It’s The Dog Days of Summer

Today’s Fetching Friday places the late summer spotlight on the dog days of summer in keeping with August 26th being National Dog Day.

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bergère-chair-Westie-dog

The Cottage Journal- Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele

Sweet thought provoking quotes, seasonal scenes in garden light and summer night silhouettes, and photos of pretty little pooches all in a scroll keep the dog days of summer tolerable.

stone-steps-garden-Photographer-Tracey-Ayton

House & Home – Photography by Tracey Ayton

Light of a late summer afternoon paired with garden blooms in perfect palette and placement gives visitors a visually impressive summer place to admire nature at its colorful best.

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Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Pluto-Goofy

Pinterest

Making memories for kids of all ages through the decades of amusement in the good old dog days of summer.

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Better Homes & Gardens

red-Dutch-door-dog

 The Design Atelier

“There’s just something about dogs that makes you feel good.
You come home, they’re thrilled to see you.
They’re good for the ego.”

— Janet Schnellman

dogs-in-garden

Scott Shrader Exterior Design

Ralph Waldo Emerson authors a house favorite of Places In The Home.

I will build upon Mr. Emerson’s words that indeed the ornament of a house and garden is the friends and the furry friends who frequent it.

outdoor-dining-table-in-garden-Photographer-André-Rider

House & Home- Photography by Andre Rider 

“Everything good, everything magical, happens
between the months of June and August.”

—Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

ceramic black-and-white-tilework

Veranda

Delicious details.

dog days of summer

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.”

—Sam Keen

summer-hammock-over-pond

Photo by Mael Balland on Unsplash

“Oh, the summer night, has a smile of light, and she
sits on a sapphire throne.”

—Bryan Procter

ferris-wheel-at-night

Photo by Matthew Daniels on Unsplash

Enjoy your Friday, your summer, and your weekend.

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Fetching Friday: Exterior Entryways

Exterior entryways welcome distinctive style to house, home, curb, and post this fetching Friday.

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Exquisite exterior entryways go the extra mile when the objective is creating superb curb appeal.

exterior-entryways-Jeffrey-Dungan-Architects

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

What defines exquisite is subject to personal design style preferences.

greenery-climbing-roses-exterior-entryway

Southern Living – Robbie Caponetto

To me, exquisite is exterior entryways flanked by landscaping that rivals classic works of art.

Tuscan home exterior

Energize Builders, Inc

Less is more is thoughtfully achieved through well-appointed and well- positioned accents.

exterior-entryways-Milieu-magazine-Jeffrey-Dungan-Architects-photo-Leslee-Mitchell

Milieu Magazine- Jeffrey Dungan Architects – Photo by Leslee Mitchell

Long Acre Farm

PJS Building & Maintenance Ltd

English-inspired-architecture-Buckhead-entryway

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles – Photo by Chris Little

The beauty of uncommon design lies within the details.

Bevolo-lanterns

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights

Symmetry promotes a pleasing balance.

D. Stanley Dixon Architect

D. Stanley Dixon Architect

Peter Zimmerman Architects (1)

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Exquisite exterior entryways standout as the focal point feature that most contributes to the desired effect of curb appeal- an aesthetic that beautifully welcomes style home.

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Get To Growing Garden Goodies

Get to growing garden goodies grow a long way in the beautification process of the spring flower and vegetable garden.

get-to-growing-garden-goodies

We’re in for an “Easter snap” at the end of the week, but the temps will remain friendly to the tradition of Good Friday gardening.

The tradition of planting cool and warm season crops in the South is common practice with many farmers and gardeners who believe Good Friday to Easter represents a symbol of fertility and rebirth.

Get to growing garden goodies inspiration often comes from a flower or vegetable garden sight to behold.

country-garden-geraniums-pansies-osteopermum-silver-petiolaris

House & Garden Magazine is a phenomenal source for lawn & garden inspiration, and it is my pleasure to share these enchanting examples.

English cottage gardens visually fascinate me.

Dave the Builder and I designed and planted a small one outside our bedroom at our last house, and although small in size, it commanded a large presence among the total landscape.

Osmanthus Tea Olive Shrub with White Fragrant Flowers

Planted in the garden right outside our bedroom window was a sweet olive tree.

Fragrant scents floated through the late afternoon into evening air, making spring into summer deck sitting times an aromatherapy session of sorts.

fragrant

adjective

having a pleasant scent or aroma; sweet-smelling; sweet-scented:
a fragrant rose.

delightful; pleasant:
fragrant memories.

Stanton-Residence-garden

In regards to planting your own English cottage garden, there’s no need for a large parcel of land or sprawling estate.

