{Home, Garden} Flower arranging, in a vase or in the garden

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home

Tags

{1}

Those of us that enjoy our gardens, especially in the U.S., are still anticipating the full glory of spring. I thought I’d provide you with a little inspiration by sharing some pretty flower arrangements for you to enjoy. Some are simple and some are elaborate, all are beautiful [i.m.h.o].

{2}

…come along, through the magical gate that will place us squarely in spring on the other side…

{3}

Where can I find fuchsia’s this color?

{4}

wouldn’t I love a hedge of hydrangea like this…

{5}

and ranunculus this color?

{6}

{7}

Oh, how I wish I lived where lilacs would grow.

{8}

{9}

{10}

This color (below) is one of Ina Garten’s favorites…

{11}

{12}

{13}

{14}

I’m not sure what kind of bulb this is but it’s pretty even before it blooms.

{15}

Spring’s bounty, flowering branches, pussy willow and some kind of seed pod.

{16}

And for my final floral contestant…possibly a wedding prop, dancing in one direction, dining in the other. Either way, I love the rusty old bicycle used for the flowers.

{17}

Source: 1-13, Tumblr Fresh as a Daisy; 14, Tumblr A Gift Wrapped Life; 15, Tumblr Love French Bulldogs; 16-17, Tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight

Spring will be here (in the U.S.) any time now, in fact we’ve been teased with some warm days. Wait for it, it will give us all a lift of spirits and a new level of energy. ♥ Karen

I’m joining Savvy Southern Style for her Wow Us Wednesday and on Thursday, Stone Gable, Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

{Garden} Keeping bees happy and other gardening pursuits

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Maintenance

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Bees

Pilgrims brought the first honeybees to America. There were honeybees in California by 1820.

I’ve been busy as a bee in my garden…planning and planting. (It was one of my New Year goals)

{tumblr ~ fresh as a daisy}

After ignoring my front yard during the month of December and most of January, I decided it was time to clean up a few things. My gardener had pruned the roses and I usually do a little detailing to make sure they are trimmed properly.

{Bethany House ~ Winter, 2011}

Working in the garden relaxes me and makes me happy. This past weekend the work inspired me to start making plans for the plants I want to install (as part of my New Year’s “goals”) and I came up with a list that I’ll order/pick up at the nursery and plant sometime between now and the end of March.

{Bethany House ~ backyard fence}

For now I’ve planted some infrastructure for the planting beds, behind the boxwood in the front yard are…

‘Alaska’ azalea, a lovely white blooming plant that should grow fairly fast in this part-sun location to cover the valves for the sprinklers.

~and~

phygelius ‘Passionate Pink’, a smallish, upright fuchsia. Bees and hummingbirds alike love this plant and the one below…

~and~

Spanish lavender, this will give me a little soft color around the white Iceberg shrub roses.

That plan instigated more thought about the back yard. I started thinking about plants and bees. I know, it does seem a little strange, but I would love to have the time and space to raise bees. I don’t have the time at this juncture but like my desire for a chicken coop, maybe some day.

I hope to move some planters around in the back yard and replace a rose or two. I purchased some seed in hopes that I can try my hand at growing ‘forget-me-nots’ and some Asian poppy seed to scatter.

{Forget-Me-Nots}

Meanwhile, I’ll have to search for a straw bee skep to tide me over…

{Country Cottage Primitives}

There will be more garden coverage this year…stay tuned. Like last year, hopefully, Olivia will help me with the watering when she visits this summer.

{August 2012}

Note: We have a constant stream of bee and hummingbird visitors in our yard. I think some of my new plants will be gourmet nectar to both.

Do you have plans for your garden this year? I know some of you are still shivering from winter’s cold but you and I both know it will be spring before we know it!

I’m over at Savvy Southern Style, drop by for a visit and Art @ Home sharing things that make me happy.

