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March 26, 2011

Gardening at a distance!

Hello everybody! 
Click on my link below and head on over to my Gardening blog. 
I've just featured a garden/backyard that I helped tweak! 
Michigan to San Francisco!
http://sitwithmeinmygarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/tweaking-tommys-gardens.html

March 25, 2011

Tweaking Tommy's Gardens!

I was recently asked to give some input
for Tommy's gardens in his small 
backyard city lot. I've never been on this 
property except through pictures and this 
new friend isn't even close enough for me 
to pop on over to and visit!   
You see Tommy's garden is in
San Francisco...
and I live in Michigan!
*see story
This first picture was a presentation of 
new flowers, and a water fountain 
he had recently purchased.
 This area is along a sidewalk path and is 
where we began discussing what to do 
with the things he had and
the new things he had purchased.
I stared and stared at this area and 
finally I had to have everything removed 
so I could understand the space better. 
All these plants  were not intended to 
be in one spot but they 
certainly were pretty together!

My first idea was to bring these two tall 
pots (he had in another location) over here and 
set them by the fountain.
One of the difficulties in this space is 
that he has an electrical outlet on a post 
that can't be removed so it has to be 
worked into this vignette.
After seeing this- I jotted down a 
very technical drawing scanned it 
and sent it to him via e-mail..
Now be nice and don't laugh too hard! 
I am not an artist by any means!  
After the initial placement, it seemed as
though less symmetry was the better way 
to go.  There already was an established 
hydrangea that he didn't want to move, 
so I decided to create a cluster.  I made 
use of the hydrangea, the fountain and 
one tall pot in a triangular formation, 
and it started to take on a better look. 
The big stone on the corner got moved 
to the center and the tall pots ended up 
sticking around.  
He also has a shrub he planted in a 
square pottery planter that has been
included on the far right corner.

Now the fountain has been moved 
and the stone has been centered.
Being from Michigan I know what I can
grow- but wasn't quite as sure about 
his area.  Fortunately a lot of plants that
I am familiar with do well there too! 
He picked up some Astilbe and 
the Irish Moss I suggested.
He's done all the planting and 
positioning-and I think he's done 
a fantastic job!

Again, please refrain from laughing too hard!  
Another very technical drawing of mine!
I visualized a lattice piece covering the 
electrical outlet post that was a sore spot 
to work with- and painting it all black- 
hoping it would blend in more.  
He put it together, and found a Jasmine 
plant to grow on it.  I believe this is going
to look great and smell terrific!
 Tommy found some Liriope to add in 
and small river rocks. He placed them 
around the base of the rock 
and mixed in the green Irish Moss, which 
will help naturalize it!

As you can see the lattice did help to 
lessenthe look of the outlet post
and we both agreed the square pot 
wasn't working on this corner, so 
It's been moved.

On the left here are some of the plants he 
had in the cluster (where we started), 
and acouple more new ones he planted.  
Everything here is a perennial so he 
won't  have to re-plant next year.
 The square pot is in limbo, but the shrub 
is going to be removed from the pot and 
planted in the location it's at right now.
(The fencing is temporary while the grass fills in better, and to keep
his dog off of it for a little while longer) 
I'd love to see Hostas here, but he says the 
climate there produces slugs so bad they 
ruin them.  I'd also love to see Roses, but 
that's another one he's had trouble with. 
We all have to learn what works for us.
Just to the right of the fountain is this
covered gazebo with furniture and a 
cast stone fire pit...
I talked him into cleaning all the concrete.
Their climate grows algae real good and 
I felt it needed freshening up! 

After the concrete was cleaned he put
 back the furniture in a new order.
A diluted bleach solution got right after
the algae and a power washer finished
the job!
(Doesn't it look better!)
This should be great for conversations 
and enjoying the fire!

I felt the blue pottery should be kept 
together and it was his choice where to
put them..so he located them near the 
back cement step that leads towards 
the house. That's a water fountain next 
to the grouping too, plus the other
two items on the left have been 
moved elsewhere.

The clusters of ferns were here from
before. Tommy wanted some color, so 
it was decided to place the Cineraria in 
between the ferns. I suggested he use 
Impatiens in the front of this fern area 
all along the walkway. This is going to 
look great as it matures!

 The star of this home-Taylor! 
Isn't he too cute!
Tommy's added two footed planters..
looks marvelous!

The brown urn water feature has a new home as well as the square  pottery piece has been re-planted and the obelisk added...I think he's got the gardening bug now for sure!
Looking to the rear of the lot is where he
has his dining furniture.  All the flowering
shrubs were there- they must be beautiful
when they are blooming!

I was studying the pottery and asked 
him what he has out front by his entry
door...I figured that pot on the pedestal
with the asparagus fern would by nice
by the door..so he took it out there and
It looks just great!
He has worked hard to make all this
happen and I've just been the idea 
assistant behind the scenes. 
This project was about working with 
what he already had.
Mainly he was looking for help with 
plant choices and laying things out.  
Together through the internet we've 
tweaked this area and I know he will 
enjoy watching the plants mature 
and fill in. 
After all that is the joy of gardening!

*After posting my garden/backyard area on HGTV's Rate My Space's on-line blogging forum  I have met a group of people that share some common interests in decorating, crafting and gardening.  A group of us started a friendship that has joined us on Facebook. We regularly share ideas and projects in a private group on Facebook. 

