Through the farmhouse kitchen and keeping room windows are wonderful views of nature.

It dawned on me when sharing about all the activity taking place at the front window in Through the Kitchen Window ~ A Special Place, that I haven't shared about the activity seen through the other windows in the keeping room.

To the left of the fireplace is a glass paned door and to the right is a window, both overlooking the deck with lots happening just outside.

A Favorite Place

If you drop by to see me in the spring or summer

you'll more than likely find me in the garden,

one of my favorite places to be!

Damsels in the Garden

Rounding the side of the house is a shady area with lush green shrubbery,
pachysandra ground covering,
an old urn filled with hosta
and
a lot of activity!

There is fluttering,

flitting

and

flying,

as the broad winged damselflies do their dance.

They are beautiful and remind me of butterflies!

Amaze Me Monday #112

Welcome to AMAZE ME MONDAY!

This Memorial Day weekend we remember and celebrate those who gave their all for our freedom.

To those who courageously gave their lives and those who bravely fight today...

T H A N K   Y O U!

source

 I am so glad you are here for the party!  Enjoy the features...

Everyday Living gives tips on how to make overnight guests feel right at home ~ Be Our Guest.

Displaying Tiny Collections

The girls in our family pack up and head to the beach for a week every Mother's Day.

My mother,

my two sisters and me,

my daughter and niece,

my aunt and cousin too.

All us girls at the beach, it's such a special tradition.

We play games, watch movies, tell stories, dance, eat and eat, laugh and laugh, go for runs, walk on the beach, lay out by the pool, hop on tubes to mosey down the lazy river pool...it is SO much fun!

This year Tropical Storm Ana came in for the first couple of days of our stay and thankfully when she left the skies were clear and the temperatures perfect for the rest of our week.

After the storm passed, my daughter and I went for a walk on the beach hoping to find some sharks teeth and pretty shells.  We didn't find any sharks teeth, but did find some of the tiniest seashells I have ever seen, so I brought them home.

These shells are tiny...

Through the Kitchen Window ~ A Special Place

It's often the littlest of things that bring us joy.
That special something that brightens our day, adds excitement, lifts the soul and makes us happy.

The word joy means:
A feeling of great happiness.
A source or cause of great happiness: something or someone that gives joy to someone.
Success in doing, finding, or getting something.

My old kitchen was tiny.
There were no windows and I stared at a wall while washing the dishes.
Since remodeling, it is pure joy taking in the views and having the sun stream in through the new kitchen window.

Even on a cloudy day it's bright in the kitchen.

Amaze Me Monday #111

Welcome to Amaze Me Monday!

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend and are ready to party!
Enjoy these features from last week...

Charm of Home takes time to enjoy the beauty all around us in Nature Lover.

Peonies ~ Benefits of Light Colors in the Garden

I love this time of year.

Being outdoors and working in the garden is like therapy to me...good for the soul!

Two of my favorite garden shows are P. Allen Smith's Garden Home and Erica Glassner, the host of A Gardner's Diary which used to be on HGTV.  (Why do they always cancel the good ones?)

From early on I've held fast to the advice of experienced gardeners when planting my garden.  These shows, packed full of great information from good garden soil to pest control, led to me writing note after note in my own gardening journal which I refer to often.

One of the elements mentioned, time and time again, was to incorporate white and other light colored flowers in the garden.  Not only are light colors beautiful with backdrops of green foliage, they become the star of the show in the evening.

Sometimes You Need a Little "Me" Time

Just after placing the Boston fern on a hook and giving it a spray of water, I headed back in the house.

Once in the kitchen I looked out the window and noticed a house finch landing on the fern.  She began bathing in the droplets of water; it was the sweetest thing to watch!

After her bath, she nestled herself into the fern as if to take a nap, so I headed for my camera.

A little bath.  Settling in for a nap.  So sweet.

Once back with my camera I took a few pictures of the sleeping finch, which seemed to be all alone.

Amaze Me Monday #110

Welcome to AMAZE ME MONDAY!

Every year the girls in our family spend Mother's Day week at the beach with our mother.  She has been through so much these past few years.  Mother loves having her girls and granddaughters spending this time with her.  We are very thankful she has survived breast cancer and are able to spend this time with her, we are truly blessed.



So glad you are here for the party on this very special day.
Enjoy the features...

Old Things New takes us on a beautiful Southern Garden Tour.

When Nature Needs a Helping Hand

Every year we hope for a brood or two of bluebirds.

We have two houses for them, but each year other birds take up residence in at least one of them.  

I shared in Spring in the Garden and Babies Too that this spring chickadees had claimed one of the houses, and yesterday I noticed there was a lot of activity going on.  Thinking the babies must be leaving the nest, I went to get my camera. 

After positioning myself close enough to get some shots with my zoom lens I snapped a few pictures

and when checking the exposure I noticed nature was needing a hand.  This chickadee was in distress.

Bunnies in the Farmhouse Kitchen

We had a little time before our dinner reservations

so we strolled through a few shops.

My mister knows me well.

He spied this bunny garden pot holder and asked if I wanted it for my birthday.

Well, yes...I think it's adorable!

Once home, I had the perfect spot for it in my farmhouse style kitchen, on the island.

The spring flowers have been gorgeous this year

and I've really enjoyed bringing them indoors to use in centerpieces for the keeping room.

Amaze Me Monday #109

Welcome to AMAZE ME MONDAY!

The weather has been beautiful this weekend.
We were in the yard all day Saturday trimming trees and doing other outdoor chores that had been put off because of all the rain we've been having.  I am really enjoying the sunshine!

Here are a few of my recent posts:
  Orchids ~ Maybe There's Hope After All

Charming Historic Homes

Circa 1910 Home Tour

There were so many amazing links to last weeks party.
I am so thankful for each of you and can't wait to see what you've been up to!

Enjoy the features...

From My Front Porch to Yours shares her living room transformation using DIY Wood Beams.

Circa 1910 Home Tour

Happy Saturday!

I've been on the historic home theme here lately and have a gorgeous circa 1910 Victorian to share with you today.

The authentic details in this home have been preserved while incorporating many modern conveniences.  Located in the heart of Historic Georgetown, South Carolina, this home has three floors, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4,600 sq. ft., and at least 8 fireplaces.

I love the exterior of this home.  The Tudor diamond-panel windows are so pretty and look at those porches!  Two levels and they wrap around too. 

Come on, let's get this tour started...

Charming Historic Homes

Remember me recently sharing scenes of old barns,

houses,

churches,

and gorgeous gardens

while on our trip Down South?

Well, I finally made it through more of the pictures taken while strolling down streets lined with live oaks in the heart of Georgetown, South Carolina, and wanted to share them with you.

Don't you love the color of the front door?  Robin's Egg Blue.