Miss Bloomers

Blue & White Tabletops

2012-01-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

Blue and white china just makes me happy!

My mother has an extensive collection she purchased while living in Japan and from her travels overseas.

When she downsized she gave me about half of her collection which I was pleased to accept.

She purchased a set of 'Liberty' Staffordshire while living in Hawaii...she actually found them in a thrift store in Honolulu!

I had a Spring tea for my neighbors several years ago using her pieces mixed with some of the teapots she purchased in Japan. Each teapot held a different flavor of tea. Everyone loved sampling new tea flavors as well as the standard fare.

Yellow flowers or accessories are the perfect compliment to blue and white tables and add a pop of color. I found this pear topiary on clearance and knew it would be perfect with my dishes. I have used it on a breakfast and dinner table.

I love blue, white and yellow together in this french

inspired style. Actually the yellow/blue desert plates are from Italy.

These placemats are some of my favorites
purchased from an antique store in

Wimberly, Texas.

I set another blue and white table on a cold winter's day. Gloomy days make me realize I need some sunshine at my breakfast table.

I found an adorable English transferware teapot on sale and can't wait to create another tablescape around it. I don't have time to play with dishes today but thought I'd share some
sunshine from my previous tables.

I'm linking with

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday
and
Marty's "100th" Tabletop Tuesday

Garden Wish List

2012-01-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

Do you ever make wish lists? I don't actually write out a list but I do keep a mental wish list. Spring is still a couple months away and I find myself wishing it was already here. I've been looking at garden magazines, Pinterest and my own travel pictures for garden inspiration.

Blue Bird Cottage, Carmel

We are excited as our annual "escape" from winter is just a few weeks away to our favorite places along

the California coast.

Pacific Highlands near Carmel

This trip is always a source of inspiration for my garden. I enjoy seeing the plant combinations and designs that gardeners create in their spaces and usually find a few things that go on my wish list!

A visit to Carmel-by- the Sea is always on my

wish list and I find so much inspiration there!

Cyclamen in pots can be easily changed

with the seasons.

Half Moon Bay is another of

our favorite stops along the way.

Last fall we strolled along Half Moon Bay's historic district with it's quaint shops. Flowers edged the buildings and store fronts along Main Street. The town was preparing for their annual Pumpkin Festival so pumpkins were everywhere!

The prettiest potted containers lined the streets and these favorites and went straight to the top of my wish list!

Precious bunny topiaries sit as greeters to the entrance of a children's store. I love the mosaic tile containers and the cute little blue bunny feet!

Gorgeous hydrangeas at the base of this small tree.

These were outside our hotel entrances.

I put this on my list too because I love it's simplicity with just pumpkins at the base. This was actually taken in Yountville last fall outside of Napa Style..one of my favorite places to shop in the Napa Valley.

What's on your garden wish list?? We have plenty of time to dream and plan

and maybe make a few of our wishes a reality!

I'm joining Susan's Outdoor Wednesday

Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers
and
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays

Flowers & Lake Tahoe

2012-01-10T18:38:00.000-08:00

On our fall trip to Lake Tahoe I tagged along with my husband to the golf course. I'm not a golfer but I do enjoy being out in nature and photographing flowers, trees and wildlife. The Edgewood golf course is truly beautiful and is on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

I'll hush and let you just enjoy the flowers!

We love spending time at Lake Tahoe...the water is gorgeous...

I'm joining Susan's Outdoor Wednesday this week.

Undecking the Halls

2012-01-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the 2011 holidays are over and it's time to put everything away for another year. I am forever on a re-organization kick and as I am packing things away I try to re-organize them a little neater than they were last year and hopefully put away a little less.

I do however, I have a weakness for dishes and beautiful table linens and as my collection seems to grow I want them to be organized so I can

find them easily. I found this link on the Southern Living website with great ideas for linen storage!

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/kitchen-organization-00417000070203/page23.html

In in effort to be more organized I decided to go on the hunt for a small piece that would fit neatly into a space in my foyer under the staircase to hold part of my collection. This area is next to the formal dining room and I wanted something to hold Christmas linens and flatware. One trip to my favorite antique/craft mall and I found this wonderful refinished piece. Best of all it was on sale!

The colors are perfect with the oriental rug and my old 90's wallpaper! LOL..someday we are going to get it all stripped and repaint...although I have been seeing wallpaper make a comeback.

I love the skinny drawers and how neatly

my placemats fit!

Well this is just a quick post as I still have much
to organize and put away! If you already have all your decorations down then I applaud you.
I'm almost there!

