Summer on the Gulf

The lazy days of summer are soon behind us. I can already feel the difference in the air here. The humidity is subsiding, thank goodness; and there's that shift in the sun that seems to always be directly in your eyes when you're driving. Oh, and the school buses are out with a vengeance. Ahhhhh, fall is here, kinda. This will be our first, and perhaps last, autumn at Riverside. I'm good with it. I'm actually getting excited about moving back to the NE, kinda. lol

What have you all been up to? I've been happily river sorry with a little bit of this and that on the side. The hub, Dar and I went to a first Friday art crawl in Fairhope in August. We started the night at the Eastern Shore Art Center  where I fell in love with this artist, Angie Bolling. This exquisite piece was made for her Grandmother's 100th birthday. Are you dying? I am. What a priceless creation.

There have been double rainbows over the river.

I fell in love with gingers after taking a class at the Mobile Botanical Gardens where they happen to have had a pop-up shop selling all types of beauties. Linda invited me to sit in with her on the "Plant Sex" session which turned out to be absolutely fascinating. Of course, the bonus was the gingers!

The hub and I have made a couple of trips to Pensacola. Here on Pensacola Bay, the brown pelicans seem to be in the midst of quite a school of fish. They were dive bombing!

Of course, after one of those trips to Pensacola (or should I just say Joe Patti's), we had BBQ skrimp. Yum.

Lovebugs are in season here. Ugh. At least they're little and they don't bite or anything like that. Just a pain because there are just so many of them. Now I know what those little dead black bugs are when we normally get back down to Riverside after Christmas. Finally, I know. Yes, that's another ginger.

The teenager and his girlfriend came down from DC and brought me this lovely Adirondack basket. I have never seen one before. Now I want MORE! lol They are gorgeous. 

And, this is for you Kell--Frankie on his way back to the river with poppa driving. He sits up so proud in the front seat. Funny little dog. 

Well, that's about it for now. Happy Fall, y'all. SO ready!

Labels: Dogs, Flowers, Riverside

River Love

I planted this vine in February (in a pot) and it's still thriving even though we've been gone for several months. Lotsa rain down here!

 Beautiful hydrangea in full bloom.

Bella always loves returning to her first home. (She'd never admit it though.)

Beautiful Riverside is going on the market this summer. We're starting our move back to the Northeast. Exciting times!

Labels:  Cats, Flowers, Riverside

Just in Time for Spring!

 I LOVE this idea, since I've been doing it for years from White Flower Farm.

You can choose your plants online; and they will be shipped out to your home at the right time for planting in your zone. Easy peasy!

I just ordered a bunch of these in the primary colors, above. Gorgeous!

And I ordered some of these gorgeous yellow dahlias! I've always wanted some. Perfect!

And, a few of these, too!

You can order yours through HSN on TV or  HGTV HERE!

I hope they sell out!

Congrats to Randy and Sarah!

Labels: Flowers, Friends

Camellia

I took this pic when we were at Riverside in January! 

Here I sit in Nashville, rain pouring down and temperatures dropping, and I'm ready to head South!

Unfortunately, there's work to be done here now. We lost part of our roof in February (while we were in Alabama) and are still "working" with our insurance company to get that repaired. Then, last night, I find our water heater leaking. Ugh. Of course, it's in mom's bedroom; and that room is carpeted. Joy. I had to pull the ol' dehumidifier out and plug her in down there.

You know I'm water jinxed, right? Oy.

Labels: Flowers, Riverside

Pretty in Pink

I ordered these lilies from Flowerbud.com last week, and I've already had to make two bouquets out of all of the buds! You should smell the house!

I'm loving that magenta.

In other news . . . I'm officially ready for summer to be over.

Labels: Flowers

Summer Love

Family arriving tomorrow! End-of-summer love.

Labels: Ann, Daniel, Summer, Flowers, Fairhope

Lantana

Ahhhhh, summatime.

Labels: Alabama, Flowers, Riverside

Summertime

Ahhhhhh, those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer are almost upon us. In fact, for some, they're already here! Today was the kid's last exam and thus the last day of high school for him. Yay! Can you remember that feeling?  I sure can. How exciting for him. We have his commencement exercises coming up this weekend. Wow.

The teenager has been lying low this past week getting in some well-deserved rest and play. He graduated cum laude (magna cum laude in his major!); and we couldn't be prouder. It's been wonderful having him home for a bit before he leaves us to begin a new life as an adult. Again, wow.

I am so excited for both boys as they enter into great new phases of their lives. I'm just giddy with pride.

Happy Summer!

Labels: Flowers, Kid, Summer, Teenager

A Busy Bee

That's just what I have been, let me tell you. But, it's a good busy. 

Buzzz buzz buzz (for Raphi in South Beach, baby)!

The teenager graduates from UTK next week! Wha???? Can you believe it?

And then, two weeks after that, the kid graduates from high school!!!! Wait. Whattt????

And then we all head in different directions come June.

I'm getting a little "scurred." 

Labels:  Flowers, Graduation, Kid, Spring, Teenager

Wysteria

I shot this beautiful wysteria at a friend's house where all the kids met up before prom. (These days, most go as a group of friends rather than the traditional "relationship" couples. How times have changed!) 

The house was absolutely gorgeous but the gardens were to die for. I have admired the property since it was built; but I never thought in a million years that I would be inside. How fun! It was the perfect backdrop for a lot of great photos. (Oh and PS, thanks kid for letting me know that we were going to "this" house ahead of time! NOT! I could have, at least, put a little lipstick on! Pffft!!!)

Time is moving really quickly. Pretty soon, the hub and I will be empty nesters. Wait. What?

Oh, wow.

