Sunday Bits of Inspo #85 (Cottage Gardens, Snackle Boxes)

Well, hi there! Happy Sunday! Happy Canada Day long weekend!

We are busily prepping for the family to join us for dinner. Had planned for a nice dinner outside, but it's looking grey and gloomy out there. Rain to come, perhaps? So, pivoted to indoors instead. We had a great rain the other day, with 40mm in the rain gauge, but we will happily take more ; )

Yard work is coming along, have prepped for the landscaper. All set for phase 2 of the yard reno. Can't wait. The back and side yard will be much improved, both aesthetically and functionally. While this is a much smaller job than phase 1 was, it involves heavy pavers, a lot of digging, and removing so much rock and landscape fabric... therefore, we have hired younger, more fit and able help.

Here are this week's Sunday bits of inspo to inspire your garden, yard, home, and tummy.

My Canada Day garden bed a few years back. Red and white zinnias.

Gardening Bits of Inspo

I'm going to start the gardening bits with this post ... Beware AI Gardening Content. It is a pretty scary world out there with AI and all the false information that comes from it. Hard enough for us 'experienced (aka old) gardeners to pick through the true and the fake sometimes, but imagine how hard it is for new gardeners?

Hoverflies! I love these guys. Along with parasitic wasps, these are the beneficial insects that I always try to attract to my garden. Check out the post for the flowers that attract them.

The truth about Nandina killing birds. This is a good read, if you have heard about this big controversy?

These articles about watering... Can you overwater plants in summer? And, is it better to water in the morning or the evening? and this one, too... Deep watering. You can't have too much information about watering when it comes to gardening in a drought.

This article for how to keep your cut flowers lasting longer is nice. Flower food is very helpful, here are 3 different kinds. The first is a clear liquid, nice if you are using a glass vase and do not want it to look cloudy, like the powders sometimes do. The third one is the one used by many florists.

Cut Flower Food

Cut Flower Food

Chrysal Flower Boost

Flora Life Flower Food (liquid)

Flora Life Flower Food (powder)

Chrsysal Flower Food (the one florists use most)

My cafe curtains that I made out of a linen tablecloth.

Wow, this cottage garden is absolutely amazing! A must see!

This charming cottage with a blush pink door.

Why interior designers are loving cafe curtains.

This warm blonde wood kitchen is so simple and oh so pretty.

Here is the actual sourdough raisin bread recipe we used!

Recipe Inspo Bits

If you only get a jar or two of cucumbers from your garden at a time (as I do), this fridge pickle recipe is for you. Make a jar of dills at a time, ready to eat the very same day.

Call me crazy, but I think this squash pizza looks super yummy! Perfect for a snack or lunch on a hot summer's day.

A 3 ingredient salsa made with roasted veggies!

Or even better.... 3 ingredient, no churn strawberry ice-cream!

This Cheesecake Factory strawberry shortcake knock off recipe. I haven't been to a CF in 3 decades, so no idea if this one is like theirs is, but I am always up for a good strawberry shortcake recipe.

Have you heard of Snackle Boxes? I just heard about them last week as I was watching Motel Rescue on the Magnolia Station, and now I find out that they are a thing. Huh! Gotta admit, I think they are pretty awesome. If I had little kids, I would totally make these to take to the beach or other outings. As an oldie, I would pack them for car rides. Here are some adult Snackle Box ideas.

Blue 3 layer snackle box

8 Grid Snackle Box

Smores Caddy

Blue 3 tiered box / 8 Grid Box / Smores Caddy

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This is my latest find for what to do with this week's sourdough discard. A double chocolate loaf cake. Hubby loves anything chocolate, the chocolatier, the better.

OOPS! - The other week, I shared a recipe for making sourdough raisin bread, but accidently pinned the wrong one. Sorry! This is the recipe that we use, and yes, we give it 4.5 stars! Super fast and easy to make, and yummy, too.

We lost a large limb from one of our Mountain Ash trees in the backyard. It hit the fence, but luckily did not break it. No damage, except for the tree. This lovely pink lupin sitting in the midst of all the mess.

Well, I'm off to do some table setting and cleaning, plus start a loaf of sandwich bread.

Hope you all are having a fantastic long weekend ~ Tanja