Happy New Year!

I'm joining Cindy's Romantic Home
Show and Tell Friday
The Tablescapers's Seasonal Sunday

Christmas Tea Time

2011-12-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

I brewed a pot of chai spice tea today since I was feeling a little under the weather and realized it had been a while since I shared a tea table.

After enjoying my second cup I took a few photos of my newest Mud Pie pieces. The mugs are nice and big and hold a lot of tea!

Last week I found Christmas Mud Pie ornaments at a darling children's store and was fortunate to find more Mud Pie items on sale at the hospital gift shop where I work. I couldn't pass them up since I get an employee

discount too!

The colors are so festive and I love the mix of colors and patterns...polka dots, stripes and checks...oh my!

This teapot is one of my favorites and I found "her" in a antique store last year. She's not from Mud Pie but I thought she looked right at home with my Christmas mugs.

I like to call her Mrs. Potts!

The cake stand is from Pier One and I love the fluted edge. I've been admiring these cake stands for awhile and they come in different sizes and look great stacked. Hope Santa heard me...I don't have the other sizes. Cake stands make perfect teapot stands

as well.

Don't you love the loaf pans?

Merry and FaLaLa!

The snack/cheese plate is my favorite piece from the collection. I will be using this on my buffet table for Christmas. The black and white check adds a touch of whimsy.

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy a Christmas tea and set a pretty tray all for yourself or better yet to share with family or friends.

Fa La La La La!!!

I'm linking with:
Show off your Cottage Monday
Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays and
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays

Playing with Dishes and Mud Pie

2011-12-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

I love playing with dishes! My mom loves beautiful dishes too so maybe I came by it honestly. Christmas brings out the child in us all and while shopping in Cinnamon and Bears I found the cutest Mud Pie Christmas ornaments. I thought they would be perfect on my Christmas tree and so pretty on a holiday table!

The Santa ornament is adorable!

I layered my fun little ornaments on some of my favorite dishes and put them in my three-tiered server to use as decorations in my dining room.

Mud Pie makes some of the cutest baby clothes I ever seen and they also make these beautiful and colorful ornaments!

The Rudolph sits atop a layer of dishes I've collected over the years.

The candy cane luncheon plates were gifts and I love their

pretty borders.

When I collect plates I look for pretty borders..or an interesting pattern. I love how the borders look layered together and the Snowman is the finishing touch.

I had fun playing with dishes and Mud Pie..hope you are enjoying the

Holiday Season!!

Merry Christmas!

I'm linking with

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays
Beverly's Pink Saturday
and
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays

Silver & Christmas

2011-12-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Originally posted Christmas 2009:

These are some of my favorite silver pieces a I received
from my mother-in-law. I make an effort to use her beautiful things as often as I can...why let them sit in a drawer? Christmas is a time I use all the pretty and special pieces I can, it reminds us of her and makes our meals together even more special!

Thought I would share with Chari's

Sunday Favorites this week!

Hope you are enjoying the season!

Several different silver patterns

(My favorite is the Tiffany Holly Mistletoe hors d'oeuvre 7-tined fork)

What a fun idea for a blog party at Gypsy Fish and a great opportunity to get out my silver that usually occupies the drawers of the china cabinet almost the entire year. I was fortunate to have been given my mother-in-law's silver collection last year. Most of it hasn't been used in decades and I am of the opinion not to save things for "somedays" or "special occasions" but to use and enjoy them since we never know when those "somedays" will come. I am determined this year to use special things a lot more often and make everyday special!

This is a wonderful chaffing dish and I need to find an insert since I plan on using it for a baby shower later this month.

She had two lovely candy dishes, one with engravings in the bottom and the other plain. I think they are just beautiful.

"Santa" brought me the runner for Christmas..I guess I was a good girl this year. I love the silver contrasted against the black silk.

This spoon is fairly large and very ornate...it has a woman in an iris design that I've never seen before.

The cake knife/server is engraved beautifully and I will definitely be using this at the baby shower.

Lastly, she also had a set of Oneida the King Cedric pattern that is so elegant.

This was so much fun getting out silver treasures and family heirlooms.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Conservatory and Cloche

2011-12-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

I love using what I already have in new ways. When I purchase something new I try to determine if I will use it often and if it will work well with other things I own. My little conservatory usually is put away during the winter months but this year I thought I would make a little vignette for my table and leave my conservatory out year round.

I have been wanting to create a winter village inside but I probably won't find all the little details to complete it for this year. I decided to use what

I had handy.