{Garden, Home and Party} They say it’s your birthday

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Gardening, House and Home, Misc, Outdoor living

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

birthdays

Since today is my birthday (me and Mozart) I’m going to share a few of my favorite images. I apologize in advance if you’ve seen these a million times before but they continue to be favorites and I can’t bring myself to delete them. They all bring an immediate smile to my face, hope you will enjoy one or two of them as well.

{1.}

{2.}

{3.}

{4.}

{5.}

~I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend~

{6.}

{7.}

{8.}

{9.}

{10.}

{11.}

The image below is on my wish list…I would like this breakfast nook to be built for my birthday, please.

{12.}

Thank you for taking time out of your busy week to read my posts, and many times, you comment, I love that! I count you all as blog friends and appreciate your interest in my ramblings. Many of you are bloggers yourselves and your sites bring me joy and oftentimes provide inspiration and valuable information/education on topics I know little about, thank you!

1, 2. 10. The Enchanted Home; 3. Things that Inspire; 4. My Notting Hill; 5. Haus Design; 6. House Beautiful; 7. Inspired Design; 8. Traditional Home; 9. Phoebe Howard; 11. Tumblr-That Inspirational Girl; 12. Velvet & Linen; 13. Tumblr-A Gift Wrapped Life.

{Home} Faux greenery indoors, or real houseplants?

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Flowers, House and Home, Maintenance, Uncategorized

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

houseplants

Age is a funny thing. If you’re lucky it teaches you tolerance and acceptance. For example I used to think I would NEVER have faux houseplants. I figured if I couldn’t have real I didn’t want to bother.

The twisted juniper on the mantle below are preserved evergreen.

{Kelly Harmon Designs}

A few years ago I discovered that there are now some very real-looking houseplants available, and some are actually “preserved” plants that were once real.

I’ll be honest, I’m certain that working full time has tempered my sentences that used to start with the words, “I’ll never…”. Actually, I’m happy about this because I did find that faux plants, when mixed with live indoor plants, can look very real and make life a whole lot easier for those of us with minimal hours to tend to them. I still love English ivy and topiary of all kinds.

Tone on Tone shared the vast array of their houseplants, including these lovelies below…

{Tone on Tone}

Another option for indoor houseplants can be found in some “outdoor” plant sections, like this creeping fig (below)…

{Tone on Tone}

My favorite fake plant right now is the preserved boxwoods. I really like the topiary in various sizes, the wreath and the globe shapes they come in.

{tumblr}

{Amazon}

I also feel that if you need a “plant” for a certain space, using something like willow-like branches can be effective.

{Ralph Lauren}

My go-to fresh plant of choice is English ivy. I’ve had pretty good luck with the ivy plants I’ve purchased and as long as I water them by soaking them in a bath of 2″ of fresh water when they get thirsty, they will last for 6 months to a year, or longer. Ivy seems to like to absorb the water rather than be watered from the top.

Alison over at The Polohouse recently posted about her Kitchen Hutch…the array of houseplants made for a lovely vignette. I believe she has preserved boxwood, real English ivy and a moss ball in the display below…

{The Polohouse}

Trader Joe’s has a beautiful selection of blooming house plants that are so inexpensive that I’ll often buy them and once they begin to look sad I’ll move them to a sheltered space outdoors and see if they come back and re-bloom. They also carry great orchids in a variety of sizes. Their blooms sometimes stay intact up to 3 months. I don’t have luck making them re-bloom but my daughter-in-law in Austin does!

{Ashley Goforth Designs}

{Haus Design}

There are other faux options such as dried hydrangea (which you can do yourself) and reindeer moss, which provides you with the green while not requiring any water

{Simple Everyday Glamour}

{Haus Design}

There’s another option that I’ve used for table settings…live annual plants. They won’t last forever indoors, but they are so pretty!

So I say, if you have a tough spot, maybe not enough light gets to the place you’d like to have a plant, search for something that mirrors a live plant, if you love it, no one will every know.

Do you have strong feelings one way or another where live vs. real houseplants are concerned? I love your comments.

