Create an Enchanting Entrance

     Entry- a defined point of entrance, place of entrance, vestibule, passage, door or gate.

 

 

     An entry to a home is often a visitor’s first impression of your home and family.  It becomes a personal invitation to everything that lies beyond. This is the place where people move from the street to your private world, your home.  The entry is a symbolic sign of welcome. Some people are more open with their welcome, creating a standing offer that says, “My door is always open to friends and visitors”.

 

 

The porch sets the mood and style of your home and the manner of the people who live there.  The porch can inspire passing neighbors to stop and chat or become a quiet outdoor niche where family members can lounge with a good book or view the sunsets.  The front porch is a house’s public face.

 

 

 

The entrance can augment the property value and many realtors encourage homeowners to enhance their entrance when they want to sell their home.  The allure of an entry is an important point of transition. Beautifully enhanced it will draw or charm you into longing to see more.

 

 

Many of us are compelled to embellish the entry, well before the porch or front door.  This creates your own version of a red carpet welcome.

 

A few signature elements announce “enter here” giving no mistake as to where you want visitors to enter.  Planters, pathways, gates and shrubs give directional guides. A pair of large shrubs at the beginning of a walkway tells the visitor at a glance “this is the way”. This is especially important when the house’s architect doesn’t make a clear statement as to where to enter.   A clear defined entry is appreciated by everyone.

 

Planters, either attached to walls, hanging from beams or railings or simply placed on the porch or somewhere along the approach are the easiest of all elements to enhance an entrance.  Planters billowing with blooms can be very striking to blend or contrast with the front door or architecture.  Other elements that are beautiful on the porch are rocking chairs, benches, statuary, bistro sets, and backer’s racks (decked out with collections or seasonal decorations) and hanging wall art, mirrors or clocks.  Accessories are what turn a porch into an outdoor living room.  Have fun and enchant your entrance!

 

Celebrating the 4th of July!

We all know that family traditions evolve over time, but its fun to glean and gather ideas from others to add to our own traditions. 

Its just plain fun to throw a party now and then!  And our neighbor, Jean, knows just how to do it!  I got the date mixed up and knocked at her door a day early. Oh my, I felt a bit foolish to have come on the wrong day but so glad I got a glimpse of her preparations so I could come back the next day bearing my camera. Her front door was so welcoming and festive and un-mistakenly patriotic.  All of her decorations radiated warmth and friendliness.  

 

There is nothing like fresh blooming plants to make a lovely statement.  Notice Jean’s old trunk container.  

Hat boxes, baskets, jars and planters of every size and style are re-cycled through the year to make the current holiday extraordinary.  

  Patio table decorated with flags & lantern.

The entry table held a basket with a gift for each guest.  These were New England poppers, hand made inexpensively by Tanja .  The treat inside was not only taffy, but the poppers were filled  with such things as a paper crown and a joke inside each!  

 

The tables were festively arranged with paper, glass, tin and plastic dishware, all combined artfully and inexpensively.  Paper drink umbrellas and pinwheels were made from paper patterns that you can print out from  Martha Stewart Clipart .  Making your own decorations will give you a great feeling of accomplishment.

 

Red & white tablecloth below is really a quilt used as a cover.

 

Jean demonstrates pinwheel that she printed off and made from the Martha Stewart link above.

Jean got lots of friends involved with the preparation of the food.  Each food presentation was very beautiful as well as tasty.  Getting others involved and sharing the cooking and food preparation make the hard part of a party easy. See all of the recipes below.  

Using pottery batter bowls, glass candy jars, baskets, lanterns and even a little red wagon to hold red white and blue candies, were charming and creative.  We all went home with our heads full of inspiration and our tummies full of yummy foods, thanks to all who participated. 

 

Country decor includes patriotic pillows with red, white & blue.

Scrapbook paper simply strung on a piece of string to make this garland.

Invitations were decorated popsicle sticks that were put in an envelope loose and then the recipient put together the puzzle.

Luminary sacks were lit to decorate the railing.

 

Fabric buntings-eased onto a rod.

