Patriotic Dining and Flag Day (T)

I took this a few years ago but thought I'd start out with it for Flag Day.  

We're about to get rain so I can't hang our flag outside today so we'll honor it on the inside!

I've already set up the formal dining table with a patriotic display.  I made sort of a parade of my own on the table.  

The blue cotton rug came from Hobby Lobby and the scatter of stars and glass pieces are from Pier 1. I keep re-using them but I did notice Pier 1 still carries them.  The handled vase is newer- bought in Petoskey at one of my favorite stores Lake Street Design.

 I found this Uncle Sam at Hobby Lobby a few years back.

This Lady Liberty was a gift from my Mom many years ago.  She's on a little metal stand but can also be hung by a ribbon that's attached to the top.

 I ordered this pair of Bethany Lowe patriotic figurines a few months ago. 

The large beaded balls are from a boxed set of patriotic accents from Kohl's.  I got mine at the store but can't find them on line.

 Lady Liberty- new from Pier 1

The sun came through in the evening and I had to take more pictures.  See the sparkles on her dress- I love the Bethany Lowe vintage styled products.

Uncle Sam in his Jalopy from Pier 1 in 2013  

Long May She Wave

2014

Happy Flag Day!

I am joining the following:

Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday 

Walk Around The Yard and Gardens

I did a walk around the gardens and snapped a few photos.

 My Dwarf Korean lilac topiary tree continued blooming and since it was the best I've ever seen it I just couldn't resist taking lots of pictures.

The fragrance has been amazing.  Butterflies have been visiting it and I'm very thankful to have enjoyed it's beauty this year!

On the side of our driveway where I planted things to create an alcove of privacy these  Donald Wyman Lilacs have done their job.  They're a very late bloomer and have a nice fragrance but only if you come up to them closely to smell.

These Summer Wine Ninebark shrubs are coming up very poorly this year. We had a somewhat dry spring early on but these have been here for 3 years and they're supposed to be somewhat drought tolerant.  

 The island out front.  These are some spirea (Lemon Princess or Gold Mound) are a great filler next to the Limelight Hydrangea. I cut that down severely last fall and crossed my fingers that it would come back okay.  So far it has leafed out nicely so I'm hoping for the best!

 The peonies are ripe!

These hardy geraniums (Max Frei-Cranesbill) are the best- so reliable and not fussy.

 There are daisies coming and the purple salvia has started to bloom.

The Zagreb Coreopsis are getting larger every year which I love.  I think it will be a few weeks before they're in full bloom.

This hosta is called Orange Marmalade.  It's been a slow grower but always looks nice.  

The columbine are blooming.  

Butterfly weed will be blooming and the Stella D'Oro Lilies that outline part of the island are coming along nicely.  The blue oat grass is always reliable.

The giant blue delphinium is coming along nicely but a ways off before blooms.

This weigela was getting very unattractive with it's shape so last summer I really shaped it up after it was done blooming.  It's not loaded with blooms this year but it's shape is far more attractive.

The iris have been blooming very nicely too.

Nearby my frog planter is filling out nicely.  This guy makes me smile!!

Out back I re-arranged this area a bit.  The old wagon got moved to the right side and the garden bench that we finally had re-finished is now sitting by the maple tree. 

We had it sand blasted, welded back together and powder coated so the finish should stay good for a long time now.  This is a cameo back garden bench circa 1910-1920.

The impatiens are just starting to grow and so is the ivy.  Should be looking good before long.

I'll give your eyes a rest and end this here though I have more pictures to come!

I am joining:
Dishing It & Digging It 
Share Your Cup 

Restored Garden Bench

Two years ago I came across this garden bench laying on the ground in a very sad dilapidated state at an antique store. 

The man that ran the antique store knew it needed a lot of TLC and sold it to me for $35 which I felt okay about.  

It was held together with some wire, and parts of it were cracked and some broken off.  Dan suggested it could be cleaned up with sand blasting and then properly welded at a shop that has the right equipment for welding cast iron.  We put it in the storage barn and planned to get to it but somehow it took 2 years.

I told him this spring either we're restoring it or I'm going to sell it. 

So one afternoon we took it to the first place he wanted to go and I about fell over when the guy gave us a price.  The welding shop wanted between $225 and $350 and we had to take it to another shop for the sand blasting and powder coating (which is a finish that is sprayed on and then put in an oven to bake it and which seals it up real nice).  That place wanted another $125 for their work.  Now all of a sudden my $35 bargain was looking like a big mistake.  

I was attracted to the details on this bench and that was primarily what attracted it to me.  I wasn't ready to give up on it yet so I suggested we try another place that he was reluctant to go to but they were far more accommodating and gave a quote of less than $200 for everything and they could do it all right there.  To our surprise when they finished the price was even lower $150 and we were just tickled as could be.  When Dan and the owner went to lift it up to put in our van they realized the person who was putting it together hadn't finished yet and it was wobbly and still needed a few bolts so he lowered it to $125!!!  Ding ding ding!!!  I am still pinching myself about it and am so grateful we took the time to shop around.  

Dan finished putting it together with the stainless steel hardware (which will be painted to match).  I have no idea how well this will hold up over the years but I'm glad I was able to save this from rusting into the ground.

 Known as a Cameo design and per Richard at My Old Historic House it's probably circa 1910-1920

 I decided to put it out under the big maple tree.  We set some stones under it so she wouldn't be sitting in dirt.

  

  My white dove statue came out to join with it and I think they make a nice grouping along with my cement kitty!  The plants were already there and I moved a couple that were encroaching the pathway nearby.  I was going to put a plant on it but I'm still nervous about encouraging any rust to start again.

I moved the old wagon over to the other side of the pathway.  

Happy to have this taken care of and that I saved the old gal from doom!

I have a new post on my garden blog Sit With Me In My Garden too if you'd like to stop by-
This the "link" 

As they say it pays to shop around!  

I will be joining:

Dishing & Digging It

Metamorphosis Monday

Tuesday's At Our Home 

Thoughts Of Home On Thursday 

Cherry-Plaid Brunch (T)

A brunch gathering…

Keeping it simple I staged my chippy white and blue pitcher with some geraniums as a centerpiece. 

My daughter gave me these three pigs a few years ago and they get moved around the kitchen area in my decorating.  Today I decided they would blend in well with this setting.

The glasses decorated with cherries came from a local store some time back.

The cherry napkins offer an additional pattern and repeat the theme!

 When I chose this tablecloth I knew I had some green dishes that I hoped would play well with it and as it turns out the golden yellow dishes did too.  There is a rooster on them but I didn't snap a shot of it.

I chose the seashell edged placemats to keep things light and summery.

 I didn't play up the blue in the tablecloth but I plan to at a later date.  Red is my favorite color this year and I've added it out back in my garden areas.

Though we're all calling it summer already it's really still spring here and my lilac topiary tree is still blooming.  It has produced an amazing display this year and the scent is amazing.  The smell carries all around the backyard area.  You can see it in the picture below just outside the deck area.

We love a hearty sized brunch on the weekends to take us through dinner.  A plate for pancakes or french toast and one for bacon, eggs and hash browns! 

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The players:

Green dishes- Made in Italy, Maioliche Jessica

Golden-yellow dishes- from One King's Lane-Sweet Olive Designs, Embossed Rooster Collection, Jane Adams

Red Flatware- Horchow

Tablecloth- Kohl's

Napkins, Cherry Glasses and Placemats all from local stores 

I will be joining:

Tablescape Thursday

Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Foodie Friday and Everything Else