Transform a pair of old jeans into a cute, yet durable apron any gardener would appreciate. All you need to make this simple apron is a pair of denim jeans and scissors. The back of the jeans becomes the apron front.

Directions:

1.       Cut both legs off the jeans above the crotch and several inches below the back pockets.

2.       Starting at the bottom of the jeans cut away the side seams, stopping beneath the waist band. Turn and continue cutting away the front portion of the jeans: zipper, front pockets and all, leaving only the waistband intact. (See photo below.) 

3.        (Optional) Embellish the pockets with butterfly or lady bug appliques, if desired.  

That’s it. What remains is the back of the jeans, now the apron front and a long waistband to button in the back or tie, depending on the size.

Fill the pockets with seed packets and gardening gloves and you’re ready for fall planting.

Deborah Tukua is co-author of Pearls of Garden Wisdom and Editor of Journey to Natural Living digital Magazine. Like this project idea? You’ll love our bi-monthly, online magazine filled with videos, recipes, tips and articles. Visit http://journeytonatliv.com to learn more.

Wondering what to do with all that basil? Pesto unites those luscious Mediterranean flavors we look forward to savoring each summer. Sweet Basil is easy to grow and is the fresh green star of any pesto recipe.  Try our Greek Pesto and Tomato Basil Pesto Sauce recipes.

Growing Sweet Basil –

Sweet Basil is an annual herb that grows profusely in many home, kitchen gardens each summer. Even though Basil is considered an annual, a volunteer plant may appear in your garden from a seed that fell into the soil and germinated from last year’s planting. The more you pick this culinary herb, the more it will grow. It is sensitive to cooler temperatures and frost. Sweet basil transplants well and can be easily grown in a greenhouse or solarium.

Here are two recipes we’ve enjoyed this summer. I hope you enjoy them too.

Greek Pesto

2/3 c. fresh, sweet basil

2 T. pine nuts

1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil

2 T. feta cheese

Sea salt, to taste

Onion powder, pinch

Directions: Chop fresh basil leaves and nuts in a food processor. Add cheese and pulse to combine.  Slowly add olive oil and seasonings, to taste and pulse until mixture is thick.

Serving Suggestion:  Spread on Italian bread.


Tomato Basil Pesto Sauce

1 c. packed, fresh, sweet basil

1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil

 1/4 to 1/2 c. fresh tomatoes

2 T. pine nuts

2 cloves, garlic

2 T. parmesan cheese

Sea salt, to taste

Directions: Add all ingredients to Vitamix. Start on low speed and slowly increase to high.  Mix until smooth.

Serving suggestion:  Serve on Portabella mushroom caps or over ravioli.

Storing Pesto –

Leftover pesto should be refrigerated. Freeze abundance in lightly oiled ice cube trays or mini muffin pans.

Deborah Tukua is the editor of Journey to Natural Living Magazine. Visit http://journeytonatliv.com for more great articles, recipes and tips.

© By Deborah S. Tukua, Editor

Journey to Natural Living Magazine

The lounge chair is aimed toward the golden sun. The plush, oversized beach towel draped across the chair is calling your name. You’re ready to relax, soak up the sunshine and the soothing sounds of the surf. Yet, every time you adjust the back of the chair, or change positions, it’s a struggle getting the towel back in place. Ready to put an end to the towel, tug of war? We’ve come up with a simple solution that will keep your towel from slipping off your beach lounge all summer long.  Try our easy to make, sewing project.

To make a beach lounge slipcover you’ll need:

1 large Beach Towel

1 Bath Towel, in a coordinating color

Sewing machine and a Serger

Thread, Scissors, Straight Pins, Newspaper and Marker

Directions:

1. First, cut the two long side seams (lengthwise) off the bath towel, leaving the stitching intact. Tack one strip using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, to the underside of the beach towel at the bottom on both sides. These strips will be tied together, underneath, to help hold it in place.
2. To make the piece that slips over the top of the chair, you’ll need to make a simple pattern. Hold newspaper against the chair back and trace around the arc. Cut arc pattern from the newspaper. Lay the newspaper template on the bath towel and cut a piece from the towel, making it at least 6” inches in height. Serge around the raw edges of the towel slipcover piece to keep it from fraying.
3. Pin finished arc towel piece to the top back of the beach towel. (See black slipcover in photo below.) Using a sewing machine, sew the towel arc to the beach towel, leaving the bottom horizontal portion open.

Slip your lounge cover over the headrest; tie the strips in a bow underneath and you’re ready to lounge in comfort. Relax, Rejuvenate and Enjoy!

Subscribe to our bi-monthly, online magazine for more articles, recipes, tips, charts, and videos at http://journeytonatliv.com.