Double Delicious. . .Garden Gate Love

What is it about garden gates that has so many of us in love?
 
is it the anticipation of what lies behind them, their
 curve or curb appeal, or
 
well, I could go on and on.
 
Whatever it is I adore them!
 
 
So much so that I have them placed here and there throughout my garden.
I don't have peonies planted by my garden gate so I planted a garden gate by my peonies.  : )
 

This perfect pairing has now become 'double delicious'!


 
Here's a few more of my garden gates.
 
 



The orange poppes against the green metal gate. . .perfect pairing.
Again, (if you ask me) double delicious!



 
I wish I would have taken this photo when the Brunerra was loaded with dainty blue blooms. . .perfect pairing!

 
 

This one leads to our rose garden.  It will be much prettier when the lavender is in bloom.
 




Not a gate, but of course it was instant love when I spied this little potting bench at a shop years ago.
 
It houses some of my small oil cans

 
How about you?  Do you have old gates in your garden?
 
Never met one I didn't love!
 
hugs,
Jann
 
This post was featured at Roses of Inspiration.  Thanks Stephanie!
 
 

Share Your Cup Thursday #151

Hello my friends and welcome to Share Your Cup, (SYC for short).
 
The party where you share the things that make you happy.
 
By sharing, you help add to others happiness!
 
I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful holiday weekend.
 
We celebrated our oldest grandsons birthday.  Hard to believe that he is 20 years old.  Wow, how old does that make me?  lol!
 
Now for SYC #150 features:
*remember to please pin from their site and not mine. 
 
Ramon from Rowhouse blog shared his wonderful bedroom makeover.
 
 
 
Gentle Joy  took us on an early morning walk through her garden.
 
 
Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods made the cutest sewing teapot.
 


Christine from Little Brags created the cutest polka dot pillows for her back porch.
 



Marsha's Creekside Creations hosted a heritage dinner using assorted dishes that belonged to ancestors.  Love this idea!
 


Julie's Lifestyle shared the recipe for an easy and delicious summer ranch dressing salad.
 

Thanks so much for sharing everyone and please grab my button if you were featured.
 
 
Don't forget to hop over to my page and see who was featured there!
 
 


 Now Let's Party!
 
1.  I would love for you to be a follower of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
2.  Link up a particular post and not your entire blog. Please limit your links to no more than three.
3.  Please have a back link to this post.  That way others will know where the party is. Only those with a back link will be featured.
 4.  Please find time to visit at least two other participants.
It's a great way to find new friends!
 
After you link up, please come back and leave a comment.  They help to fill my cup! 
 

 

 

My oh My, Let's Talk Pie. . .

Hello my friends, we are still getting bombarded with rain off and on daily.
Makes a woman want to bake!  lol!
 
I should be thinking 'bikini body' (like that's ever going to happen), and eating healthy, but no; instead I find myself baking pie.  I mean twice in one week.  Oh my!
And not only did I make pie yesterday, but I made banana bread as well.  : )
 
And soup, yes I've been making a lot of soup. 
 

 
 
Now I have a confession to make.  I have this gorgeous rhubarb plant and I have never used it for baking.
I've used the leaves to make some fun concrete birdbaths, but that's about it.
 
 
And now for a second confession.  I never bake a pie with a top crust.  Pie is my favorite dessert, but I don't make one very often. So when I do I make pecan or coconut cream.  My two favs!
 
Needless to say, my first attempt was not the prettiest.  But my sweet pie bird didn't seem to mind.  And I might add that it tasted delicious!
 
 
Second attempt, well I'm getting better!
 


My friend, Amanda gave me the recipe for her strawberry rhubarb pie.  I've never really eaten it, but it's a keeper!
 
I loved the sweetness of the strawberry with just the bit of tartness from the rhubarb!
 
She also gave me a fabulous crust recipe.  I tell you it's so easy and the flakiest crust I've ever made.
 
If you like pie you must try this crust!
 
