Adventures in the Garden: Wedding Garden Stepping Stones

For our wedding reception, we decided to design and assemble our own center pieces rather than use flowers. When it was all said and done we were left with a massive amount of center piece supplies - including a 5 gallon bucket of glass stones that were used in the bottom of the vases. Since then I have been looking for creative ways to use these glass stones. With garden season just starting, I decided to use some of the wedding stones and make...

The perfect spot to stand while pulling weeds or picking veggies, these stepping stones are also sentimental because the patterns are made using the stones from our wedding centerpieces! Here is how I made them...

Step 1: Gather supplies: Quick Crete (found at Home Depot), roll of wire mesh, disposable pan, stones for decorating, water, gloves, stir stick....and probably some paper towels.

Step 2: Decide how you want you stones to look next to the block. It's very important to have an idea laid out before you mix up the concrete because it sets QUICK!

Step 3: Follow the mixing directions on the Quick Crete bucket and add the appropriate amount of water to the concrete powder. Mix well. 

Step 4: Fill disposable pan half way with mixed Quick Crete. Place a piece of the wire mesh (cut slightly smaller than the pan) on top of the concrete and cover with remaining concrete mix. (The wire mesh, when in the middle of the concrete block will add strength to the block and prevent cracking.)

Step 5: Gently shake or tap the sides of the pan to smooth out the top of the concrete. Places stones in desired pattern on top, gently pushing them in about 1/4 inch to secure them to the top of the stone. 

Step 6: Let the stone dry in the pan over night, remove and let cure for another week before setting outside. 

I can't wait to get my hands dirty in the garden (and not my feet, because they will be standing on stepping stones!!) 

Adventures in Gardening: Friday Favorites

For my 

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite garden flowers. Since we are working in the back yard, {as seen here} my gardening is limited to the front yard. 

I like to chose flowers and plants that are special to me. 

Here are 2 of my favorite:

MOSS ROSES

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My Great Grandma Mae (who is turning 96 years old in May!) planted these little flowers every year on the sides of the walk way up to her house. Some of my favorite memories at her house were playing in the attic and taking the dead blooms off the moss roses so another one could come out. I would do both of these activities for hours with her, and now picking the dead blooms off of my own moss roses does not seem like a chore, but a time to sit and remember my Great Grandma Mae. 

Sweet Peas

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I have never tried these before, 
but got some seeds at the store yesterday and am going to start them.
My dad always called me Sweet Pea when I was growing up...
come to think of it, he still calls me that from time to time. 
I LOVE anything that has a sweet pea fragrance - Yankee Candle makes a great sweet pea candle that is not to strong, and Bath & Body Works had (may still has) a great lotion that smells like sweet pea. 


What is your favorite garden flower?
Happy Friday!