I’m linking to: Savvy Southern Style::Wow us Wednesdays

and Stone Gable: Tutorials Tips…

{GHP} 2013, a New Year

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Misc, Party Planning, Travel

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

NY Goals

This is my 400th post. When I started in 2007 I barely knew how to post my words, let alone images. I’ve met some wonderful blog friends and been inspired by more of you than I can even name, or place on my blog roll. Thank you for stopping by and for any and all comments, it always tickles me to hear from you!

I’m not a huge fan of resolutions but I am obsessed with lists. What is it for some of us? There is something so satisfying about making a list, [and checking it twice?] maybe it’s a Santa thing.

So I’ve decided to start with a short list of things to do in the first quarter of the new year…wait, is this the same thing as a resolution? No, I think not. It’s more of a list of goals for life. A list of things I’d like to do that I’ve talked about but not accomplished with regularity. A simple list, really. A list to enrich daily, weekly and monthly life. Not a “cure world hunger” kind of list but one to enrich our (Mr. B. and me) lives. I’ve always maintained that if you want me to do something, put it on the list, I’ll get it done.

1. More local, weekend field trips with Mr. B or girlfriends. This is one of those items that I’ve talked about, but so far, haven’t achieved. I confess the inspiration came from our newest addition to the family, Sarah, my youngest son’s lovely wife (of 1 month). She is forever planning little getaways for the two of them to California festivals and fairs. They don’t even have to involve overnight stays, but when there’s a fair or festival that interests them, they often go. I want to do more of that in this new year.

{I believe Kevin and Sarah went to this festival and it sounded like they had fun. I know I got an olive tree sapling out of their visit}

{My girlfriends and I wanted to attend Remnants of the Past last fall, but the wedding kept me from wanting to loose a weekend, so we promised ourselves we’d go in 2013}

2. Plans for the garden. I’m a garden enthusiast, but I find lately (the last 3 years) I’ve kept the garden maintained but not actively planned for new shrubs, trees, or perennials for any area in the garden. I’ve been mostly keeping things trimmed, soil turned and all plants fertilized but have failed to plant the garden of lavender I’ve wanted to grow, or change out some rose bushes that simply don’t do as well as they should in a given spot. I’ve only maintained. I want to change this status quo in the garden. I may even try my hand at planting some annuals from seed this year.

{I need to change a couple of the roses in the knot garden. My hybrid tea, ‘Pearl’ isn’t doing that well and I could use a red rose. I’m thinking of Mr. Lincoln or a Romantica Rose. I need to check out my options soon so that when they come to the nursery I can buy what I want}

{Mr. Lincoln}

{The pink jasmine is lovely in the spring but I’d like to plant an additional vine that would bloom when the pink jasmine has completed its cycle}

{This image from Ivy Clad is what I strive for where my boxwoods are planted…the inside planting space needs more plants, plan to be determined}

I have wanted a fountain for the side yard for years. I’ve had fountains in other spaces out doors, but they can’t really be heard from the rooms we spend the most time in, kitchen, library and family room. I’ve also chosen fountains in the past that offer a sound similar to a little boy using the lavatory…not the gentle fall of water droplets that I long to hear. I’ve been told a two-tiered fountain is what I need.

Trish of trouvais fame posted this image of her lavender garden a year or so ago. I decided to plant lavender where I felt it would get plenty of sun and hoped to reap the benefits of the beautiful scented plant and flowers. Unfortunately, I got started late and 2 of the plants died. I will re-attempt this planting again this spring. Isn’t this image beautiful?!