Cute “chalkboard” made out of recycled cupboard front.

 

Red, White and Blue Star Tarts

Makes 4 tarts

 

½ (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crust

2 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (8 ounce) package frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup confectioners sugar

4 to 6 fresh strawberries, slices

12 fresh blueberries

 

Preheat oven to 450.  On a lightly floured surface, unroll crust.  Using a 4 ½ inch round cutter, cut 4 circles from pie crust.  Line 4 (4 inch) tart pans with prepared crusts; prick bottom of crusts with a fork.  Place on a baking sheet.

 

Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.

 

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, whipped topping and vanilla extract.  Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add confectioners sugar, beating until combined.  Spoon cream cheese mixture into prepared crusts.  Top with strawberries and blueberries in a decorative star pattern.

 

Watermelon Salad

Makes 4 servings

 

4 cups (1/2 inch cubes) seedless watermelon

1 cup chopped cucumber

1 cup finely chopped kalamata olives

1 (3/4 ounce) package fresh basil, torn

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp minced shallot

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

½ cup extra-light olive oil

 

In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, olives and torn basil.

 

In a small bowl, combine lime juice, lemon juice, shallot, salt and pepper; let stand for 5 minutes.  Slowly whisk in olive oil until combines.  Pour over watermelon mixture and toss gently to coat.  Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

 

Watermelon Slush

Makes 4 servings

 

4 cups (1 inch cubes) seedless watermelon, frozen

1 ½ cups hulled and quartered strawberries, frozen

3 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp simple syrup (recipe follows)

1/8 tsp salt

 

In the container of an electric blender, combine watermelon, strawberries, lime juice, syrup and salt.  Process for 30 seconds or until mixture is smooth.  Serve immediately.

 

Simple Syrup

Makes about 1 ½ cups

 

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat; cool.  Chill at least 4 hours.

 

Blackberry Cobbler

Makes 12 servings

 

3 (16 ounce) packages frozen blackberries, thawed

1 cup sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 (24 count) package Mary B’s frozen bite-sized butter milk tea biscuits

1 tbsp butter, melted

1 tbsp sugar

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

 

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, combine blackberries, 1 cup sugar and flour.  Spoon into a 13 x 9 baking dish.

 

Arrange biscuits on top of fruit layer, pressing down gently.  Brush biscuits with melted butter.  In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle evenly over biscuits.

 

Bake for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Pops

Makes 8 to 12 servings

 

1 (3.9 ounce) package chocolate fudge instant pudding mix

2 ½ cups milk

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

 

In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk together until thickened.

 

In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter in microwave on medium for 30 seconds or until slightly warm.  Stir well.  Add peanut butter to pudding, stirring well to combine.

 

Fill ice-pop molds with pudding mixture.  Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.  To remove pops from molds, follow manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Orange Creamsicles

Makes 8 to 12 servings

 

1 cup vanilla flavored yogurt

½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

¼ cup water

1/8 tsp ground ginger

 

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, orange juice, water and ginger, stirring well.  Fill ice pop molds with yogurt mixture.  Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.  To remove pops from molds, follow manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Pina-Colada Pops

Makes 8 to 12 servings

 

2 cups pineapple juice

2/3 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)*

 

In a medium bowl, combine juice and cream of coconut, stirring well.  Fill ice pop molds with mixture.  Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.  To remove pops from molds, follow manufacturer’s instructions.

 

 **Look for cans of cream of coconut in the mixed-drink section of your local grocery store.  These pops are nonalcoholic.

 

Lemon and Lime Icebox Parfaits

Makes 6 to 8 servings

 

1 (16 ounce) purchased angel food cake

2 (10 ounce) jars Dickinson’s Lemon Curd

2 (10 ounce) jars Dickinson’s Lime Curd

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Garnish: lemon gumdrops

 

Using a serrated knife, slice cake horizontally into thirds, trimming any browned edges from cake.  Using round cutters, cut cake rounds to fit desired glass.  Layer cake, curds and whipped topping; repeat as desired.  Place remaining whipped topping into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.  Pipe a rosette onto each parfait.  Garnish with lemon gumdrops, if desired.  You can made ahead and refrigerate.

