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-2024

It’s time for spring.

blue-Dutch-door-spring

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Officially.

white-dresser-with-blue-tassel-hardware

Grapevine Interiors

Yellow may be color blocking the best of spring at the moment, but without a little pollen the vibrant and pastel colors accenting spring’s palette wouldn’t be.

And without bees…

Treillage-Serene-Sky-fabric

Treillage Serene Sky Fabric

New spring blooms provide a pretty in pink landscape throughout the neighborhood.

in full bloom azaleas

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

spring-blossom-yard-flowers

Country Living Magazine

Recently I rewatched the episode of “Sex and the City” I Love a Charade – my idea of a spring on the beauty garden party and the essentials for success.

Butterfly on Lilac

Butterfly on Lilac

essentials-graphic-1

Good friends.

Seasonal dishes.

Smooth tunes.

Beautifully accessorized tables.

Lilacs.

Butterflies.

Comer+Wheelbarrow+Salad+Bowl

Comer Wheelbarrow Salad Bowl

Spring influences salads, sides, and sweets.

colorful-vegetables

Colorful Vegetables

What’s in a garden salad?

salad-paint-colors

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

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip Recipe

Tory Burch Home lettuce ware dishes

Tory Burch Home

Many evenings we’ll dine al fresco on the patio or front porch for the spring of it all.

Cabbage Oval Platter

Cabbage Oval Platter

This is the sweet spot time before mosquitoes and humidity become unwelcome guests at the dinner table.

pea salad recipe

English Pea Salad Recipe

We design and decorate spaces and places in the home for the season with great anticipation.

Why not carry the theme through to spring cuisine?

frosted-lemon-cookies

Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe from Butternut Bakery

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

Butterfly-Meadow-Gazebo-Cookie-jar

Butterfly Meadow Gazebo Cookie Jar

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

Eden-pitcher

Eden Pitcher

Our senses alert us to spring’s arrival, and color-rich gardens treat the eye and heart to the beauty of spring.

How I love a season that shows out!

Enjoy!

Darleen-signature-love

Early Spring Into Easter

Early spring into Easter color awakenings through spring color palette choices are upon us.

multi-color-tulips-spring

Colors of the season shake off the last of winter’s remnants with the help of warm mid-afternoon breezes, hints of pastel petals, the yellow dusting of pollen (you want pretty flowers, don’t you?), the hum of lawnmowers, and seasonal treats featuring fresh strawberries.

strawberries-in-season

Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Unsplash

Color wakes up a space in the same manner that spring wakes up color from its winter hibernation.

Farmers' Market Herb Live Wreath & Garland

Farmers’ Market Herb Live Wreath & Garland

Spring moves the clock forward, presents the perfect time to organize and clean, and wakes up the color all around us.

green-velvet-sofa-fringe

Amal Kapen Interiors

Easy and affordable ways to incorporate the best of the season into your home and garden is to update and refresh through accents and accessories.

Accents and accessories in fresh, lively, and warm colors of spring renews our interiors and exteriors, elevates our moods, and brushes away the heaviness of winter.

new-for-spring-home-decor

Machine Washable Indoor/ Outdoor Chantille Floral Rug

Charlotte Moss Flowers Book

3d Floral Ceramic Table Lamp

4pc Porcelain Bunny Hill Salad Plates

Rustic Toile Pillow

More Monet Framed Wall Art

Scalloped Bottom Skirted Dining Chair

putting flowers in vase

 

 

 

 

 

 

de-gournay-Bayville-Chinoiserie

de Gournay Bayville Chinoiserie

Wallpaper or paint?

In certain situations, coupled with certain tastes, here’s where I stand on the matter.

Why not both?

paint-color-samples-display

Photo by Clay Banks

Touches of color, texture, and pattern can automatically pack a space with immediate focal point potential.

green-pendant-light-breakfast-room-Cameron-Ruppert-Interiors

Cameron Ruppert Interiors

“Only those who love color are admitted to its beauty
and immanent presence. It affords utility to all,
but unveils its deeper mysteries only to its devotees.”

— Johannes Itten

baton-rouge-laundry-flower-cutting-room-pink

Flower Magazine – Photography by Paul Costello

Subtle in nature and brilliant in execution, the color white does indeed make a strong and complementing canvas for the space to show its true colors.

nordic-ware-honey-hive-loaf-pan

Nordic Ware Honey Hive Loaf Pan

Uncomplicated updates translate into simply elevated elegant selections ready for the spring into summer season.

