Old Fashioned Lilacs

The kitchen is filled with the sweet scent of lilacs.

 

I couldn't resist putting them in a silver coffee pot.

Their blossoms so dreamy.

 

Lilacs always remind me of my dear grandmother.

Their reflection makes me smile  :-)

 

It was a busy day yesterday planting annuals and filling pots.  A nice steady rain today will give them a good start. 

Have a charming week!

Today I am joining ...

Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Springtime Garden Tour

It seems as though everything is moving so quickly in the garden.  Is there anything more delightful than the scent of blossoms on a sparkling spring day?  It is amazing the transition that has taken place within the last few weeks.

 

Please join me for a leisurely stroll ...

The pink Magnolias are in full bloom resembling tulips.

Delicate pink hearts dangle from arching branches.

Lily-of-the-Valley pips making their way in the foreground.

Ferns brighten the shade garden.

A whiff of some old fashioned lilacs.

The sweet scent of Fothergilla major 'Mt. Airy'

Bottlebrush blooms smell like honey.

Double pink flowers cover the Flowering Almond shrub.

The Cleveland Pear covered in snowy white blossoms.  This tree has such a nice pyramidal form.

Tender blossoms of a Purple Leaf Sand Cherry.

 

A lazy bunny enjoying the Forget-me-nots.

 

 

Spring is in the air!  There is so much to enjoy as the gardens come alive.

 

Thank you for taking a stroll with me.

 

Today I am joining ...

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Tuesday Muse @ A Rural Journal
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory 

Elements of Style in Purple

Happy Mother's Day!

 

A few weeks ago I created this Mother's Day card for a co-worker to give to him mom.

 

 

I stacked the Spellbinder Opulent Ovals in various shades of purple (her favorite color).

 

 

The roses were stamped in StazOn Stone Gray and colored with a blender pen in Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum.  I added some Cotton Candy Stickles to each flower.  Mom was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.

 

 

The inside sentiment was also stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Lots of white space so he could write a special note to her.  His mother's name is also Donna  :-)

 

To all mothers near and far wishing you a fantastic day!

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Let's Get Social Sunday with Evelyn & Jamie

Make It Monday @ Make It Monday

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Mother's Day @ Love to Create Challenge Blog

Mother's Day for a Lady @ Inky Impressions Challenges

Anything Goes @ Divas by Design  

 

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Elements of Style, All-Year Cheer 1, Mom by Serendipity Stamps

Paper:  Orchid Card, Recollections Purple Passion, Baer Design Studio Purple Damask Digital Paper, Shimmery White

Ink:  Roses - StazOn Stone Gray colored with a blender pen in Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum

Accessories:  Orchid Crinkled Seam Binding, Stickles in Cotton Candy, Kaiser Pearls in Lavender, Spellbinders Opulent Ovals, Bow-Easy

Techniques:  Embossing, Blender Pen

Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Maytime Tulips

One of the tulips I planted in the fall was Maytime.

This lily-flowered tulip has deep reddish violet blooms with a light halo around each petal.

Graceful and elegant ...

a pretty splash of color.

We are receiving some much needed rain over the next couple of days.  Perfect weather for crafting  :-)

May your day be filled with sweet memories and flowers.

Lemons Anyone?

Hi everyone,

 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  The weather was beautiful here and I was able to get quite a bit of gardening done.

 

Please join me for tea today as I share with you my Victorian cottage roses teapot.

Pink roses make me swoon ...

Would you like a slice of lemon with your tea?

 

A lemon fork to dress up the table.  The pattern is French Provincial by Towle (circa 1948).

My choice of tea today is Darjeeling.  A blend of citrus notes with a hint of apricots and plums. 

Fresh roses fill a vintage crystal cruet jar.

A petite slice of cake to nosh.

 

 

A day to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

 

 

Thank you for sipping tea with me! 

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmation

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson

Enjoying Springtime

On this glorious spring day let the beautiful colors begin!

 

The Andre Rieu tulips are the first to bloom.

These beauties are named in honor of the famous waltz-playing Dutch violinist.

Lilac Perfection does not disappoint with its nodding heads resembling that of peonies. 

 

The Star Magnolia is now in the spotlight,

followed by pink magnolia buds ready to unfurl.

Our Chanticleer Pear will soon be covered with a profusion of white flowers.  The branches look so pretty against the sunny blue sky.

I hope the flowers are blooming wherever you are.  I look forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring.

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Tuesday Muse @ A Rural Journal

Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time

Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday

Weekend Flowers @ Tina's PicStory

Shooting the Moon

We all know a full moon can tend to make everyone a little crazy.  Perhaps it is the exuberant vibe it casts.   

 

So this morning I ventured outside around 3:30 a.m. to set up my camera.  Now keep in mind this is my first time shooting the moon so no fancy photography was done here.

 

There was such a peacefulness looking up at the universe and seeing the glow of the moon shine down upon me. 

 

There is a special lunar name for every full moon in a year.  This moon is known as the 'Pink' moon because of the wild ground phlox which covers in the spring.

 

I did not cast any spells, but rather made a very magical wish.  One I do hope will come true!