Category Archives: Outdoor living

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

06 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by in Entertaining, Gardening, Outdoor living

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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).

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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?

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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.

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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

{Party} Favorite grilled chiken recipe

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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I was excited to read that Alison of The  Polohouse had selected “favorite recipes” as her topic for her monthly Favorites on the First theme.  This recipe originated from my good friend Carla via Bon Appetit, I think.  It’s been used for years and never disappoints.  One isty, little detail, you really must marinate this overnight for it to give you the incredible flavor.  Don’t let the fresh jalapenos scare those of you who don’t care for spicy food, you won’t even know they’re in the marinade.  The chicken grills up with an unbelievable flavor and I serve it with rice, black bean, red pepper recipe that really tastes great with it.  {If you want the recipe for that, just ask}  This is summer grilling at its best.  Enjoy!

Tablesettings for outdoor dining follow the recipe…

Green Chili and Herb-Stuffed Chicken

Tasty Kitchen via Garden, Home and Partyimage via

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice, divided

1/4 cup fresh parsley

8 jalapeno chilies, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced

4 teaspoons salt (I use less salt)

12 half chicken breasts, boneless

2/3 cup dry vermouth

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper

2 tablespoons minced garlic

Marinade for the chicken:

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, parsley, chilies, rosemary, thyme, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in medium bowl.  Place all ingredients in the baking dish, place chicken breasts in marinade and turn once half way through marinating time.  Arrange chicken in single layer in large baking pan.  Sprinkle with vermouth, remaining 1/3 cup of lemon juice, lemon peel, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper to taste.  Turn chicken to coat.  Chill overnight, turning once.

Grill chicken over medium coals until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes

via Garden, Home and Partysource unknown

Blackberry Farm via Garden, Home and Partyblackberry farm

Cote de Texas cote de texas

Haus Designhaus design

Garden, Home and Partysource unknown

This is our patio dining set up (below) shown with the “killer chairs”…we now have wicker chairs that are comfortable and you don’t have to worry about them collapsing on you!

Karen's Patio via Garden, Home and Partykaren’s patio

my french country home

Do you have a favorite recipe for summer grilling?  Are you getting tired of the heat yet.  I’m sticking to my “new attitude” about summer, but just barely.  It’s too early to discuss fall, right?

I’m visiting Alison at The Polohouse for her Favorites on the First…this months topic, favorite recipes.  Yummy.

{GHP} Outdoor dining, summer of ’12

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Entertaining, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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Random question:  Before I begin my post about fabulous outdoor dining I have to ask an unrelated question…does anyone besides me find it weird to abbreviate the year.  I mean when we were in the 1900s I was fine with writing ’97 or ’99 but ever since we’ve turned the corner on the century I just find it uncomfortable to type ’12 (2012).  I think it’s because I think people will think I mean 1912.  Do any of you find the abbreviated year a little odd?

On to the fun stuff.  I know its summer for at least half of the globe.  I’ve come across so many pretty outdoor dining spaces that I couldn’t resist.  I’m also including a recipe that is super easy and grill-worthy so you can cook something simple (or better yet, have someone barbecue for you), set the table and relax over a summer meal alfresco.

Now this (below) is what I call alfresco with a breeze…wouldn’t it be lovely sitting by a lake enjoying a meal?

via Brabourne Farm

Italy or France…beautiful either way.

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via Providence Ltd. Design

via Wendy Posard Design

Now this is my idea of a day at the beach!

via Brabourne Farm

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, wish we could grow lilacs in Southern California that looked like this.

Photo by Tara Whittaker

This is one of my favorite of this set of images…the yard looks like a dream forest.  So pretty.

Bunny Williams

As Delores over at Vignette Design said, this furniture is probably unrealistic for outdoor dining unless you have someone that can move the furniture after the dinner.

via Vignette Design

An outdoor fireplace would be nice to dine by, right?

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via Providence Ltd. Design

Even big city living can provide one with a wonderful setting for dining under the shade of an umbrella.

John Saladino

An old looking lantern hung from a tree creates a welcoming setting.