Easter Basket Flower Cake

Easter Basket Flower Cake

Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand

spring-vase-faux-flowers

Nature’s timing doesn’t always cooperate with early spring into Easter plans for fresh stems and bouquets, so to that I say pick a few faux fabulous stand-ins and let the spring preview begin!

rabbit-in-spring

Flickr

Running Rabbit Garden Statue

Running Rabbit Garden Statue

You say planter, I say perfect serving piece for the Easter dinner table.

rabbit-statue-salad-bowl-serveware

Color breathes life into the space to freshen and renew the look.

pastels-in-nature

Photo by James Wheeler

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

– Bernard Williams

Darleen-signature-love

Easter Decor, Dishes and Desserts

Easter decor, dishes, and desserts hops to mind at this time of year.

 Carrot Painting, Art for Kitchen

Carrot Art Giclee Still Life Print

To look upon beautiful Easter decor as a work of art is no over eggaggeration of the term. Selecting items for show and tell comes with thought.

gold-dragonfly-accent

Sure, a rabbit here and a bunny there is called for, but mostly my choices play to pastels, themes and dishes appropriate for the entire spring into summer season.

faux-pink-stems-variety

Faux picks and bushes in ever lovely shades of pink were recently purchased with the Easter decor centerpiece in mind.

garden-stroll

On the Saturday afternoon before Easter Sunday I’ll stroll around the yard gathering assorted fresh greenery stems to fill in the spring bouquet.

spring vegetable board

Spring Vegetable Board

Easter company will love this fresh with full on color and nibbles spring vegetable board from My Moonstone Kitchen.

Click on the link below the photo for recipe information.

roast-pork-loin

Country Living – Photography by John Kernick

Roast Pork Loin with Herb Stuffing

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup kosher salt

1⁄3 cup sugar

2 teaspoon juniper berries

2 teaspoon cardamom pods

2 teaspoon whole peppercorns

1 teaspoon allspice berries

2 bay leaves, lightly crushed

1 (3 ¾ to 4 pound) pork loin roast, trimmed, butterflied, and tied

3 tbsp. butter

3  stalks celery, finely diced

1  small onion, finely diced

3  garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage

2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

¼  cup chicken stock

Directions

In a medium pot, bring 2 cups water, salt, sugar, juniper, cardamom, peppercorns, allspice, and bay leaves to a boil.  Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.  Remove from heat and stir in 4 cups cold water.  Set brining liquid aside and let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.

Place pork loin in a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag and carefully pour in cooled brining liquid. Seal and refrigerate, 8 to 12 hours.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until sizzling. Add celery, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.  Add breadcrumbs, parsley, sage, and thyme, stirring to combine, and cook 1 minute more.  Add chicken stock and toss until breadcrumbs have absorbed all of the liquid.

Remove stuffing from heat and let cool to room temperature, 30 minutes. (Stuffing can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated.  Bring to room temperature before using.)

Preheat oven to 500°F.  Remove pork loin from bag and discard brine; pat meat dry with a paper towel.  On a work surface, untie pork loin so that it lies flat, fat side down.  Spread stuffing mixture atop meat in an even layer. Starting from one of the long sides, roll the pork loin into a tight spiral.  Tie at 1 ½-inch intervals with 12-inch lengths of kitchen twine.

In a roasting pan fitted with a rack, place pork loin fat side up.  Roast 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250°F.  Continue to cook for about 1 hour and 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork loin reaches 145°F.

Transfer pork loin to a wire rack to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

-Country Living Magazine

floral compound butter

Edible-Flower Compound Butter

Ingredients

2 teaspoons green peppercorns

2 teaspoons white peppercorns

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

1 teaspoon pink peppercorns

1 pound butter, softened

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon minced shallot

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano

Radish flowers

Society garlic flowers

Oyster leaf flowers

Directions

In a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle, grind green, white, black, and pink peppercorns until crushed.

Using a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer at medium-high speed until smooth.  Add peppercorns, chives, shallot, garlic, and oregano.  Beat at medium speed until combined.

