Spring Is Coming Soon, I Promise!

I was doing dishes the other night and happened to look up at the windowsill and saw this beauty that popped up from my African Violet, so I know Spring is not far behind.  This violet on my sill makes me happy when it blooms, I have had it for years, nursed it into this huge plant, and now it pays me back by bringing these lovely purple and white flowers from under it's leaves and brightens up my window in the kitchen.

After seeing my African Violet, I got into the mood of Spring and made a new wreath for the front door.  I purchased the flowers and the wreath over the weekend from Michael's, they had a 50% off sale (don't buy them any other way!).  So I thought, why not I'll get ready for when the sun starts really shining, and it's warm, and you can go outside and stay outside.....are ya feeling me people.

Dug out my hot glue gun, glue sticks, my paddle wire and got busy.

 I snip the flowers from the bushes with wire cutters, and then place them where I think I want them on the wreath, but don't glue them until I am sure.

 When all is placed then I glue everything.  I used coral, purple/lavender and yellow on a dogwood floral wreath. Total cost of the wreath was $16, and it now hangs beautifully on the front door.

Blooms, Birds and Bugs

The summer gardens are in bloom, some things for the first time, others growing like crazy.  I took a walk around the yard yesterday and was so surprised to see what came up.

This is the first time my hydrangeas bloomed since I planted them two years ago.  Unfortunately the deer ate the blooms off of my other one, these are so pretty.  The pink flowers are enormous Crepe Myrtle trees.  They don't really have a scent, but I do cut a bouquet and bring them into the house.

 This is how big they have gotten, they will have to be trimmed next year so the squirrels do not get on the roof.  They provide a nice border between the house and the creek.

 A Mimosa tree lines the front yard, they are also very pretty, but a little messy.

 We have alot of wild raspberries all over the property, the deer do eat them when they are not eating all of my flowers and bushes!  They are very prickly.

A large day lily garden was planted out front around a circle of trees. All colors and varieties, these are just three of them.

 A big Rose of Sharon tree and lots of ferns.

 Newly planted this year is Milkweed.  The bees and butterflies love this stuff.  Vibrant in color so it attracts them, as well as ladybugs, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

The lavender is in full swing.  I had a hard time growing this before, but I think I finally hit on the right spot for it.  There is a very large basil plant growing right behind it.  I have pruned that 4 times already this summer and it still keeps growing!

 Knockout roses are doing a knockout job!

 I moved this birdhouse and a house wren nested inside.  It's tucked in the back of a snowball viburnum bush.

This little pink/purple flower ground cover is called Tickseed.  It spreads quickly and covers hard to plant areas of ground.  My bird condo I found at a yard sale for $5. I am sure next year it will be fully rented.

The birds need to bathe so a birdbath is tucked among the Russian Sage, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Lilacs.  They feed on a number of bird feeders on the property, I should claim them as dependents for the amount of bird food they eat!

 And as I was done my walk and coming in the front door I saw this little guy, a grasshopper, on the door panel.  He is the first one I've seen this summer.  I am still waiting to see the praying mantises that always nest in these tall grasses that line the creek and the deck.  The cats go crazy when they see them. 

The Rustic Table

The table for the Italian Feast Dinner was rustic and simple.  I set up a long row of  tables with umbrella's to seat 25 people outside. The weather was perfect, everyone could see across the table from each other, so it kept conversations and singing at times, going. Red and white checked table covers, white dishes, flatware (no plastic forks or knives), white napkins and real wine glasses (no plastic).  I made up sunflower arrangements with baby breath and lavender in mini milk bottles tied with rope and chalkboard labels that read in Italian "ciao a tutti, andiamo a mangiare!" - hello everyone, let's eat! And drink - I also served a variety of Italian wines and drinks, including Limoncello, Italian cream sodas and San Pellegrino Sparkling Water, I love that mixed with lemonade flavored Crystal Light.  Try it, it's so pleasing and refreshing! 

This is the dessert tower, more on that and the other desserts that were homemade tomorrow, stay tuned!

The Purples

Purple hued jewelry pieces are very hard to find. Some people do not like wearing the color purple, and generally I only wear this color as an accessory.  I like plum and lavender, I will wear those colors, but not anything full on purple colored.  I have a few pieces of purple hued jewelry, but that is as far as it goes for me.

 Left: Multi color necklace with purple and lavender beads on burnished gold chain with matching earrings.

Right: Lavender and floral glass bead necklace on silver chains with matching earrings. 

Plum, lavender and gunmetal beaded necklace on gunmetal chains with matching chandelier earrings.

Battling Nature - All GOD's Creatures Great and Small

This year I decided to fancy - up the shed.  It's been lonely without any plants and just plain blah.  So I put my husband to work with the rototiller and had him dig out two gardens, 18" wide and the length of the shed, I put one on the side and one in the back.  There is a sidewalk on the other side.  I wanted to plant deer and groundhog resistant plants, we have ALOT of those animals, so I went searching on the Internet and found that they don't like textured or fuzzy leafed flowers.  So off to the nursery I went and came home with Rudebeckia (Black Eyed Susan), Bee Balm and Montana Bluette.  Below are before and after pictures when you set out a feast for all GOD's creatures great and small! Nothing will stop them. I love nature, but COME ON give me a break here.

BEFORE - the side of the shed, just planted

BEFORE - the back of the shed, just planted

AFTER - the side of the shed, 2 weeks later

AFTER - the back of the shed, 2 weeks later.  The only thing left standing

 was a knockout rose bush.  Looks like they enjoyed the buffet

 I planted for them!  Guess what I will be

 planting  next year.

Also put in a new rhododendron bush, you guessed it -groundhog

ate through the roots and dug himself a home.

  Never underestimate the power of a groundhog.

Not only do deer and groundhogs feast, so do the bats!
We have alot of hummingbirds that fly to this feeder all day and into dusk
everyday.  I filled it one night and to my surprise was empty the next morning.
Bats sucked it dry.  Do you all get the picture of what I am dealing with?


I bought these citronella candles to keep the bugs away, but evidently it
doesn't keep raccoons away.  I didn't even have a chance to light them.
If you look closely you can see the claw marks
in the wax.  He was actually eating the wax! It was all over my rug
 and deck and the oil from the candle stained both.

I found this Spanish Lavender plant at Home Depot.  It was in a 6" pot 

it's growing like crazy and smells so good when the wind blows.

I moved the solar birdbath/water fountain (QVC) to a better place and gathered some

of the deck flower pots around the bottom.  Looks prettier now.

I also moved the ferns from the entryway. They were starting

 to get too much sun. When that happens they get burnt and brown.

I love ivy but never plant it in a garden, it is very invasive

and will ruin everything in its path.  I found three different

varieties at an Amish nursery.  All of them were only one small strand

 of ivy in a pot for .99 cents each.  I planted them all in one pot and 

set it out of the sun on the coffee table on the deck.

My husband and I built a base for our other fire pit.

 Purchased the pavers and sand ($48.00),

 the Fire Pit ($29.99 end of season sale)

and the Chairs ($7.99 each, also end of season sale)

all at Home Depot