 

Variations include: Using a white cake, adding coconut or nuts to the top, drizzling lemon liqueur over the cake or replacing the curd with fresh berries.

Flag Waving Cookies (shown above)

Makes 15 cookies

 

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

15 craft sticks

1 (16 ounce) container vanilla icing

garnish: assorted liquid food coloring, gel icing and assorted cookie sprinkles

 

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

 

In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy  Add sugar and confectioners sugar, beating until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla, beating to combine.

 

In a small bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder.  Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until smooth.

 

Divide dough into 2 balls, wrap each one in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

 

Preheat oven to 350.

 

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness.  Using assorted 3” cutters, cut out cookies and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Gently press a craft stick into the bottom third of each cooked.  Chill cookies for 15 minutes before baking.

 

Bake cookies for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on pan for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool completely.

 

Dye vanilla icing with desired liquid food colors.  Spread icing to ¼ inch from edges of cookies.  Decorate cookies with gel icing and sprinkles if desired.

 

 

 

 

Container Gardening Design Tips

For a big WOW Factor grow plants in hanging baskets, window boxes, troughs, pots, tubs, old shoes and other plant-able containers. Planting up containers also gives you a rewarding and unlimited range of possibilities.–(a neighbor of mine who also raises horses, plants up a manure spreader each season and shows off her blooms beautifully!) Planters can be used to accent a garden or as the garden.

In limited spaces, such as the patio, the porch, lining the stairway or balcony, planted containers produce color beauty and lovely perfumes to mark your home’s entry and/or merely cheer you. Planters can be a nice addition for a large garden as well; offering seasonal color and much needed variety. Container gardening enables you to grow plants you otherwise can not grow in our native soil. Some gardeners do their entire garden in containers.

1. Prepare for drought. You’ll notice that containers dry out a bit faster than plantings in the ground. Any hanging planter or basket dries out very fast with our winds and limited amount of potting soil around the plant’s roots. Drip lines hooked to your automatic sprinklers usually do the trick when the temperatures rise if you can run them for a few minutes 2or 3 times a day.

1. You should always use potting soil for a more nutritious and lighter weight mix rather than just garden soil.
2. You should add polymer to the planting mix one Tablespoon (for an average sized planter) (sold as Soil Moist) which holds the water like little sponges.
3. You should add a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote for a slow but constant release of nutrients to the planting mix before planting.
4. It’s always a good idea to grow compatible plants in the same container. Compatible as far as having similar water needs, nutrient needs and light requirements.
5. 

1. Choosing a container: Keep in mind “contrast” or “blend”. Does it blend or contrast with your home, the pathway or situation.

1. There are many materials to consider: copper, terracotta, plastic, cast stone or concrete, wood, ceramic, wire baskets, lead and iron. Planters must have drainage holes or use an inner planter with drainage.
2. Consider the amount of heat that the container attracts, its durability, weight (blowing over or immovability).
3. Plants that complement the container or a container that complements the plant. You can age a container with moss, paint or vinegar.

1. 

1. Choosing the right plants: most plants are listed as “sun loving” or “shade loving”- usually plants are somewhere in between and can handle more sun and heat if given more water.

1. Determine the heat/light factor first. If you are in full sun, using some drought tolerant plants will make your job much easier. It’s exhausting to keep plants on “life support” for very long….just ask me!

If you are using a copper cauldron, for example, your planter will soon have a beautiful blue green patina. Your planter will look delicious with Helichrysum (licorice plant) trailing out, echeveria (succulent) bold and sturdy, and Eustona (Lizzianthus) a nice contrast with delicate blooms.

1. The color scheme that you are planting will create the mood. Remember to choose plants that: Contrast or Blend, Cool colors or warm colors and plants that have formal or informal formation.
2. You know when you have succeeded because you have created the mood you set out to create!

Do you want a yard or a garden?

A yard is a unit of length. To some it a place of banishment, (get out of Mother’s way), or a place that always needs work or cleaning up.