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This setting is wonderful with the lush green surrounding the table and teak chairs.

via Simply Pix tumblr

Here’s the recipe, it’s from Barefoot Contessa “Parties” book.  It makes a wonderful side dish for any grilled meat or fish and you can make it in advance, what could be better?  Use this link to print.

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables Copyright

Ingredients

  • 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
  • 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta

For the dressing:

  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

  • 4 scallions, minced (white and green parts)
  • 1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts), toasted
  • 3/4 pound good feta, 1/2-inch diced (not crumbled)
  • 15 fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.

For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis (pine nuts), feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

I hope you’re enjoying your summer.  Any dinning ‘out’ on your calendar?

I’m over at Centsational Girl’s recipe party…come see what’s cooking out there.  I’m also having fun with Tracie at Fishtail Cottage, she’s hosting a garden party.

{GHP} Research for a path to our front door

05 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in Outdoor living, Renovating

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Since its summer, any and all outdoor projects suddenly butt their way to the front of the “do me” line.  A few years back we added stack stone to the front of our house.  The homes in our area were built in 1968, part of a large tract of Eichler- influenced designed houses.  Joseph Eichler homes are known for their flat roof lines, sliding doors and atriums.  We had 5 aluminum sliding doors in our 3-bedroom home when we purchased.  I confess, while I’ve thought of the architectural style with dismay [I’m truly more of a cape cod cottage gal] I will say, the open floor plan and atrium are two of my favorite features about our home.

It’s hard to tell from this image but the grass starts just in front of the walkway and extends to the sidewalk in front of our house.  People that park curbside have to walk through the grass or go around to the driveway and catch up with the walkway there.

But I digress…so when we added the stack stone it was with the thought that at some point down the line we’d add a path, through the front lawn, to the front door.  I began doing some research on possible pathway ideas and styles and thought I’d share some of the images I’ve saved for your viewing pleasure.  The ball was started rolling due in part to a brilliant post by Debra over at 5th and State.  If you’ve never visited her site you should, I believe you will find lots to love.  Her post, “Down the Garden Path” inspired me to think seriously about what I want in a walkway that brings visitors to our door.

The following 6 images are from 5th and State:

I like the detailing on the stone just before the step in this image.  I also love the door surround…so pretty.

I like the natural beauty of stone set in sand with moss growing around each stone.

I believe these brick shaped stones are set in sand with pea gravel around them…don’t you love the army of iron rabbits standing at attention for all who pass?

Is it the manor house or the stone pathway that attracts in this image, or maybe the lone peacock? 

This looks like a back yard but still, isn’t it pretty.  I love the pea gravel idea, probably not practical with grass just beyond.

The blocks of concrete in grass holds some appeal, I wonder if it’s difficult to mow around the stones?

I gained some additional inspiration and  ideas Better Homes and Gardens.com  If you want some pretty sound ideas and ‘how to’ information, BHG.com is there to deliver.  I really enjoyed viewing the various paths they offer.

The following 9 images are via Better Homes and Gardens:

This is a similar concept to the idea above.  The concrete pieces are larger but I like the blending of the grass and the concrete.

I really like the mixture of concrete squares with interspersed polished pebbles.

This looks like a combination of brick and cobblestones…very pretty, especially when it’s set in sand.

Pea gravel and stones may not be practical for the front yard at my house.

This particular path appears to be a wide assortment of different stones and concrete.  I kind of like it, what  do you think?

This is pretty too, the stones look like they’ve been here for a long time, adorned with moss as they are.

again, another backyard, but the stone in gravel is sure pretty and reflects a casual, comfortable lifestyle.

Do you have a path to your front door?  What kinds of stones/pebbles do you like best?

I’m over at Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party

and over at No Minimalist Here for an Open House

{Garden} The gift of a bench

28 Thursday Jun 2012

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

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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.

garden benchThe 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}

Pippi, their Welsh Corgi, approves of the new garden space.

