We've Come a Long Way...

"We interrupt our regular programming
to bring you some 'special' announcements.
One Simple Thing will return next week
at its regular time."




While looking for vintage ads for future posts,
I came across these.

The woman always has the last word...

All images found here.

Celebrate Women's History Month.

Wordless Wednesday



Tuesday Tidings-Divide and Conquer

Yesterday, we featured this lovely on a project post.

African Iris is a mainstay in our Central Florida garden.

It's heat and drought tolerant

and is a vision to behold with delicate white blooms.

Check out this recent post by Meems

at Hoe and Shovel,

an amazing gardening blog.

This Florida-friendly beauty started taking over the area

right next to the entrance to the patio.

One of the best things about these plants is that

once you have one, you'll never be without.

They are divided in just a few easy steps,
so that you can add them to other parts of the garden.

 

First, dig up the whole kit-n-kaboodle.

Find a gap in the leaves and pierce it with your shovel.

It may seem harsh, but these babies can take it.

In fact, they'll be better off for your efforts.

Here's what resulted from the trim.

New plants that can readily be used in another location.

What could be easier?

Ahhhh, now it's got room to grow!

Spring has sprung, y'all!

Weekend Project

So, these African Iris bulbs were divided over the weekend.

I had the perfect spot for them.

Before transplanting them,

the roots were given a little trim.

This will give them room to grow.

This weeping elm is the only mature tree we have on the property.

There is some lantana surrounding it.

These easy care plants were added here.

Once these are blooming again,

it will look like lil' birds flitting about.

Here's the before.

Here's what it looks like now.

I love the way they seem to be dancing around the tree.

Mulch needed to be replaced in front of the house too.

What a difference a little pine bark makes, huh?

The daisies will thank us!

Mulch keeps plants insulated

so that they can deal with temperature changes

more easily. 

It saves water by keeping moisture in the soil longer.

And it just looks downright tidy!

Enjoy your springtime projects!

Healing Aloe Vera

Here's a plant no household should be without.

I don't care where you live,

what type of climate you have,

or what planting zone you're in.

 

Aloe Vera is not just an interesting specimen to look at.

With those sharp spikes it looks menacing.

But inside is the most magical of salves.

Many years ago, when I was pulling something

out of the toaster oven,

the lid from the casserole started sliding off of the pot.

Caught me on the forearm,

took the skin right off.

UGH!

I still have the nasty scar because I wasn't prepared

to deal with something like that.

After that incident, I've never  been without

this healing plant.

Any time I get a burn now, I merely cut one of the arms

and schmear the oozing liquid onto the affected area.

It can work on sunburns just as well.

Not only does it work wonders on burns and skin irritations,

it has been suggested as an aid in digestion.

Aloe vera juice can be found in most health food stores.

Nature holds so many secrets that we've yet to discover.

Here's one of Mother Nature's gifts at the ready

to help us in our time of need.

If your climate gets too cold to accomodate this heat lover,

keep it inside near the kitchen or fireplace.

You never know when you may need it.

Have a superb (almost) spring weekend, y'all!