Pajama Shots

I sit sipping my coffee in the morning and stare out at the backyard. When the sun is up and briefly shining on the garden I think to myself you should get out there and take some pictures especially before we have a frost.  So I did…I went out in my P.J.'s!   Shhh… I don't think the neighbors saw me!! 

It is only 43 degrees this morning so I didn't stay out long.

I can feel autumn's push coming.

As a comparison

When I first planted them.  The red cordyline spikes have basically disappeared.  Note to self- don't bother planting them with impatiens!

If I had a longer growing season I'd trim these back but we'll have a frost before long and these will be done quickly so I won't bother.

As a comparison

Underneath the impatiens is the wire frame that has all but disappeared.

This wasn't so much about the sun highlighting it but the pretty blue salvia next to the limelight hydrangeas is pretty and I hadn't taken any pictures of them yet.

I'm sticking this in though it was taken last week after one of the rains we had.

As a comparison

The white alyssum disappeared.  The was begonias did great.  I have become very fond of them because they are easy to grow and reliable.

 The wandering jew has taken over!  It really grew a lot recently- I think it liked all the rain we got.

As a comparison

As a comparison

I first planted the wagon in mid June

The country girl in me….

      

Late to the gate!

 Yes these morning glories are late to the

gate!  Now it will be  race before the frost hits

to produce more blooms!

They aren't much to brag about but I took a 

few pictures. 

On the right side I also have a 

Sweet Autumn Clematis planted which has a 

bunch of blooms at the top that are 

just waking up too!  

 Last year I had 1/3rd the amount of vines of 

the morning glories, but 5 times the amount 

of flowers...and they should be blue not pink!  

I think I should have given them a quick

fertilizing!

 I've let the vines run their own course and 

haven't been trimming them.   Usually I 

keep it more trimmed but this year I 

thought I would see how it would look if I 

let it be more natural.

Last weekend the morning sun was shining

in and out of the trees and I watched

it for about a half hour while having 

my morning coffee and finally decided

to snap a few pictures.

I set this 3 ft. tall dove statue by the hostas 

and hydrangeas.  By August the Limelight's 

had hidden it pretty well.  I guess I'll

find another spot for it next year.

A few more roses were blooming so I cut

them and made an arrangement with some 

hydrangeas.  I cut some of the spiky leaves 

from the Cordyline spike plant and stuck 

them in there for some added interest.

That's a wrap for this week!

Hope you are having a good one and will have a great weekend!

I'm linking with Fishtail Cottage-Floral Thursdays

Rosy endings....

I had some roses still blooming so I decided I had to cut some and enjoy this last bit of summers offerings.

Since they are pink it was a little tricky working them into a fall arrangement.

I still have hydrangeas so I cut a few of them and some stems with leaves for bulk and color.

I cut some leaves of the cordyline spike plants that I have in some containers outside hoping to add a little drama to the arrangement.





I tried to help create more fall tones by using my sunflower vase and my amber stemware.

I did not visualize these little bowls as ever going with my April Cornell placemats. I found the placemats on mark down last spring and the bowls late last winter.  I also was pleased because it helped carry the floral theme from the arrangement.

The table cloth is a ivory colored burlap piece I picked up at Pottery Barn.  I liked the texture for this setting and the napkins I recently acquired had a nice woven texture to them too!

I decided to keep the napkin fold simple and it repeats the straight lines of the bowl and the placemat.  The Mikasa Italian Countryside dishes came in handy again and the new ivory flatware did too!

Since it's a table for two and informal I kept it simple.

My daughter gave me this little Waterford votive

and it makes a nice accent.  I strung the

plastic beads around to add a little color and give it a touch of glam!

 I made a quick little cake
 (some people call them a dump cakes)

It has cherries on the bottom, cake mix, chopped pecans
 and butter.

 I know my husband will be going back for seconds!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the visit.

I'm joining Susan at Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

for her weekly tabletop party!

Getting in the groove again!

Well I found some Dwarf English Boxwoods to go in this area

that borders the sidewalk and the walkway by the garage.  

 I think these little boxwoods will be

easy enough to take care of...

 I've got to find one more, but so far I'm

not doing well. 

This will look better once I've got them planted.

 I almost forgot to take a picture of my magnolia...

it bloomed so beautifully this year...

The frangrance is great, even at a distance you

can smell it!

 I adore this Jack Frost, Brunnera...in part because

the color of the flower is sensational!

My little girl statue looks like she's checking them

out...I think she likes them too!

Today was about planting annuals. Every year I

get out my Gardenway cart and start loading

it with the annuals as I collect them.  We

have to be careful of frosts for so long here

it's always a gamble as to when to plant them.

So I stack them on the cart, move them in and

out of the garage until I feel it's safe!

I always think if Liza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the

flower carts they used when I load up my cart!

 I started with these flower pots that I potted

 white Apple Blossom begonias.

Our son is getting married in July and I

decided on all white this year because of it.

These will look gorgeous as they get larger.

I added some of these Etain Violas in a couple of spots.

They have a lovely soft fragrance!

I've planted Cordyline in these cement pots

with some lime colored Coleus.

 I went with these Royal Purple Salvia and more

Violas

This crackled pot caught my attention

at T.J. Maxx's....as these flowers

develop it will be cheery and colorful!

My daffodils have been blooming for a 

few days..the tulips are close

to blooming!  So much

is happening so quickly! 

I truly love

spring!

It's a little hard getting going every spring

but I'm getting in the groove again!