pictures or magazine articles for future reference.

You need a centerpiece for that gorgeous table. You still would like to bring in some sunflowers but not sure where. Why not locate a rooster centerpiece that includes some sunflowers. Now, you can add rooster, apple or sunflower towels. Why not rotate between all three?

Using this approach in developing a plan for your home dcor, you can easily mix and match or change your mind as you find things in magazines or stores. Use this as a good excuse for an all day adventure to discover just what is hidden in your local junk and antique stores. Have kids? Make a list for each child to see what they can find during your travels. Involve the whole family in this process. You may just find a born bargain hunter.

The bottom line: make yourself and your heart happy! Enjoy life and your surroundings and when you do accomplish the final design, sit back and drink in the WOW comments from your friends and family.

Container gardening vegetables is an excellent choice for the home gardener who doesn't have large single area to grow in. Just about any vegetable will grow well in a pot. You can use any kind of container as long as it is the right size for the plant inside it.

In many ways, container gardening is easier than traditional outdoor growing. Potted plants don't have to compete for space as long as the pot is big enough for the plant. It is easier to apply fertilizer to the plant. Weeding is not necessary 99% of the time. Pruning and harvesting your plants is easier too.

All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines, and your vegetables will be very happy in their little pot.

Choosing the Container

The good news about container s is you can literally use any type of container that will hold dirt and water as long as it is big enough for the requirements of the plant. If you spend a few minutes looking around your house, you probably have 2 or 3 items that will work. Some ideas are 2 liter bottles, milk jugs, orange juice cartons, and even empty water bottles for small plants. Any of these can work, use your imagination.

Mainly you want to make sure that whatever type of pot or container you are using has drain holes in the bottom. Drainage is super important for potted plants. It helps prevent over watering and provides a source of oxygen the roots.

Avoid dark-colored pots if you can. They absorb more heat and that is normally a bad thing. Unless, you want your plants cooked before you pick them that is.

Dirt and Food

Okay so we have our container and now we need to prep it. Potting mix is number one on my list of soil choices for several reasons. Excellent drainage and aeration. Low compaction. Moisture retention. I want air and loose dirt for the roots. I also don't want the water to evaporate every day. Potting mix will satisfy these needs. Be sure to use "potting mix", not "potting soil". There is a big difference.

Feed the plants by adding a slow-release fertilizer that has the right mix of nutrients for the type of vegetable you are growing in the pot. Slow-release fertilizers will continue to add nutrients to the soil the life of the plant without the worry of remember to add more throughout the season. One less thing to worry about is a good thing.

Watering

Watering is the one area that many neglect, but you won't if you just remember that container plants need water more often. Check them everyday using the finger test. The finger test is when you stick your finger in the soil to about 3 inches deep. If the soil isn't moist 2 or 3 inches down, then add some water. Don't go crazy with it. A little each time works best for containers.

Another option is to use self-watering containers. For container gardening vegetables, self-watering is the way to go. It makes up the bulk of my garden. The main reason I prefer them is they don't need daily watering and it is impossible to over water my plants using this method.

You can make your own and many do. However, I think purchasing a well constructed container is the better choice for indoors because they are generally more attractive and that is important when your gardening indoors.

Follow these simple tips and your container vegetable garden is going to turn out great. Anyone can start one and have great results. I am sure yours will be one to envy.

Collectors of canes, walking sticks, are mainly interested in the types of canes that were used as accessories in fashion over those used as orthopedic supports. Traditionally, individuals would choose to accessorize their wardrobe with the use of a cane. The canes quality was representative of the person's social standings, wealth and level of power within the community. This happens today in similar fashion with the jewelry, shoes, handbags and such. Reminiscent of how past cultures sought out canes today we seek out designer handbags and other types of fashion accessories.

Every collector and type of collection has their own unique set of "rules" per se on what makes a piece valuable. Cane collectors understand that collectible canes will often show some visible signs of wear as they were used by individuals on a daily basis. Antique canes are valued based on a number of things. The materials the cane is made out of as well as the condition, age, rarity, demand, authenticity and style all come into play when determining the canes worth.

There are three common types of canes that are collected: gadget canes, decorative canes and folk art canes. Practically all canes have four basic components that are universal: handle, collar, shaft and ferrule. When determining the age and authenticity of antique canes look at how the canes pieces are assembled, the way the parts are manufactured and the materials of what it is made from.

For instance, a proper ferrule is important in authenticating antique canes. It is important to note that folk art pieces are not included in this. Most vintage ferrules are created from bimetal, steel where the tip meets the ground and surrounded by brass sleeves. Modern canes may have bimetal ferrules however it is not the norm. Collectible cane tips will show some wear unless they have been recently replaced or the cane itself is a replica. Worn ferrules are usually a sure sign that the cane is an antique.