Better Homes & Gardens offers plans for creating the perfect cottage garden suited to your taste, zone, and design vision.

Here’s the link:  Garden Plans for Cottage Style 

Garden Plans for Cottage Style

Illustrations by Mavis Augustine Torke 

Aim to create a quaint garden space rich in color, fragrance, and charm.

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Knee High Mix Sweet Pea Seeds

The design objective of the cottage garden is refined undesign.

color-rich-English-cottage-garden

“I am rooted, but I flow.”

— Virginia Woolf

Quote means something altogether different, but I thought it fit the occasion.

hollyhocks

Hollyhock Indian Spring

Laying out the design of a cottage garden is similar to styling a coffee table.

High, medium and low is a working concept with considerations to factor in.

When I’m styling a coffee table I sit down on sofa, chair, etc…  and choose the primary sight line.

X marks the center spot- the prime location for a medium or low height object placement.

The outer areas balance the method with graduated heights to continue the flow, theme and visual engagement.

Border Charm Peony Roots

Border Charm Peony Roots

Color bursts runs intertwined in greenery grandeur.

English-cottage-garden-hyacinths

Mix and mingle annuals with perennials, textures and patterns, the shabby with the chic.

Contrast produces an informal, romantic, distinctive and visually pleasing aesthetic.

Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea White Flowering Shrub Bare Root

Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea White Flowering Shrub Bare Root

Weave unique planters, chippy garden statues, and accents of interest throughout.

Estate and garage sales, antiques markets, and vintage shops are garden supplies treasure troves for finding pots, planters, tools, and decorative garden statues.

get-to-growing-garden-goodies-1

Antique Shoppes At 1100 Barksdale

Strategically place, tuck and trellis seating and accents.

cottage-garden-accents

Willow Chair
Obelisk Garden Trellis
Rose Stepstone Dark Walnut
22″ Round Basket, White/Moss

Woodland Excelsior Foxglove (Digitalis) Mixture Live Bareroot Perennial Plants (5-Pack)

Sunday Lilac (Syringa) Live Deciduous Plant Purple Flowering Shrub

When planting and placing, work with the design rule of odds.

Groupings of three or five fashion the essential casual yet elegant design concept of the cottage garden.

Inese-Bite-Garden

Fencing of wood, iron, or hedge complete the desired intention of creating an intimate space.

Dark Green Metal Garden Fence (9-Pack)

Montebello Wrought Iron Garden Edging

Montebello Wrought Iron Garden Edging

Knockout roses.

garden-roses

Climbing roses.

Pinkie-New-Dawn-Climbing-Roses

Garden roses.

salmon pink rose

“There is simply the rose; it is perfect
in every moment of its existence.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grand Freesia & Ranunculus Bulb - Set of 25

Thankfully, the ice storm spared both the flowering quince and azaleas.

flowering-quince

Did you know azaleas are classified as an evergreen shrub?

pink azaleas

Harsh winter weather was cause for concern with so many of our plants and shrubs; however, these Southern Indica azaleas are rated for down to zero degrees fahrenheit.

Spring’s in full bloom gift graces the vases and tabletop places in the home.

pink-white-azaleas-in-vase

Our Deep South planting soil to temperature zone indicates the essential need for particular plants to be planted in the ground and growing by Easter in order to be strong enough to survive the heat of this region.

Some planting zones, climates, and soils ready for spring gardening quicker than others.

My steadfast rule and suggestion to fellow gardenistas is to first consult a zone map to know the best time for planting vegetables and/or flowers in your part of the world.

usda_plant_hardiness_zones

Two gardening go-to sources I consult is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide from the  LSU AgCenter.

In this area April is the time for planting eggplant, okra, squash, cucumbers, peppers, snap and lima beans.

Based on information gleaned from a host of gardeners in the know,  azaleas, jasmine, viburnum, camellias, and flowering quince are prime for pruning as soon as they finish flowering.

snow storm damage

I shared this picture of the viburnum that did not fare so well during during and after the ice storm.

What, how, and when to cut back to promote new growth is the question I called the extension service with.

Our local extension service is a get it growing source of valuable lawn & garden information and get it growing tips.

bees (1)

Beauty and the bee is all the buzz, and you know I’m all about the theme.

SHORT HEIGHT PRINTED WELLIBOBS

Short Height Printed Wellibobs – Yellow Bees

Garden shoes for your ready, set, grow activities 🐝.

bee plates WSBee Salad Plates

Marble Honeycomb Salad Servers

Marble Honeycomb Salad Servers

garden fresh salad ingredients

Pass the buttermilk dressing.