This picture reminds me of window shopping. I love window shopping in little downtown areas...Carmel is one of my favorites to walk along at night and look in the windows. The lighting is soft like candlelight and the colors seem so much brighter.

I'm not finished with all my Christmas decorations yet..and my conservatory vignette is subject to change..but thought I would share what I came up with today.

The little snowman candle was a gift as was the candy cane plate.

I just used a simple white votive in one of my crystal glasses for more candlelight.

The little wire cloche was purchased at an antique mall for $2 and was actually in the shape of a little pot. When I saw it ..I saw a wire cloche in the making. I just stretched it into

a little cloche.

I used this sweet little bird nest

that I have out for spring/summer in my hutch. I added a berry candle ring to give it a Christmas look and topped it with the wire cloche.

I love the natural look ....let heaven and nature sing!

Hope you are enjoying decorating your home and finding new ways to use what you already have. Have fun!

I'm joining Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays
Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday
Beverly's Pink Saturday
and
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday

Sunday Favorites

2011-12-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

This was originally posted last year..I decorate my little hutch almost the exact same way each year so I thought I would share with Chari's Sunday Favorites. Hope everyone is enjoying the Season!

I redecorate my little informal hutch (that I also use as a small writing desk) each season just by switching out my favorite plates. I add a few other accessories as well and it transforms the area by my kitchen into a festive little place.

I clear out everything from my hutch and give it a complete dusting top to bottom. This year I purchased a new lamp at Kirklands to add a little more light to this area especially at night, since my hutch is not lighted.

My Christmas plates were purchased at Target several years ago and are Tracy Porter designs and some of my favorites. I love using these plates for Christmas dinner.

The salad/desert plates with the snowmen are so cute and I love the candy cane border.  I've added my red bubble goblets to the shelves as well and love using them during the holidays. I
found them
in a little store in
Grapevine, Texas on a shopping trip.

I decorated the top of the hutch with a garland I purchased half price at Hobby Lobby last year. I always add a few more embellishments..this year I saved my lime green hydrangeas from my garden and added them for a more full look and a pop of lime green.

As you can tell, I have a thing for topiaries! I seem to collect them without even realizing. Whenever I shop it seems they have magnets on them that led me straight to them. I use mine all year and especially at Christmas time.

My family of snowmen were gifts from different friends and I grouped them together. The larger one (mamma snowman) holds a votive candle and the smaller ones (babies) are
salt and peppers.

Of course no vignette would be complete without a cloche. (Especially since I'm participating in Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays) I tucked in a sweet little bird with a nest inside and just added a Christmas bow.

While shopping a few months ago in Tulsa with a friend, I found this Christmas mouse teapot and couldn't resist. The teapot, cream and sugar were under $10 and too cute for me to pass up.

I am a tea drinker and collect teapots.

I will tweak my hutch over the next couple weeks until I get it "just right". I'll start working on my tree next ...usually I put it up the Friday after Thanksgiving while my guys are all here.

I'm linking with Chari's
Sunday Favorites
http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Tablescape

2011-11-25T18:32:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I clean, cook and decorate to make our home a welcoming place for my three sons, husband and furbabies. I have always loved setting a pretty table and each year at Thanksgiving I use our "good" china, but this year I thought I would break with tradition and try something new.

I purchased a bronze orange tablecloth to coordinate with some of my favorite dishes. I love the rich fall colors in these plates.

I purchased them several years ago at Target and display them in my plate rack in the kitchen most of the year.

The pattern is by Tracy Porter and is from the Octavia Hill Garden collection. I wish I would have purchased more of the coordinating pieces now. I will be searching Ebay to complete my set.

Since I do have three sons I wanted the table to be more natural and woodsy with less of a formal look.

The twig placemats from Pier One were the perfect beginning for layering dishes.

Last year I found the chargers at Wal-Mart and I've seen them all over blogville. I love that they are faux wood and the leaf pattern is perfect for any fall table. I finished layering with a ceramic pumpkin

from the Dollar Tree.

I love collecting elements for a tablescape. Little wire placecard holders from Napa Style on our recent trip remind me of the beautiful valley we enjoy returning to each year.

The amber colored stemware belonged to my mother and she gifted them to me when she downsized her home. They are heavy, not too daintly and

work perfectly for my men.

A centerpiece of pumpkins made from twigs was simple and completed a natural look on the table.

A few grocery store flowers and votive candles finishes my table.

The table was a more casual setting and we enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal by candlelight.