3. Entertaining more in 2013. There was a time when we enjoyed having friends in for dinner at least twice a month. I think my taking a full time job in corporate America in 2005 was when the pattern changed. Now I find myself thinking, next month I’ll have __________ [fill in the blank] over for dinner. Unfortunately I’ve been dropping the ball and “next month” has become next year in many instances. I am going to make an effort to have good friends over for dinner more often in 2013. By the way, I read that some hate the term “entertain” due to the formality it conjures up in our minds. I do enjoy the creativity of setting the table, determining the menu and planning for all of that, but we rarely do what I would consider “formal” entertaining. Most of our friends offer, and I accept their offer, to bring some small portion of the meal. It works well and I find it shares some of the work. That said, I am not above buying some great appetizer that is nearly made for me, or a bakery-purchased dessert.

I’ve come a long way baby, I no longer feel the need to keep everything perfect and formal. I enjoy buying some of the meal, like a yummy appetizer from Bristol Farms or Trader Joe’s and then cooking the rest of the meal, or even letting some of the guests bring something. Either way, Mr. B and I truly do enjoy the quality time spent with friends and family over a meal in the comfort of our home (or that of a friend).

Love the white table setting and surroundings (above).

This was a table set for a dinner for a friend with a May birthday. It reflects the upcoming spring (when this picture was taken), but my point in including it was to show you the centerpiece. It’s a planter I pulled from the atrium and added a few English daisy. It’s fun to mix up the centerpieces with cut flowers, fruit or potted plants. This doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. Fixing food for friends and then sharing it is the goal.

(Below) I love the stone items that are part of this table. So classic.

{Annelle Primos}

For the above dinner I used a silver tray as the centerpiece and added a vase of simple flowers from the market. I used my chargers instead of a table cloth or place mats…easy and casual.

Some even mix the country feel of a picnic style table with beautiful candelabras and flowers for a dinner setting that is appealing and yet, not stuffy.

{Charlotte Moss}

So that’s it, these are my goals for 2013. Not too ambitious, therefore conceivably attainable, right? Did you set any goals or make any resolutions for this year?

{GHP} The plants of the season

11 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, Flowers, Holidays

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

greens of Christmas

As a former landscape designer (not a landscape architect, but someone who determined what and where to plant in our client’s gardens) I often focus on the natural plant materials we gravitate towards during each of the seasons and holidays. Not just as living plant material, although some of these do make beautiful landscape plants in the right garden, but the greens that we tend to use in planters (outdoors and in) and table, door and mantle decorations.

It isn’t just about the trees…

although that is the scene stealer in most homes this time of year…

There’s some great inspiration out there in blogland right now but the site that got the ball rolling for this post was a visit to one of my favorite sites, Debra at 5th and State. She posted a tutorial on how to plant outdoor urns and planter boxes. Debra is a talented landscape designer and I believe she owns 2 or 3 shops. I first found her site during this time about 2 years ago and her topic inspired me to work on my entry urn and planter box.

I’ve worked on our urn since this early attempt (below) at copying the examples provided via 5th and State. Even this early, unrefined display was a vast improvement from the boring plant I used to have in this spot. (It’s the old “cobbler’s children have no shoes” around here). The Ilex berries are fake but they offer a spot of color at the front door.

{Garden, Home and Party, 2010}

That same year I planted my metal planter box with red ivy geranium, I should have known better, they complete their blooming cycle just before Christmas!

{5th and State}

Here is my urn for this season…

{The Mother Fern is so happy I didn’t have the heart to change it out for a plant that might be more seasonal. I added the Ilex berries and pine cones to create a holiday feel to it.}

{I also gave our concrete puti a hat for the season. The Ikea lantern got a couple of candles, some faux snow and an antique elk}

{notice the antique elk is missing most of a leg, I rescued him from an antique store}

{Even the mailbox is dressed for the season}

Our entry during the day…

…and at night

Other greens and plants that are popular this time of year are boxwood. I love them year round, but I was happy to see that Trader Joe’s offered a 22″ boxwood wreath this month for only $9.95 (thanks for the heads up, Glenys).

{Home Bunch}

Even the use of hydrangea, as we see below when mixed with maiden hair fern takes on a holiday flair. It’s wonderful to see plants other than the traditional poinsettia being used for the holidays. I still love poinsettia, especially when I can find the white ones, but there are some fabulous options.

