Red's Roundup: April 2021 - Red's Lil Schoolhouse

Our month has been filled with planting seeds, flowers, and vegetables! It has been a little cool to plant everything outdoors yet, but it has sure been fun to get started. I find so much HOPE and JOY in the experience of watching plants grow! We love to involve our children and let them choose things they want to plant too. It is a good responsibility to take care of what they are growing. A lot of my April favorites revolve around the outdoors!

I think there is so much to learn from watching plants grow. The magic of a tiny seed developing into a large plant, then providing food! It really is amazing. Even if you do not have a dedicated garden, you can still grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Container gardening has gained a lot of popularity through the years. You can grow strawberries in a pot on your balcony! Or your favorite herbs on your back porch. So many possibilities.

With one more month of school, the weather warming up, and COVID rates down, I have been feeling very happy lately. I like to think about things I can do each day that bring me JOY, both big and small. Try making a JOY List! You can read all about it in this post.

I hope you enjoy a few of my April favorites!

Planting flowers in cups – I was inspired by Melissa from The Inspired Room (fitting!) after she shared her adorable teacups with edible flowers planted in them. I found a miniature pitcher at my home and planted one small viola plant. It looks adorable by the window! I have reminisced about my 4-H days when my cousin and I did an educational presentation about edible flowers. Life is funny how it comes full circle!

2. Picture This App – I found the Picture This app this month and I love it! I had tried other plant identification apps in the past, with very little success. This one is super easy to use and gives you a WEALTH of information about that type of plant. You can do a 7-day free trial, or pay for the year if you wish. For me, this is definitely worth it! I plan to use it when I am out and about if I see a plant I do not recognize! It also saves the plants I own, so I can easily refer back to them.

3. Bread Warmer – My husband makes delicious homemade bread, and we all know that it is the best when it is warm! I ran across this basket and thought the idea was genius! You warm up the terracotta stone in the oven, then put it in the basket. Finally, set your load of bread on top (we use a towel in-between) and it will stay warm throughout your entire dinner!

4. Glass Espresso Cups – Most mornings, we grind our beans and brew fresh coffee in our coffee pot. For a change of pace, some days we make espresso and coffee in our Nespresso machine. These cute little glass mugs with handles let the beautiful espresso and foam show off. They are the perfect size for a single or double shot.

5. Wig Out – We are always on the lookout for new fun games for our family. This one is great! It is easy to set up and understand how to play, and an entire game takes less than 10 minutes. When we need a short, fun game, this has been our go-to lately!

6. Tubing Mascara – This has been a GAME CHANGER for me! I’ve always had issues with the pigment from my mascara rubbing off on my skin throughout the day. I have tried different primers, setting powders, setting sprays, and nothing seemed to help much. Tubing mascara creats a tube around each lash, instead of painting on the pigment the way most mascaras do. It seriously stays in place ALL day, but then is very easy to remove (easier than waterproof). I have tried two different drugstore brands and I like them both. As with any new mascara, it has taken some practice to get used to the formula, but I am really happy with the results!

7. Door Mat & Rug – Our front door was new last fall, and we love it so much. We chose a style with a lot of windows, and side-light windows as well. I knew a full-length outdoor rug layered with a doormat would look really nice next to our new door. While I will have to see how well this rug and mat hold up, I am pleased so far. If you need other ideas for your Spring front door, check out my post filled with inspiration and ideas!

8. Studio McGee Planters – I noticed these planters online and immediately liked the way they looked. They are lightweight composite, but look like they are a more expensive, heavy material! The planters come in white and a beautiful, hickory color. If you are looking for something nice to display next to your door, give one (or two) of these a try!

9. Reiman Gardens – A gorgeous 17-acre site with both indoor and outdoor garden areas, and a butterfly wing! We love visiting in the Spring because the tulip display is incredible! I was blown away by the orchid display in the conservatory too. Truly breathtaking. They do a great job coming up with yearly themes and having different activities for kids. A must-see spot in Central Iowa! High on the list of my April favorites!

10. Ferns – Such classic plants that look nice inside and outside. The previous owners of our home had four ferns hanging on the front porch when we first toured the home. We loved that look and have continued the tradition every year! Ferns are also great to set in a decorative planter pot on your front porch. They are very low-maintenance, and only require you to give them a drink every couple of days. We typically buy our ferns at Lowe’s because they have them for around $13, which is much cheaper than the price at a greenhouse. They will do best in part-shade, so be careful in sunny areas!

11. Chair Covers – The bar stools at our kitchen counter have seen better days. They are about 8 years old, and while the legs still look good, the seats are very ripped and torn. These covers have been a lifesaver! The chairs are still comfortable, and now look like new! The covers tie underneath, and are machine washable – win! It is nice to get a little more use out of our stools! Today the set of two is only $14!