Transfer from mixer to parchment paper. Form butter into a log.  Press radish flowers, garlic flowers, and oyster leaf flowers onto log.  Roll in parchment, and twist at both ends. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Victoria Magazine

speckled-malted-coconut-cake

Speckled Malted Coconut Cake

Knock out roses coming into spring view serve vase and creations.

red knockout roses

Be it from the supermarket bakery or cake mix box, decorating the top of a  spring or Easter dessert cake with flowers or candies is an easy way to take  desserts to visually pleasing heights.

fresh-roses-cake-topper (1) (2)

File this for Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

raspberry-cloud-cake-recipe

Raspberry Cloud Cake

Buttercream frosting tinted to a soft yellow topped with edible flowers delivers a simply elegant result.

Pansies offer loads of color, plant and prosper rather easily, and make a fantastic visual and flavorful splash when added to salads and spring desserts.

pansies-in-garden

When decorating dishes and desserts and garnishing beverages with edible flowers you’ll want to pick the flowers early in the morning.

Gently rinse off your gathered flowers with cool water allowing to dry on a paper towel.  Add garnish immediately before serving.

If using flowers at a later time you can place them in the refrigerator where they will keep for 2-3 days.

buttermilk-cupcakes-with-swiss-meringue-buttercream

Buttermilk Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate almond bark shavings, and an egg carton display elevate these vanilla cupcakes to an Easter dessert eggstravaganza.

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate almond bark shavings, and an egg carton display elevate these vanilla cupcakes to an Easter dessert eggstravaganza.

fresh eggs

Farm fresh eggs ready to go for Easter decor, dishes and desserts.

Creamy-Lemon-Tart-Recipe-with-Almond-Crust

Easy Creamy Lemon Tart Recipe with Almond Crust Recipe

Thoughtful touches and delicious treats dressed with visually impressive details invite charm to spring get-togethers and Easter celebrations.

Darleen-signature-love

Spring In The Garden

Spring in the garden time is officially upon us.

spring-in-the-garden-vegetables

Warmer and longer days set the tone for getting outdoors, back to nature, and into the green of things.

garden-design-ideas

House & Home – Photography by Janis Nicolay

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

—Lewis Grizzard

flowers-mix-garden

spring-garden-lilies

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

spring-tomatoes

Three-Piece Live Mini Tomato Heirloom Set

Tomatoes rate high as a spring into summer delicacy at Places In The Home.

homegrown-tomatoes

pickled-tomatoes (1)

Give your tomato plants a good grow by feeding the soil with a small amount of fertilizer and compost at planting time.

Tomato tips:

Tomatoes at room temperature release more flavor compounds when cut up compared to the taste of tomatoes that have been refrigerated.

That deliciously explains why garden ripe tomatoes from the vine gathered, washed, cut up or sliced, and served bypassing the fridge altogether tastes so good.

garden-grown-carrots

Consulting those sources in the gardening know for the answers to the gardening what, when, where, and how questions gardeners have gets it growing.

Maule Seed Book 1908 seeds cover print

The Maule Seed Book 1908 Giclee Matte Print

Gardening Apps:

GardenTags

Gardenize

From Seed to Spoon

Garden Journal from the Old Farmer’s Almanac

ground soil

All gardens grow in soil, but not all gardens grow in the ground.

Wood Raised Garden Bed with Lockable Wheels, Liner

Wood Raised Garden Bed with Lockable Wheels, Liner

Designed for a four-foot-square raised bed, here is a simple spring vegetable garden plan ready to advise and download from Better Homes and Gardens.

Simple Spring Vegetable Garden

spring-vegetable-garden-plan

Costway Wooden Vegetable Raised Garden Bed Backyard Patio Grow Flowers Planter

Wooden Vegetable Raised Garden Bed Backyard Patio Planter

fresh-garden-green-beans

Burpee Early Italian Bush Bean Seeds

Supplying oodles of summer and spring garden goals plans is the
8 Vegetable Garden Layout Plans to Boost Your Homegrown Harvests.

spring-summer-vegetable-garden-plans

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

Garden Plans for Cottage Style

Garden Plans for Cottage Styles

Knowing what and when to plant according to your planting zone gets gardening off to a growing start.

Here’s the link to the USDA Planting Zone Map for U.S. Growing Zones.

planting-flowers-in-soil

Gardening is good clean happy fun.

Planting and potting in the soil gets your hands dirty which is believed to increase serotonin levels.  Research shows when our hands have contact with soil and a specific soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, the release of serotonin in the brain is triggered.

Serotonin is not only a natural antidepressant but it strengthens the immune system.