Another thing about cane ferrules that allows collectors to authenticate them is the way in which it is attached to the shaft. Vintage tips are secured to the shaft in a fashion that makes it almost impossible to remove by hand. The shaft and ferrule is aligned perfectly; if the edge of the tip is above the surface of the shaft this is an indication that the original ferrule has been replaced or is a reproduction.

For more foolproof tips on establishing the authenticity of antique canes check in with organizations such as the International Association of Antique Umbrella and Cane Collectors. Their main purpose is to collaborate and educate others on the art of collecting canes and related items.

When it comes to collections it is possible that antique canes, walking sticks and gadget umbrellas might just be the most interesting collections of all. There was a time in history where you the streets were lined with well dressed ladies and gentlemen all carrying a cane, umbrella or walking stick of one kind or another. In times of yesteryear it was not for support that these devices were used but instead to accentuate an outfit, show a level of status and wealth.

Antique canes, from the nineteenth and early twentieth century's were often made from rare and unique materials. Materials like ivory, tortoiseshell, enamel, porcelain, gold, silver, various precious and semi precious stones were used to create rare walking sticks, unique antique canes and unusual gadget canes.

These items often told a story. The materials that were used, the carvings that were engraved and materials that were blended together all were used to express the history of the time. The events of the time were chronicled within these unpretentious accessories.

"Shadow canes" are a prime example of this. Upon first glance shadow canes look to be a simple stick in which the handle top is designed with concentric rings. When a light is cast upon the cane it reveals a shadow. The silhouette tended to be of a controversial figure of the time. Also known as the Napoleon Shadow Cane, as supporters of the dynasty used them to pledge their allegiance during his infamous exile.

Canes come from three basic categories: decorative, gadget and weapon canes. The most intriguing element of antique canes is that there is one that matches any interest the collector may have. A Faberge Cane is a style of cane that uses a combination of elegant materials including precious stones to create an accessorial piece. When it comes to those that are interested in music there are Dulcimer and Flute canes. This style of cane is incredibly rare and includes a system of working systems built directly into the canes shaft to create music.

A rare type of weapon cane that is familiar to most collectors is the La Diabolique. These canes were eventually outlawed. The stealthy sticks were used by wealthy Protestants during the Revolution. When someone in the crowd would grab the piece, the force would release little metal spikes along the shaft and would shred the attacker's hand. The owner of the cane could release the spikes by simply tapping the cane quickly on the ground.

There are so many stories to be told through collecting especially when it comes to antique canes, gadget canes, and weapon canes. To view more on cane collections check out antique cane collections online today.

Okay I know it's July but they say Christmas comes earlier every year, and this year, as usual, most of us will be wondering how to get through the long shopping expeditions as well as stressing over the bank balance.

Not necessary! Give friends and family potted herbs to grow in the kitchen or plant outside. the following Spring. Herbs are always welcome as they are practical and attractive in the house as well as in the garden. Earn loads of Brownie points in the kitchen by adding fresh mint leaves to new potatoes!

At this time of year, you can often find herbs and small shrubs in garden centres at reduced prices. Make sure they are healthy though. Even the un-reduced plants aren't particularly expensive.

To save even more money, use your own plants. Take cuttings from healthy shrubs now, push cut end down into pots of fresh compost and keep warm and watered so that when you give them away as presents they are growing well and developing roots. I bought an aloe vera plant last year that has so far produced 8 new plants and the original is still growing well!

The best herbs to give as Christmas presents are perennial such as:

Aloe Vera
Sage
Thyme
Rosemary
Bay
Chives
Mint
Lemon Balm

Look around for different varieties. For example there is a new hybrid mint that smells like chocolate, and would be perfect to garnish an ice cream dessert.

Some herb varieties differ in the colour of flowers or leaves. Rather than buying the first one you see, check for healthy growth. If the plants are drooping or have brown leaves, discard and find a healthier one. The idea is you want to keep them alive and kicking until Christmas, after that they are their new owner's responsibility!

Keep the plants on a windowsill or warm bright place in the house and don't let them dry out. If you have to re-pot them, make sure the new pots are well-drained and use fresh compost to give them a good start.

Then all you need to do is buy a pretty container. Clay pots can be hand-painted with a simple daisy design and sealed with a clear varnish. Tie a bow round the pot and you have an instant Christmas present, that has taken you months to grow!

Author's Bio: 

Linda Gray has written a number of books on home and garden themes and runs a popular blog and Facebook page:

http://growyourownlifestyle.blogspot.co.uk