Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

Come along with me and we will visit my flowers.

With summer winding down, 

I would like to take you to meet 

them before they are gone. 

I just planted this rose, 'Joseph's Coat'

this spring. A friend has it growing in 

her garden and I was smitten with the variegated

colors of each bloom. 

I had to have one of my own. 

Each bloom a work of art. 

It was slow to establish and for a while I was worried....

But she has pleasantly surprised me with this 

late flush of blooms. 

'Nearly Wild' blooms at her feet. 

Nearby a hardy fuchsia dances in the breeze. 

This fuchsia is over 20 years old! 

Next to the fuchsia, I have a new hydrangea

grown from a cutting. 

The original plant started to decline, so I took several cuttings. 

I have 3 more in pots, waiting to plant. 

We are painting this side of the house right now, 

so they will have to wait a little longer. 

Only one bloom this year....

This is Nikko Blue - my favorite hydrangea. 

They bloom on two year old wood. 

Next year I hope to have more blooms. 

They are so easy to propagate - 

Simply take some 12 in. cuttings in late spring, 

trim back the leaves to just two on top, 

and bury the stem a few inches in well-draining potting soil. 

(make sure there is at least one set of leaf nodes buried, 

as that is where the roots will sprout)

Keep well watered in a shady spot. 

Plant out in fall or early next spring in partial shade. 

Soon the petunias will be done blooming 

and I will replace them with pansies, 

and chrysanthemums for fall. 

It is getting cooler at night, but still warm enough

 during the day to keep them blooming. 

Their fragrance is intoxicating, 

especially in the early morning and evening.

I keep them right outside the kitchen door.

I have red ones, too, which the hummingbirds love, 

but it is the purple petunia's that have the sweetest fragrance. 

 I have many varieties of fuchsia,

 as I have more than my fair share of shade. 

They are hummingbird magnets. 

Each blossom like a tiny dancer...

In ruffled skirts. 

Or like tiny flying fairies. 

Pots of bright red geraniums....

keep company with coral begonia. 

Begonia is a favorite of mine - another shade lover, 

with their blossoms that rival the rose. 

And who cannot help but smile when seeing the vibrantly 

colored impatiens? 

But it is the sweet, sweet rose that I shall miss the most 

when summer days are gone. 

So 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may'. 

Robert Herrick  1591-1674

Thank you, Dear Friends for visiting me 

and my flowers. 

Soon the flowers will fade away, 

but your friendship will remain. 

Together we will brave the wind and cold

of another winter

to share the beauty of spring once more. 

xoxo

Linking to:

Floral Friday

Rustic Romantic Vintage Style Flower Containers

At my son's recent Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, 

I decorated the front entry with this vintage galvanized bucket full of roses. 

This is how it looked...

A closer view showing the roses displayed with a sweet photo and stack of vintage books. 

Appropriate titles....

Perfect for the setting. 

To create, I simply decoupaged a label using Mod Podge -(Matte finish). 

Copied from a book of labels by http://store.doverpublications.com/

onto plain copy paper.

I tore the edges and made a wash from 'Burnt Umber' acrylic paint and water

to give it an antique look.

I let it dry before decoupaging to the bucket.

To make it waterproof, paint over the label with more Mod Podge to seal. 

Draped with vintage crochet edging and skeleton 'keys to my heart', 

this created a rustic romantic container for roses. 

After the wedding, I enjoyed the beautiful flowers at home. 

A vintage tool caddy....

And vintage crates....

Can you ever have too many flowers? 

I think not! 

For a few precious days it was like living in a flower shop. 

Such a lovely reminder of a very special occasion. 

I hope this inspires you to create your own rustic romantic 

vintage style flower bucket of your own. 

Thank you, Dear Friends for your sweet visit! 

Linking with: My Salvaged Treasures-Vintage Inspiration Party

xoxo

And thank you for your kind birthday wishes 

for my Dear Daughter. 

She wants to thank you. 

 xoxo

Labor Day Weekend - Birthday Celebration

Over the weekend we celebrated my daughter, Heather's birthday. 

We had the traditional Labor Day BBQ (ka-bobs, pasta salad, etc.)

but also included cake, cupcakes, and candles. 

And a few festive touches...

A cupcake liner and doily banner,

And home-made cupcakes, of course! 

White cake and cream cheese frosting,

Sprinkled with edible pink pearls 

and a sprig of hydrangea. 

Served inside matching blue cupcake liners.

The table was decorated with a simple arrangement of garden hydrangeas. 

This time of year, Nikko Blue turns green! 

A happy celebration!

A birthday cake for candles, too. 

Make a wish......

Oh-oh! Trick candles that won't go out! 

But wishes still come true....

We all contribute to a gift certificate for a Kate Spade handbag. 

A happy birthday girl. 

Sometimes it's nice to have a big family....

And everyone goes home with a cupcake! 

xoxo

Hope you had a lovely, relaxing labor day weekend, 

Dear Friends. 

Tomorrow it's back to work and school once more,

but hopefully with wonderful summer memories. 

xoxo