Flower Jars, Painted Pots, and Roses, Roses, Roses

We have had very cool and damp

weather lately, so I have been inside

more than I like. 

To brighten things up, I have created

some sweet Flower Jars

from things I had on hand. 

I saw this idea in the latest issue of 'Romantic Homes'

magazine. 

I copied and cut some vintage labels from a 

Dover Publications book. 

I have several of these books - all copyright free! 

Simply layer over a small round paper doily

and tie in place with garden twine. 

The middle jar is a balsamic vinegar jar :) 

The flowers came from my potted Narcissus

on the deck. I planted these last Autumn. 

They are wonderfully fragrant. 

We had some strong rain which toppled some of 

the blooms, so I brought them inside

and made the Flower Jars to display them. 

My salad garden in the tubs is starting to sprout :) 

Just one of these little beauties can scent 

a whole room! 

I ordered these from 

www.vanengelen.com 

This is a company that sells Dutch flower bulbs. 

I have been very pleased with everything I have ordered. 

The catalog is filled with the most wonderful varieties, 

some very rare, with excellent descriptions

and growing requirements. 

It is illustrated with beautiful pen and ink

illustrations. 

These were 'The Fragrant Narcissus Mixture'. 

I wasn't sure what I was going to get, but 

it has been a lovely surprise to see all of the different 

varieties that bloomed over several weeks. 

I planted most of them in the front garden, 

and they filled the air with their beautiful fragrance. 

I ordered 100 of them and had some leftover for the pots

which I planted 3 weeks later. 

I also ordered Camassia bulbs, which you can see are in

full bloom now. These were planted alongside the Narcissus, 

which are done blooming. 

This Camassia is a pale, lavender blue. 

They are almost fully opened here. 

You can see the dried flower heads of the Narcissus

which I need to trim :) 

Camassia comes in many shades of blue and white

and I will plant more of these beauties this Autumn. 

They are tall and require moist conditions. 

Their native habitat is damp mountain meadows. 

I painted some clay pots

to give away as gifts on Mother's Day. 

I used exterior latex, inside and out. 

Do you like my new, tiny potting bench? 

It is the perfect size for my deck

where I do all of my potting. 

No more messing up my deck table! 

I planted Begonia in lovely coral shades. 

I added pale green and white, Creeping Charlie

to spill over the edges, but forgot to take a photo. 

This tiny garden spider takes a drink from 

a water droplet. 

In other gardening news, my roses are blooming! 

This Rugosa Rose has a very strong and lovely fragrance. 

Every time she blooms, we must visit her daily to 

experience her classic rose scent. 

She and her sisters grow in the bramble hedge 

between the back lawn and the house. 

Here I grow highly fragrant Sweet Box, Viburnum, 

(which are done blooming), with tall 

'Fireweed', also known as Rose Bay Willow Herb. 

These have lovely purple blooms in mid-summer. 

Foxglove (just seeded), Forget Me Not, Buttercup, Purple Vetch, 

Birds Foot Trefoil, and Yellow Archangel, 

bloom at their feet. 

I also have a wire trained Evergreen Blackberry

along one side, too! I get delicious berries every fall. 

You can see the sloping land. We have very few level places

as we are on the South side of a little mountain. 

The house sits behind an old cedar grove in front
 and is half hidden from view.
We did not log our land and prefer

living in the native woodlands. 

We use ground cover and mowing to keep things 'civilized'. 

A Big Leaf Maple provides welcome shade in summer, 

as this is the 'hot' side of the house. 

Directly below the deck I have herbs in whiskey barrels. 

Here Chive blooms. 

The Archangel needs frequent trimming, 

but it looks lovely growing around the barrels

and keeps the ground weed free. 

A 20 foot strip of lawn separates the bramble hedge

from the deck, although it looks like 

it is growing right against it! 

Some succulents are enjoying the sunshine along the deck rail. 

This is the view of the roses from the deck. 

You can see the Snowball hedge in the background. 

The first roses along the arbor are blooming, too! 

'Joseph's Coat' with her multi-colored blossoms

and delicate, citrus scent. 

This is a very special rose. A white, scented Rugosa. 

This garden is my Mother and Father's Commemorative

Garden and this rose was planted in honor of them. 

I planted it for my Mother, originally,

but it bloomed for the very first time

on the day my Father died. 

Now, this year, it has bloomed for the very first time

on the day my first Grandchild was born. 

A message from the Angels ? 

Thank you, Dear Friends for your sweet visits

and

Thank you for your lovely congratulations

on our new little Grandson. 

I will share his name here - Ethan Gabriel. 

Do you think the Angels approve? :) 

xoxo

I have more exciting news - my daughter bought 

her very own tiny dream cottage! 

(Under 800 sq. ft.)

Here she is on a recent visit. 

You can see how happy Weenie Baby is

to be with her! 

This means that my two little house-guests, 

Weenie Baby and Peanut (gnawing on a treat), 

will be joining her soon in their very own home! 

First there is the painting to be done inside, 

(I am helping her in the evenings), 

and then the moving - this weekend. 

Once the floors are re-done and the back fence

deemed secure at their new home, 

my two little pup-guests will be leaving :( 

I will then be looking for a companion for Whitey Bear, 

since losing Champ in January. 

Although nothing much happens around here

most of the time,

when it does, 

it all seems to be at once! 

So bear with me, Dear Friends. 

I will need to catch up on visiting you

as soon as I can. 

In the meantime, here is something 

I will strive to do....

"The greatest gift you can give another

is the purity of your attention."

-Richard Moss-

xoxo 

I receive no compensation from any product or
company that is mentioned in my blog.
My blog is strictly a labor of love. <3
xo
Linking with:
Rooted in Thyme - Simple and Sweet Fridays