La Rochere Napoleon Bee Verdigris 10 oz. Tumbler, Set of 6

La Rochere Napoleon Bee Verdigris 10 oz. Tumbler, Set of 6

Super cute outdoor pillow set at an unbelievably great price.

Bee-outdoor-pillow

bee-outdoor-pillow-1

Safavieh Hand-hooked Chelsea Aubree Country Oriental Wool Rug

Outdoor spaces decked (porch or patio) out in color, texture, and pattern invite the look of the season to sit in style for awhile.

Safavieh-Hand-hooked-Chelsea-Aubree-Country-Oriental-Wool-Rug (1)

Safavieh Hand-hooked Chelsea Aubree Country Oriental Wool Rug

“In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

—Margaret Atwood

Getting garden ready involves getting garden dirty.

Honey Bee Hand Wash

Honey Bee Hand Wash

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.  To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

— Alfred Austin

Burt's-Bees-almond-hand-cream

Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream

Gardening can be hard on the hands.

After a get to growing gardening session, treat your hands to a post gardening at-home hand spa treatment

hummingbird-moving

Griffin Products 38 oz Green Hand-blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Griffin Products 38 oz Green Hand-blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder

I ordered this hand-blown glass hummingbird feeder today for a friend who is an avid hummingbird watcher.

hummingbird-map (1)

Hummingbird Nectar 

Ingredients

granulated white table sugar

Water (tap is fine)

Directions

Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until sugar is dissolved.

Do not add red dye.

Fill hummingbird feeder with the sugar water mixture and place outside.

Any extra sugar water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

hummingbird-feeding-from-Lilac

Change feeders every other day and thoroughly clean them each time to prevent harmful mold growth

To prevent the growth of mold, a hummingbird feeder should be cleaned and refilled at least twice a week in hot weather and at least once a week in cooler weather.

garden-vegetables-in-wheel-barrow-House-and-Garden

House & Garden – Photo by Andrew Montgomery

MOLLY MID HEIGHT PRINTED RAIN BOOTS

Molly Mid Height Printed Rain Boots – Khaki Chickens

pink-roses-gardening-gloves

get it growing garden goodies

Tools

Fiskars® 3pc DuraFrame Garden Tools Set
Ames Poly Scoop
Small Garden Scissors with Walnut Handles
3pc Garden Tool Set – Smith & Hawken™

Planters

White Washed Brown Faux Woven Planter 
Green/Grey Ceramic Artichoke Planter with Saucer
Cast Stone Ornate Low Urn in Aged Charcoal
22″ Round Basket, White/Moss

Watering Cans

2 Qt Gray Elephant Watering Can
Hunter Green Watering Can with Copper Accents

Garden Goodies

tomatoes-in-sink-Delft-tiles-photo-Johannes-Mueller

House & Garden – Photo by Johannes Mueller

Crisp lettuce.

Tom Thumb leaf lettuce seeds

Leaf Lettuce “Tom Thumb” Seeds – Butterhead 

Home-grown tomatoes.

Beefsteak heirloom Tomato

Beefsteak Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Fresh from the garden vegetables deliciously complement spring and summer grill it up favorites.

hamburger-patties-ready-to-grill

garden-vegetables-citrus

Edible Plants

Preparing spring fresh dishes and treats can be a messy undertaking.

SL apron new spring

Scrolling through the home offerings from Dillard’s resulted in this new pretty for spring purchase.

new spring apron

wicker-vegetable-basket

Vegetable themed serveware sets a stunning from the garden tablescape.

vegetable-shaped-Italian-Majolica-serveware

Vintage Vegetable Shaped Italian Majolica Serveware

CORNERRUBY INTERNATIONAL carrot bunny figurine

Cornerruby International Carrot Bunny Figurine

never-underestimate-the-healing-power-of-a-quiet-moment-in-the-garden

National Garden Clubs Inc. 

There’s a whole host of reasons for gardening.

Gardening is:

Therapeutic.

Relaxing.

Visually gratifying.

Expresses creativity.

Early spring is an excellent time to plan, plant and Easter parade your flower and vegetable gardens accented with get to growing garden goodies.

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Spring On The Beauty

Spring on the beauty time is here, and my heart is full of expectation for the best of the season to show up and beautifully show out.

spring on the beauty (1)

Speaking of time, when I started blogging ten years ago one of the suggestions from those in the know was to be 100% truthful and transparent with your readers.

Based on this expert advice and my truth is key philosophy, I find it necessary to share with you all a realization.