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

—Margaret Atwood

terrace-garden

House & Garden – Photography by Sarah Cuttle

Gardening nurtures mind, body and soul providing a relaxing, healthy, delicious and visually gratifying result.

Call it green therapy.

boxwood-garden

Southern Living – Photography by Lisa Romerein

Vegetable and flower gardens grow well together, companion gardening if you will.

Flowers growing in a vegetable bed will attract bees and beneficial insects. Lending their natural way spreads pollen around encouraging vegetable plants to thrive in growth and the production of food.

person-watering-garden

Markus Spiske

Composite shaped flowers such as sunflowers, cosmos, daisies, and zinnias attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

This helpful Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists from The Xerces Society takes the guesswork out of what plants best in your region.

different-kinds-of-fresh-herbs

Herbs add the scent of spring into summer freshness and provide visual interest to the garden mix and the mingle.

cottage-garden-fence-yard

Rabbits do what rabbits do as in look so darn cute and nibble on garden growth goodies.

rabbit-eating-leaves

Chicken wire cloches look as good as they cover and protect.

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension garden

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension

Deterring rabbits from feasting upon the harvest hints from The Old Farmer’s Almanac include the following:

Rabbits do not like the pungent smell of onions therefore these may serve as a the scent of discouragement.

22 in. H Willow Cloche Protector

Willow Cloche Protector Trellis

Try dusting around the garden and targeted plants with powdered red pepper.

Forsythia, zinnias, daffodils, lavender, and snapdragons seem to work as rabbits do not find these flowers appetizing. Planting these flowers strictly to deter is not a guaranteed solution to a bunny issue, but it is a colorful suggestion.

rabbit-squirrel-green-wallpaper

York Fable Wallcovering

Ever the decorista, garden trends grow gorgeous for spring.

spring-in-the-garden-accents

Antique French Garden Pot

Antique French Garden Pot

On trend for garden gorgeous this 2023 spring season, antique containers make a striking choice of planter complementing the beauty of spring flowers.

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.

Vintage recipe boxes come in handy as a storage organizer for seed packets.

flowers-antique-urn

Garden Answer is one of my most favorite Facebook pages to follow. Here Laura plants a stunning container display pairing yellow ranunculus with yellow violas, and voilà- it’s spring.

garden-salad-spring-fork

white-bean-pea-dip

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip

Welcome spring into summer blooms to grace garden, basket, jar, vase and ultimately tabletop.

stay-wild-door-mat

Pretty is as pretty plants.

fresh-spring-flowers-in-hand

Strawflower, Tom Thumb Mixed Colors

Garden friends and finds~

spring-butterfly-on-orange-flower

Decorative Butterfly Stepping Stone Bronze Cast Iron Paver 17" Long

Decorative Butterfly Stepping Stone Bronze Cast Iron Paver 17″ Long

fresh mint-1

garden-gate-arch

Country Living Magazine – Photography by Mark Lohman

friends-flowers-in-your-garden

Little Books of Tips: The Little Book of Gardening Tips

Readers-Digest-gardening-secrets

deco-moss-garden-grapevine-watering-can (1)

The Pioneer Woman Mazie Embossed Patina Hose Pot

We’ve now come to the how to build a wooden obelisk DIY project portion of this spring in the garden post. Find the tutorial here.

wooden-garden-obelisk

get-it-growing-garden-goodies-2

Tools

Heavy Duty Steel Folding Shovel
3-Piece Set Black Iron Gardening Tools
Adjustable Impact Tripod Sprinkler
Expert Gardener Indoor Garden Tool Set with Carrying Case
Steel Bypass Lopper

Spring in the Garden

Expert Gardener Indoor and Outdoor Potting Soil Mix, 8 qt. Bag
Preen Garden Weed Preventer
Large Capacity Black Growing Bag Raised Garden Flower Planter
30 Packs Assorted Heirloom Vegetable Seeds 30+ Varieties

Supplies

Pink Garden Tote Storage Bag with 8 Pockets
Expert Gardener Floral Pattern Rose Pick Garden Gloves
Gilmour 50 foot Pro Hose, 5/8″ Diameter, Yellow
Pastels of Nature Metal Purple Watering Can

Goodies

Dragonfly 12-1/2 in. x 10 in. Terra Cotta PSW Pot
DecMode 11″ Indoor Outdoor Rabbit Garden Sculpture
Cast Stone Rose Stepstone Weathered Bronze
Handwoven in Brown Stain Willow Weave Picnic Basket 1-Piece

Happy gardening!