Desert was a family favorite...a Ribbon cake. It's a simple and delicious recipe. I topped it with the last blooming flowers from my garden.

Hope your holiday season is filled with blessings of family, friends and much laughter!

I'm joining:
Beverly's Pink Saturday
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Marty's Tabletop Tuesday

Go by and visit all these great parties!

Fall Tea with my Favorite Scarecrow

2011-11-19T17:01:00.000-08:00

Fall is my favorite season and I've been busy trying to get ready for the holidays and putting my garden to bed for the winter.

I finally had a day to relax at home and time to
start thinking about my Thanksgiving table. I started playing with dishes - one of my favorite things to do! My favorite scarecrow insisted we sit down for tea in the garden before the weather gets too cold.

I got out my fall teapot along with some of the leaf dishes I purchased last year at Wal-Mart and put together a little tea table on the patio under our large oak trees.

I started with my thrift store yellow tablecloth layered with an orange runner found on clearance at Wal-Mart.

The chargers are from Pier One and I just love the natural element they give to the table. The sunny yellow melamine dishes are from Target.

Finally I finished layering with the leaf plates
from Wal-Mart.

The teapot and cups were purchased

last year at an antique mall. I love the leaf motif.

I filled my favorite cloche full of little pumpkins and used it instead of a centerpiece.

The sweet little chicken napkins rings were found in an antique store in Tulsa. They are vintage and I was tickled to find them.

Scarecrow and I had a lovely time this afternoon as the weather was glorious and the leaves were gently falling all around.

The cart my sons gave me for Mother's Day is filled with pumpkins and gourds sits near my patio so I can enjoy it everyday.

Next I will start playing around with my Thanksgiving tablesetting and making a centerpiece. When we were in Napa in September I found some of the cutest wire pumpkin place cards and can't wait to use them.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to meditate and thank God for all the blessings he has given. Hope you have a wonderful time with your family!

I'm joining
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays
and Cindy's Show and Tell Fridays

Sunday Favorites

2011-11-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Fall is definitely here and my flowers will soon go to sleep for the winter months so I'd thought I share one last look at my hydrangeas when they were at their peak this summer.

Originally posted in June 2011

This month my hydrangeas are at their peak so I thought I would share some of my favorites.

This is a varitey that can tolerate more sun than most ...I love the pink and purple blooms and leathery foilage. Wish I could find the plant tag or remember the name of this one as it does great in

our hot summers!

The hydrangeas below are all 'Nikko Blue' a tried and true variety and easy to find.

My hydrangea border is behind my house and only gets the east morning sun...they love this location and share it with our resident turtle Mr. "T" who has been out and about again.

The oakleaf hydrangea is in the foreground..first white elongated blooms that turn lime green.

The variety is 'Nikko Blue' but some do bloom more pink so I just add more organic material like peat moss or pecan hulls to make the ph of the soil more acidic. I don't mind if some are pink as it just adds more color to my border.

No matter what color they are I just love these big mopheads!! Right now I am having to give them plenty of extra waterings as the temperatures are above 100 degrees.

As summer heat turns to fall the blooms turn a wonderful lime green with touches of mauve..and that's when I cut them for drying in arrangements.

If you've never grown them I highly recommend you give them a try... with a little extra care you won't be disappointed!

I'm joining Chari's Sunday Favorites and
Tootsie's Flaunt your Flowers
this week go by and visit!

It's Finally Really Fall!

2011-10-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

It finally feels like a fall weekend! Pumpkins are out in the yard..leaves are falling and the fescue grass is a beautiful green color under the bluest skies.

Halloween is almost here and much to do to get ready for our office extravaganza..but I had to snap a few pictures of my fall window boxes and garden cart. My sons gave this cart to me for Mother's Day...they know me well..I loved filling it full of pumpkins, gourds, mums and kale!

Got to run and finish my shopping before the football game!

Go Sooners!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

I'm joining the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday
and
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays
and
Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

Celebrate Fall-Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

2011-10-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite season! I love spring and summer too but fall just feels cozy and comfortable and the foliage colors are beautiful.

Pumpkins, pansies, football and sitting by a fire just makes me happy and I finally get the urge to "bake" something! I actually "celebrate fall" with warm cinnamon rolls, a cup of hot chocolate or spiced teas. This time of year I love to make homemade soups and chowders.

On our recent trip to California we discovered that the little coastal town of Half Moon Bay also celebrates fall in a big way! The climate is perfect for growing gigantic pumpkins
-some over 1,000 pounds!