This spring forward daylight savings time thing is kicking my 50something tuchus.

coffee sizes

It’s one of those there’s not enough café au lait in Louisiana to caffeinate the moments of my life days.

Raise your hand and coffee cup if you know what I’m talking about.

The silver lining of the time change is more daytime to enjoy the sights of the season.

coffee-at-shop

Foodiesfeed

Saturday officially marked the first day of spring on the beauty, and I greeted the day full of vim and vigor.

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.”

– Bernard Williams

in full bloom azaleas

New spring blooms provided a pretty in pink backdrop for a front yard picnic with family old and new.

OKC_BKC

Meet the newest additions to the Places In The Home family.

Our nephews and niece-in-laws traveled to Louisiana to introduce us to one month old Oliver and six month old Beau.

Three year old Wyatt was masked up and ready to hunt Easter eggs.

WJC (2)

The biggest baby in the family, Beaux the Wonder Shepherd, posed pretty for the camera on the not so ready for spring time good times patio.

Beau Shepherd

Our front yard picnic-Covid responsible-spring time is here gathering was a bright spot in the post winter ice storm aftermath.

pink spring blooms

Signs of spring in the beauty is slowly coming back to life.

Red Diamond Loropetalum Shrub with Burgundy Foliage and Bright Red Blooms

Red Diamond Loropetalum Shrub

pear-tree-in-bloom

Cleveland Select Flowering Pear Tree Bare Root

 Cleveland Select Flowering Pear Tree

Spring suppers tend to run a little later and a little lighter.

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Spring fresh green, fruit, or pasta salads.

colorful-vegetables

Colorful Vegetables

Garden veggie plates.

peeled-shrimp-in-bowl

Chilled Louisiana Gulf seafood platters.

Tory Burch Home lettuce ware dishes

Tory Burch Home

Many evenings we’ll eat on the patio or porch.

Cabbage Oval Platter

Cabbage Oval Platter

I prepare each of us a tray set with spring themed dinnerware in keeping with my firm belief you eat with your eyes first.

Set Of 12 Franciscan Desert Rose Dinner Plates

Set Of 12 Franciscan Desert Rose Dinner Plates

gardenia-salt-pepper-shaker (1)

Gardenia Salt and Pepper Set

Wares and decorative pieces inspired by spring set the loveliest of tables and trays.

pink lettuce ware dinner plate

Ceramic Cabbage Plate

So pretty!

Stoneware Chinese Cabbage Jug - White

Stoneware Chinese Cabbage Jug – White

Color, texture, pattern and taste repeats throughout chosen spring favorites.

artichoke-on-saucer

artichoke-mug

artichoke-cocotte

Braised-Artichokes-recipe-Williams-Sonoma

Braised Artichokes with Shallots & Peas

Ingredients

Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons

6 large artichokes, about 1/2 lb. each

3 Tbs. olive oil

2 large shallots, finely chopped

1 sprig fresh thyme

½ cup (4 fl. oz.) dry white wine

1 ½ cups (12 fl. oz.) low-sodium chicken broth, plus more if needed

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 small clove garlic, chopped

Leaves from 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

6-8 leaves fresh mint, cut into slices

1 lb. fresh English peas, shelled

½ cup (4 oz.) creme fraiche

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Directions

Have ready a bowl of water to which you have added the lemon juice.

Working with 1 artichoke at a time, pull off and discard the tough outer leaves until you reach the tender, pale yellow-green inner leaves.

Cut off about 1 inch from the top to remove the prickly tips.  Using a paring knife, remove the tough outer layer on the stem.

Cut the trimmed artichokes lengthwise into quarters.

As each artichoke is finished, drop it into the lemon water.

Warm a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add the oil.  Add the shallots and thyme sprig and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Drain the artichokes, shake off the excess water, and add to the pan.  Raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the artichokes are lightly browned in places, about 5 minutes.

Add the wine and cook until reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 3 minutes.  Add the broth and ½ teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the artichokes are tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 12-15 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, parsley, mint and lemon zest.

When the artichokes are done, there should be at least ½ cup (4 fl. oz.) of liquid left in the pan.  Add a little more broth if needed. Add the peas, then stir in the creme fraiche and mustard.

Cook, stirring, until the peas are warmed through, about 2 minutes.

Gently stir in the herb mixture, taste and adjust the seasonings, and serve. Serves 4-6.

Williams-Sonoma Taste

This Helsa Vintage Green Stacked Artichokes accent immediately caught my eye, and the thought is how lovely a focal point piece for an entry table or tablescape this spring appropriate accent will make.