{The Polohouse}

The use of birch logs in these urns really give it a wintery look that could easily be on display through the winter months, not too Christmasy, but festive.

{The Polohouse}

Fruit is something that really lends itself to this time of year. Citrus of any kind, apples and pears…{The Enchanted Home}

{Haus Design}

This months cover of Veranda featured greens that I can’t really identify. They resemble eucalyptus, but the apples, greens mix beautifully with the rustic wood walls and beams juxtaposed against the French mirror, screen and portrait. This is one of my all time favorite magazine covers.

{Veranda ~ December 2012}

These ivy topiary and foxglove on the hearth look seasonal due to the roaring fire in the fireplace, but the plants could be representative of spring just as easily.

{Inspired Design}

This boxwood garland is so pretty, I love the deep green color and if it’s the kind that has been treated, it will last forever.

{Style at Home.com}

Forced paper whites, white cyclamen and little juniper bushes, surrounded by cedar branches make such a pretty indoor vignette.{The Enchanted Home}

{Ralph Lauren, Paris store}

Do you have a favorite where winter greens are concerned?

I’m over at Savvy Southern Style, linking to her Wow Us Wednesdays, join in the fun if you have time.

{Garden} Birdsong in the garden

18 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home, Outdoor living

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

birds in the garden

I’ve talked about angels in the garden and thought I’d share a few bird tales, for good measure.

{John James Audubon}

We mostly avoid pesticides of any kind in our yard and are rewarded with plenty of bird sightings. We’ve had brightly colored birds, and even enjoyed a wren family that moved into a bird house in the garden. They returned later that same year and raised a second family. Unfortunately the post that held their home rotted and we’ve not replaced it, so we haven’t seen them lately. There are several birds that use our bath facilities and we thoroughly enjoy seeing them nibbling unwanted insects off the roses.

Unfortunately we have crows hanging around the neighborhood as well, none in our back yard but they definitely perch on the light post in front of our house. My only objection to them is their predatory habits where baby birds are concerned.

The hummingbirds are plentiful and mainly enjoy the lavender, Penstemon and Lakeview Jasmine tree we have in the knot garden.

{The Angelonia attracts hummingbirds}

As I’ve mentioned before, I really don’t want to get too heavy handed with the garden art as our yard is really compact and Hubby has commented he doesn’t want our home to start resembling the cliché for “old” folk’s homes. But a little metal bird here and there sort of makes up for the brevity of the visits we experience with the real thing.

As I was looking at plant lists that attract birds it turns out, quite by accident, that we have several plants that naturally entice birds into the garden. Here is a very partial list: Oakleaf hydrangea, privet ‘ligustrom’, gaura, columbine, boxwood and lots of trees.

{This variety of lavender, ‘goodwin creek’ attracts hummingbirds and butterflies}

{The Lakeview Jasmine tree is in the upper right corner of this photograph, it’s hard to see due to the espaliered star jasmine}

I particularly enjoy rusty birds…

We may be shopping for new digs for our little wren family, what do you think of these?

{Dovecote}

~or~

{Songbird House}

Does your yard attract birds? I know some of you live in regions that probably have such amazing birds. Maybe I need to get some binoculars and a book on birds!

I’m over at Tracie’s Garden Party, stop by for a visit.

{Garden} Angels in the garden

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home, Outdoor living

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

summer living

I’ve never wanted to go overboard with any one item in the yard. I like collections but my yard is small and I didn’t want it to become cluttered with garden art. Then, the other day while strolling through the yard I noticed I have more than a couple of angels and a few birds in the garden art department.

Hopefully, they aren’t too blatantly obvious but more a natural accent and fairly subtle.

So how did this happen, you’re asking? It started innocently enough with this plaque given to me by my friend Carla in honor of my grandmother’s passing. I’ve always liked it and it’s gotten nice and mossy on the wall in the back yard, surrounded by ivy.