They have an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival complete with parade and the largest pumpkin contest. The 41st festival is next weekend and what a great family venue it will be! We were there a little too early for the festival but the little town was all a buzz getting ready for the big event! Everyone told us about it and made sure we got a personal invitation.
What a great small town to live in!

We have decided to plan another trip keeping this is mind. We discovered this charming little historic area of Main Street which parallels Coastal Scenic Highway 1 and had fun shopping and dining along the picturesque street.

I took some fun photographs along

downtown Main Street. A picture of the corner grocery...

A great outdoor cafe filled with art and pumpkins!

Tile mosaic of Half Moon and a
signature pumpkin.

Hand painted and decorated pumpkins. I especially like this couple..her hair is made from spray foam insulation and he is wearing the cap from the spray can. How fun is that?!

The City Jail with the Haunted House in the background...can jails be cute?? This one is!

A purple garden cottage shed in the front

yard of an artist's studio.

Mexican heather in full bloom.

Beautiful old church from the 1800's.

A great indoor courtyard with beautiful hand painted murals. We noticed how many wonderful artists display their work indoor and out in this beautiful area of inspiration!

An old spooky butler greeted us at the door of this gift shoppe.

Another great mural...this one depicts all the landmarks around Half Moon.

Fabulous flower filled boxes in front of Pasta Moon-

a great Italian restaurant!

Side yard of a Victorian home on Main Street covered in bougainvillea..love the fuchsia pink!

Harvested pumpkin patch on the outskirts of town.

Big brussel sprouts in the next field

ready for harvest.

We had a lovely stay at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay -really a dream spot on the California coast! Bag pipes played at sunset as we sat with blankets next to the firepit listening to the ocean waves crash....

I love fall!

I'm linking this week with
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednedays
and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

The Flowers of Northern California

2011-10-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Northern California is a gardener's dream. While on our trip celebrating my husband's birthday this year I couldn't help but photograph all the gorgeous flowers along the way!

Along the coast at Half Moon Bay the flowers just thrive in the coastal fog and mild temperatures. No frosts or 100 degree temperatures to stress their growth produces beautiful blooms to enjoy almost all year long.

The hydrangeas at our hotel were truly breathtaking...a fantastic mix of colors and varieties along the front greeted our arrival. A border filled with a combination of mopheads and lacecaps...what could be more beautiful?

Lavender edged the back patio's flower borders mixed with begonias and impatients. A wedding in the garden for all to enjoy and a real treat for the guests as we got to "attend" without a formal invitation.

The gazebo is magnificent and while we were there the hotel had three weddings and receptions within a 24 hour period. This is a wedding destination and people travel from all parts of the country to have their "dream" wedding with attention to every detail. I must say it is the perfect setting for any special occasion!

My favorite flower is the stargazer lily and in the hotel foyer there were four magnificent bouquets each in their own niche that perfumed the air on arrival. Just beautiful!!

The day we spent there the fog hugged the coast but fog is very common in the morning and usually clears in the afternoon. When the sun breaks through there is no prettier place to be!

We drove back through San Francisco on our way to Sonoma and snapped this picture of poppies
growing seemingly unattended in the median!

We headed up to Sonoma and Napa for a several days which is another fabulous place to flower gaze. I think everything grows in this region...even if you have a "brown thumb".

At an olive orchard and vineyard in
Glen Ellen beauty is all around!

Roses were blooming among the
olive trees and in the vineyards.

I love these large standards. My mother-in-law had a rose garden very similar to this...brings back lovely memories cutting them and bringing them in her house.

The fountain is surrounded by a bed of ornamental kale
and is the focal point in the rose garden.

This display of begonias is in Yountville

is a great splash of red!!

These containers are perfect for fall in front of 'Napa Style'.

Great courtyard garden.

Window boxes in St. Helena..I visit them every time we are there as they are always planted differently and

with such vibrant flowering plants.

Great sweet potato vine
trailing out of a citrus tree container!

Morning glories under control. (If you have ever grown them you know what I'm talking about)

Our last morning was spent having a wonderfully organic omelet in the Sunflower Cafe on the Sonoma Square...our trip was a welcome break to our brutal summer but now fall is here in Oklahoma and it's a beautiful day! I'm headed out to the garden to do some flower gazing.

I'm linking this week with:

Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays
Tootsie's Fertilizer Fridays
and Beverly's Pink Saturday

Make sure you go by for a visit!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Fall Tea Party

2011-09-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

We have a front moving through and our temperatures are going to fall down into the 80's overnight. We have had almost 60 days of temperatures over 100 and are rejoicing that the front will move through so we can enjoy our labor day weekend!

