Answering Reader Questions

Some of you ask me questions, but much of the time your account is set to no-reply. Therefore I cannot answer you because I don't have an email to reply to.


I'm attempting to answer some of them now. If I've forgotten a recent question, please leave it in the comments or email me. 

If you really need an answer, I'd say email me so I have a way to directly get back to you.

Reviewing Books
 
Recently a reader asked me how to begin reviewing books.

Well, first of all, you would need a blog or website because that is the publisher or book tour company's incentive to send you free books to review.

I first signed up with a book tour company, TLC Book Tours.

Then somehow I got on the Harper Collins, William Morrow list, and they started directly sending me books. They send me a list once per month via email. 

I choose from the books on this short list, a maximum of three books per month. These are called Advance Reader Editions.

Occasionally a publicist will contact me directly for their client and I will review the book for them. Most recently, it was the Rory Feek book. 
 

Where Did I Get My Coffee Bar Cart?

I got a question about where I got my coffee bar. It was trash being thrown away and I rescued it! 

I've painted it several times. I have had it since I first moved to Tulsa over 5 years ago.

You can use most any kind of furniture with a big flat surface for a coffee bar. 

I have used a potting bench as well as a dresser for use as a coffee bar during my years here in Tulsa. 

Where Did I Get The Floral Dishes In My Hutch?

I picked up these dishes, bowls and mugs at Marshalls while living in Texas. They were not a set. They were sold individually. 

I do not know of a place where you might buy them.

I've been asked the name of the dishes. And this is what is written on the bottom of the dishes - 222 Fifth New Country.   


Do I Plant Perennials In My Patio Containers?

Yes, I do. I have quite a few perennials on the patio. Hostas are coming up in the blue raised garden. There are about five or six individual plants.

A clematis vine I planted a few years ago is now about a foot tall. 

 
Sedum and succulents are coming up.

Perennial herbs are wonderful because herbs are very enduring and scent your garden. Right now I have lemon balm and mints coming up. You can see the mint in the above photo.

So yesterday was the first day of spring. I'm excited!

It is quite warm here. On Sunday I got out and started cleaning up the patio. I've made some progress thus far, but trying not to overdo it.

What's going on in your garden?