HaPpy MemoRiAL DaY!!

Remembering all our Loved ones and military families that serve our country.

A BIG Thank you!!

for Justin

I hope everyone has a wonderful time with family and friends this weekend!

In the Garden

Today was a beautiful day! Not too hot, not to cold a perfect day to work in the garden. I headed out early, just as the birds started chirping (let's just say it was barely light)! It was so peaceful. What a change from my previous week! The garden is really starting to come into bloom!

  

I thought I would play with my camera just a little and took this still life. When my husband and I bought our home this garden book was in the attic. It is dated April,1890 and has beautiful calligraphy handwriting.

I will have to blog about this book later.

Blooming today: Hostas and Meadow Rue

Hosta and Geranium

I can't remember the name of this Geranium.

 If anyone knows....let me know!

 After all my work was done in the garden, I called a friend and we spent the afternoon shopping for more plants!!!!

I was snapping pictures of this clematis as she drove up.

I spotted these concrete mushrooms at one of the nurseries we visited.

LOVE them!

This bird bath is such a pretty shade of Robins egg blue.

After we got back from shopping....with a trunk full of plants.....we spent some time walking through the gardens and this little Robin found a perfect place to nest in Paula's clematis!

Wishing you all a happy memorial weekend!

I'm linking up with;

Fertilizer Friday

Macro Friday

Garden Party

Masterpiece Monday

Newbie Party

Mosaic Monday

Blooming Today: Azalea's

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver

My family really had a stressful week. My daughter fell off her sons skateboard and had to have surgery on her arm.  She broke her ulna in three place and had to have a metal plate put in.  Then she also shattered the head of the radius and they had to remove it. She spent 4 days in the hospital.

Then.....the same day she went to the hospital, her father in law came in with a massive stroke. Her husband is serving in Iraq so the American Red Cross had to get him back to the states.

My daughter had reactions to her pain meds, Justin had cancelled flights back and it seemed like whatever could go wrong did.

Ever had weeks like that?

Anyway I am staying with my mother so I can be closer to my daughter and her husband to help them out wherever I can. My mother also has beautiful gardens.

I woke up to the these beautiful Azalea's. The sun was shining on them and they glowed. It was like God knew I needed a bright spot in my week.

I'm linking up with:

Mosaic Monday
Meamorphosis Monday
Newbie Party
Amaze me Monday
Blooming Tuesday

Concrete Angel in my mothers garden

In memory of

Randy  Werner Mueller

August 16, 1958

May 22, 2011

How to hang a photo gallery

I love my pottery barn photo gallery!

 I haven't been able to find another one like it however you can achieve the same look.

First gather up all of your photos, or artwork that you want to group together. A gallery doesn't have to be all photos or all artwork, it may be a combination. I think galleries that contain both are more interesting. Including personal items and mementos  makes your arrangement more personal.

You may want to add your child's favorite artwork, love notes, four leaf clovers etc.

I have added a cute little drawing from my granddaughter and note from my hubby.

This is Scouts picture of papa Don

 this is Dons reminder I love you!

(picture quality isn't the best but you get the idea)

(photo pottery barn)

Next decide how your items should be framed. If you are using strictly photographs, I like the frames to be the same. If you are using photos and other items them I suggest the photos be framed alike and the other object to be framed alike.  

(photo Elle Decor)

(photo Pottery Barn)

Galleries can be displayed randomly or very ordered. When your framed pieces are the same size, then a grid pattern is your best option and more dramatic. It can be tricky getting it all lined up straight. I find a lazor tool to be handy. Another trick I have used is to trace each photo on craft paper and tape the paper to the wall.  That way I can measure and adjust as needed.  

Then I measure the center top of the paper and mark on the paper where the nail should go. Hammer in the nail and tear away the paper. Pictures are ready to hang on a perfect grid!

(photo Pottery Barn)

When using a random layout I arrange everything on the floor first to decide my layout and make sure that it is balanced.  Then I trace around each piece and place the paper on the wall as before. Am I loosing you? Hope not!

Be prepared though...sometimes you may need to make more than one hole to get it just right!

I'm linking up with:

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Wow us Wednesday

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/05/lets-get-diggy-with-it-blog-party-at-my-place.html

 Creative Bloggers Party and Hop at: At Home With K

Green in the Garden

Today was a great day to work in my garden! The sun was shining and the temperature was just right! The weather here still hasn't decided if it's spring yet. Crazy......100

degrees last week and 4o degrees this week! Needless to say my garden is just a little confused too!

I really don't have a lot in bloom yet however, I am enjoying all of the green. There is just something calming about all of the green. A promise of what is to come.......

hosta and calla lily

creeping jenny

dock

hosta and Siberian iris

strawberry jar with herbs on my patio

sedums in a concrete urn by my back door

A garden shows you how the world ought to be.

~author unknown

I'm linking up with:

Blooming Tuesday at:

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com

Outdoor Wednesday at:
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Blooming Today

 I have had a very busy week. My baby graduated from high school and we had a party at the house. He also will swear in for 8 years of service to the Army National Guard tomorrow.

I went out in the garden today to collect my thoughts and to keep myself from crying as he walked out the door with his recruiter.

I enjoyed a few blooms in the garden.

Here is what is blooming today.

I have several variety of hostas. We had thunderstorms today, but I did get a few pictures in between the showers.

an old fashion snowball bush and hosta 

Centaurea "Mountain Bluet" I love the sepals of this plant. I think they are just as interesting as the flower.

Centaurea "Mountain Bluet"

spreads easily. Bright cobalt color! A great flower if you want to add blue to your garden.

"Beverly Sills" Iris

Very fragrant. Smells like bubble gum!

Dictamnus (Gas Plant)

The flowers of this plant emit a flammable oil. All parts of the plant are strongly lemon scented! Established plants are difficult to transplant successfully, so plant them carefully.

Starry seed capsules reminding me of star anise.

and..........

a picture of my baby.

Good Luck Kelson!

with all life has to offer you!

Love you!

I'm Linking up with:

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/