Snowballs and I go way back.  Not the kind you form from freshly fallen snow, but the kind that grows on branches.  

For as long as I can remember, my momma had a snowball bush growing just outside her kitchen window.  A bright and sunny window that welcomed the afternoon sunlight ... a cheerful spot that could turn a most ordinary day into a breath of fresh air.  I loved doing dishes in momma's kitchen, that says a lot right there.  I have so many memories of momma's snowball bush full of blooms in springtime, and the sun filled window making a rainbow of colors that danced in the soapy dishwater.  Mostly, it was momma making this time special...and I still enjoy washing dishes in her sink beneath the sunny kitchen window...even though the snowball bush is long gone.

So, I made sure to plant two in my garden and the memories flood back every spring as they bloom in my garden and I bring them indoors to enjoy, like these in the dining room.

Simplicity

When I shared about early mornings in the kitchen and making coffee by the light of yummy scented candles and the soft flickering shadows from my antique hurricane, there was something I didn't mention.

Thistle.

Nestled between the candle and hurricane...it most likely went unnoticed.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Spring Garden

Wordless Wednesday

When The Flowers Fade

I can't think of anything more beautiful in the middle of winter,

when everything outdoors is dormant and drab,

than having fragrant and colorful flowers indoors.

One of the things I miss most during the winter is bringing in fresh picked flowers from the garden.  They add so much joy to a room!
So here's a great way to have the next best thing all winter long!

From Sparse to Bright in the Kitchen

So far we've had a much warmer and wetter winter than normal.  Christmas day temperatures were in the 70's so there were no boots or Christmas sweaters worn this year.  Though it's a bit cooler now with no rain in the forecast, the sun is still mostly tucked behind the clouds.  I'm ready for a little sunshine!

After Christmas I pack decorations away and then slowly pull the house back together.  It's taking me a little longer than usual for some reason and it sure looks sparse with bare mantels and table tops, so I headed out to the garden to pick some red camellia for the kitchen.

Late Summer and a Little Surprise

Are you like me and have mixed emotions about the summer season coming to an end?

In the South the autumn season puts on quite a show as cooling temperatures usher in a turning of leaves that is absolutely beautiful; I just wish winter didn't follow so close behind.

We've been getting a little more rain here lately with a few quick shower here and there, but I'm still having to water every other day or so.  I do believe the azalea bushes are suffering the most; they have such a shallow root system and the leaves begin to droop if I'm not consistent in giving them a drink.

Though it's late summer and much in the garden has faded there is still beauty to enjoy, like the sweet autumn clematis growing on a trellis at the back of the garage.

A Hydrangea Morning ~ Drying and Propagating

Silk hydrangeas make for a beautiful Dining Room Centerpiece.

And they are oh so pretty picked fresh from the garden, like these hydrangea in a blue Ball jar.

I also enjoy decorating with dried hydrangea, but most of mine have been cut from the bush, already dried and brown, like these Hydrangea in the Keeping Room.  They are pretty but I want to dry some fresh cut from the bush while they still have color.

A good friend of mine has hydrangea bushes that are huge.  Her house was built in the early 70's and she thinks the bushes were planted by the original owners. Year after year these two hydrangeas, planted side by side, are full of huge and beautiful white blooms.

Last year I cut some hydrangea from her bushes, but it was after the blooms had dried on the bush and was brown.  Since it's mid-August and the flowers are just beginning to show signs of turning colors, I wanted to cut some for drying, so she said to come on over.

You'll have to forgive me for the iPhone pictures, it rained last night and I was soaking wet by the time I finished cutting, so I chose the quick and easy way to take these pictures.

Fun and Beautiful in the North Carolina Mountains

During our 11 day vacation in the North Carolina Mountains 

we

were

amused

watching the antics at The Chicken Coop 

and

in

awe

as we took time to Appreciate Nature's Beauty.

We also took Ellie-Mae canoeing down the New River with us, for the second time, which was so much fun.  I think this will be a new tradition for us any time we head for the hills!

The llama were super cute; water dripping from his chin!

Appreciating Nature's Beauty

Nature at its finest, that's what you'll find in the mountains

Beautiful views and lots of critters.

Llama and goats.

Hand hewn fences.

Wildflowers, butterflies and bees.

Donkey and Ellie-Mae amazed by each other.

Scenes from the mountains...

Adding to Collections

Those of you who follow me regularly know my home is decorated with pieces collected over time.
Family heirlooms are my favorite, I'm drawn to the old and well worn, and most pieces have tugged at my heart in some way...speaking to me.

I love nice things, but they must be practical, comfortable, and keeping the budget in mind I've found that searching and patience go hand in hand.   Above all, I do hope our home is a warm and cozy place for all who enter.

I enjoy the hunt and it's especially fun finding pieces that help complete a set, like this Blue Onion sweets canister.

Knock Outs and More Favorites

Roses have always been one of my garden favorites.
Though finicky and magnets for pests and disease...there is just no other flower quite like the rose.

As years pass,
our property becomes more shaded,
so there are fewer roses in my garden,
but oh how they steal the show.

Ironstone Find and Hydrangea

It's always fun spending the day with a good friend,

strolling through antique shops,

and enjoying lunch at a quaint small town diner.

Such was the day when I came across my newest find, this ironstone soup tureen with ladle.

Changing Up the Kitchen Island

A while back I shared about the bunny garden pot holder I got for my birthday, Bunnies in the Farmhouse Kitchen.  They are super cute and it's been fun alternating plants, now they are holding one of my favorites, rabbit's foot fern.

The bunnies are still on the island, I just slid them over to the other side to make way for some beauties I brought in from the garden.

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!

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.

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.

Orchids ~ Hope After All!

I wouldn't say I have a green thumb,

but I do pretty well with most house plants and my garden, except for tomatoes.  Mine always seem to get blossom-end rot and I've never had luck with orchids, either.  But when I saw this white miniature Phalaenopsis with its shades of pink and green, I decided to give orchids another try.

It was back in January, adding farmhouse touches in the great room, when I placed this dainty orchid in a small ironstone pitcher.

Spring Garden and Babies Too!

This is such a beautiful time of year.

The sights, sounds and smells are wonderful.

It's the perfect time to take a stroll through the garden to see what's blooming.

I admire the flowers while Ellie-Mae hopes to see something she can chase.

She is posing for you,

that little white "dot" just in front of the porch.

Little to No Cost Spring Decorating ~ A Southern Magnolia and Clematis Centerpiece

I've been wanting to change the centerpiece in the keeping room
and with the white clematis in bloom and plenty of southern magnolia leaves to gather,

my plan was to bring some outdoors in for this centerpiece.

There was one little problem, rain!

It's been raining and raining and according to the weather forecast it's going to continue through Friday.  I didn't want to wait that long, so with an umbrella in one hand and my pruners in the other, I headed outside.