On the other hand a “garden “ will conjure up in your mind’s eye, either rows of veggies (otherwise known as a kitchen garden) or a place full of blooms and lush foliage to relax or wander through. This chat is about creating tranquility even in a busy urban environment. Changing a yard to a garden can be a simple thing; as simple as adding a place to sit. Or a garden can be a complexity of spaces, actually expanding your living space with a kitchen, dining area for entertaining or even sleeping quarters. People crave the outdoor connection and as the poet Byron said, “let nature sweetly woo us”.

I love spring planting time just to be outside especially after the snowy, frozen season. With my busy schedule, I still find time in the early mornings to take a tour of my garden, noticing what’s in bloom, what needs dead-heading and just where I can squeeze in one more of any favorite plant. I love to stroll along the pathway – I usually take it barefoot and pull an obvious weed or two along the way. In the evenings my garden is an escape from the desk-bound day and a place to refresh by connecting with nature.

A garden is nature on our terms. You can carve a natural haven almost anywhere. A garden can be as simple as a flat concrete space that we call a patio or as grand as a city park. The following are five steps to inexpensively create an extraordinary garden from any ordinary yard just by adding the right furniture, accessories and plants.

1. Create a pathway that leads to some part of your outdoor space that is at least partially hidden from “the rest of the world”. Plant material – shrubs, trees, and perennials are great for concealing “the rest of the world”. If you can’t wait for plants to grow, trellises are an immediate fix. Fast growing vines can cover a large distance in one season. Honeysuckle, trumpet vine and grape vines are fast growers. My favorite is wisteria, but you MUST have a heavy duty structure to accommodate it. It will crush wood structures in a couple of seasons. I found out the hard way and had to have my wooden structure replaced just when the blooms were getting so gorgeous.

Pathways can be constructed with many different materials, or plants or a combination of both. I have used flagstone pieces, planted with Scottish moss (which isn’t really a moss) weeding is a bit of a problem. If you keep after the weeds on your hands and knees you can keep the grass and dandelions out. The Scottish moss with stone makes a very pretty picture. I love the contrast. A solid path would lend itself to low maintenance, however.

2. Create an intimate outdoor room- remember to use flooring, flora and furniture. The area that your path leads to should be emphasized with a gate or archway, defining an important space. This structure is a transitional means of subtly letting the visitors know that something wonderful is about to happen.

This area you are creating must have a place for you to sit or lounge. Your seat can be a sturdy garden bench with fade resistant fabric cushions using “sensuous essentials” with colors and textures that will help you bring home the look you love.


You could add a simple bistro table with a couple of chairs. This invokes an atmosphere for afternoon tea or an intimate breakfast for two. But could also be used as a inspirational place to write or read a book.

3. Invite the song birds- Birds are attracted to water as much as food. Birds love birdbaths for drinking from as well as a place to fluff their feathers. Birdbaths are very pretty accessories that enhance any flowerbed or draw attention to itself in an otherwise dull area. Birdhouses, bird feeders, hummingbird globes and hummingbird plants are great accessories to any garden. Check out Tuscan Garden Works vast and varied selection!

Choosing a birdbath: “The surface of the container, where birds enter the water, should be rough to provide sure footing. Textured materials appropriate for birdbaths, streams, and pools include sand, stones, pebbles, and concrete. A lip or perch at the edge where birds can alight before entering the water is an advantage. The birdbath should deepen very gradually, to no more than 3".

Most songbirds can't swim, so they seek shallow water with sure footing. Creating a garden that welcomes songbirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies is a relatively simple task. It consists of supplying them with three basic requirements for survival: food, cover, and water. To birds and butterflies, the typical suburban landscape resembles an unfriendly desert. Close-cropped lawns, sheared foundation shrubs, and deadheaded flowers mean no place to nest, no food to eat, and nowhere to hide. Fortunately, any landscape can become a haven for winged wildlife, and for the people who share it” - US Fish and Wildlife Service.

