The Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Part 1

Over the weekend, my Mr. and I attended

the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. 

We took the hour long drive from our foothills home,

to the beautiful city of Seattle, to attend. 

It was a lovely, warm day, with parting clouds

that gave way to full sunshine, as we arrived

at the gorgeous Washington State Convention Center 

where the event was held. 

After parking in the Convention Center garage,

we took the escalator to level 3

 with much anticipation, to attend the show. 

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show

is billed as the 2nd largest in the country. 

We have attended this show many times

over the years, but have missed it

the last few. 

Right away we were captivated by the heavenly scent

of flowers. The lobby was filled with display gardens

of spring flowers, including the highly scented

hyacinth. 

While my Mr. bought our tickets, I admired the 

juried arrangements along the walls. 

This one caught my eye. 

As we entered the show, 

this beautiful gateway attracted

our attention. 

Let's take a closer look........

This beautiful gate opens to a primrose lined path....

The show consisted of amazing display gardens, 

each set up to reveal the possibilities for individual

home gardens. 

This is the first one, and my favorite. 

Let's see what lies beyond the gate.....

Along the flagstone path, this antique cart

was surrounded by tulips. 

Low growing grasses and primroses 

nestle in the foreground.

A tall, stone waterfall splashed behind.   

Red twig dogwood and dwarf evergreens provide

a contrasting background. 

A mossy stone bench peeks out from behind. 

Here's a better view of the stone bench. 

Built right into a small mound of mossy turf, 

this looks like a wonderful place to sit

 and contemplate the beauty.

A full view of the gate and path.

Where does the path lead? 

Well,  to this, of course! 

An open ended 'gazebo' made with recycled windows! 

This little structure just caught my fancy! 

So simple and sweet. 

The lighting was bright and tinted, 

which distorted the colors, 

so I will tell you the woodwork was

a lovely soft blue with whitewash, 

and the windows a deeper blue, also whitewashed. 

It had a lovely, faded, sun-bleached effect. 

Masses of purple tulips anchored with flowering clematis

bordered the lattice-work base. 

Let's take a look inside, shall we? 

We see the sweetest little table

set for two. 

Large blue pots separate a backdrop of flowering trees. 

I love the little details - the lantern, the pot of hydrangea, 

the pretty chairs, the globe lights. 

(Twig globes with strands of white twinkle lights inside)

The candelabra stand is also a very nice touch.

I think that I need one of these.....:)

Notice what the mugs say......

"Mr. Right"

and

"Mrs. Always Right"! 

*smile*

Heart shaped plant labels for Valentine's Day. 

This was the first display garden of many that I will 

show you over several posts. 

We had so much fun and were very inspired! 

I hope you enjoyed the first view of the gardens

at the Northwest Flower and Garden show, 

and that you will follow along as I continue 

the tour, Dear Friends.

A bit of spring in a terrible winter for many of you! 

I wish you all could have come along!

Wouldn't we have had fun together?  

xoxo

Hearts and Paper Roses

I've always wanted to try making paper roses, 

and here are the results! 

I thought these would be perfect for Valentine's Day. 

I love how they turned out and they brighten my table 

so beautifully on these dreary winter days. 

Can you believe these were made with coffee filters? 

I hand painted them with watercolor paint in 

'geranium'. 

These were very easy to make, although they did take 

about an hour each. I made two a day...., plus had to 

let them dry overnight after painting. 

I originally planned to make a dozen, 

but 6 were enough for my vintage urn. 

With one extra for my silver bud vase. 

You can see how real these paper roses look

next to the live miniature roses 

(a gift from my daughter, Jennie). 

The watercolor paint adds lovely sheer color. 

What would Valentine's Day be without hearts

along with roses? 

These are lavender sachets that I made 

with hand crocheted flowers. 

I love adding hand-made decorative touches 

to my home for the holidays. 

These have been carried over from my Christmas decorating, 

and are sweet to keep year round. 

Hearts are a favorite theme, 

and my spice and utensil 

racks have their own 

little offerings. 

Heart shaped cookie cutters and tea strainer

wait for tea and cookies to be served. 

I always make my Ramblin' Man 

sugar cookies to celebrate 

special occasions. 

They are his favorite <3

My dear, sweet Sister-in-Law, Donna, 

sends me herbs grown in her New Hampshire
 garden every year. 

This little bottle wears a tiny, rusty heart. 

I found these heart shaped measuring spoons

at my local grocery store recently. 

xox

A nice way to add a little love 

to those cookies I need to bake 

soon! 

Vintage heart shaped cookie cutters 

wait to be put into service under the dome. 

My kitchen motto.....

If you would like to make your own paper roses, 

you can find the instructions Here

xoxo 

<3

Today I am linking with:



Roses of Inspiration

and

Vintage Inspiration Party



and Ivy and Elephants - What's it Wednesday


Won't you join the fun? 

A Country Drive in Winter

On a recent visit to my daughter's to help her move, 

(she and her husband just bought a new home)

I headed home just as the sun was setting. 

Come along with me as we travel towards

the beautiful Cascade Mountains, 

over quiet farmlands

to my home in the foothills. 

Even in winter, we can find beauty in the subtle

colors of earth and sky, 

and the lovely, lacy patterns of 

bare branches. 

We have had very little snow here in Western Washington

State this winter, even in the mountains, due to mild temperatures. 

This has left the ski resorts empty and 

the snow pack lacking, which fills 

our reservoirs with water when it melts

in the spring. 

A low snow pack also means high fire

danger in the mountain forests this summer. 

An old silo stands tall on the horizon. 

Beautiful white fencing corals a pretty sunset. 

The top of Mt. Rainier peeks 

over cloud shrouded foothills

as we turn a corner. 

A lovely view as we complete the turn. 

My foothill home is the last hill

on the right.

An ancient barn stands bravely by the road. 

A rare, small, F1 tornado took down a companion barn

two summers ago. 

Once part of a thriving dairy farm, now this barn gracefully

ages into the landscape. 

This handsome farmhouse was recently completely restored. 

On a clear day it has a view of Mt. Rainier

and the full Cascade range. 

Gazing out the window with a cup of morning

coffee must be very special, indeed! 

Can you see the top of Mt. Rainier peeking above the clouds?

Another little farmhouse that has recently

been restored. 

I love that they kept the majestic tree in the back. 

The top of Mt. Rainier rises over this working barn's roof. 

This is one of the last dairy farms still operating

on the plateau. 

I love this tree - a Black Cottonwood. This particular

beauty is a favorite roosting spot for Bald Eagles. 

As the light fades away, 

the drive through my old logging town leads

to my mountain road. 

One last glimpse of the setting sun before

I start to climb the mountain road. 

Thank you for coming along on my country drive, 

Dear Friends. 

Now that my daughter will be living so close, 

I will be taking this drive more often.

Today I am linking with Good Fences

xoxo