A&B Home Helsa 16-inch Vintage Green Stacked Artichokes Accent

A&B Home Helsa 16-inch Vintage Green Stacked Artichokes Accent

What’s your spring on the beauty plan?

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Spring Garden Buzz is Building

The first day of spring is right around the corner, and spring garden buzz is building.

bee-on-spring-flower

“Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need
to be walking in a garden to know it.”

—Rumi

alligator-alley-benjamin-moore1

Green is the color of spring- a back to nature neutral that lushly complements all shades of green and spring related colors.

endless-summer-shrubs-bushes

Hydrangeas bud, bloom, and beautify the Southern flower garden.

The blue hydrangea bush Dave the Builder planted for me last spring bit the dust this winter.

Although our winter was mild compared to our northern friends, yours truly failed to properly protect the hydrangea bush during the one below freezing blast we did have.

Guess what’s on my spring garden buzz list to plant.

spring garden center

Fliers from local nurseries and garden centers are beginning to arrive in the mail, and I’m plotting the potting garden path to full bloom color.

farming

Local farmers are preparing the fields, ready to plant, water, and harvest the sweetest corn and tomatoes soon to be the stars of the local farm stand.

garden-seeds

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”

—Lewis Grizzard

gardening-tools

Flickr

There’s no two ways about it, getting garden ready involves getting a little garden dirty.

Enter the garden workstation.

Opening a bag of potting soil, filling a pot or planter with it and working the soil, adding the seeds or gingerly removing a plant or flower from the nursery pot, and placing the plant or flower into the pot is a relaxing therapy session of sorts.

Spring Garden Buzz

Country Living – Photo by Tim Street-Porter

Garden workstations, potting tables, and potting benches make life in the garden so much easier.

 

Outdoor Garden Wood Storage Furniture Box Waterproof Tool Shed w/ Potting Bench

Outdoor Garden Wood Storage Waterproof Tool Shed w/ Potting Bench

There’s plenty of options of both the retail and DIY kind.

The chippy chic farm table I found at a curbside boutique (trash) worked for years until it disintegrated.

Before that, two saw horses and a sheet of pressure- treated plywood got the job done.

The point is a garden workstation is garden potting, trimming, storage hub.

garden theme cabinet knobs

Customizing a potting bench is as simple as a gallon of paint and garden perfect hardware and hooks.

Bee Metal Wall Hook

garden-accessories

Simplicity Floppy Hat Women’s UPF 50+ Straw Sun Beach Hat
Large Market Basket – Threshold™
Galvanized Steel Watering Can
Joules Mid Molly Welly

Container ideas for early spring planting from Garden Answer.

Isn’t this gorgeous!

 

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Door portrait 🌿 // How incredible is this facade ?! You should have seen my face when I randomly passed by this incredible facade 😳😱! Perfection!

A post shared by Lily Rose (@lilyrose) on

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Distressed Copper and Verdigris Metal Round Drum Planters with Handle

trowel gate handleBetter Homes & Gardens

Estate and garage sales are garden supplies treasure troves for finding pots, planters, tools, and decorative garden statues in good and stylish curb appeal condition.

Sharon-Santoni-Gardens1

Flower Magazine

rabbit-in-garden

Flickr

Garden cloches help to keep cute garden visitors from feasting upon plants and flowers.

willow-cloche-tulips

Stepping stones add instant flair and function to lawn and garden.

decorative-stepping-stones

The first hint of spring comes through longer days and first traces of pollen in rain puddles along the driveway.

wind chime bells

Wind chimes doing their spring thing, early morning into afternoon serenades from the feathered choir and full blooms of back yard azalea bushes remind me of early Aprils spent in Texas lazing around the sleep porch at my great-grandparent’s house.

sunroom-LDa-Architecture-Interiors LDa Architecture & Interiors

blue white ticking pillows

Ticking Stripe Blue Decorative 20-inch Throw Pillows (Set of 2)

Emails, E cards, and online greetings rule the present day communication preferences, but there’s something about the handwritten note that is still so special.

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

Orchid-USPS-stamps-2020

In keeping with the ever popular bee theme, I’m sharing these spring garden buzz appropriate and ever stylish dish and decor options.

Safavieh Hand-hooked Chelsea Aubree Country Oriental Wool RugSafavieh Hand-Hooked Chelsea Aubree Country Oriental Wool Rug

bee-motif-china

H&M

The taste of spring in a bottle becomes a recipe project ready to bee keep and gift.

rosemary-honey

Photo by Jose Picayo 

Rosemary Honey

Ingredients

8 cups mild honey

10 sprigs of rosemary

Directions

In a medium saucepan over low heat, cook honey and 6 sprigs rosemary just until honey begins to bubble around the edges.  Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes.