Labels:  Kid, Flowers

Senior Prom

Bling.

Many, many thanks to Steve at Garden Delights who is always spot on when it comes to any type of floral arrangements I have ordered through them. You think the hub would want to walk down the isle again? I would so have Steve do ALL of the flowers!!! I am crazy in love with this little arrangement!

Labels:  Flowers, Franklin TN, Kid

Honeysuckle Rose

Mmmmm, do you still pick the sweet drop of nectar from a honeysuckle?

I do!

Labels: Flowers, Spring, Tennessee

An Abundance

Lily of the valley.

(Scratch -n- Sniff)

Labels:  Flowers, Spring

Vert

It all may be chickweed, but it sure is green! That's one of the lilacs that is bursting with blooms. Probably need to go cut some more for the house. Mmmmmm.

 Still fiddling around with my cloches.

And, after the teenager's girlfriend's birthday last weekend, I decided to keep the cake platter out and use it. It is actually too short for a real cake anyway. Pfffft. May as well put it to some use!

Storms rolled in yesterday afternoon, thank goodness. I fed all evergreens and azaleas; so I didn't have to water them! 

(But I did anyway--in the rain. Crazy old woman out in the rain with the hose.)

I finally did get to the shop that was selling these gorgeous hydrangeas! 

I found a beautiful plant with two different colors hidden in the back of all the others. 

I wish I could plant this one in the front yard; but they said this variety is not hardy enough. Pout. 

By the time I get all the indoor plants all settled into their favorites spots, I will have to load them all into the car for the summer at Riverside. This is the first time, ever, that I've been able to keep orchids. I'm thinking they'll be really happy at Riverside on the screened porch--that is, if I can get them there without breaking all their tender little necks! Always a challenge.

The teenager was on spring break this past week. He and the hub headed to Riverside for some needed R&R. The hub was just home from Mumbai and Shanghai; and the teenager has been busting butt with 21 credits his final semester. They both needed some down time; but it was wonderful having them back home yesterday.

I'm a happy gurl.

Labels: Flowers, Hub, Spring, Teenager

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Spring has sprung, indeed. Here are cut lilacs (scratch and sniff) from the back yard. Mom had brought some cuttings from our childhood home when she moved here. This year, they are chock-a-block with blooms for the first time. The smell is intoxicating. It takes me back to the days of working at USA TODAY in Arlington way back when. JR and I would bring freshly-cut bouquets in every week from our gardens--lilacs and peonies being my favorites.

The tulips we planted last fall are just about past their prime. We sure have enjoyed them. After looking at this photo, I'm thinking we need a gnome in here somewhere. What do you think?

Speaking of peonies, look at what has already broken through the ground. Seems really early. I think a lot of us around the country are hoping that the weather stays warm. Oh my. If we get a freeze, there will be so much lost at this point. Ugh. (Do you say pe-oh-nies or pee-in-ies? The latter is my accent.)

I cleaned last year's dead from our hydrangea bushes this week. I hope to have lots of blooms on here as well. Fingers' crossed. They've been really tiny over the past few years. Hmmmmm.

It was then that I discovered my window-box liners have just about disintegrated. Oy. I have a replacement set ordered, arriving just in time to plant! Trying to put my thoughts together for plantings.

The iris are a little small this first year, but they are brilliant just the same. Hopefully, they are happy where they are planted and will multiply in the coming years.

Enjoying the rain against the window panes.
Music for the soul.

Labels: Flowers, Spring

I Dream of Poppies

I've had this photo on my desktop for ages, and I finally decided to share it. It doesn't even look real, it's so gorgeous. 

I have always wanted to grow poppies but have been unable to. It's probably due to the humidity and heat of the summers that suck the life out of them (and me too!).

This photo was taken in the gardens at Lindeth Howe Country House in Bowness-on-Windermere a couple of summers ago. Obviously, I have yet to post on the stay. I need to because it was a magical place.

Perhaps soon.

Labels:  England, Jacq, Flowers,  Bowness-on-Windermere, Summer

Weekend Work

The kid and I had a busy agenda this weekend. Both of us have spring fever so we planned a visit to the local nursery on Saturday. My girlfriend Pam, originally from AZ and transplanted to CT, is a big succulent and cacti fiend.  While we were there last fall, I admired all of her indoor succulent plantings and said to myself, "I'm gonna do that!." Well, I'm finally getting to it. 

Our favorite nursery has a lot of interesting nooks and crannies to meander through. I love these old stained glass doorways. Aren't they fab!

After we loaded up our wagon with all kinds of goodies, we headed home and got to work.

Do you think I have enough succulents in this basket? 

We found this old jar laying around the house and made a little terrarium. (Thanks, Pam!) Remember way back when they were all the rage? Well, they're back!

I'm still working on this glass container. Can't quite figure out what to do. I need my Pammy here. Hep!

I had these tiny, vintage vaseline-glass pots, so I planted some little hens and chickens. Can you believe I've never grown them before? Pfffft! Mom used to call them cats and kittens. Awwww, precious.

 A small kitchen window planter.

And, of course, I couldn't leave the nursery without a few delicate plants that I will kill off soon. Hey, I have to keep myself in check, right? Just when is St. Patrick's day? I'm ready!

Then, on Sunday, the kid and I had planned a day on the Natchez Trace. Well, we should have switched days. Saturday was bright and beautiful while Sunday turned out to be chillier and more cloudy that we had expected. (You'd think "the meteorologist" would have checked the weather!) It was a bit nippy up there! But, it was beautiful just the same. And, duh, I forgot my camera's extra battery so I was only able to  click off a few photos before it died. Doy. 

Rain today, but I'm loving it.

Labels: Pam, Flowers, Tennessee