Wednesday, June 29, 2011

HARBOR SPRINGS FOR THE 4TH!


The ultimate in relaxation and where sprawling porches call
your name. . .




Where adirondeck chairs await you to enjoy the breezes off the lake.  .  .





Where boating throws cares to the wind. . . . .




Where we are greeted and cared for because of lifetime
friendships . . . .






Where parades are awaited with pride and veterans return
to march. . . .





Where quiet times call your name. . .





and where good friends toast to the good times. . .


All this and more is what our 4th of July's have come to mean to us
as we head north tomorrow.

Travel with care, enjoy the love of your families and be safe.

See you in a week!

AND

A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES. . . . .

YESTERDAY



My early morning hours start with coffee in hand, listening to the chirping of another day in our garden and discovering that yesterdays budding Asiatic Lily had burst in all of its glory. .





TODAY




What did you discover in your garden this morning?    The sun is shining
here in the Chicago area, not a cloud in the sky and all is well in my garden.

Enjoy this beautiful summer day!

Monday, June 27, 2011

GARDEN GLORY MORE GLORIOUS THAN EVER. . . . . .

I spent the morning finishing the photos of my garden. . . . . . . such a grand difference than from the beginning of the season.  With all of the rain we have had, everything is so lush and so green. 


Quite a difference in growth from the original photo
of Garden Glory ~ Part One





At a garden club meeting, we were shown how to make these little guys.
Bob Friese, a famous Chicago floral designer, was our guest speaker
and he showed us how to cover a Styrofoam ball (two sizes) with moss and
using white birch, create this whimsical bird on a stick.


                                         

This Big Daddy hosta is about 4 feet wide.  I adore the Blue Spruce
and how it contrasts with the hostas.




My vine wreath is about 5 years old and is beginning to fall apart.  I purchased
moss, soaked it and filled the pockets with the moss so the dirt and flowers
selected, wouldn't fall out of the vine pocket.  I planted Creeping Jenny
and lavender Impatiens.  Love how this wreath looks against the cedar fence.




A pink Hydrangea's first bloom



Asiatic Lilies ready to burst.




Hostas, Zennias, Astilbe, Violets and a gift..............this Asiatic Lilie just
showed up here.......probably the work of a squirrel while gathering for the winter.






I love to use containers within the gardens in my yard, they
provide another level of interest for the eyes to rest.








Looking out . . .


Looking in. . . .  




Looking from the trellis to the deck.  Note the profile of a molded face
that I purchsed from an antique dealer nearby.  He bought it in New Orleans
following Mardi Gras.  It had been part of a float.




More pathways to walk and enjoy.



The walkway leading to the front of the house.



One of a pair of urns planted on either side of a step.





Birdbath turned bunny bath. . . . that Blue Spruce conifer so yummy!




Roses from my garden, lilies from Whole Foods




This hosta is called, Sweet Home Chicago.  For some reason, I could never
get it to grow in my front garden . . . .I moved it to the back garden
last year and finally, it has started to grow.  In both places, there was
a lot of shade, so I have no explanation for this hosta dilemma. It never
had any more than about 3 or 4 leaves and they were small.  Not so
this year. . .



Love the color of this grass specimen . . .





Limelight hosta



Angels in my garden. . .



My Anabelle's are ready to turn white.




Connecticut Blue Stone walkways. . . my River Birch to the
back right







My high school buddies sent me this symbol of friendship
after a visit to our home.  They were here for 4 days visiting from
the suburbs of Detroit.


The back walk . .  



Still more hostas . .



HOME SWEET HOME




Not much more to see at this time for the exception of my berm in the
front which still has yet to bloom.  It blooms at different times of the season
and presently my daisies are ready to bloom. One or more hot days and I
promise to take a photo.  They will be gorgeous this year. . . . so full and thick
with blooms.   Many thanks again for stopping by. . . .

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Garden Glory


Summer is officially here and the results of  time spent planning and planting is finally starting to be enjoyed.  My  favorite time of the day, is coming down to the kitchen, making a cup of coffee and walking my garden with only the sound of my flip flops.  As  I walk the path to my perennial gardens and listen to all of my little friends chirping away, they too seem to enjoy the environment we have created for them.  It is the most calming part of my day. that in the design field is never ending, and always demanding.  It is my time and the joy of it all is unexplainable.




A wonderful mix of hostas, violets and lilies.



                                                                                 



Well, good morning.........



We have a lot of shade in our back yard and these Begonias

are so happy in the shaded gardcn.






I love hostas and my collection continues to grow, literally!





Gracie's Garden





My Victorian birdbath that seems to be loved
by the Robin's in our garden




I purchased this flower cage at a wonderful  yearly flea market
in Charlevoix, Michigan a few years ago.  It is always held around
the 4th of July weekend and one that is not to be missed!




A fountain that no longer worked became a
planter filled with lavender verbena.



More paths to walk. . .



There are so many more places to visit and more to see. . . . . I am waiting  for my
Asiatic Lilies to burst and they will be here in all of their glory . . . . we just need a sunny
day..................it is misting today and the plants love it!  

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