Sylvias Perfect Pie Crust
(thank you Slyvia, whoever you are!)
1 1/2 c. Crisco
3 c. all purpose flour
1 egg
5 Tbs. cold water
1 Tbs. white vinegar
1 tsp. salt
In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the Crisco into the flour for about 3 or 4 min. until coarse.
in a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and pour it into the flour/shortening mixture.  Add water, vinegar, and salt.
Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.
Separate the dough into thirds.  Form 3 evenly sized balls and place each into a large Ziploc bag.  Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about 1/2 inch thick).  Seal the bags and place them in the freezer.  (If you will be using it immediately, still put it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill)
When ready to use, remove from freezer and allow to thaw for 15 min.  Roll dough on floured surface.  Start at center and working out.  Sprinkle some flour over top of the dough if it's too moist.
 
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
(the recipe calls for more rhubarb than strawberries, Amanda said she likes more strawberries than rhubarb.  The amount in the parenthesis is what I used)
1 1/4 c. granulated sugar
3 Tbs. quick cooking tapioca
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
dash of cinnamon
1 tsp. grated orange rind (opt.)
1Tbs. butter
3 c. 1/2 inch pieces of fresh rubarb
(I used 1 1/2 c.)
1 c. fresh strawberries, sliced
(I used 2 1/2 c.)
In large bowl mix together the sugar, tapioca, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Add the rhubarb, strawberries, and orange rind.  Stir until the mixture coats the spoon.  Let stand for 15 min.
 

Line a 9 inch pie plate with your pastry.  Spoon in the strawberry rhubarb mixture.  Dot the top of the mixture with the butter.  Cover the pie with another pie pastry. Brush the top with a beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 35 to 40 min., or until browned.
 
 
 
I tried it with whip cream and ice cream.  Must admit that the ice cream won out!
 

 
YUM-O!
 
hugs,
Jann
 
I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
 
 

 

She's a Grand Old Flag - Memorial Day Porch

Welcome my friends.
 
So glad you are here!
 
 
 
 
I have had so much fun decorating our front porch for Memorial Day!
This year it's all about our gorgeous red, white, and blue flag.
 
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
 The home of the free and the brave.
 
 
 

 
 

 Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.


 
 
 
 
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
 




 
 


 
 

 

 
 
I love our flag and what it represents!
 
This weekend we honor loved ones who have passed and who's memories will forever be in our hearts; and those who gave their lives preserving the rights and freedoms of our country.
 
I salute you!
 
hugs,
Jann
 
This post was featured at Vintage Inspiration Party.  Thanks ladies!
 
I will be sharing with :
 
 
 

You'll Find Me in the Garden. . .

Hello my friends,
If you happen to knock on my door and I don't answer,
chances are you'll find me in the garden.
 
(Elsa Spath Clematis)
 
 
It truly is my favorite place to be this time of year!
 
(Anna Louise Clematis)
 
 
 
With all of the rain we've had lately I find myself bouncing outside in between showers.
 
 I anxiously look forward to my morning stroll.
It fills me with delight to discover new blooms daily!
 
(Jupiters Beard)
 
 
(mountain bluet, perennial bachelor button)
 
 
 
(basket of gold)
 
 
 
 
(sweet rocket)
 

 
(silver dollar)
 
 
(I have four colors of oriental poppies. The orange and white are blooming)
 
 
 





(this morning I walked out to find my first red poppy)
 




(Mrs. Bradshaw)
 

 

(I knew the name of this flower last year and this year I can not remember it for the life of me.  Anyone know?  The leaves look a lot like those of the Columbine)


 
(Columbine)
 
 
 

 
(Siberian Iris)
 
 
 
 
(Iris)
 
 
 
 
 



 
(variegated Iris)






 
 
Bushes and trees. . .
 
(snowball)
 

(dwarf Korean lilac)

 
(golden chain tree)
 
 
(tri color beech tree)
 
 
 
So many photos!
 
I decided that I would save my herb garden, shade garden, and rock plants for another post.
 
And finally, a few wide views of the garden.



 
 
(oil can collection)
 



I truly love this time of year!  Each day brings a new delight.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

I hope you enjoyed the stroll through my garden.

hugs,
Jann

I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Instagram