Hearts & Flowers

Our February meeting got everyone "in the Mood!" (ha) with Martha Jo's presentation on Hearts & Flowers.

She put together a beautiful table display of all things hearts & flowers and gave wonderful tips on bringing that Valentine's Day spirit into your home using simple things you probably already have.

A round mirror (bottom right) with roses glued to the bottom with a red-ribbon for a hanger is a simple idea and she demonstrated using lipstick to write a special message to your valentine!   Ooo-laaa-laaa!

 

Or check out the white paper doilies glued to form a holder for red flowers (bottom left).   Super-cute to hang on a door knob or cabinet.

 This simple flower was made using cupcake liners and some foam-board; so cute!

 

 

Martha also recommended a wonderful "Cheer Basket" to carry in your car for impromptu get-togethers with friends.   Include in the basket teacups, teabags, a candle, napkins, tablecloth and maybe a devotional book to share with a friend who might be in need of some warm fellowship.

 

Even the refreshments provided by Pat and Vickie  were all geared with "lovin" on the mind!  

Delicious mini cherry cheesecakes! 

 

We will be starting seeds at our next meeting in March; won't you join us??

Christmas Party-Time!

We had so much fun at our December meeting which is also our Christmas Get-Together, complete with food and gift-giving!

Diana Brady & Vickie Lamb

                                Pat Sarosi is looking very pretty and festive.

              Here's Martha Jo, Wilma and Virginia, sharing a good time.

                          LOTS of yummy, yummy food being shared!

Pat Sarosi receives an Amarilys bulb, which was quite ironic, as she gave a wonderful program on enjoying holiday bulbs & plants during the winter season and the amarilys was one of them!   (PS:   I'm sure I didn't spell that right)

Deb Paige LUVS her gift and can't wait to put it in the garden this spring!

        Pattie, Debbie, Kathy and Becky look to be enjoying themselves.

                        Uh oh,  looks like a serious conversation! 

Wilma was super-excited to receive the snowman made from claypots.

A great time was had by all!

Christmas at Deer Creek Lodge!

2012 was the first year for Christmas Tree decorating at Deer Creek State Park Lodge near Mt. Sterling, Ohio.  Several local garden clubs from the surrounding area each sponsored and decorated a tree using mostly natural materials and all hand-made!   The creativity was just enormous!

Our jr. garden club also sponsored a tree and it sat next to ours and was front & center as you entered the lobby of the lodge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out this "choir" that another club did using all natural materials; so cute!

Here's a little ducky sitting in an egg-shell.

This Owl is a real Hoot!

The Open House was complete with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus!

 

Pumpkin Pickin' at Lohstroh's!

What a great time we had at Lohstroh Family Farms last Monday night!   Michelle Lohstroh told us all about the history of their farm and showed us all the great varieties of pumpkins and gourds they sell.

A wonderful, big building is a new addition to the farm since our last visit three years ago.

Lots of great displays and areas to shop from; that big long white thing is their caterpillar haybale; kids love to play on it.

Melba and Barb check out the apple and gooseneck gourds.

Great colors in these squash and yes, you can cook with them!

Michelle showing a bumpy variety.

This striped variety is known for the oil obtained from pressing the seeds.

Ruth W. points out some great fall decor and crafts.

Ruth F. picks out a gift for a friend.

Lots of cute, smaller items at the checkout counter, including jewelry!

Items are picked and brought in on wagons to check-out.

Super-cute twins joined together.

These small gourds are called daisy gourds because of, what else, how the top resembles a daisy!  

Cute displays everywhere to give you lots of great decorating ideas.   We had a great time, despite the cold chill in the air and boy, did it get dark fast!   But thanks again, Michelle, for your hospitality, the tour and the knowledge your shared!  We really appreciate it!

Back at the church, we conducted our normal meeting and then installed our new officers for the next two years.



Pat Sarosi was installed as our new Treasurer.

Debby Paige was installed as our new Secretary.

Debbie Parzych was installed as our new President.   (Virginia Brokamp is our new Vice-President but she was unable to make the meeting and will be installed at our meeting in December.)

Our next meeting is our shared Open Meeting with two other nearby clubs.  This years meeting will be hosted by Darby Valley Garden Club.   See sidebar for the details.

Concrete Pot Party!

Boy did we have fun with another workshop, making concrete flower pots and containers.  Debby Paige's son, Adam, guided us along the way and provided us with his own secret concrete recipe.   The pots turn out beautiful and are so lightweight!

 

Several new members along with Pat S. are anxious to get started!

Good thing we brought gloves!

Ruth F. is hard at work; she is using her container for succulents!

Vickie is always one to take it to the next level and she first lined her container with a metal mesh to give the container a great textured look.

Ruth W. says This is a Lot of Fun!

Now we let them set.

Here are some pots Adam already had done; very nice and again, you would be amazed how lightweight they are!

Here are ones Adam did, using a basket for a mold; isn't the texture wonderful?

After all that hard work, Freda and Ruth F. treated us to quite the spread!!   Delicious!


Next month we are visiting Lohstroh Family Farms in Mt. Sterling.   Check out their website:  www.lohstrohfamilyfarms.com

Won't you come join us?