So in celebration of fall's soon arrival I'm getting some inspiration from last year's fall posts. I posted my fall tea table last year and can't wait to create a new fall tablescape in the weeks to come. I'm joining Chari's Sunday Favorites and The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays this week. Go by and say hi!

I know I've said it a lot lately ...but I just LOVE fall!! The temperature has finally dropped down into the 50's at night and the sky is a beautiful blue hue that makes everything prettier!

One of my best friends surprised me with a package and to my delight it was a fall teapot!!

Thanks Valerie!!

My little kitchen table is a perfect place for a fall tea for two. We love spiced chai tea and

it smells so good!

I had found this pretty wire cloche for only $8 and just fell in love with the design and burgundy color! Cloches just make me think of Marty...the "cloche queen". Marty is the reason I now love cloche's with all the weekly inspiration and ideas she shares! I'm linking with her

Tabletop Tuesdays

this week. Thanks Marty for being

such a gracious hostess!!

My table started with a yellow tablecloth that I purchased in a thrift store in Pacific Grove, California while on vacation.

The runner was clearance for $2 at Wal-Mart last year and I love the extra long length..I also use it on my large formal dining table as well.

The pumpkin plates were purchased a few weeks ago at Wal-Mart for $3.00 each. I layered them on

my favorite ivory Target plates for a fall look.

The scarecrow was on the 80% clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby last year...I bought several...after all ..they were almost free!! I always buy holiday items off season..especially tablecloths..the savings are tremendous.

The cups and saucers were purchased for 99 cents each at Goodwill. They only had a set of two so into

my basket they went!

The small ceramic pumpkin was purchased at the Dollar Tree this year.

I have collected lots of silk leaves and ornamental pumpkins and gourds over the years and accent with them all around my home. I thought the windowsill needed a little something so I used a swag I made and just added some ornamentals.

My flowers in the garden are revived with all this cool weather and are blooming again! I love the view from my little kitchen window. Someday (when all the kids are out of college) we plan on putting in a large bay window for an even better view of our garden ...a girl can dream but until then I enjoy my garden view.

Enjoy your week and hope you take

time to enjoy your favorite cup of tea!

I'm also linking with

Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
and
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays

Go by and join in all the parties!

Hummingbirds, Hawks and Heat!!

2011-08-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

It's official we have beaten the old record of 50 days over 100 degrees in Oklahoma City. The heat has been brutal and I have to make sure I change the nectar in the feeders every two to three days. My little hummingbirds have been so active...an even a red-tailed hawk has been hanging around. Mr T (our resident turtle) came out of hiding yesterday as our sprinklers came on...I'm sure he loves playing in the sprinklers like my boys did when they were little!!

July 2010

While most of my flowers are not flowering at all this heat has allowed me to notice the plants that have tolerated this summer heatwave and still bloomed.

Next year I am going to be sure and plant

more of these varities!

Golden lantana

(Internet)

Pentas

Lady in Red Salvia

Blue Daze

Lavender

Hyacinth bean vine

(I have mine growing with a morning glory vine)

Shasta Daisies

(Source: Perfect Places)

Sweet Potatoe Vine

(Source: Callaway Gardens)

I would definitely say these are winners for hot, dry summers.

I am looking forward to some cooler weather with fall just around the corner...

it will be time to clean up the garden and plant my beds with pansies, pumpkins and mums!!

I'm linking with Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays..
go by and visit everyone this week!

Heat Wave & Inspiring Lavender Farm

2011-07-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

We are having record breaking temperatures here in the heartland. The past few days have been the hottest since 1980!! I moved here in 1983 and don't ever remember a heat wave like this. I've been trying to be positive and find something pleasant to do in this sweltering heat.

(Lavender Wallpaper-internet)

We decided to visit a lavender farm about 30 miles outside of Oklahoma City that I have been intending to visit for several years. What a pretty and charming place we found out in the countryside and backroads!

There lavender embraces the summer heat and thrives in dry conditions while reminding me that some of God's creations NEED what I find almost unbearable.

Back porch and deck area

Country Cottage Lavender Farm is located near Shawnee and the owner grows several varities of lavender behind her charming gift shop.
Website:
http://www.countrycottagelavender.com/

A red barn next door houses her husband's woodworking shop and they sell his handmade furniture and country primitive pieces in the adorable cottage he built himself.