…and as a bonus, I’ve thrown in some additional images of some beautiful benches in gardens.

fresh as a daisy, tumblr{via}

 

{via}

Hope you have time to relax in the garden this summer.

xo,

Karen

I’m over Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party and

Sherry over at No Minimalist Here for her Open House

{GHP} Summer Lovin’

20 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Entertaining, Family, Gardening, Outdoor living, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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When I was young I loved summer.  I grew up before the days of club sports, classes to teach what the schools have decided can’t be taught anymore due to budget constraints and overly structured childhood.  I didn’t have a care in the world and besides a few household chores I was asked to do since my mother worked, I would get on my bike and ride to may friends house so we could play all day and into the evening.  The time between the last day of school and the first day of a new school year loomed large and held promise of sleepovers, bike riding, walking to the drugstore for ice cream and candy, hide and seek, baseball, movies and fun.

Then I began to dread summer…I’m not sure when this happened but I believe it was when I was in my gardening business.  I didn’t want to be in my own garden during overly warm days and I certainly didn’t want to be in our client’s yards (this might be a bit of an overstatement, but I sure grew to dislike the heat).

Yes, I needed an attitude adjustment…

I’ve come full circle and look forward to warmer, longer days and the relaxed way of eating, dining outdoors, taking advantage of the mild evenings and enjoying a concert under the stars or a ride in the harbor with several couples on a Duffy boat.  There’s a relaxed feel to the season and I’m embracing it!  {honest}

So with top down, radio on, enjoy the images I find to be a symbol of summer…

Happy Summer Solstice!  Enjoy your summer.

I’ve stopped in at Sherry’s Open House – No Minimalist Here

{Garden} Boxwood Basics

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living, Uncategorized

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As some of you may know from reading my posts {thank you!} I am a staunch anglophile.  My first trip to England took place in 1985 and I fell in love with all things British.  We’ve vacationed in the country many times since.

English Cottage ~ love the boxwood and urns.

So when it came to landscaping my smallish yard I knew I wanted it to reflect, on a much smaller scale, an English cottage garden.

We’ve been in our house 30 years, and only now am I beginning to see the image I’ve had in my mind for all these years.  What’s taken you so long you may ask?  In short, life, children and sometimes funding.  ♥

We had a wooden swing set in the yard during the kids “formative” years and it had plenty of use, then we’ve had baseball practice, soccer practice, a sandbox [don’t try to plant a cottage garden near a sandbox, trust me on this one] and dogs to somewhat stall or hinder me.

I’ve trained a row of English ivy along the stone border in the back yard. 

The hedge of boxwoods around the patio were transplants from another area of the yard, they are still recovering, but all in all have survived and are showing signs of new growth.

On the side yard I’ve started a hedge of Texas privet (ligustrom) to cover the neighbor’s wall, in front is a low hedge of Japanese boxwood.

In any event, even while my garden business was thriving, I chipped away at areas of the yard and got most of the boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica) hedges going.  The great thing about boxwood hedges in Southern California is the fact that they are pretty easy to grow and require only reasonable amounts of water.  I buy the variety that stands up to cool temperatures, even though we don’t get frost where I live.  I still have lost the occasional boxwood but in many cases they will fill in where the loss occurs, or I simply buy a 1-gallon replacement.

via Jennings & Gates ~ don’t you love this picture of boxwood with white Crepe Myrtle planted in each section, and the fabulous fountain in the center?

via Atlanta Home and Garden

When my roses are in bloom the formal garden shines.

Here are a few easy tips to keep your boxwood happy:

  •  They prefer well-drained soil
  • When trimming boxwood be sure to remove all cuttings.  If you don’t clean up trimmings you can create an environment for fungus which can cause the plant to die.
  • Exposure:  Full sun or light shade

Carla’s garden…my friend always inspires me.

Dunham Classic American House ~ the boxwood breaks up the expanse of brick leading to the entrance of this lovely home.

via Nest Egg ~ this New Orleans business used boxwood in the planter and as an architectural accent with the rounded hedge spaced between classic boxwood.

Side note:  I’ve always been a huge fan of gardening, proof follows.  We lived in Texas for 2 years, when my mom came to visit we bought these crazy overalls as we prepared to plant the yard.  My orange overalls made me look like an escaped prisoner…LOL!  Hubby took the picture to imply I made my mom work during her visit…which was true, in part. 🙂  Can you see our toddler son in the image, still in his footed jammies?

