#Review - Thermacell Bristol Lantern

If you love the outdoors but dislike all the mosquitoes... then I have the perfect product for you!

I was recently given the opportunity to review the Bristol Lantern by Thermacell.  This Thermacell Mosquito Repeller Bristol Lantern effectively repels flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects. It creates a 15 x 15 foot zone of protection so you can enjoy the outdoors BUG FREE!!!

The beautiful light and decorated design will look goo on your deck or patio. I loved using this in my little sunroom. When the kids go down for bed, I love escaping only a few feet away from them, but I didn't like that I was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Now I can peacefully go into my sunroom and enjoy some quite time outdoors, itch free!!

This lantern is ideal to use while gardening, outdoor sporting events and of course hanging around the backyard. 

Thermacell Lanterns have been evaluated by the EPA for safety and effectiveness.

• Works with all Thermacell repellent mats and refills
• Includes: Thermacell Bristol Lantern, 3 Original repeller mats, 1 butane cartridge
• Requires 3 AAA-batteries (not included)

I highly recommend the Thermacell Bristol Lantern.

Disclosure: I received this item for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Homemade Pickles #Recipe

I don't think I calculated the outcome of my cucumbers very well.  My garden usually didn't thrive very well so if some of them died... I still had a few. Well, let me tell you! This year has been the best gardening year I have ever had! So much stuff!! 

I am currently picking about 5 cucumbers a day and I am running out of things to make. I can only give so many away, too. 

Today I am going to make some pickles. Doesn't seem too hard to make. Here's what you will need.

• 1 quart jar with a lid
• 2-3 cucumbers (as many as you can fit into a jar)
• 1 Tbsp dill seed
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
• 3 Tbsp white distilled vinegar 
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• distilled or filtered water - enough to top off each jar
• 20 black peppercorn

Directions:

Cut the pickles into discs, spears or sandwich slices and add them to the jar with all the ingredients except the water. 

Once you have everything in the jar, fill it up with the filtered water to the very top. Screw on the lid and make sure it is put on tightly. Then give it a really good shake! This will disburse the flavors all over. 

Now, just place them on your countertop for 12 hours. Shake them again and tun them upside down for another 12 hours. Make sure that the lid is screwed on tightly to avoid leaks. 

After the pickles have sat for a total of 24 hours, it's time to give them a taste. 

Store them in the refrigerator and enjoy them within a month! 

Planting Seeds - Lemon Tree

I have had a lot of fun with my garden this year. I've never had a really successful garden until this year. Something I've always wanted to plant fruit seeds but never had the space to. Since we've moved here to Mississippi, I have more then enough room! 

Before we left for Texas on our vacation, I planted lemon seeds. When we came back (a month and a half later) nothing happened to them. I just kind of let them go not expecting anything since it's been over 2 months now since I planted them. 

Just the other day, I noticed these little sprouts! I couldn't believe it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! One of the three might just make it!!!!

What's in your garden?

I am absolutely loving my garden this year! I have planted so many veggies!! Today I picked some cucumbers! I didn't really realize how well cucumbers can grow if taken care of properly. I think I am  going to have to start a new pin on Pinterest... 

You can't go wrong with sliced cucumbers & ranch. This is our favorite way to eat veggies!

 Another way we like to eat cucumbers, is making my mother's cucumber salad. Add a little water, oil and vinegar along with salt, pepper and paprika ~ Mmmmmm

Note to self: Don't plant as many as I did this year for next year - oops 😣

First Tomato of the Season

Grape Tomato

How many of you have a garden in your backyard? It could be small, medium or large. Maybe yours is in the form of containers on your porch.

I've been watching this little guy for awhile now. Waiting for the perfect time to pick him! I couldn't wait any long! Yay!!!

This is the first (of many) little grape tomatoes in my backyard garden! Can't wait to get a few more and put them on my salad!!

What are you growing in your garden?

#Garden - #Recycle a Wheelbarrow & Look What You Get

This morning, after having my coffee, I noticed my neighbor put a wheelbarrow by the curb for trash. I stood there and looked at the wheelbarrow for quite some time. 

Then a lightbulb went on! I had such a great idea. I remember seeing something on Pinterest and this would be perfect. 

I quickly text my neighbor and asking if it was being thrown out and she replied, "Tossing it out, but you can have it if you'd like!"

I was ecstatic!!! I used the intercom and called my boys downstairs and instructed them to hurry and run outside to grab the wheelbarrow our neighbor has by the curb before the garbage man comes. 

My boys came racing down the steps and out the garage door! As fast as they left, they came back with the wheelbarrow! I was smiling ear to ear!

I had them take it to the backyard. I noticed it had a flat so I tried pumping it up. Only to find that it must have had a hole because the air wasn't holding. It was off to Lowe's I go! I ran inside and grabbed the tire tune and quickly checked out. I couldn't get home fast enough. 

I pulled into the driveway and rushed to the backyard! I've never changed a tire tube in my life but you know what they say...

YOLO!!!!

I figured out how to take it apart, put the new tube in and put it back together. Best part is, I had no spare parts lefter after I reassembled it!!! Hahahaha, that's always a plus!

Now that everything is put together I started working. My idea was coming together, perfectly!

Dirt was flying, kids were swinging, doge were barking...

I stood there and looked at my finished project! All the strawberries from my garden are now beautifully sitting inside the wheelbarrow. As the strawberries grow, they will hang off the side of the wheelbarrow, making it super easy to pick!

It's perfect!!!!

What do ya'll think?

Backyard #Garden Ideas

I really enjoy gardening. This was the first year that I can honestly say that my garden is flourishing! I ran out of space inside my garden (which means I need to expand next year) so I was thinking of ways to add to my garden without having to be out in the 90 degree heat building something. 

We went on a family walk and I noticed a (what seemed to be) a brand new kiddy pool by the curb in the trash. I quickly smiled because I remember pinning something on Pinterest that used a kiddy pool as a small garden!!

SCORE!!!

Haha, this is awesome. With the help of my oldest son, he brought it back home. We quickly got to work. Oh, and by "we" I mean my husband! I had him use a 1/2" drill bit. I had him start drilling holes 1" from the bottom and 12" apart. That will allow the water to drain through the side. Next I had him drill holes all over the bottom with a 1/4" drill bit. No pattern, just randomly all over. 

Now I filled it with dirt and by dirt, it was the $1.57 bag at Lowe's. I used 2 of them. For those that know me, I am not one to spend a lot of money. I don't see a need to buy the more expensive dirt when this one works just fine. I know this because it's what I filled my garden with. 

One plant I didn't have this year was watermelons. I know they need a lot of room to grow so I was thinking they will just grow outside the pool when they reach that point. This picture was taken about 3 weeks after I planted them. They are doing great!

What are some of your gardening ideas? I would love to hear them if you'd like to share!