• Shabby

    My husband will NEVER understand shabby.  To him shabby is wood waiting to be thrown away.  All the years we’ve been married I’ve tried to make him understand…no honey I don’t want it painted.  I want it to look just like it is!   Now, when he does paint something he’s come around to doing what he calls distressing.  Trust me he doesn’t know the meaning of the word but at least he’s trying. When this little step stool arrived in the mail last week I was so glad he wasn’t home to see it.  I’m not sure he could have survived the shock. To think that I spent money on…

  • Tiny Shamrock Flowers

    These tiny shamrock flowers are blooming in my studio.  In the mornings they open with the first light, and as the day goes on they start to close.  They follow the light actually turning with the sun.   By evening they’ve completely closed, resting for the night and storing energy to begin the process once again when morning comes.  All of this from a flower not more than 1″ in size when fully open. Just look at the leaves; a deep purple center changing to rich green around the edges.  It’s a bit of a spindly plant, but what it lacks in fullness it makes up for in color.  I planted…

  • Cobbler on the trees

    The weather was hot but no one seemed to mind.  The fruit was ripe for the picking and waiting for us.  The area I live in is known for growing fruits and vegetables.  At this time of year people come from all over to participate in the harvest. Since I live in this area I sometimes forget that not everyone has access to orchards like these.    I turned around just as we were walking into one of the orchards and this is what I saw… Did you have any idea fruit picking could be so popular? So much fruit just waiting to be picked.  We are blessed with an…

  • Apricot Blossoms in Shades of Pink

    I had spring fever yesterday so Brigette and I took an hour at lunch to drive around the orchards where we live.  The fruit trees are coming to life, the hills are green and the sky is so blue.  We drove the back roads through farmland.  It’s wonderful to see at this time of year! The colors of nature are something to see.  To think that each of these little flowers will become apricots! The pinks will become the colors of apricots.  Mother nature knows what she’s doing!  It would be fun to see the palette on a cloudy day.   I hope you are enjoying some signs of spring…

  • Thatched Roofs and so much more!

    When I remember the Cotswolds, I’ll think of two lane country roads, rolling green hills, thatched roof cottages, small villages, grazing sheep on hillsides, English country gardens with cobblestone paths and wonderful little pubs with great food and friendly people. I left a piece of my heart in the Cotswolds. We rented a car, and once we got used to driving on the opposite side of the road, we were off to the countryside!  We spent 3 wonderful days getting to know the area.  We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Gowers Close and it was absolutely charming!  The building is from the 1600’s and still exists in its…

  • Garden Markers

    I love growing herbs! Every year I pick a few of my favorites, set aside a few hours and plant an herb garden in a sunny corner of the backyard.  I mix in lots of heirloom tomatoes, some squash, and my favorite thing of all…lemon cucumbers.  I’ve ordered my herbs and vegetables already from White Flower Farm.  They have the best selection of quality plants.  They hold your order and ship when the season is right for the area you live in, and if a plant might not grow in your area they will tell you! Last year I ordered the windowsill herb garden from White Flower Farm and now I’m ready to plant it again with fresh…