The front porch greets you with
handmade "pretties" for purchase and made me want to run home right then and
redecorate my porch.

The porch is just picture perfect and is edged with a flower border of sun loving plants and flowers. When you open the door to the shop the aroma of lavender welcomes you inside. The sales lady offered us complimentary lavender lemonade that was so refreshing and explained all the different classes they offer in the adjacent craft building.

June is prime lavender blooming and cutting season and we were there a little past prime, but there were still lavender blooms ready to harvest. You can cut your own lavender bouquet for a modest price.

Somehow walking through the lavender field made me feel better about the heat just knowing that this wonderful herb is happiest this time of year.

My lavender tea table last summer was
a favorite of mine so after

returning home I decided I would love to grow more lavender! Early yesterday morning Mr. Bloomers began helping me create a raised bed out of some leftover railroad ties. I will fill the bed with a mixture of sand, gravel and garden soil and have it all ready for planting
lavender this fall. Next year instead of dreading the dog days of summer I hope to be looking forward to abundant blooms!

Hope you find inspiration from even the things you dislike or dread...if life gives you lemons...

Country Living Magazine

make lavender lemonade!!!

I'm joining Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers Friday
can't wait to see what everyone is posting!!

Hydrangeas-My Favorites!!

2011-06-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

This month my hydrangeas are at their peak so I thought I would share some of my favorites.

our hot summers!

The hydrangeas below are all 'Nikko Blue' a tried and true variety and easy to find.

My hydrangea border is behind my house and only gets the east morning sun...they love this location and share it with our resident turtle Mr. "T" who has been out and about again.

The oakleaf hydrangea is in the foreground..first white elongated blooms that turn lime green.

No matter what color they are I just love these big mopheads!! Right now I am having to give them plenty of extra waterings as the temperatures are above 100 degrees.

As summer heat turns to fall the blooms turn a wonderful lime green with touches of mauve..and that's when I cut them for drying in arrangements.

If you've never grown them I highly recommend you give them a try... with a little extra care you won't be disappointed!

I'm joining Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

Beverly's Pink Saturday
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays

go by and visit!

Sunday Favorites-Nature Inspired Table

2011-06-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Originally posted last year on

Mother's Day weekend.

I'm joining Chari's Sunday Favorites this week. Hope your Sunday is blessed!

Nature Inspired Table

I love bringing the outdoors in...birds, nests, eggs, garden tools and other natural materials I've collected from here and there just make me happy. This weekend I gathered some of my favorite things from around my house to create a nature-inspired table for one.

The green transferware teapot was a gift from a friend..she brought it to me from a trip to Williamsburg. I love the bird pattern motif!

I made a simple burlap tablecloth. All I did was purchase several yards of burlap and threw it in the washing machine. It frayed all by itself and created this wonderful natural hem.

I found the green "runner" at a thrift store. It's actually a Waverly valance panel and I love the fern pattern. Old window coverings make great runners or tablecloths and are usually inexpensive at garage sales and thrift stores.

The bird is from Goodwill for $3.00 and it still has a Stein Mart price tag of $19.99 on the bottom. The little cloche with the robin's egg I made from odds and ends I found at a thrift store. The dome was $1.00 and the clear candleholder was .75 cents and they fit together perfectly!

This adorable old bee hive creamer was half-price at an antique store that was having a closing sale. Later that same day I found another honeypot on sale and thought they would look cute together.

The old vintage garden book was from a friend's mother's estate. I love old garden books! The art on this old cover is very sweet.

My green majolica cabbage plates and a nest are always welcome.

A little bird and garden stakes are welcome too!

My garden tea table was a treat for me on Mother's Day weekend! Take the time a set a beautiful table just for you!

Go by and visit Chari this week!

Garden Walk

2011-06-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

Now that the temperatures have soared to 90 degrees and above things are really starting to grow in my garden. Before leaving on my trip to Florida I snapped a few pictures and thought I would share them for Beverly's Pink Saturday and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday.

My newest pink hydrangea...
just look at the size of this mophead!!!

I couldn't resist.

My garden gate arbor with the the first flush of climbing knockouts....I really love these roses. Bloom all season long!

A purple clematis vine..the perfect

companion to plant with roses.

After we mow tomorrow I'll

add more pictures of the garden.

Happy Fertilizer Friday and
Pink Saturday!

Memorial Day- Family and Country

2011-05-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day gives us time to reflect

on loved ones that have gone on before us, our country and those who have served in the military.

I haven't had the pain of sending one of

my sons off to war and can only imagine how difficult that must be.