March 22, 2011

Petite Happy Birthday Celebration

Happy Birthday to my sisters Jen and Sherry, my friend Linda and myself!
We have either very recently had our birthday or
are soon to have it!  
For us ladies I felt these pastel colors
were perfect for my petite birthday party!
 Why Petite? Well on a 42" table you are limited on space!
A few years back when I first selected my china it 
was around my birthday and with 
spring on my mind pastels always seem to be in my head.
Macy's was showing it on their web page and it
struck home with me!
This is Yoshino by Noritake
(I've shown this recently, but frankly I don't own a lot of china 
so I don't have much choice)
I'm using the silver set from my Mother
it's called Reflection by Rogers Bros.
My beaded napkins are from Pier 1 Imports
and the silver napkin rings are from a
department store called Younker's.
My candles were purchased several
years ago. While poking through my 
candle collection I found them and
I thought they would look festive! 
I still have the original wrapper
and they are by Ana pageant....
 I dressed them up with these clear
glass marlbes around the
base of the crystal candle holders.
I used my pink pearl like beaded string (again)
for some added pink and placed a
few more of the glass marbles to 
add more sparkle!
Of course I had to include my aerial view!
Now for our luncheon menu...
and of course some freshly ground coffee.
Our birthday cake will be
Now I have to prepare this menu!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tablescape Thursday with Between Naps on the Porch 
please check out all the other wonderful tablescapes submitted weekly!

March 14, 2011

Irish Blessings to All

Hello everyone!  
 I'm not a wee bit Irish, 
but I decided to post a few
blessings and prayers
(Check out my Irish music on my Playlist on the left here!)
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May brooks and trees and singing hills
join in the chorus too, 
and every gentle wind that blows 
send happiness to you. 
 May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet son,
 And an answer for each prayer. 
  May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

  May the good saints protect you
And bless you today And may troubles ignore you Each step of the way
Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!

March 9, 2011

2nd Time Around

Well the Amaryllis has been slow to produce the 2nd set of
blooms, here are some new pictures.  
I do love these flowers, but I must admit I am 
not fond of the plant.  
I must come up with a way to plant them so they don't need to be supported...last week one of the blooming stalks fell over
and folded itself right in half...so that brought
that set of blooms to a quick halt.  
Anyway, here are my new blooms- and on this winter day 
it's enjoyable to see...
It got so tall I had to set it on the floor to take pictures...I keep it up so my cats don't disturb it...believe me they are right nearby watching me!  
You see Riley is sitting here...what you doing Mom?
I guarantee if I leave it at their level there
will be holes pierced in the leaves!

March 6, 2011

Glass Candle Corner Evolution

Hey check out the Cloche Party @
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-to-spring-cloche-party.html

Sat. the 12th..


Do you beat a subject into the ground?  
I know I do!  I've been playing with this 
corner theme since Christmas. 
You see...I have a thing for these glass 
candle holders...I started with a few 
probably 8 years ago, and kept adding
on since then. On and off they've 
appeared in my decorating. 
After Christmas when I had found a 
couple more pieces that I used during 
the holidays I decided to create a cluster
in this corner on the cabinet.  
First I'm showing the end result...then 
I'll walk you through 
my evolution of changes!
The following picture is where I was at with it right after Christmas
I borrowed these pictures from another room..
Previously there were two pictures of
my kids that I have relocated
These two pictures have been floating looking for a new
spot for a little while now- but I was sure they wouldn't fit
here but to my surprise they did!
I messed around with the arrangement, trying
different candles to see what would show
up best...
Then I decided to get these green candles 
to pull the green that's in the background 
of the print (which you can't really see here) 
I figured continuity was the way to go...
plus the decorative candles with the gold 
on them actually have that green in 
the design too
I set a gold frame near it just to see if I
liked that too
So I ordered this glass cloche from Wisteria...
and really didn't have a plan for where
it was to go, but I decided to set it in 
with this group, and
I liked it right away
 Something is gnawing at me, I know I need
to marry the cloche with something
and the dark color in the wood
candle holders seems
like the way to go...soooo
I found this charger on discount at 
Pier 1 Imports 
where the candle holders had come from
and I was very happy with the 
size and color..
I really didn't know what to put inside, so 
I wandered aimlessly at Michaels
and found this little silk arrangement
and then I saw these green rocks
and thought what the heck
maybe this will work!
So this is what I ended up with....what
do you think? 
At a distance
I am stubborn and I don't give 
up on a subject when I get
going on it! 
Perhaps this whole arrangement is a 
bit eclectic, but that's ok -right?
This has always been a spot in my room 
that stumps me as to what to do with
it...It's had many faces
You see I already tweaked it since yesterday!


Please check out Metamorphisis Monday
with Between Naps on the  Porch for
more inspirational posts!

ABOUT ME



Welcome to Home and Gardening With Liz. I have combined my previous blogs “Infuse With Liz” and “Sit With Me In My Garden” into this new blog. I love interior decorating and gardening. I enjoy redefining interior spaces by moving things around and reusing decorative items already found in the home. I also enjoy creating tablescapes and an occasional crafting project. I'm so pleased you've stopped by. I invite you to follow me and I do hope you will keep coming back! Liz
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