At Home - Inside and Out

I have home projects on the brain this week. I am not a gardener, but long to have beautiful flowers and plants outside. Trouble is I seem to have a black thumb and most things I select die slow, painful deaths. So, I've kind of given up.  Well, turns out I might not have to.  I just heard about this new product -- it's been all over the media in the last couple of weeks.  It's called the EasyBloom Plant Sensor.  It's a gadget that precisely monitors sun, soil, temperature and humidity conditions in the place you want to add a plant.  It will tell you if you're over-watering or under-watering.  Whether the plant needs different light or soil conditions.  You plug it into the soil you're considering for 24 hours.  Then you plug it into the USB port on your computer and it gives you the scoop on your soil, and even suggests the best plants for that plot of land.  This black thumb may turn green after all...

I love Spring and the first visit to the garden center to pick up new stuff -- imagine how much more fun it could be if you knew the things you purchased would make it through the whole season.

Speaking of an item that has been in the media -- this one, too.  For inside.  It is the coolest ice tray I have ever seen.  It's a vertical ice tray from Fusionbrands -- called the iceorb.  Take out the inner bucket and fill the outer bucket with water... then replace the inner bucket so the water heads for the 21 pre-formed cubes.  Easy to pop the ice out when you're ready.  Store your cubes in the bucket, or use the inside as a chilling place for wine, fruit, dip, etc.   Perfect addition as you start thinking about more outdoor entertaining. Yes, I know we have a few more long weeks until Spring, but a girl can dream of lovely parties on her deck, right?  I can't wait to spruce up the deck (needs a good power wash and coat or 10, yes, I meant to say 10, of sealant).  Some new deck furniture wouldn't be bad either... and from what I understand, this is a good time to start thinking about those things if you need them.

-reenie