My father served in Viet Nam

and clearly that was the hardest year in our families lives. He returned safely but several of my friends fathers did not and I remember how difficult that was.

Many have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedoms. I pray especially for their families and that they be honored and remembered today.

I count my blessings and have so much to be thankful for. We proudly display the stars and stripes and are so grateful to

live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Graduation Day, Mother's Day and Space Shuttle

2011-05-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

I am originally from Florida but have lived in Oklahoma City for almost 30 years. A trip home to Florida is always a treat but especially

because my precious son is graduating from the Baptist College of Florida on May 13th! His degree is in Contemporary Worship Music with an

emphasis in ministry.

He is currently serving as an Interim Music Minister and we will be able to visit his church
and spend Mother's Day with

my Mom who also lives in Florida.

Ryan is a gifted pianist and vocalist and writes and performs original music in churches in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Saying we are proud is definitely an understatement not just because of his gifts but because of the young man he has become.

Congratulations Ryan...counting the days!

We just found out the space shuttle was delayed and may be launching the same week we are there! Fingers crossed we will get to see it!

I have much to be thankful for on this Mother's Day..hope yours is special!

Easter Sunday & Peter Cottontail Table

2011-04-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

This is a repost from last Easter..hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

Easter is such a special day to me. We worship at our church and then spend the day with my sons. My guys are usually watching golf while I'm in the kitchen finishing preparations for a special meal. Like so many of you, I have always loved setting a pretty table for the holidays long before "tablescaping" was a word.

My friend gave me a truly special gift just in time for my Easter tablescape.

She knows I enjoy tablescapes and collecting dishes and she generously gave me this beautiful Fitz and Floyd tea set that belonged to her mother. Such a precious gift and I just love it!! The black and white rabbit and the carrot handle are so unique.

Thanks so much Linda!!

I already had cabbage leaf plates and placemats in my collection...so I couldn't wait to create a special tablescape with these beautiful pieces.

This is my kitchen breakfast table and a preview of the tablescape I am planning for our Easter dinner in the dining room.

I layered a simple white Pier One dinner plate with my favorite green majolica. I finished with the carrot sugar bowl from the tea set just for fun.

The set also included a cake plate with three little bunnies surronding a large cabbage leaf. Such a cute piece and a perfect plate for an Easter carrot cake.

Until the cake is done...I put out some carrots for my new little friends.

I love conservatories and greenhouses...this miniature version was on clearance for $20 and I couldn't resist. The dragonfly latch is so pretty.

I filled it with a spring bird's nest, a vintage bunny from GW and teacup filled with a candle.

Hope your Easter Day is blessed and you spend it with people you love!

More pictures of my dining room table :

I'm linking with
Beverly's Pink Saturday
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
and
Chari's Sunday Favorites

Spring Bloomers

2011-04-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and I'm fast at work trying to get my yard cleaned up and replanted with annuals. A few things have bloomed in my yard but at this time most of the color is from newly planted annuals.

Red petunias, sweet alyssum and purple cineraria

I have two of these french wire flower box/baskets on a brick wall outside my kitchen window. I can enjoy the colors of purple cineraria, red petunias and sweet alyssum as I wash dishes!

This flower box is on my patio and filled with white margueritie daisies, purple wave petunias and a red geranium for a blast of color. The petunias smell wonderful in the evening as we enjoy sitting on the patio!

A few other bloomers in my garden right now include:

Bridal veil spirea...covered in arching

branches full of white flowers.

'Lady in Red' salvia...a favorite of mine and the hummingbirds...blooms are summer long.

Red bud tree just finishing it's spring show.

Japanese Snowball Bush with it's lime green to white large flowers...like an early hydrangea...I love this plant in Spring!

I am so happy my Spanish lavender survived the harsh winter and is almost in full bloom.

One of my girlfriend's birthday was last week and I arranged a bouquet of flowers. Some of her favorite colors are lime green and purple so I only included those colors in the arrangement with a touch of white.

I started with limelight hydrangeas as the base then added some sweet white daises. For accent the spider mums in lime green are perfect. Asiatic lilies are so pretty in any arrangement and these had that touch of lime green color. I added a stem of Bells of Ireland as well. Lastly for height, nothing is a

pretty as blue delphiniums and a few

branches of curly willow!

Hopefully next week I'll have more of my garden to share..right now we are having a fierce windstorm...
that's Oklahoma for ya!

I'm linking with

Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers Friday
Laurie's Favorite Things Saturday
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday

Hope you have a great weekend out in your garden!