Simmering Summer Sampler

This summer has been exceptionally hot here in Tennessee. I have not been able to spend as much time outside as I would like, but it's always a pleasure to walk around my yard, camera in hand. These photos were taken earlier this evening.

MY BUTTERFLIES

MY POND

MY NEIGHBORS

Naturally

Today was my cleaning day, made even more interesting by the fact that we are in the throes of remodeling our only bathroom. The plumbers were here over the weekend, a lovely porta potty is out under the big maple tree, and tools and supplies are everywhere. After two hours of attempting to make some progress, I decided I needed a break and sat down to make an Etsy Treasury. I have made MANY since becoming addicted :), but I think this is one of my favorites:

I love linen, and to my way of thinking, it is at its best when left natural. While searching to fill my treasury, I came up with the perfect vintage linen ensemble. See if you agree...

These and more listings may be found at the following Etsy shops:

cookiesandcreme
fisheye
portalsandprisms
mamaleanne22

Pondering My Pond (and Rocks)

In my front yard, just below the old stone wall, is my beautiful goldfish pond/water garden which my son and I built in the spring of 2000. Never an easy job, it was made even harder by the fact that I live on the side of a mountain. Once we dug the initial hole and the plant shelves around the edges, it was necessary to construct a retaining wall along the back and a concrete edge along the front. Luckily, there is a wash beyond our pasture full of wonderful rocks that replenish themselves every time we have a hard rain. My son made many trips filling the back of his truck and piling rocks at the site. Once construction began, I realized how important perfection was to him. Each rock was selected individually for its specific place in the wall, forms were meticulously built to pour the concrete, and scaffolds spanned the hole to provide access for him to work.

Needless to say, work progressed at a rather slow pace, but eventually it was finshed and filled with 1,000 gallons of water and a couple dozen comets. In 2002, he decided to add a cascade into a smaller sub-pond above the original to provide "water music". This smaller pond would then empty into main pond via a waterfall. Once again, perfection took over and time moved slowly, but the finished product was well worth the wait.

As the years went by, the fish multiplied, we landscaped the surrounding area, and Rich continued with his rock getting. He has added stone walls above the smaller pond and stone walls to form tiers for planting behind the pond. For 10 years now, there has always been piles of random rocks, waiting to be worked into the project. Although I often think how nice it would look if all the debris required for a work-in-progress could finally be cleared away, I have come to realize that some projects are just not ever "finished". And I think that's OK...

Visit my "old" website and read all about this project. My Pond

Earth Laughs In Flowers~Thoreau

Just an afternoon stroll through my yard, down by the fish pond...

Pond photos coming soon!!!

For the Love of LILACS

I grew up in a seashore resort in the Northeast where most of the homes were old, three story, and VERY close together. Because of this, backyards were small. Mine, however, was framed in large old lilac bushes. I can remember as a child, sitting under them and basking in the sweet smell. To this day, whenever I encounter that scent, I am transported back to those long-ago days...

Now that I am in the south and my home sits on 25 acres, I once again have lilacs; this time in many different colors and varieties. As I write this, the bouquet on my diningroom table has filled my home with sweetness and memories.

While browsing the Etsy shops of my fellow EtsyProjectEmbrace teamates, I discovered that they, too, love lilacs:

SilverNutmegStudio

French Lilac Earrings


BeiMondi

Lilacs In Spring


botanicalbird

Lilacs and Pearls


sharonclancydesigns

Lilac Mist


decoratethediva

Lilac Bouquet


adornbyanysingley

Lilac Blossom Earrings

Still Walking...

Another day and another walk in the woods. Our colorless winter mountain side has suddenly been transformed into a thing of beauty, thanks primarily to the wonderful redbud trees. I'm not sure why they're called redbud as they're definitely not red, but a glorious shade of lavender pink. They fill the woods around my home; an awesome sight this time of year.













At the exact same moment, or so it seems, the dogwood burst into bloom, offering the perfect contrast. Like the redbud, the flowers appear before the leaves, turning the recently bare branches into a showcase. This is a tree that is every bit as lovely in the fall when the leaves turn red and the berries appear.

Wandering farther up the hill, pushing the matted leaves aside with my foot, I came upon what is probably my very most favorite wildflower, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit. I've never seen one that was not absolutely perfect, and this one was no exception. These are a native perennial herb usually found in moist woods. Here in Tennessee, they bloom in April and last only a week or two.

From time to time, I encounter clumps of tiny white flowers which I have named Fairy Flowers because of their delicate appearance. Their actual name is Wood Anenome and they grow in colonies from a root system that creeps just below the ground.

In the 28 years that I have lived here, I have never tired of exploring the woods around me. Each new season brings new discoveries and makes me feel blessed to live out in the country.

Thanx for walking with me... :)

Walk With Me...

This evening I took a walk up in the woods behind my house where suddenly everything is waking up. A few short days ago, there was nothing on the ground but a mat of dried leaves left over from the fall. Now everywhere I looked there were wildflowers peeking through.

Covering the ground in large areas were tiny white flowers with fern-like leaves. Not sure what they are, but they are very dainty and delicate.

I have always been fascinated by trillium, a perennial herbaceous plant that seems to be very prolific in this part of Tennessee. I found several groups of them as I continued my stroll. The most common one, at least here in my woods, seems to be the one with the dark burgundy bloom. I also found one that has a greenish white bloom.

They are just in their bud stage right now, but hopefully I will be able to get some shots when they are in full bloom. I recently read that there are 39 known species, but these are the only two that I have had the pleasure to see. Makes me happy that I have the moist, shady, woodland areas in which they thrive...


Violets, of course, are quite common this time of year, but I was happily surprised to find three different varieties; pale lavender, purple, and white.














As spring progresses and moves into summer, I look forward to taking and sharing more photos of the lovely wildflowers that grow here on my mountainside.