Using tongs, remove and discard rosemary sprigs and any stray leaves.  To decant, divide honey among 4 clean 16-ounce jars.  Let cool completely, about 40 minutes.  Insert 1 fresh sprig rosemary into each jar, and tighten lids to seal.

-Country Living Magazine

glass honey jar with lid2Studio Silversmiths Beehive Crystal Honey Jar
Free Printable Bee Tag

bee tagsFree Printable Bee Tags

Embellish the jar with a free printable bee tag of your choice secured with natural raffia or bee inspired ribbon for a fun and festive look.

bee ribbon Etsy

After sourcing and sharing these spring garden lovelies, I know I can certainly see what all the spring garden buzz is about.

With one week to go until the first day of spring, it’s time to plan your get it growing garden.

spring signature

Get Your Garden Growing Ready: Spring Gardening Tips

Spring gardening tips prove once again it’s time to ready, plan, and plant spring flower, vegetable, and herb gardens.

Warmer weather and longer days naturally entice us to spend more time outdoors, and gardening is the outdoor activity many enjoy come spring.

Now is the time to get your garden growing ready with these spring gardening tips.

rooted garden letterboard

Rooted Garden

Spring Gardening  Tips

Not all planting zones are created equal.

Some planting zones, climates, and soils ready for spring gardening quicker than others.

Find your zone by clicking on the link: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

grow zone map

grow zone map key 1

For the gardenistas who live in a zone not ready for planting, now is the time to get your garden growing plan together.

Remember, too, indoor container, planter, and windowsill gardens grow indoors year-round.

Spring gardening tips help you to decide your flower, vegetable and herb garden of preference and get your deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill garden growing ready.

Best Choice Products 3-Tier 4x4ft Elevated Wooden Garden Bed Planter Kit

Best Choice Products 3-Tier 4x4ft Elevated Wooden Garden Bed Planter Kit

Good soil is the foundation of a good grow, and a good spring cleaning of sorts prepares the soil for proper growth.

With a garden fork, gently work the soil with a soft dig to loosen the soil.

You’ll only need to loosen the soil in a vegetable or flower garden one time in the spring.

Consult a weather app, Farmers Almanac, or give your local extension service a call to find out when the threat of Jack Frost is past before planting your vegetable or flower garden.

Most vegetables and flowers require approximately six hours of full sun each day.

Choose the area of your yard, deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill that gets the most sun during the day and plant accordingly.

What and when to plant?

Tone on Tone

For vegetables:

Top 10 Easiest to Grow Vegetables (according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac)

Tomatoes

Zucchini squash

Peppers

Cabbage

Bush beans

Lettuce

Beets

Carrots

Chard

Radishes

herbs-blue-walls-kitchen-house-home

House & Home

Mid to late March through May is a good time to get your spring vegetable and herb garden going and growing with tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, squash, eggplant, okra, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, dill, chives, rosemary, and mint.

mountain-valley-seed-company-vegetable-herb-seeds

Grow Cooking Herbs, Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Sage and Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds

clay pots garden

garden twine

4 Terracotta Pots In Wire Basket

garden-markers-blue-white

If you’re wondering what vegetables to plant, think of food pairings.

Tomato and basil.

Spinach and lettuce.

Carrots and rosemary.

Corn and squash.

Good decorating pairings bring about a fresh look.

Good gardening pairings bring delicious flavor and delightful fragrance to the table.

Robertas-6-Piece-Sumo-Series-PetuniasRoberta’s 6-Piece Sumo Series Petunias

For flowers:

Mid March to early May is the rule of green thumb for planting perennials.

Annuals fare better when planted in late spring.

Clean out your flower beds by removing last year’s leftovers.

Cut back last year’s perennials and ornamental grasses to encourage healthy new growth.

Remove exhausted bulbs and divide perennials.

Consult your seed packet(s) for directions on when to plant, depth of planting, and spacing.

spring-scent-flowersColor comes to call in the spring garden.

Peonies, wisteria, hyacinth, lilacs, and lilies fill your garden with gorgeous color and fragrance.

lilacs kitchen

Pinterest

Round Galvanized Metal Planter With Handles

Lilacs grow best when planted in fertile soil and placed in full sun.

Lilacs will not fully bloom if overwatered.

A layer of compost followed by a layer of mulch helps to retain moisture and combat weeds.

hummingbird

Hummingbirds and butterflies are fascinating little creatures to watch.  Southern Living offers spring gardening tips for almost everything gardening under the sun and shade.

