Bring in the Outdoors: Terrarium (Second Edition)

This is a new and improved re-post from around this time last year. Since I haven't been able to get my hands dirty for awhile I've been getting the itch to make another one of these. So, I thought this post could inspire both of us! ...Plus, I've learned a thing or two in the blogging world this past year and wanted to upgrade a favorite of mine. This is a fun and easy project that I think you will greatly enjoy!

What You'll Need:

• wide mouth glass container with lid
• pea gravel
• potting soil
• small plants
• some accents
• a little creativity!

I used this container I found at Hobby Lobby (50% off)...

And some of these small plants I selected from a local nursery...

Step 1: Add 1 to 3 inches of pea gravel to the bottom of the container (depending on the depth of your container) for drainage.

Step 2: Add 3 inches of potting soil on top of the pea gravel.

Step 3: Time to plant! You can arrange your plants on the table to get an idea of how you want the landscape to look. Then simply plant them in the terrarium just like you would plant them in your garden. Place the taller plants in the back, mid-size plants in the middle and low growing ones like moss in the front.

...Oh, and pomegranate juice mixed with sparkling water is very wonderful and refreshing!

Step 4: Give it a nice top coat of pea gravel.

Step 5: Now for the really fun part... it's time to put your creativity in full swing! Bring on the ACCENTS! I used a garden fairy, a bird nest with three robin eggs and a monarch butterfly...

Step 6: Pour in some water and place your lid on top.

Tip: A good way to tell when you need to water is by monitoring the condensation on the glass. If there is no condensation, give it a light watering. If there is heavy condensation, remove the lid to allow the excess moisture to escape.

My mom made one also using a different container (on clearance at Hobby Lobby), with a garden fairy and fence for accents.

Here's mine nestled in it's new home...

{This post was shared on Between Naps on the Porch, All Things Heart and Home, A Beach Cottage, My Backyard Eden, Someday Crafts, The Shabby Chic Cottage, and Somewhat Simple.}

XO,

   Jaclyn

CHC Valentine's 2011

My Sweethearts...

My Valentine...

Flowers from my hubby (Valentine's 2010)...

Do something this Valentine's to make someone you love feel special! You don't need to spend a lot of $$$... just use your heart and some creativity! 

A fun “I love you” song...

{This posted was shared on The Shabby Nest.}

xo,

      Jaclyn

CHC Photo Published on Thrifty Fun

A photo that I shared recently was published on Thrifty Fun today as part of their photo contest. You can vote for it by clicking the "Like" Thumbs-Up button after you login. I would love your vote!

Tulips Beneath Magnolia

...Doesn't it just make you so excited for spring to arrive!?

Other Thrifty Fun Published Entries:

Bittersweet Pumpkin Display 

xo,


    Jaclyn

Kitchen Creations: Think Colorful

When striving for a nutritious meal thinking colorful is a good place start! It's also helpful in expanding your variety. You want a palette of nutrients!

Ingredients:

Spinach

Tomato

Red Cabbage

Cucumber

Red Bell Pepper

Pinto Beans

Olive Oil and Balsamic

A Palette of Fruits and Vegetables...

~Red~

• Red apples
• Beets
• Red cabbage
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Pink grapefruit
• Red grapes
• Red peppers
• Pomegranates
• Red potatoes
• Radishes
• Raspberries
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon

~Orange / Yellow~

• Yellow apples
• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Yellow peppers
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Rutabagas
• Yellow summer or winter squash
• Sweet corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangerines
• Yellow tomatoes
• Yellow watermelon

~Green~

• Green apples
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Green cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Green grapes
• Honeydew melon
• Kiwi
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Green onions
• Peas
• Green pepper
• Spinach
• Zucchini

~Blue / Purple~

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Eggplant
• Figs
• Juneberries
• Plums
• Prunes
• Purple grapes
• Raisins

~White~

• Bananas
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Jicama
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Potatoes
• Turnips

Tips to Help Increase Your Intake of Fruits and Vegetables…

• Enjoy fruit smoothies for breakfast or snacks.
• Add fresh or dried fruits to cereal / oatmeal.
• Keep cleaned fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator -ready to eat.
• Drink 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks or soda.
• Eat vegetables with a healthy dip, such as, hummus for a snack.
• Pack fresh or dried fruits for a quick snack on-the-go.
• Keep a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter or table.
• Order veggie toppings on your pizza.
• Choose a side salad made with a variety of leafy greens.
• Add vegetables to pasta, sandwiches, stews, etc.
• Bake with raisin, date or prune puree (reduces fat and increases fiber).
• Have fruit for dessert.

Now grab a pen and paper and use this list to help you make your grocery list. Remember, all forms count... fresh, frozen, canned, dried and juice (just make sure you read the ingredient list). It's time to get creative!

...CHC was featured today on All Things Heart and Home for this week's All Things Inspired! Thanks Robin!

{This post was shared with Somewhat Simple and Funky Junk Interiors...}

XO,

    Jaclyn

Just For Fun: Jazz Apples

We are in the middle of a huge snow storm here at CHC! Yesterday we went to Whole Foods to stocked up and today we're staying in... all nice and cozy! 


What are we doing on this blistery day? ...finishing touches on the basement, playing with the girls, starting to decorate the basement (my favorite part of the project!), sipping hot tea, some blogging (of course) and perhaps wrap the day up with some knitting and a good Netflix movie! 

So what's with the apples? Well, besides the fact that I love apples, I love sales, and I love taking pictures of food, they possess another significant characteristic. Their name, Jazz Apples. You see my maiden initials were JAZ. (How lucky am I to go from the initials JAZ to the last name Cool?) So, while growing up my family and close friends called me Jaz (and still do actually). It started out as "Jazzy" when I was a baby and kind of stuck... Just a fun little fact about me.

Stay warm!

XO,

    Jaclyn

Winter Tulips

You may not be tip toeing through the tulips just yet, but nothing can bring a sense of spring and freshness to your home more than a stem or an arrangement of flowers! And even though it's still winter, now is a great time to find bouquets of tulips! Make it a gift to yourself and everyone else who enters your home! 

These are actually tulips from my garden (Spring 2008)...

My mom currently has beautiful arrangements of tulips at Fire Lake Camp!

More ideas on how to get refreshed during the winter months...

A Place to Visit

A Fun Little Project

~ This post was shared with Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home and A Beach Cottage!

XO,

    Jaclyn

GIVEAWAY: Art with a Message

***This Giveaway is Now Closed.***

CONGRATULATIONS ECHO!!!

It's time for the first CHC Giveaway!!! You have the chance to win a 12 x 12 cafe mount print of your choice (excluding custom prints) from Red Letter Words! Perfect for making a beautiful statement in any room of your home! All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me your favorite thing to do on a snowy winter day!


Here are a few of my fav...

The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Friday!

...The announcement will be made on the CHC facebook page, as well as here as an update to this post.


Giveaway closes Thursday, February 4th at 8pm CST. Ships only in the U.S.


Wish you luck!


XO,


   Jaclyn