Do you like the “formality” of boxwood? 

I’m over at Fishtail Cottage enjoying her garden party and

Stone Gable for her Tutorial Tips and Tidbits

{Garden} Breakfast outdoors

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Gardens, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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I know I’m not alone in wanting to enjoy every possible minute outdoors before it gets too hot.  So I plan to make an extra effort to announce to Hubby in advance that we’re going to be enjoying breakfast on the patio.  {He responds so much better to change with advance notice}

To go along with dining outdoors, which always feel special, I’m sharing a recipe I found on a relatively new (to me) blog site.  Pine Cones and Acorns is written by Elizabeth and she recently posted a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cake.  It is just what the title implies…the yummy goodness of a rich, buttery cinnamon roll in an easy, make-ahead, cake.  That with a cup of steaming hot coffee and a bit of half and half and I’m in heaven.

Note:  For original recipe visit the link above or below.  I halved the recipe since I knew I was baking for 2 and I didn’t want to be forced to eat all of it and thereby gain 5 lbs.  As a result, I cooked it in a loaf pan and baked it the night before.  I glazed it the morning I served it. It was delicious!

Pine Cones and Acorns

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Recipe adapted from Pine Cones and Acorns

Ingredients:

1 1/2  cups flour

1/8 tps salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup milk

1 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tb. butter, melted

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened

1/2  cup brown sugar

1 T flour

1 1/2 Tb cinnamon

nuts (optional)

Glaze: 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 Tb milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions for cake: With an electric mixer or stand-up mixer, mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in 2 T melted butter. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan pan.

Directions for cinnamon mixture that goes in cake before baked:  In a large bowl, mix the 1 stick of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nuts (optional) until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoon and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.

Directions for Glaze:  Place powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Serve warm or (if you prepare it the night before) at room temperature.

But wait, there’s more, with this recipe I’m including some lovely outdoor dining tablescapes, compliments of hours of on-line searching by moi!

I realize that the images are showing tables with multiple place settings but I trust  you can gather some inspiration and set your table for however many folks you are serving.

Don’t you love the little rock on each napkin to hold them if there’s a strong breeze?  I also like the small galvanized cup holding a plant.  You can get creative and informal outdoors, I say the more rustic the better.

I’ve always liked the idea of using throws when dining outdoors.  I’ve even seen them priced so reasonably online.

How lucky are these people (below).  I would love to have a body of water in my backyard to dine by.  A stream, a lake, a pond…any of those would rock my world.

I really need to update my photo portfolio of my own patio table.  This is the table we still use, but these are the “killer chairs” and now we have Kooboo wicker chairs.

Here’s the new chairs.  Very comfy and relaxing.

Party ResourcesA fireplace would be nice on a chilly morning, don’t you agree?

{via}

Do you have an outdoor dining space? 

I’m visiting Fishtail Cottage for her garden party.

{Garden} Spring planting and the knot garden

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Maintenance, Outdoor living

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I’ve been busy in the garden this past month.  The season makes it easy to want to be working the soil and planting new annual flowers you’ve missed seeing during the fall and winter months.

We have a relatively smallish backyard in our home of 30 years.  About 10 years ago I happened to be on a home tour of several homes in Newport Beach, California.  One of the homes we visited on the tour backed to Newport Bay and the tiny, postage sized yard had a knot garden.  I wasted no time, I cleared an area of my yard and planted almost 200 Japanese boxwood’s (believe it or not, I planted each and every one myself; I was younger and more energetic 10 years ago!).  🙂

Inspiration for knot/formal garden dreamers…

I had purchased a sundial from Smith & Hawkins a few years before (boy, do I miss that retail store) and that became the center for my garden.  I selected roses (Romantica Roses:  Guy de Maupassant and Eden; Hybrid Teas:  St. Patrick’s and Pearl) for the center of each boxwood corner and have been happy with it each time I visit the yard.  Each year I work on the outer edges of my formal space.  Our neighbor has a wonderful, old Alder tree and the roots invade my yard so it’s a bit of a challenge to keep plants happy in this root ridden area.  I did plant a Sally Holmes rose that puts on a great show each spring, but even Iceberg planted along the edges seem to struggle a bit.