Ragin’ Cajun Ruellia gives a shout out to my Louisiana roots.

hummingbird-moving

Bells of Fire™ Tecoma is another perennials tubular flower that attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.

Click here to learn more plants to spring plant that will attract hummingbirds.

ruellia_ragin_cajun_bloom_power

Ragin’ Cajun® Ruellia

I love the Cameo Japanese flowering quince in my brother’s courtyard.

flowering-quince

A day trip to Forest Hill, Louisiana, better known as the nursery capital, to purchase a Cameo Japanese flowering quince is on the spring gardening agenda.

azaleas-pink

Azaleas in full color and full bloom means beauty and the beast I call pollen is all around as evidenced by this hot pink azalea bouquet and the pollen streams in the driveway.

pollen

Weeds are a thorn in the side, front, and back of any vegetable or flower garden.

Mulch cuts down on weeds, adds a layer of insulation, and keeps plant roots moist.

mulch-colorsDave the Builder used his new Craftsman Handheld Gas Leaf Blower to blow the pine needles off the roof and into the flower bed where it will be used as mulch.

Craftsman handheld blower

Excuse our work in progress mess.

pine needles

Fresh from the produce department tomatoes will do for now, but there is no substitute for fresh home garden tomatoes.

garden-tomatoes

To give your tomato plants a good grow, feed the soil with a small amount of fertilizer and compost at planting time.

Jobes Organic Vegetable and Tomato Plant Food Fertilizer

Plant the roots as deep as possible.

Freshly planted tomato plants will require a daily healthy watering for a couple of weeks after planting to properly seep into the soil and moisten the area.

Garden tomatoes require at least 1-2 inches of water a week.

Low and slow applies to watering tomatoes.

Water the plants low at the stem and water slowly.

Tomato plants are slow drinkers.

Flooding the area is not what we’re going for here.

miracle-gro-garden-hose-1

Water your tomato crop once every two or three days at the height of summer.

Early morning is the best time to water.

As summer temps soar, you may want to water the plants both in the early morning and early evening on the days you water.

spring gardening tips

Bacon sandwiches, homemade hamburgers, fresh from the garden salads, and spring to summer dishes deliciously begin and end with the homegrown tomato.

As I typed fresh from the garden salads, it reminded me of the story a friend shared with me about a dinner menu conversation she had with her husband.

The friend asked her husband what he wanted for dinner.

The husband answered in perfect course order beginning with (his words not hers nor mine) a little house salad.

Curious about what exactly the husband thought a little house salad was, the friend asked the husband to expound.

“Well, you know, it’s a little salad you make at the house.”

All I know is the husband’s vegetable garden produced the best tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers, squash, and radishes that went into many a fresh spring to summer salad mixed and enjoyed at their house.

seed-packet

Leafy greens and vegetables star in the latest entertaining trend, the edible table runner.

different-kinds-of-fresh-herbs

bibb-lettuce

gurney-vegetable-herb-seeds

I’m learning more and more the best way to go in spring and summer entertaining is to set a casual and inviting table, keep the menu, ingredients, music, and conversation fresh and simple, and have plenty of homemade buttermilk dressing on hand.

homemade-buttermilk-dressing-1

garden-boots-spring

House & Home

Spring Gardening Tips, Tools, & Accessories

firm-grip-gardening-gloves

Protecting your hands, skin, and feet is a must.

Sunburn, dry and weathered hands, and wet feet do not a happy gardener make.

Tirrinia Ladies Wide Brim Sun Flap Cover Cap Adjustable Beach Gardening Hat

gardening boots

gardeners-soap

dove-intensive-cream

I bought two Dove Nourishing Care Intensive-Creams on at Dollar Tree, and am so glad I did.

The formula is rich, smells divine, and has good staying power without being greasy.

I like it so much I bought five more last week.

It gets my perfect for gardening hands seal of approval.

gardening goodies

Tools

Fiskars® 3pc DuraFrame Garden Tools Set
Ames Poly Scoop 
Barebones Living Small Garden Scissors
3pc Garden Tool Set – Smith & Hawken™

Planters

White Washed Brown Faux Woven Planter 
Wakefield Handmade Anduze Manchette Planter
Aged Charcoal Cast Stone Flower Rectangular Planter
Square Charcoal Cast Stone Column Planter

Watering Cans

Metal Watering Can – Smith & Hawken™
Achla Designs Haystack Pitcher Watering Jug
Herb Print Watering Can
Perfect Pour Copper Watering Can

Garden Goodies

Kalani Large Sea Grass Utility Basket with Wood Handle
Esschert Design USA Ceramic Plant Markers
Sontax Rolling Garden Cart with Tool Tray
Deluxe Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Tripod

A lovely garden statue accentuates the design and the beauty of your garden.