Next angel to move in was this fountain, which is no longer a fountain but a planter. A friend of mine owned a great little shop on Balboa Island and she gave me this fountain for a “friendly” price. The sound of the fountain forced me to plant it instead of keeping it as a fountain. The sound of the steady stream of water wasn’t the soothing trickle I’d hoped for…more like a little boy peeing.

The fountain/planter is now planted with white impatiens and sweet potato vine, I’m thinking I need to go back to pink impatiens and fern.

This little angel caught my eye because I could see her sitting on my garden bench. My gardener broke her neck by accident one time, but we were able to give her epoxy surgery and repair her.

Above is her newest home in the formal garden, below is where she used to sit in the side yard.

This next angel is something I picked up in Rosarito Beach, Mexico…what was I thinking?…I’m really getting carried away with angels but these were all bought over a period of 25 years.

This door knocker was a gift, I’ve hung it on the patio post and looking at this photograph it’s kind of creepy looking. She looks mad and her eyes definitely frighten me.

I’m going to show you some birds next week…bet you can’t wait!

P.S. I also know that a dear friend (who shall not be named) hates angel statues. Fortunately she is still my friend.

I’m visiting Fishtail Cottage Garden Party, stop by for some great garden inspiration.

{Garden, Home and Party} It’s still summer (technically) and the livin’ is easy

06 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening, Outdoor living

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

seasons

Note: My vacation-starved brain gave information that I believe was confusing about son#1. No surprise, I can start typing full-speed and things get away from me. (Read: I don’t proof read as thoroughly as I should) so…to clear things up. Son $1 is married to a wonderful woman, they live in Austin and best of all, they have a daughter. Since she is our first grandchild, we’re a little over the moon when around her. Son #2 is engaged to be married December 1, 2012. We are thrilled with his choice for our second DIL to be joining our family. I raised 2 sons, if you have male children you will undoubtedly understand how great it is to be welcoming some girls into the family…a little balance.

And for those who asked for pictures…here’s one on the carrousel during Olivia’s visit. We didn’t get to the big carrousel we intended to (time flew) but we managed the little one and Olivia loved it.

She looks unsure, but we got off and she immediately wanted to ride again.

So on to the topic at hand…summer’s end in sight

It’s nice to be back. There is nothing like a little vacation to give you a healthy perspective on what’s important to you. When you’re bogged down with work and life, feeling less than imaginative/creative, blog posts can become a bit of a chore…if you have a blog, you undoubtedly understand where I’m coming from. How do some of you post daily? I’m always wowed.

Time away made me realize that I choose to blog, no one holds a gun to my head, I don’t have sponsors or advertisers, so this is strictly something I want to do or I’d retire. That kind of revelation is helpful.

So, it’s still summer here in California and I thought I’d share some summer fun, including the table setting a friend of mine created for a dinner we attended. Per usual, my photography of said table isn’t ideal. The light was beginning to fade and my point and shoot, when held by a person who has had a glass of Chardonnay, tends to blur. But in any event, Wendy really did a great job with the table. It defines summer here in Southern California.

My friend Wendy hosted one of our “birthday” dinners and created this fun table setting using Lori Mitchell figures, a vast Waterford bowl and floating faux shell candles, and all manner of summer themed accessories. The Waterford bowl had beach sand and sea glass in the bottom, then floating on top were floating shell candles. It was soothing to imagine the calming influence of the ocean.

Since I’ve dedicated myself to improving my attitude about summer, I started thinking about what things I’ll miss once summer is in the rear view mirror and fall is starting to show promise. [Sincere apologies to my blog friends that live where it gets bitter cold and miserable in the winter months, I understand your desire to put the breaks on the whole fall/winter build up]

1. Leaving doors and windows open. Alright, my friends that live in Southern California are now saying, “we leave our doors and windows open nearly year round”. I do too, but it’s all relative. There is something wonderful about a cool breeze that slips into your home on a summer’s day. Oh, and for anyone new to my site, no, these are not my front doors but boy do I wish they were!

