It's all good.

We put in a raised garden this year for herbs and drieds and a few cut flowers.

Everything seems to be doing well.

A friend of mine from high school showed me a picture of this easel and frame for an idea for holding a planter.

Jim put this together for me, and I arranged the petunias in it, and hung the hummingbird house in the corner.

I love how it turned out!

Very cute idea for the deck.

We've been here for a year now. 

Jim pulled out all of the shrubs that were growing in this area shortly after we moved in, and we started amending the soil, and planting right away.

After trial and error, I finally figured out what plants worked best in this climate and soil.

We put in the river rock path after everything was planted, and I am so pleased with the results.

Even on rainy days I love to spend time outside.

Having a covered deck is such a blessing!

The plants that spend the cooler months inside, come out onto the deck for the warmer months.

Plants are still being added to the garden.

I am looking for Hollyhocks, more Foxglove, a few more Delphinium, and also Angel Trumpets, and always more roses.

The Wisteria is finally getting some buds!  I am excited to see what that will look like.

The Hydrangea is also showing some buds....So happy about that!

Having annuals in the garden helps between the perennial blooms.

I try to stagger the perennials, but sometimes you need a little help.

Plus, I love the different colors.

Just like at the lakehouse...my garden lacks a formal touch.  I prefer a Cottage feel in my plantings. 

Everyone has different tastes and preferences.

It's all good.

What do you like best?

xxoo

Keeping Busy.

It's been very hot down here.

All of the inside plants have been moved out to the covered deck for the season, except for the air plants.

My middle daughter got me hooked on these amazing plants that don't need soil.

I put them in any kind of container I choose, and soak them in water a couple of times a month.

There are many different kinds of plants to choose from.

This is my newest one!

The roses are doing so well right now.

The David Austin roses have adjusted to the climate here.

I was very happy to see all of the blooms this Spring!

I have collected bird nests for years, but in the move, I lost several.  I don't know where they all went?

This one is from a bush next to the deck here. I saw it last Summer, so I let it sit until this Spring to make sure it was abandoned.

I sprayed it with Krylon a couple of weeks ago and brought it inside.

Now I am adding dried flowers to it.

The sweet neighbor girl that plays with our granddaughter when she visits, made me this pretty mud sculpture with my initial on it, and she added a dried rose to it also.

As a thank you, I made her a lavender sachet.

Jim put in a raised garden for me to grow lavender for drying.

I cut a few pieces (on the right) a few weeks ago, with some Salvia.

I will have Sage for wreaths also.

I am hoping the Larkspur comes up.

There are so many lizards in the garden.

They are usually a pretty bright green color.

This one was trying to blend in with the surroundings.

I love using the stamp transfers I found online.

They work on any flat surface.

It's fun to use them on cards and letters, and the sachets.

They are not washable, however.

As you can see, I keep busy now that I can get out in the garden.

I guess I should tune into the weather. Looks like a storm is coming.

Have a nice week!

xxoo

Memories we learn from.

When my daughters were young our favorite show was Little House on the Prairie.

I even sewed aprons like the ones Laura and Maw wore. 

My middle daughter Erin wore braids, and a prairie skirt with the apron and bonnet I made when she dressed for "favorite author day" in grade school.

Erin read all of the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

My youngest daughter Melissa's girls loved the same books.'

They lived in Howell, Michigan as did Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie.

Melissa and the girls were out selling Girl Scout cookies one day, and who do you think stopped to purchase some cookies?!

Laura Ingalls!!!

Well, actually Melissa Gilbert.

Melissa and the girls were thrilled!

What a memory!

We all have special memories, don't we?

Some good, some not so much.

Experiences and situations that will stand out forever in our hearts and minds.

For whatever reason, we go through things that either bring us joy, or sorrow.

Either way, we take something away with us.

Even in the most terrible of circumstances, we learn something.

Being raised by an abusive mother was painful emotionally and physically.

There were many times when I would ask God why he put me in that place?!

I did not understand why my friends had loving moms that hugged them, SAID they loved them, kissed them, and even braided their long hair.

My friends' moms did not call them awful names, or say they were useless, or tell them they didn't care where they went.

There was not a razor strap hanging, that was used  often.

Everything can be a learning experience...even the things that seem difficult.

I knew what kind of a mom that I did not want to be.

I did not want to be like the mother that I had.

I wanted to give my children all of the things that I longed for as a child.

I was not perfect.

I made plenty of mistakes along the way.

I was not, however, going to do those things that I knew would break a child's heart and spirit!

I still mess up.

I don't have it right.

I am not like Maw Ingalls.

God has, however, restored the years the locust have eaten! Joel 2:25.

Praise God!! 

xxoo

Happy May!

This morning I got a call from a blogging friend that I've known for a long time.

Her name is Roxy, and her blog is Living from Glory to Glory.

God knows when we need to hear from a sister in Christ for encouragement, and Godly advice.

What a great conversation we had!

After talking to Roxy, I went outside to sit in the flower garden for a while.

Every morning, my prayer closet (the garden) is where you will find me.

After spending time with the Lord, I start to work weeding, watering and deadheading.

Roses are brought inside to freshen up containers, and some are used to dry for wreaths.

Being in Alabama means a longer growing season, so enjoying the roses earlier is a huge blessing for me!

The flowers that are too far along are added to the wreath around the iron bunny found at the wonderful little shop I discovered north of here!

They will dry, and add more color for later in the season.

The Blue Salvia dries really well with Lavender.  I was happy to find a white Salvia plant recently. 

There will be four Sage plants for me to be able to take cuttings from this year.

Using Sage in wreaths, along with Oregano as a base adds beauty, and fragrance.

Sending you thoughts of Spring and Sunshine where ever you are!!

Happy May!

xxoo