Children First Love Statue

Cast stone and terracotta planters in neutral tones instill a touch of European elegance.

elegant-planters

Winter is in the rearview mirror, and our sights and tastes are set on the spring flowers and vegetables planted and produced in the spring yard, deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill garden.

spring signature

Happy Happy Joy Joy! It’s Time for Spring

It’s time for spring.

Officially.

Happy happy joy joy!

time for spring

Home Depot

I almost feel guilty in my time for spring celebration when I get an email from the Canadian snowbird with the following image attached.

Almost.

snow-Winnipeg

A jaunt to the Home Depot garden center tops the time for spring planting to-do list.

Curb appeal begins with spring cleaning, planting, updating and exterior decorating.

front-yard

In order to achieve optimum spring curb appeal you gotta have the proper tools to get the job done.

Poulon-Pro-riding-lawn-mower

A recent time for spring inventory of the tools and toys needed for the upcoming lawn and garden season resulted in the Places In The Home gang becoming proud owners of a new riding mower.

This bad boy is 15.5HP of get the job done in no time power.

In all the new lawn and garden toy excitement, Dave the Builder set the cutting height a tad too low.

Let’s just say our front yard has that freshly scalped mowed look.

mowed-too-short

That’s one way to eliminate the need to mow for a week or two.

Loropetalum

Purple Diamond Loropetalum is good for an early blast of bloom and color.

I won’t go so far as to say it basically grows itself, but once established it is  low maintenance.

Loropetalum-Purple-DiamondSouthern Living Plant Collection Purple Diamond Loropetalum

Every time I say Loropetalum I think of sayings you only hear in the South and one I consider a classic- going by Laura’s house.

Going by Laura’s house is the term my mother’s best friend’s mother coined years ago for when she would have to go out of her way to get to her intended destination.

Miss Melba called that going by Laura’s house.

It wasn’t until recently that my mother discovered the truth about going by Laura’s house, and now we say it all the time.

How I love the sayings you only hear in the South.

HGTV inspiration strikes again.

Add a dollar store drop in to the time for spring lawn and garden list.

tulips-in-bloom

Sightings of buds and blooms in spring fling color usher in spring and Easter parade palettes.

wisteria

You know it’s time for spring by the scents and sights of spring in full bloom.

I would love to be able to bottle the the fragrance of freshly picked wisteria to use as a linen spray on crisp cotton sheets.

an-invitation-to-the-garden

Fresh flowers, delightful fragrances, visually stunning table settings, and the scent and sight of it’s time for spring in the late afternoon or evening gorgeously set the scene, mood and table for spring entertaining.

The “I Love a Charade” episode of Sex and the City is my garden party touchstone.

Good friends.

Well-appointed buffet.

Smooth tunes.

Beautifully accessorized tables.

Lilacs.

Butterflies.

The essentials of spring entertaining.

southern-living-hydrangeas

Southern Living Plant Collection Dear Dolores Hydrangea Deciduous Shrub, Pink or Blue Mophead Blooms

asian-indoor-pots-and-planters

Hydrangeas paired with a blue and white porcelain Chinoiserie planter makes a gorgeous garden party presentation.

garden-fresh-vegetables-1

What’s a garden party without a garden salad?

salad-paint-colors

Benjamin Moore Tomato Red
Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise
Behr Asparagus
Benjamin Moore Cucumber

Comer+Wheelbarrow+Salad+Bowl

Comer Wheelbarrow Salad Bowl

Time, nature and the calendar tells us it’s time for spring.

Our senses alert us to spring’s arrival.

Color rich gardens show us the beauty of spring.

I do love a season that shows out.

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Deliveries. Issues. Solutions. That’s the Way It Goes With Major Home Improvement Projects

My posting plan to bring you the companion piece post to Do You Know What It Means to Love the Decorating Styles Characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District didn’t quite make it to deadline.  Deliveries, issues and solutions have taken priority over my normal posting schedule, but that’s the way it goes with major home improvement projects.

roofing shingles delivery

Home improvement projects are not without problems, delays and contractor issues.  Don’t you just hate that?

roofing supplies

We are now back on track, and from the looks of things it’s time to get things started up on the roof.

home improvement projects

Lawn and garden cleanup is on schedule.

And loud.

Dave reminded me, “if you think this is loud, wait until the roofers get started.”

tree debris removal

A good suggestion for surviving major home improvement projects is to always be prepared.

bose headphones

Have a wonderful weekend.

love your style