2. I’ll miss the outdoors, not because I don’t venture out once the season changes, but there is something energizing about spring and summer flora and fauna. It changes weekly with a regular show of new blossoms and seasonal growth.

The explosion of roses that comes with spring/summer…and no, not my house (below).

tumblr

Eden climbing rose

Nasturtium

Did you know you can eat nasturtium? They have a slightly peppery flavor and are so pretty on salads.

I purchased this willow plant support (above) to give a clematis (below) a home, unfortunately the clematis didn’t return this spring as hoped. So I planted ivy geranium, giving the clematis more time and low and behold, the ivy geranium decided it was very happy and would take over the willow support. I’ll miss this display this fall/winter.

Romantica rose, ‘Guy de Maupassant’

I will definitely miss this rose. This isn’t it’s best day but it normally is the closest thing I have to peonies.

Morning Glory

I’ll miss my over-grown morning glory, on the other side of my fence that threatens to take over the entire garden.

3. I’ll miss outdoor dining. Although the image of the beach table and chairs reminds me of the line in the movie When Harry Met Sally, where she says she (Sally) and her boyfriend had said they were happy they weren’t married with children because it meant they could have sex on the kitchen floor or fly off to Rome at a moments notice, when Harry asks, and did you? She says, no, not once and the floor was cold Mexican tile. I love the fact that we live near enough to the ocean that I can drive down MacArthur Blvd. and see it when I want but we never go to the beach. Crazy, huh?

tumblr

4. I’ll miss summer food. There is something fun about eating light, fresh food off the grill. Once it’s chilly outside and the night comes at about 5:00 p.m. it’s all about comfort food for me. I have to exercise my will power where portions are concerned so I don’t balloon up during the cooler months!

{A Toile Tale}… This is a really great site (new to me). If you want to be inspired with great table settings and beautiful garden ideas, visit Linda at A Toile Tale. The above recipe is a big hit with my friends and family and really works well during the summer months.

…and I had to close with a very pretty table setting that for me says summer.

tumblr

So tell me, are you ready for the change in season yet? I understand for some it’s never time. I admire those that worship the warm days, and understand {sort of} but as a crazy red head I just can’t get “into” the heat of the longer days…keep it below 75 degrees and I’m in heaven.

I’ve missed you, hope you are all doing well.

xo,

Karen

{Garden} The gift of a bench

28 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Gardening, House and Home, Outdoor living, Renovating

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

garden bench

Most of my friends, at least the ones that are passionate about their homes and gardens, occasionally need change. It doesn’t always mean the furniture, paint, landscape or whatever is damaged or broken, it boils down to simply wanting something different.

That may be the case in the tale I’m about to share about how I was gifted a beautiful concrete garden bench. The story goes like this, my friend Carla [I’ve featured her amazing garden and home HERE and HERE] has a “secret garden”. The round of boxwood encircling her armillary had gotten a little large for the space. Casually mentioning this to her husband Tom, a brick layer was hired and a beautiful Lutyens teak bench was purchased for the space within a short time. {We should all be so lucky to have husbands that WANT to re-do something the moment it’s mentioned}. The downside of this was the beautiful concrete bench that had been there for years; always a focal point to the garden, no longer had a home. There wasn’t room for it.

There is always a silver lining to my stories…Carla, knowing my love of concrete garden items, offered the bench to me. I was delirious with joy. But I tempered my joy knowing Carla had some misgivings about the change.

The bench is happy in my garden, but I think the lions look a little sad, they miss Carla’s pretty space. 🙂

As a result of the concrete bench, I was able to move the teak bench that had been in this spot over to my secret garden…

I visited Carla’s new secret garden and took some pictures, it looks amazing and I believe she is content so I can share the lovely concrete bench with you as it stands in my garden…all is good in the garden.

…as it looked before the switch…{Carla, avert your eyes}