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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Tag Archives: Spring

{Garden, Home and Party} Celebrating the season with a party!

15 Wednesday May 2013

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

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Spring

Garden:  Spring is truly magical, with the seemingly overnight transformation of our outdoor surroundings from austere to vibrant.  I marvel at how quickly the yard can burst with color, including large doses of every shade of green.  I’ve shared with you how work in my garden always makes me happy.  I understand not everyone shares my enthusiasm, but those of you that delight in planting summer flowers or bulbs, understand the joy the warmer, longer days can bring the avid gardener.

Garden, Home and Party linky partyBethany HouseI planted hydrangea in the urn to the left of the door, it’s the softest pink.  Most of the flowers in the front yard are white or blue.  Pink was my nod to the fresh innocence of spring.  I’m such a dare devil with color, lol.

Garden, Home and PartyWhen the warm weather visits we spend a lot of time in our backyard. {Sorry about the glare on this image below, even though it was overcast, it was still very bright, one of the things I like best about spring}.

Garden, Home and Party - llnky partyI know this spring has had issues…like snow in late April in some parts of the U.S., but when it’s  perfect weather-wise, do you enjoy the great outdoors?

Home: Some of the steps I take around the house to seasonalize for spring:This time of year, with the addition of a few extra hours of daylight, the windows are open more often, the woolen throws are carefully stored and I put out some birds nests I’ve collected over the years.  {I only take the ones that are vacated by the family of wren, sparrows and hummingbirds}.  I’ve found most of them in our yard, and I love the intricate construction of each one.

Garden, Home and PartyGarden, Home and Party, nestI have a lot of roses in my garden, but surprisingly the ones that provide a constant source of flowers for cutting are the hardy, shrub Iceberg roses and my Eden climbing rose.  I love bringing fresh flowers into our home all spring and summer.

Eden rose, mantleorchid, spring linky partyI love the color of these orchids (above), a gift from a friend.  They look like spring to me, along with the twig planter, it almost reminds me of a nest.

Fresh fruit is another way to give a room a touch of spring.

limes

iceberg rose bouquet, spring linky party…and finally, I bring out my little bronze birds to remind me spring is in the air.

bronze birdsIMG_0054Party:  I like to cook, I find it to be a creative outlet.  Mr. B and I don’t usually eat large meals during the week.  My work schedule facilitates simple menus for the weekday meal.  By entertaining friends and family, I’m able to try new recipes with the added bonus of trying out new table settings (another passion).  Spring swings the door wide open with possibilities and options for mixing things up in the table setting department.

violet chinaviolet table settingblue and white tableblue and white table settingwild strawberry chinaout door planterI use this white planter (which you can barely see in this picture) outdoors when it’s not providing me with plenty of maiden- hair fern and ivy for a table arrangement.  I buy small pots of seasonal flowers and plug them in where needed.  It’s an inexpensive way to dress the table with natures best work.

So are you ready?  Share some of your favorite ways to enjoy the season…

Peter Rabbit for springI’ll be eager to see what you’ve been up to.

Note:  Due to my blog being hosted by WordPress.com, Inlinkz has you click on the icon below to insert your link.  Sorry for the extra step.  ~and~  a huge thank you to my friend Victoria “Restoring our 1890 Victorian” for helping me with this.

I’ll be linking up with Tracie at a Fishtail Cottage, stop by and say hi.

{GHP} Easter Greetings from Austin

31 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Family, Holidays

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Easter, Spring

love french bulldogs tumblr nest{source}

Hi Friends,

tumblr_misf6aWIsH1qefrmxo1_250{source}

I’m enjoying Easter with our oldest son, his lovely wife and our darling granddaughter.  Spring has sprung in Austin.

texas

I hope you’re enjoying warm weather and all of the excitement and joy of spring.

.Good Life of Design providenceltddesign{source}

stonegable{source}

tumblr inspired design, pink tulips{source}

tumblr that inspirational girl{source}

tumblr tiny white daisies1tumblr_tinywhite daisies{source~two images above}

I’ll be back on Wednesday, I look forward to seeing you then.

Happy Easter & Happy Spring ♥

{GHP} Happy Spring 2012

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Spring

 

 

♥Happy first day of spring!  Spring Equinox!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I surprise myself in my enthusiasm for spring this year because a) we’ve had a very mild winter and I’m really more a fall/winter person than a spring/summer person, and b) there’s no way around it, spring signals warmer weather, even though it never gets truly sweltering, I dread the stifling hot days of the season that follows spring…talk about putting the cart before the horse, right?  I maintain this has something to do with my age, my red hair and my love of turtlenecks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many wonderful options when setting a table for a spring meal.  Flowers are plentiful and come in every color ever put to pottery.  Dining al fresco is a favorite during the warm evenings that you find during late spring (in Southern California).

I use a lot of citrus during spring and summer in both my cooking and as a natural accessory.

For some reason this year, I’m more than giddy to get into the garden and work on some projects I’ve been thinking about and I’m ready for the change in menu planning i.e. more grilling and dining outdoors.

Maybe I’ve gotten wiser and more appreciative in my older more mature years when it comes to recognizing the beauty of each season.

Spring is here and I’m embracing all of the joy it brings, especially the burst of energy I feel during this time of year.

I find great comfort when working in the garden.  The planning and searching for the right plant material is exciting to me.  Spring, like no other time of year offers promise of new beginnings, both in the garden and in life.

 

Polished Pebble

Better Homes and Gardens

I enjoy the process of bringing the outdoors IN with fresh and potted flowers, found nests and blossoming branches.  I lighten the feel of our living spaces in the house by introducing lighter pillows and throws, where possible.  The windows are washed and open for any breath of fresh air that can be captured.

The Paper Mulberry

The Paper Mulberry

So, goodbye winter, I’ll think of you often and await your return following fall, all the while delighting in your warmer cousin spring.

Content in a Cottage

Do you have a favorite season…I’d love to hear from you.

Rogers Gardens ~ Spring

02 Monday May 2011

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

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Rogers Gardens, Spring

I posted about Rogers Gardens late last fall (HERE) and while my photography didn’t really do it justice I thought I’d give it another “college try”.

Besides, the light in spring seems to make everything look so much better.

When the seasons change I find Roger’s Gardens to be a wonderful source of inspiration.  The nursery is so much more than plant materials and gardening supplies.  There are 2 large gift galleries that offer everything from antiques to small gift items.  Prices in the gift gallery are not overly expensive and its a great source for hostess and birthday gifts.  Whoever they hire to stage the various vignettes in the gallery does an amazing job and I will often get ideas for decorative accessories and table settings.

 

Unlike the gift gallery, most of the live plants are relatively expensive so I usually visit for ideas and then search out alternate sources.  I feel just a little guilty about doing this, but when you see the lines for the cash register I think you realize my paltry purchase wouldn’t make a bit of difference in their bottom line.

The buyers find some interesting antique reproduction pieces, like the slightly rusty, large clock.  Roger’s carries a wonderful array of cement putis, plaques and planters.

 

 

See what I mean…there are so many beautiful and unique plants to get ideas from.  The topiary with succulents planted at the base were tempting.

Bleeding heart has always been a favorite.                                                                 Columbine is another beautiful spring and summer favorite.

Purple calla lily…so beautiful                                                                                          Astilbe, another delicate beauty.

 

I wanted some planting ideas for my secret garden (HERE) and Rogers truly finds some of the most unique specimens.

Thanks for joining me on this field trip to Roger’s Gardens.  Do you have a favorite nursery for buying plants?

 

 

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

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