Five Things For Friday

Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend!

Let's start this post with the latest flower blooming in my garden, the jasmine.  Every year about this time I have a competing scent-off (for lack of a better description) with the huge honeysuckle I shared last week and my jasmine vine.  Even the annoying Century Link salesman who stood on my doorstep this week commented on the competing scents; "it smells like craisins", he said.

My variety is a Star Jasmine.  As you can see I have it growing as a vine although I have seen it used as a ground cover.  Like the honeysuckle, the jasmine is an evergreen plant.  Of the two, however, the jasmine is a much more controlled grower.  If you have a small to medium space and want a sweet smelling vine, choose the jasmine.  If you have more room, go with the honeysuckle.

Last Sunday evening we went to the "cultural phenomena" known as Mortified.  If you don't know what that is, here's the description of it from their website:

"Witness adults sharing their most embarrassing childhood artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, plays, home movies, art) with others, in order to reveal stories about their lives. Hear grown men and women confront their past with tales of their first kiss, first puff, worst prom, fights with mom, life at bible camp, worst hand job, best mall job, and reasons they deserved to marry Jon Bon Jovi."

The Portland presentation included 6 adults reading from the teenage self's diary (or journal if you're a man.  Seriously all the women referred to it as a diary but the man used the word journal.  Is a diary too feminine?).  Most of the presenters were in their 30s, as was the audience, in other words, we were some of the oldest people there.  It's my unproven theory, that at this age you're still romancing you're childhood; thinking how unique it was and you are.  In reality, all the presenters in Portland (only one of which was from the area) were raised very similar;  middle-upper class, white, suburban.  I don't think this is by accident.  It seems this type of format wouldn't lend itself well to any other class.  Grew up poor, worried more about where your next meal would come from rather than who was going to ask you to the prom?  Sorry, that's just not funny.  I know that sounds critical and I don't mean it to be.  All in all, we had a good time and I would recommend the show if it comes to your city.  I'd also encourage anyone with a truly unique story to tell, to participate and share it, Mortified, the show and the audience, needs to hear it.

Got some extra time this holiday weekend?  Here's a DIY where the end product is both beautiful and useful!  If you start now, you could whip out several nice Christmas gifts!  I'm a size 8 1/2 by the way...

I picked up several things FREE on the sidewalk this past week!

I hope this metal patio table wasn't a mistake.  Everything I usually pick up is either small or I wouldn't mind keeping it myself.  This table, however, isn't small and I really don't need it nor have room for it.  I'm going to remove the rust, primer it, then repaint it white.  It will definitely be in the Home and Patio Sale!  In fact, I may sell my metal chairs with it as a set.

Last weekend we celebrated my son's birthday.  He's not much of a cake eater so I went to a French bakery close to our house and bought these macaroons.   OH MY GAWD!!  So yummy!  Each one has such a distinct flavor and they are so beautiful as well!

I hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend and keep a lost loved one in your thoughts. Enjoy it and come back Monday.  I have a great, easy recipe to share!