You can see my neighbor’s alder tree.  She always asks if we want her to take it out since she knows of the roots that it sends out…I always say “NO”.  I’m a huge supporter of trees and plenty of them.  The red flowering tree is a bottle brush.  When the kids were little we called it the ‘bee tree’…when its in bloom like this all you have to do is walk nearby and you hear it buzz.  No, none of us have allergies to bees and no, we’ve never been stung by our bottle brush bees.

Karen't Garden April 2012

I call my garden a knot garden, but it really isn’t a knot garden, formal garden maybe, the boxwood’s would need to interlink to be a knot garden.

Karen's sundial, formal garden(Above) is a photo of part of our patio, the window is my kitchen bay window.

(Below) is a close up of the Sally Holmes climbing rose.

Sally HolmesSally has a ‘waverly sage’ salvia in front of her…it’s not in bloom yet but will be shortly.

Smith and Hawkins teak bench

I’ve trained the star jasmine on a wired geometric grid.  Sorry for the overexposed photograph.  Below is my hydrangea…I wanted to grow them all around the edges but alas, all but this one threw in the towel.

This sitting area was finished last year…the shade of the ficus trees make it the coolest spot in the yard during hot days.

Gotta run, my sundial says it time to get back to work.  Have a wonderful week.  Let me know what you are planting this year.

I’m visiting Centsational Girl’s Garden Party, let’s have a look!

and

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

and

the Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

and

Favorite on the First with Alison at The Polo House

{Garden} Birds and their baths

03 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living

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I’ve had birds on the brain lately. {I was going to try for a chuckle with the whole birds and brains wording, but decided against it 🙂}  It might be the season  [SPRING] that has created this interest but I think it’s more likely the fact that birds seem to be found in all areas of the décor arena, and this time of year, in most backyards.

This image from an old book would make a great picture for the wall.

tumblr ~ If I Forget Thee

There are so many great toile fabrics that feature birds.

Schumacher

Very cool pillow, I can’t remember where I found this image but I really liked the pillow and the stripes on the wall, nice foyer.

unknown

These would be a great way to keep the garden hose off your newly planted flowers.

Smith and Hawken

I like these little finch!

Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel

Today I want to offer images of some pretty bird baths.  We have a bird bath and I’m always thrilled when I look out my kitchen window and there are actually birds bathing in it!  Needless to say, my camera is always on the other side of the house when this occurs but I will try to keep it handy this spring and summer and attempt to catch one of our feathered friends in the act.  It’s quite entertaining and always makes me smile.

This is our birdbath at Easter.  The rusty little bird welcomes any and all bathers.

GHP

This birdbath is pretty with it’s faux tree-branch base and the setting doesn’t hurt…this is the talented Penelope Bianchi’s garden/grounds.

Penelope Bianchi Blog

I would love to have birds this colorful visit my birdbath.  We have had a very bright yellow bird visit.  I should learn the names of some of Southern California’s common birds.

Pinterest

My friend, Carla, has the same birdbath in a slightly different finish.  My birdbath was a gift from her…hey, I’m not above being a copy cat 😉

CJW

This birdbath is spectacular.  I don’t know where it is located but I’d imagine it on the grounds of an estate in England…a girl can dream, right?

unknown

Here’s a lovely example of a three tiered bird bath/fountain planted with succulents.

Providence Ltd. Design

This little guy appears to have stuck up a conversation with the bronzed guys.

Pinterest

I really like this terra cotta birdbath and the ‘pennywort’ (?) they’ve planted.

The ever-talented Jermaine at French Kissed shared her bird bath planted with succulents…so pretty.

French Kissed

This bird bath is surrounded by lush green and is planted with wonderful flowers.

Tutti Chic

Do you have a bird bath or bird feeder?  Do you like birds…I know some that are frightened by them, might be the Hitchcock link.  Happy Spring.  I hope you are enjoying the season no matter what your interests.  I’d love to hear from you.

I’m over at Sherry’s Open House, join me at No Minimalist Here

I will also visit French Country Cottage for her Feathered Nest Friday!