Green Thumb

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fantabulous Friday!! I am looking forward to a sunny weekend free of rain, which was greatly appreciated all this week. It has made our garden jump out of the ground and I couldn't be happier!! Today is a little about what I do with my time when I am not creating fabulous spa, bath and body products. Brace yourself..........I have a green thumb!


Last year, our garden was about 1/3 the size of the one you see above. It was our first attempt at planting a garden in Saluda County red clay. In case you were wondering, it's like digging into slate rock. Our veggies last year were very successful so this year, we decided to add a wide variety of goodies to the mix.


Green beans are picture above and this is the first time I've ever tried to grow them. My mother was born and raised in the south and refuses to eat a canned green bean. Those bad boys better be fresh! I wish I had a $1 for every bean I snapped growing up. There was no escaping the sound of the stainless steel bowl clacking when Mom took it out of the cabinet. I knew what was next! Seems like we ate green beans with every meal. Hahaaa....just kidding Mom!


Next we have squash and I am so excited they popped out of the ground. There is nothing finer than steamed squash and onions, or fried squash dipped in ranch dressing. Yummo!!


Woo-hoo......we have radishes!! I just knew this would be a test of my gardening skills and here they are!! I can't wait to have fresh radishes on a salad or dipped in ranch dressing!!!



Above we have green bell peppers. We love them on salads, in stir fry, gumbo, kabobs or dipped in ranch dressing.


Onions are pictured above. They don't look like much but they will be fantastic in our morning omelet, stir fry and a wide variety of other meals we love cooking. Oh yeah, or dipped in ranch dressing.


Cucumbers, we have cucumbers!! Prevo is a cucumber freak and could eat them morning, noon and night. I love mixing them with tomatoes, onions and Italian dressing. This is a fabulous summer time dish! If you don't like tomatoes or onions then eat the cucumbers........yep, you guessed it, dipped in ranch dressing. Are you seeing a pattern here?



Heck yeah, we are corn farmers!! Well, not really but we do have three rows and as you can see, they are growing quite nicely. And, this is the sweet, white corn variety which I could eat straight off the stalk!! I am looking forward to creaming, grilling, steaming and frying fresh, sweet corn. I haven't tried ranch dressing with corn but there is a first time for everything!



Last year we had 3 tomato plants and had more tomatoes than we could eat. So, this year we have 3 plants again but this time, we will have a handle on what to do with all the tomatoes we hope to have. Since we put up a volleyball net in our back yard, we have gathered every Saturday and tomorrow is no exception. We have plenty of people to feed so the extra tomatoes will not go to waste! There is nothing better than a tomato sandwich and I just may have to drizzle a little ranch dressing instead of mayonnaise on the bread. Ooo..Ooo..Ooo.......I almost forgot about fried green tomatoes dipped in ranch. Oh my goodness, they are "smack your grannie" good!



Last but not least are carrots! I am so happy to see them peaking out of the ground. They were the last to show themselves. We are looking forward to a variety of recipes that call for carrots and yes, of course, dipping them in ranch dressing. Just so we are clear, there is nothing better than the ranch dressing you make yourself with the packets. Fresh garden vegetables and homemade ranch dressing.....there's nothing finer!!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!



Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Goodbye Thud

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It's a sad day around here because we've lost another faithful, four legged companion. My Dad told me their beloved Thud passed away Wednesday morning from a heart attack.

My parents picked up two cats from the animal shelter 15 years ago, desperately in need of a loving home. The furry little creatures had no clue what a fabulous home they would be going to. Plenty of trees to climb, leaves to wrestle and play in, butterflies and bugs to chase, food in their bellies and more scratches and hugs than they could ever imagine.

Once at their new home, it was time to pick names. Gracie seemed to fit the female right from the start but the male was a little harder to figure out. He had jumped on the back of the recliner to lounge a bit and when he jumped down, he made a "thud". So, my Dad decided Thud it was! Gracie took more of a liking to my Mom and in his younger years, Thud was definitely Daddy's.

Thud was very particular about who he sat with and allowed to scratch him under his chin or around his neck. Basically, he didn't want to be held or touched unless he initiated the pamper session. In his old age and after losing his eye sight, he mellowed out a great deal. As he became increasingly dependent on my parents, Thud was attached to my Mom's hip because of her familiarity, constant loving and milk with ice cubes.

Whenever my parents would go on vacation, they would leave Thud with me so he would not be lonely. Prevo and I fixed him a nice little pad in our spare bedroom with all the amenities. The year that Prevo was in Iraq, Thud was a companion of mine for a week. His first night in the house, he cried out for attention. I went into the room at 10pm to console him and ended up falling asleep on the floor. I woke at 6am to Thud touching me ever so lightly on my face.

Rest in peace dear, sweet Thud. You were definitely loved and are sorely missed! We shall see you again at the Rainbow Bridge.


Cactus & Ivy

Wordless Wednesday | Say Cheese

Reed Diffusers | Home Fragrance Option

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Early this morning, we received 4" of rain and now the yard is a swamp! Ugh!!

Just a little post about an easy way to incorporate fragrance into your home 24/7 without needing to light a candle or spray from a bottle or can. Cactus & Ivy offers Reed Diffusers as our home fragrance option.



Our Reed Diffusers are packaged in a 8oz square glass bottle with a wooden cap and come with natural or brown reeds. The diffusers are filled with an enhanced diffuser oil, colored to match the aroma and scented with pure essential oils or fragrance oils. The aroma lasts for approximately 2-3 months and is safer than candles since there is nothing to light.

Insert the reeds into the scented oil and wait for the aroma to fill the room. I usually flip a few reeds once a week if needed to make the aroma stronger in the room. Since some essential oils are not strong enough to permeate the reeds and throw the scent well, we offer scents in fragrance oils.

This is a perfect gift for any occasion and just in time for Mother's Day. Use promo code MOMDAY09 by midnight on May 6th to receive 20% off your order.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Mother's Day Discount Extended

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. The overwhelming response to the 20% Mother's Day discount has prompted me to extend the deadline to midnight, May 6, 2009. Use promo code MOMDAY09.


Although my printer needs a major service call, I will hold off sending it to be repaired so I can fill orders for all the fabulous people who have honored me with their purchases. Thanks y'all for your business and continued support of Cactus & Ivy. Y'all totally ROCK!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!


Creator Extraordinare
Cactus & Ivy