April Snow

Its April something and we have snow this morning. If it were October , the snow  might be a little exciting, but not in April.

Our forsythia bush just broke out in delicate flowers a few days ago, and then bam- it was hit by the cold and snow. I did salvage some of the blossoms for the house.

The bunny that likes the clover in the backyard was interrupted from his lunch when the flakes started coming down pretty heavy.  I don't think he was to happy either and  he did not stay long....

 Have a wonderful Friday!

More Home Garden Ideas on my website

This is a little terrarium that  I pulled together with some things that I had around the house.  The vintage tea cup from a thrift store was the perfect container for a tiny fern and some moss.  I liked how it all came together . Easy too!

1. Find a small teacup  and a clay saucer ( thrift store!)
2. Place one layer of pebbles at the bottom of the cup  for drainage
3. Add Potting Mix half way up the cup
4. Add a small plant
5. Put a bit of moss on top to cover the soil
6. Add some moss in the saucer
7. "Thread " 2 buttons through a stick pin and add a note
8. Place the cloche over the teacup and enjoy! 

Trying my best to get a good crop of herbs and tomatoes this summer !

April Snow Blast

Snow in April ! ARGHHH!

I thought that we were on the downside of winter,  and I suppose we are .  sigh .

 The snow seems to have been piled up all over the place forever .  Including overnight .

Just when I think that I'll be able to check the garden to see if anything ( like a tulip or two- is that asking too much?) might be peeking up through the dirt, another 3-5 inches of the white stuff comes barreling down .

Heres the view from my office this morning - Do you see my red chairs that are looking so cold?

In the mean time - instead of harboring bad thoughts about the weather, I am keeping busy planning my summer parties.  I love parties.

I got a lot of inspiration for a Mexican Fiesta party on a recent trip to Mexico .  I loved this wooden settee below , and all of the colorful banners I saw in the outdoor cafes and shops. And the food we ate during this trip was fabulous

Some  pictures  from that trip are here on my website  http://www.home-garden-ideas.net/mexican_outdoor_party.html

this is the settee that I saw ........ isn't it grand?

I can't wait to celebrate summer with an outdoor  PARTAAAAY!

I can't pretend any longer. Old Man Winter is on it's way.It really is.  A few weeks ago it was unusually warm for Oct in MN at 86* and sunny. I already had my pumpkins thinking the cold snap was coming any minute.  I was wrong- we had another 3 weeks of fabulous weather ! I set a fall table , but the trees were still full of leaves, and it looks like the middle of summer. ....but it wasn't . honest. I like how these turned out .

And here are some table ideas. I played around with the orange pumpkins and more fall like themes first.

I gathered some vintage china and other fall like  "stuff"

Even pulled out some silver with a warm patina.

I like how the different materials , pumpkins and and textures play off of each other and  gives a soft

 comfortable look.

Weekend Walk in Autumn

 I took a walk this weekend through our community gardens . Not many people were up and around yet , so it was peaceful and quiet. I snapped a few pictures of the last flowers and blooms that were hanging on from the summer .I found one last cone flower and a tone of seed pods.

Notice how blue and clear the sky is?   I didn't photo shop this - it was just that blue.

We used to call these seed pods milk weed. not sure what it really is , but 

I know that butterflies like it.

This shrub is really cool . Love love love  the texture.

The neighborhood birds will love these berries all winter long!

So bright and cheery

A few more flowers that have survived the fall drought.

 These Pee Gee Hydrangeas were gorgeous!  I was on public property and could not cut or pick any . 
I do have these in my garden too so I may have to make one last bouquet with whatever is left in my garden.

I came around the bend in the road and saw the grasses. Breathtaking!

I've got to add native grasses to our back yard.They are easy to care for, takes little rain and looks so cool.

This community garden has wildlife habitats throughout the property. This is a butterfly house rising above the weeds - I mean native plants  ( above)

The sun was high and bright - what  a wonderful day to take pictures and enjoy being outside .

Dining Alfresco

This time of year in the upper Midwest, the late afternoon sun is warm ,but you can feel the cool night air hovering above, just waiting for the sun to go down.

With summer weather finally here, there is nothing better than having dinner  outside  . Eating with Al  as my daughter says.

On this sunny Sunday afternoon , we decided to sit outside for a cocktail and watch my husband grill up something delicious for dinner . He's a great grill master!

My daughter and I had fun designing the table-scape, using the colors in the table cloth for our design inspiration . 

 The table cloth and melamine dishes are both from Target.

We grabbed whatever we could find around the house that had the lime citrus green and soothing whites.

 Don't be afraid to mix old and new together. Here the vintage porcelain pitcher and old wire locker basket provide the right balance with the contemporary graphics of the table cloth and dishes. 

Cool  and refreshing on a warm summer night ! 

 Ladies Mantle and variegated grass is all that was needed for this fresh centerpiece. My flowers in the garden are pinks and red and didn't look right on the table. If I had white flowers, I would have used them here, but I like the simplicity of the greens alone.

The antique silver tray added  a little touch of class to the evening!

SALUD!

Check this out for more ideas and pictures for outdoor entertaining and parties.
http://www.home-garden-ideas.net/garden-party-idea.html

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Today from the Garden

the vintage milk glass vase and candle holders were my mothers

I added a few blades of striped grass to the arrangement

the colors seem to change with different  backgrounds

love it !

yes the large purple globe flower  is the good old herb plant CHIVE - such a pretty flower!

Today  I was in the mood for a small bouquet of flowers, and  I came up with this little arrangement.  The garden is in an in between stage with lilacs and azaleas winding down, and the annuals not quite in bloom yet. It only takes a few flowers and some greenery in a vase to make me smile.