4. Provide the sound of water in your garden. Many of the world’s greatest civilizations have evolved around water…why not in your outdoor world, as well? A beautiful outdoor water fountain will enrich your garden with soothing, mesmerizing water sounds. Fountains drown out the bustle of the public and street noises. I can’t wait to get home to the soothing water sounds and unwind, relax and enjoy my garden.

Check out the selection of small to extra large re-circulating fountains that are easy to maintain. Now a new product, a float valve can be installed to keep the water level optimal. No need to worry that your pump will be damaged because your fountain ran out of water! Pick up a kit at Tuscan Garden Works or call Tuscan Garden Works (801-233-9434)for an appointment to get one installed on your existing fountain.

5. Last but not least, consider a protective outdoor structure. These structures include gazebos, pergolas and arbors. They offer a balance or imitation of enclosure and openness and offer shelter without shutting you inside. Of all of the accessories in my garden I like my small but sturdy gazebo that one large bench swings from-- the best. It is the focal point in the garden and the favorite place to sit (rather swing). It holds two average people comfortably and three little people. Many of our custom designed gazebos include 3 to 5 swings that create a wonderful conversation area. (Add custom sized colorful cushions and pillows for additional comfort and beauty. ) Tuscan Garden Works designs and fabricates many styles of gazebos and pergolas creating casual or more adventurous atmospheres. Good sturdy swings can hang from your gazebo or pergola or your own structural beam for $495-$525. Visit the showroom and get a quote on a pergola or gazebo for your specific area.

Furniture and décor have been the driving force in blurring the lines between indoors and out. Luxuries once intended only for indoors are now available for outdoor use, including outdoor art and a huge variety of luxurious fabrics. You, with your own interpretations, can create the ideal tranquil space to transform your yard into a secluded inner sanctum. I hope my thoughts have inspired you to get rid of your “yard” and create your own personal garden!

- Kathy

Weddings and Receptions Now at Tuscan Garden Works

Good News!

Tuscan Garden Works is available once again for weddings and reception rentals. As you know Tuscan Garden Works is a very unique retail establishment, laid out to project the most beautiful gardens.



The gardens are in a continual state of change, as the seasons change and as items are purchased from the floor. As such we cannot guarantee that what you see at the time of booking your wedding or reception will be in place at the time of your special event. What we can represent, however, is that you and your guests will be amply rewarded with the experience of your visit into our indoor garden settings. Tuscan Gardens is a truly magical place with twinkling lights, and the fountains splashing and the beautiful décor.

It is required that the Participant pay $1500 for the rental of the facility on Monday through Thursday and $2000 for the rental of the facility on Friday and Saturday. The participant is required to pay 50% of the amount due upon booking the facility and a $250 refundable cleaning/damage deposit and the remaining paid two weeks prior to the event. If the event is cancelled within two weeks of the event, all monies will be refunded with the exception of a $200 service charge. If the event is cancelled subsequent to that time, a $400 service charge will be required.

The Tuscan Garden Works facility is available at 4:00 pm the day of the participant’s event for setting up and any additional decorating. The store will be open for retail business until 6:00 pm but subsequent to that time the facility is dedicated totally to the Participant and their guests. The Participant and guests must vacate the facility by 10:30 pm, unless special arrangements are made (later occupation, if approved may be allowed with a $100 per hour surcharge).

Catering and Floral needs can be arranged in a variety of packages. For questions and concerns email us at Melanie@tuscangardenworks.com or Call at 801-233-9434 or 800-698-0535. We’d love to be part of your special event and make things easy for the entire wedding party.

Bronze Cleaning and Maintenance

To maintain the original applied patina finish, a periodic light waxing will help retard the oxidation process. It is recommended that any dirt be cleaned of before waxing. Hard water spots or oxidation can be removed by rubbing gently with very fine steel wool (#0000). Spraying the area with a good wax spray first will make this even easier. A Carnauba Car Wax blend or AmourALL wax are both good waxes and are readily available. We have found that WD-40 works well also-as both a polish and cleaner. (That is what is used to maintain the Statue of Liberty.)

Then wipe the area clean and wax again. The rate of oxidation and necessary waxing will vary depending on location and climate.

Artwork