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August 31, 2017

Gardens in the Misty Morning

This post is heavy on pictures...
Here we are at the end of August and we are starting to feel the early stages of fall. Cool evenings sweep over the area.  Fog and a heavy dew become common in the mornings.  I thought I'd capture some images in the garden before the sun burns it all off.

 My red impatiens plants became sickly looking a couple of weeks ago after too many wet days.  I cut them off and am hoping they'll recover but it's hard to say whether I'll have enough time with the growing season to see the recovery.

The copper planter behind the water fountain had some beautiful begonias growing but they don't like being overly wet either and look bad.  I cut away parts of the plant that looked the worst hoping for a recovery.


It took so long for these planters to look the way I wanted.  The new guinea impatiens were slow because our summer was cool.

 I'm starting to see signs of the hostas dwindling with browning on the edges of the leaves.


Last night's rain washed the delicate petals of the flowers to the ground.  

 I've enjoyed watching this caladium grow- perhaps I'll try more of them next year.


 These impatiens are overgrown and getting floppy.

The ground sedum are sprawled all around here (most of this is "Coral Carpet" sedum).  It's such a carefree plant.  The only issues I have with it are when weeds pop up in it- it can be challenging to pluck them out!

 The Stonecrop sedum (Abbeydore) are flowering which is always a sign of late summer here.

 Hydrangeas are the highlight around the area at this time.

This Cityline Paris hydrangea has the best compact shape but I guess do to late frosts I seem to only get flowers low on the sides.  I need a big dome to put over it in the spring to protect it!

 I just love the flower - a nice rich deep pink with little white star like centers.

I spotted this little tree toad on a different day but thought I'd include it.  He sure blends in!

 The grasses are topped out and the flowers are fading.

This Cotton Candy phlox has been fantastic during the past month.  The smell was amazing.  When it started flowering we could smell it from the kitchen.  I highly recommend it- it has the most enjoyable scent of any I've come across.


 I'm thrilled with the purple fountain grass and definitely will be growing them again in the future!



The fairy garden has become a jungle!  The Annabelle hydrangeas are green now and getting papery in texture.  I've cut a bunch and have them drying in the garage.


 The plants filled in nicely and have covered up some of the stone pathways.

This little miss has become cradled in some new shelf mushroom growth.  The chipmunks run through and knock things over all the time.   I didn't realize that the little archway there had been knocked down.

I have a corkscrew plant growing nearby and it wrapped itself around this fairy on the ladder- what a neat surprise!

Out front I'm tickled to see a new flush of flowers on the knockout roses we planted earlier this summer.  I look forward to them filling out and much more flowering next summer!


 New growth beaded with water on the edges- almost looks like frost!


 This limelight hydrangea is an attention grabber.  It can be seen at a distance as we return home.


 As you can see the fog was thick!

My favorite shot!  It looks like something in the New England States area.

I'll be joining the following parties:

Dishing It & Digging It
and

August 29, 2017

Until We Meet Again

Last week was a tough one as Dan's mother passed away Tuesday evening.  We said our last goodbyes this past weekend.  She would have officially been 92 last Saturday.  This is her and Dan's father many years ago and a little capture of her favorite dog Katie.   
Our daughter took various snap shots from the memory boards that were set up at the funeral home.

She spent her married life along side her husband (of 62 years) as a dairy farmer.  It's been 30 years since they were actively farming but one can't help but look around at the farm and have a flood of memories of how it was when it was still active.  

Born 2nd in a large family of 13!  She was a very determined woman with the "can do" attitude and I admired that.  She fussed with the inside of her tiny 900 sq. ft. home painting and wallpapering.  She never focused on the "I want more" kind of thinking- just what she needed.  She was painting furniture and repurposing things long before the modern craze had begun.

Holding our son in 1984….

and our daughter in 1987.

She played the accordion and piano.   At Christmas we enjoyed hearing the piano playing holiday tunes which was always a treat.  We will be transporting this piano to our daughter's house who has requested it.

They raised 4 children.  The two daughters are both talented artists.  The youngest son is talented in carpentry and loves to still do some farming (he's growing hops now for the recent surge in small breweries these days).  Dan my hubby received a "crystal radio" kit as a child and that started his love for electronics early on and proved to be his destiny in life.  
It's hard to get everybody together so we managed to get one at the funeral home.

I chose this garden planter to keep Norma in my memory.  When I first met her I was so intrigued by her pretty zinnias planted with the vegetable garden.  She showed me how to open the flower head that was loaded with seeds and my love for flower gardening began then!   I plan to plant a bunch of zinnias in her honor next year!

Until We Meet Again Norma
You are loved and missed already.

August 22, 2017

Romantic Wedding Tabletop Centerpiece

My friend Tess's son was recently married.  She created these romantic tabletop centerpieces for the dress rehearsal dinner but I'm definitely imagining them for the wedding itself and other occasions.
Home and Gardening With Liz

Home and Gardening With Liz
Tess used lanterns from Pier 1.  The florist created the floral rings for them which had the same roses found in the bride's bouquet.  

Home and Gardening With Liz
The Bride and Groom figurines are a cake topper from Target and the dog figurine is made by Schleich (they make a lot of farm animal figurines) that she ordered on-line because she had a lot to order but they can be found in various places including Walmart and Tractor Supply.  

Home and Gardening With Liz
The little LED lights were also from Pier 1 and the battery box is taped to the upper part of the lantern.  I love how she included the couple's golden retriever (Maverick).  Such a nice personal touch!

Home and Gardening With Liz
For privacy I blurred out the faces of her guests.  This was the only picture she had on hand from that evening showing the centerpiece. You know how it is- when you are hosting a party you barely have time to remember such things!

Home and Gardening With Liz
This is such a pretty idea- I love how romantic it is!
Please feel free to Pin on Pinterest!

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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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