Outdoor Vintage

We are in full blown spring here in Washington State, 

even here in the foothills, which is about 3 weeks

later than those living in the valleys.

Even so, we are a full month earlier than usual. 

Yesterday was so warm, 

that I was out in just my shirt-sleeves! 

I spent the afternoon tidying up the deck,
sweeping and washing. 

My vintage Baker's Rack and Flower Stand

have some new flowers. 

Some of the pansies

 on my Vintage Flower Stand,

wintered over, (Glacier Pansies)

but I had to replenish a few.

Weenie Baby investigates. 

I chose these: Viola, 'Midnight Glow',
from  Hart's Nursery.
I didn't actually go there....:)
I bought them at my local homegoods store.
They immediately caught my eye.

The Baker's Rack was gifted with
 new primroses. 

They are sweetly scented, and from
the same nursery.
I do try to find scented varieties
when I can.
There is something so old fashioned and
wonderful about stepping outside
and catching the scent in a breeze. 

My small collection of glass insulators live here.
The little blue truck was one of my son's toys.
I found it digging in the garden a couple of years ago.
Every once in a while we find some remnant of
childhood on the property.

So bittersweet. xo

A perfectly shaped 'egg' rock that my youngest
son, Dustin found when he was 4.

It was around Easter time, and he ran inside
with it cupped in his chubby little hands,
and said, 'Mommy, I found a bunny egg!'

So precious.

He's now 32. Where does the time go?

I planted some bulbs in a vintage enamel pot
and put it on my broken garden globe stand.

The globe was a gift from my Mum, and
when it broke in a storm, I kept the stand.

I think these are crocus, but I can't remember.
I like surprises...:)


I lined it with a plastic garbage bag before filling
with soil, and because it has no drainage,
I keep it under the eaves and water
sparingly.

Miss Peanut, my daughter's mini-dachshund
(I am pet-sitting her and sister, Weenie Baby)
poses in front of more bulbs planted in a tool tote
that my daughter made in woodshop many years ago.

I used the same treatment of lining it with a plastic bag
 and keep it dry under the shelf.

Mini Roses winter over in the basket she is investigating.

Love that beautiful sunshine! Very unusual for here.
Usually we are drenched in rain, hail and cold.

I planted more primroses in pots for the tables.

These are a different variety of primrose,
'Candlelabra' - on tall stems, also scented.

You can see how clear the skies are.
A wild plum blooms in the foreground.

Peanut poses by the Vintage Bird Cage.

The Azalea topiary will bloom
later in the spring.

The tiny Lemon Cypress
will be planted into larger
pots and replaced with flowers.

I've placed it so I can see it through
the window <3

I love Vintage Birdcages. This one
stands alongside the garden path....
a gift from my son.

Against the house, under the eaves,
I have two Vintage Wire Store Displays
where I overwinter my succulents
and other tender plants.

Rock Cress blooming in a pot. I've tried growing this plant
in the ground, but it prefers my deck where it is warm
and sunny.

Succulents enjoy this dry and sheltered space.

A sitting area
with Vintage Window and Angels,
that I can see from my bedroom.

Weenie Baby enjoying the sunshine,
but the shadows are getting long,
and she is anxious to go inside for dinner.

Pink puffy clouds reflect the setting sun.

We are expecting rain tonight.

It's been a strange winter here -
the mildest on record. My red Camellia
is blooming for the first time since our
devastating 2012 ice storm which
damaged it heavily.

I know that this mild weather is just the opposite for 

many of you, but with this seeming blessing

comes dire warnings of water shortgages, 

higher electricity rates,

 (we rely mostly on hydro-electric power here),

drought and raging forest fires come summer.

The snowpack in the mountains is virtually non-existent,
which supplies our drinking water, electricity,
and protects against wildfire.

So while we enjoy this mild weather now,
there is always a price to pay when
nature is out of balance.

xoxo

Today I am linking with: Roses of Inspiration

and



What's it Wednesday

and



Vintage Inspiration Party


Won't you join the fun?
xoxo

Early Spring Drive with Good Fences

Spring has come to my little corner of the world

and the first flowering trees are already in bloom. 

Come along with me as we take a little drive

to visit daughter Heather on a beautiful spring day.

Days like this just make me smile, as we travel 

along familiar country roads. 

Every home seems to have at least one beautiful 

flowering tree! 

This beauty is a flowering plum. 

A little blue cottage shyly peeks out. 

Pink and white behind a handsome fence. 

Drama in the skies. 

Can you see Mt. Rainier? 

(Behind the trees on the left)

Tall trees. 

And old barns. 

A frothy group of wild plum make me slow down

for a closer look. 

Sometimes I see a herd of cows sheltering here in the heat

of the summer. 

The house is abandoned now and the barns falling down, 

but there are young cows in the remaining barn. 

Not long ago this farm was truly loved. 

And this is why......

the view of 

beautiful Mt. Rainier. 

My heart skips a beat when I see this view. 

I can imagine the farmer and his wife waking up

every morning, aching and weary, but gaining 

strength and resolve from the privilege of tending

this land. 

I can remember a very old man tending to the cows here 

for many years, and then he was gone, the house 

boarded up and part of the land slowly sold off

to development. 

But I can feel his gentle presence whenever I turn the corner

and see this amazing sight.  I can only pray that there are others 

with more influence than I, who see the value of preserving

this land. 

I've seen great herds of elk here, and flocks of snow geese, 

and on my way home from this drive, a barn owl lifting

from the fence line in the beam of my headlights. 

Surely these things are more precious than another 

housing development.....

Meadows bordered by loveliness. 

One last glimpse before we turn away. 

Ancient trees along a fence line. 

A well-tended farmhouse. 

Isn't spring wonderful? 

One last scene before we arrive at my daughter's

house. 

She is not quite ready for me to give you a tour yet - 

clocks need hanging and there are boxes still to unpack, 

but look at the delicious offerings she shared! 

We have gathered (Aunties, Best Friend, and Grandmother) to help plan a baby shower

for my new grandchild due in May! (Son Gabe and

wife Erica)  

Spring is full of lovely beginnings! 

xoxo

Wishing you lovely beginnings, also, 

Dear Friends. I know it has been a difficult 

winter for many of you this year. I am sending

you hopeful encouragement as you wait for those

beautiful signs of spring. 

xoxo

Today I am linking with: Good Fences

Won't you join the fun?