Gardens... and Spring...

 

 

I have spent the past few weeks dreaming about what Spring could bring and what I would like to see in our future garden.  I am meeting with our Landscape Architect late this week to see if we can plan out all of the fantastic things we want to do.  I adore the iron doors and windows in the first two images (the first one is Merci in Paris) I would love a pair where the window now is in my dining room, with Wisteria trailing above a seating area and a small fountain.  Hydrangea are my FAVORITE flower in the world and I need to have those in various locations so they are a must.  But the rest is pretty up in the air, we love fruit trees and have a few that were here when we arrived that we would like to keep.  There is to be a pool and hopefully a small pool house.  I cannot wait to get it all down on paper to see if it is even possible and then start tackling it piece by piece.  

What are your favorite garden elements- any recommendations?

images via

 

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Hydrangeas and Tea

Delighted by Change

My daughter and I were visiting my in-laws earlier today. I was amazed at the color changes in the Hydrangea flowers on her bush! She helped me pick a couple of bunches to display in my home. Earlier the colors were a brilliant blue. 

There are some still blue, but they're slowly changing to a creamy white and a gorgeous green shade. The colors combined amaze me that they come from the same bush.

It is very hot today so, I am enjoying a lovely cup of tea as a pick-me-up! 

Also, I am enjoying one of these luscious peaches I got from my brother-in-law's market stand in Florence, South Carolina. 

I was there last week. It's peach season in the South and they're wonderful!

I am having a fragrant cup of peppermint-spearmint tea. 

It is so wonderful to smell the minty scent wafting up from the Biltmore teacup. A refreshing cup of tea - a delicious snack -

what hot temperatures outside.

I have the beauty of the outdoors with me 

and with tea - all the cares of the world just roll away.

Summer has been upon us temperature wise, but it is official tomorrow! Are you ready to 

Savor Summer?

I will be posting my special 

A Return to Loveliness 

blog party post and linky at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

I look forward to seeing your posts!

There will be something special and fun for participants!

I am sharing this post with these Delightsome blog parties:

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday 

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday 

A Breath of Fresh Air's

and Silken Purse's

Teapot and Tea Things

Comin' Home's Tuesday Teas

Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday

Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Wishing you a very Delightsome - relaxed afternoon!

After all - it is Summer!

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White and Hydrangea

 

Good Monday Morning!

I trust you had a good weekend and a well celebrated Father's day.

We had a simi impromptu dinner here last night and I would say that it went fairly smoothly.  I think that we should entertain more often.  I am not sure that this space would put me at ease though!

It is very beautiful but the thought of all of that white scares me a little!

What about you do you entertain?  Do you enjoy it? 

image via ?

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In the garden...

 

I sent this photo to my husband last week... Can we do this? 

I simply love everything about this space- it has Hydrangea, my favorite flower, ivy growing on the walls, yes please, and privacy, um we need some!

It just seems so clean and inviting.  

I ran out of time to work in the garden this weekend... maybe another day.

What about you did you have a wonderful weekend?

Did you have time for the garden?

image via My French Country home from MiresParis

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Daylilys and Hydrangeas

A Summer Flower

Arrangement

My talented gardening friend grew several daylilies from seed and gave me a few a couple years back. This year they're showing the beauty in their variety.

I picked one from each plant and added 

a lacy collar of Lace Cap Hydrangea to the arrangement.

I think it looks quite elegant in my milk glass vase.

Thank you for your visit.

I am sharing this post with

Little Red House's Mosaic Monday

Wishing you a very Delightsome day,

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Yellow and Blue Tablescape

SALAD TONIGHT

Whether the calender says summer - the outdoor temperatures sure have been here in the South. 

A light dinner of grilled chicken and salad is one of our favorite warm-weather meals.

Last week,  I set a Blue and Yellow table.

This week, I am setting a Yellow and Blue table.

These are still the predominate colors in my garden,

I love the combination of these brilliant blue Hydrangeas with

these sunny Daylilies.

To complement the arrangement I chose my floral Pfaltzgraff dishes

and my green-swirl Depression salad plates. 

This set of green Martha Stewart goblets complement the green 

of the Depression glass plates quite well.

These brightly colored napkins are my daughters, she found them on

clearance at Dollar General. 

She's so far ahead of me at the age of

eighteen in her houseware collection than I was at her age.

I suppose my collecting bug bit her early.

My friend gave me this salad bowl - she had it for sale at her garage sale 

and no one purchased it - I think it is quite beautiful.

I love this platter - I happened to find it at Goodwill and was happy

to later discover it matched some of my dishes.

This lacy tea set that I received this past Christmas from my dear family

goes so well with so many settings.

I believe this arrangement just sets a cheerful setting! 

I hope you're enjoying your June evenings! This year is flying by so very fast! 

So enjoy spending these few moments with you - truly appreciate your visit!

I am sharing this post with

Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday 

A Stroll Through Life's Tabletop Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday

Wishing you a very Delightsome day,

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Summer Dining

Soup Night

We've entered the hot, humid summer in the South.

With June being Fresh Fruit and Fresh Vegetable

month, this calls for lighter meals.

So tonight is soup and salad night! 

The Hydrangeas are still blooming nicely, 

so I took a few from one of the arrangements, put them in a 

small white pitcher to set the stage for my blue and yellow

Soup Night

tablescape.

I placed my yellow tablecloth, which is actually a 

twin spread underneath one of my favorite lace tablecloths.

My blue and white dishes were quite 

a surprise to me. My husband and

I were attending an auction at a 

moving and storage facility. 

Several 'lots' were being auctioned 'as is'.

In one lot we purchased there was 

an old coffee maker box taped up.

When we arrived home I was pleasantly

surprised to see this lovely china set

inside.

I added these sweet little candleholders.

I found each at separate times at

Goodwill - love the round candles!

I think these adorable birds add so

much to any arrangement.

This cake.

Well, my son-in-law and daughter

were passing through on his way to

further training for his deployment.

His favorite dessert is brownies.

My youngest daughter makes the 

best brownies - everyone requests

them of her. The funny thing is she doesn't like brownies!~

I thought he'd take the whole batch so I made a cake to go with dinner. 

Initially I was going to make cupcakes - they

became bite-sized snacks! I made a single

layer and iced it with a powdered sugar

vanilla yogurt combination. It is sweet, tangy and very sticky!

I think one of the most refreshing drinks is fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The  silverware 

purchased at Dollar General.

The napkins and napkin rings came from Habitat for Humanity store.

I added a few lemons placed upon my blue Anchor Hocking 

plates to add to the blue and yellow theme.

I have been enjoying my silver salt and pepper shakers!

Martha Stewart clear goblets are just the right size.

So we're all set for a light summer soup-and-salad dinner!

What do you like to prepare for dinner?

Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday

Thank you for your visit!

Wishing you a very Delightsome day,

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