Sewingseeds...thoughts from a grace filled life

Simple pleasures…

After our cold, wet winter and early spring, the heat is really on here in sunny Southern California.  We have already had a string of days in the 90’s.

 

It’s such a perfect time for one of my favorite warm weather simple pleasures…

 
 

Sun. Tea.

 
 

Seriously, does anything taste better on a hot day than a pretty glass of ice cold sun tea?  Add a few fresh strawberries and so refreshing…

Instant sunny, summertime memories.

 

Hope you’re having a sunny time, too.

 

I’m joining sweet Dayle again for Simple Pleasures and A Rosy Note for Photo Friday…

 

a walk in the garden...

I was able to go for a short walk in the garden today and managed to snap a few photos in manual mode while I was out there...

 

 

 

 
  
These well loved terracotta pots were found in an old shed on my husband's grandmother's farm. Isn't the patina amazing?  I transplanted some cilantro seedlings into them and tucked them underneath a potted climbing rose along with this beautiful white ranunculas. 

 
The geraniums are blooming like crazy.  I fought every urge to get out my shears and clean them up a bit...but I definitely don't want to spend anymore time than necessary in the recovery chair....the pruning can wait.

 

 

This is a new peach tree and I know we are supposed to thin out the fruit this first year but I don't have the heart to.  I'll have hubby come out and do it this weekend.

 

 

The roses are budding out and just about to put on a show...

 

It felt so good to get outside and walk in the garden...Bear thought so to. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Patty. 

I'm joining Toosties again for Fertilizer Friday...

and a Rosy Note for Photo Feature Friday...

last hurrah...

 

I hope you haven’t grown tired of seeing my azaleas…

 
 They are just about done with their springtime show and I couldn’t resist a few more pictures before they are but a beautiful memory.

 

I’ve been showing you snippets of my front perennial border…here’s a better view of the whole thing.  It runs the entire depth of the front yard (it measures around 15’ wide by 40’ long).

 

The Japanese maple in the center is only a couple of years old.  It is such a pretty tree and really adds some architectural interest to the bed.  The only draw back is that it is extremely slow growing.  I wish I could have afforded a larger one to start with…

 
I’m saving a spot to the rear of the bed to tuck in an iron bench.  Since this garden faces northeast in our yard it will be the perfect spot to enjoy an early evening glass of wine during the long summer days ahead. 

 

You can see where I have a few bare spots that still need to be planted.  I am of the opinion that less is definitely not more in my cottage garden.  Dense plantings are absolutely the best deterrent to weeds and I am all for less weeding!

 
 We’re having another cool burst and some more rain today but the weekend promises to be perfect for putting in a few more bedding plants and sprucing up my window boxes and container plantings. 

 
Oh, how I love this time of year…

 Happy weekend!  Patty

I'm linking up with Tootsie time for Fertilizer Friday...

and Roses and Stuff for Blooming Friday...

 

fresh herbs...

This all but forgotten pot of herbs is happy as can be nestled right next to the pond in the backyard.  It was a leggy mess last month so I cut it way back and hoped for the best…

 

It looks like everything came back except for the basil (which I’ve found is one of the pickier herbs for me to grow anyway).  I’d love some tips if anyone has any for keeping basil going.  I’ve tried full sun and part shade…I’ve tried trimming it to encourage new growth but it just seems that once the initial leaves have been cut and used the plant is done for me.

 

I purchased a couple of new plants and have put one in the ground in the sun and tucked one in a pot in the shade of the pond.  I’ll let you know which one does best.

 
 

I also picked up a green bell pepper plant and a couple of strawberry plants.  I planted bell pepper seeds but I have to admit I’m losing patience with their slow growth. 

The lettuce, radish, cucumber, tomato and cilantro seeds I planted are fairing much better, as are the cosmos and zinnias.

 

 I’m afraid the lure of the garden has called me out of my craft studio for the most part.  I do have a couple of baby projects in the works that I hope to share later in the week.

 

What about you?  Are you a one or the other person, like me?  Do certain seasons have you pulled in one direction?  Or are you able to balance it all out?

 

more blessings...

It's finally starting to feel like spring and that means more time in the garden.  I spent most of Saturday cleaning up the remainder of the main front perennial bed.  It always amazes me how many weeds can live under that thick layer of leaves.  Weeding a large area can be a little overwhelming for me (not to mention discouraging) so I usually break it off into smaller areas at a time.  I weed a little area, turnover the soil, add some fertilizer and then plant a few new plants.  This gives me a little joy with the necessary maintenence.

 
This is the third year for this particular bed.  When we purchased the house there was a very a large tree that provided a lot of shade so the bed was mostly ferns, azaleas, camellias and moss.  Unfortunately, the tree was bent over and leaning into the house so we made the difficult decision to have it removed.  As blessings would have it, I was left with a very large, very empty sun filled border.

 
Most of what you see are all returning plants.  I picked up a couple of one gallon delphiniums from my local nursery for $2.99.  I'm kicking myself for not buying more so there may be a quick stop on my way home from work tonight.  (Emphasis on quick..ha, ha!)

 

I hope you had a chance to get outside some this weekend and play.  There's nothing like a little sunshine to lift the spirits.

My blessings this Monday morning...

24.  Beautiful garden centers.

25.  Beautiful thoughts from those I love.

26.  Thomas the tank engine eyes.

27.  Meatloaf on Sunday.

28.  Homemade rolls.

29.  Chatting on the phone.

30.  Kisses.

Have a bless filled week.

 

Friday Pretties...

Don’t these white azaleas make the perfect backdrop for an afternoon cup of tea and freshly made banana nut bread? 

 

I found the recipe for the bread over at Kim’s Daisy Cottage.  Whenever I have over ripe bananas this delicious loaf comes to mind.  The ingredients are ones I always have on hand and the smell of the kitchen as its baking is just heavenly.

 

I’ve had this clover leaf teacup in my collection forever and this St. Patrick’s week edition of Friday Pretties seemed to be the perfect time to share it with you. 

 

 I found several of these lace napkins at a local antique store years ago...

 

 

It’s so nice to pull out my old treasures and share them with my new friends.

 I’m linking up to “I Love Pretty Little Things”…

 

perspective and balance...

I've really enjoyed my little break from blogging...Not only did it allow me to finish up a few projects that needed to be done, (projects that I put off way too long) but it let me realize how much I enjoy the whole blogging process.

I received a couple of new books for Christmas that are helping to provide perspective and balance in my life...the life verse that I have under my banner was in one of them. 

It's a study book called, Discovering Joy in Your Creativity by Margaret Feinberg.  I've only read the introduction but I can tell it's a book that will prove to be a salve to my creative soul.  I love the Message application of this scripture in Galatians.  It is such an important thing for every woman to remember...Be true to yourself and the creative vision that God has given you as an individual.

  

The second book was actually a gift to myself...Simple Country Wisdom - 501 Old-Fashioned Ideas to Simplify Your Life...It's chalk full of organizational tips and ideas to make your house feel like a home that you and your family long to be in.  A home with less clutter and more balance...A home that embraces you and your unique creative gifts...Isn't that what we're all striving for? 

 

This is the journey that God has me on as I reach the mid-century mark in 2011...Be true to who He made me...find peace with myself...achieve balance and simplicity in my life.

All I can say is...It's about dog-gone time!