Spring Garden Goals

Spring garden goals are taking root with many of us who love to lawn and garden.

spring-garden-goals

Designing a garden begins with a spring garden goals plan.

Homesteading - (Back to Basics Guides) 2nd Edition by Abigail Gehring

Homesteading – (Back to Basics Guides) 2nd Edition by Abigail Gehring

I dig (ha!) spring garden goals advice from one of the top sources of info, Better Homes and Gardens.

8 Vegetable Garden Layout Plans to Boost Your Homegrown Harvests supplies oodles of summer and spring garden goals plans.

spring garden goals

Illustrations by Gary Palmer

Knowing what to and when to plant according to the area you live aka your planting zone gets things to growing.

Here’s the link to the USDA Planting Zone Map for U.S. Growing Zones.

Balance of nature best describes the early planting vs. late seasonal frost dilemma we face here in Louisiana and our neighboring states.

April-garden-checklist

Following Facebook friends and garden gurus such as Mississippi State University Extension Service and LSU AgCenter keeps me in the know when and what to grow zone.

farmer's-market-Mississippi

Safe bet vegetables to plant in March and April (early spring) include corn, cucumber, summer squash, tomatoes, radish, lima beans, mustard and collard greens, eggplant, cushaw, okra, snap beans and watermelon.

planting-fresh-garden-vegetables

Establishing what veggies to plant is easy, gardenistas!

Plant what you love to eat.

Crisp, colorful with the taste of home grown goodness,  vegetables fresh from the garden are ripe for the spring into summer grilling, roasting, stir-frying, sauteing and steaming season.

Seurat-watering-can-1883

Successful vegetable garden growth is dependent upon well-drained soil.

Raised or planter box gardens tackle the excess water issue well allowing water to properly drain out of the bed.

Ainfox Wood Raised Garden Bed Planter Box

Essential to the harvest, sunlight aids maximum growth in plants and flowers.

sunlight-vegetable-garden

Factor this key component of garden growth success into the placement of your garden.

rain-drop-on-vegetable-garden

Good soil garners a good garden.

garden-soil-trowel

All-purpose garden soil establishes a good soil structure while aiding with drainage.

Miracle-Gro-Potting-Mix-1-cu-ft

For raised bed or garden box gardens, potting soil is a good fit as it enhances soil and encourages moisture.

Miracle-Gro-Garden-Soil-All-Purpose-For-In-Ground-Use-1-5-cu-ft

Be careful in the amount you use so the garden will not hold too much water.

fresh-vegetables-summer-centerpiece

Midwest Living

Fresh vegetables steal the spring centerpiece show, and put the wow in unique and easy arrangements. Not to play second fiddle, leafy greens star in the latest entertaining trend, the edible table runner.

Grab a vintage pitcher, woven basket, mayonnaise jar, bucket or watering can.

Arrange to please your eye with greenery clippings, raffia, ribbon, or simply arrange to showcase the shapes and colors.

garden-veggies

Spring garden goals include a producing vegetable garden complete with flowers planted within for dimension and floral arrangement beauty.

Roberson-Farms-zinnias

Companion garden flowers perfect for planting in your vegetable garden include nasturtium, marigolds, zinnias, lavender, and catnip.

edible-flower-garden-seed-packets

Carefully collect the flowers, placing spaced apart in a box or on a tray. Refrigerate flowers until ready to use.

When ready to use, gently wash off your gathered flowers including any garden variety debris. Next, remove the reproductive parts of the blooms which house pollen.

edible-flowers-in-spring-salad

Better Homes & Gardens

Decorate your selected salad, dish or dessert and enjoy!

we're-in-the-garden-iron-sign

Iron We’re in the Garden Sign

Color plays a vital role in everything from the palette to plate to potting bench.

seeds-packets-cotton-kitchen-towel

Seed Packets Towel

Benjamin Moore supplies garden green colors inspiration.

Outsunny-39-Wooden-Garden-Potting-Bench-Work-Table-with-Hidden-Storage-Sliding-Tabletop

Outsunny Brown Fir and Wood Potting Bench

gray potting garden bench

Gray Wooden Shed Potting Bench Work Table

Add gardening theme wall hooks to the apron of the table (front, back, sides) to hang and house garden tools, supplies, and the like.

garden themed hooks

Bee Metal Wall Hook

faucet-head-metal-wall-hook

Turn this helping hands planter into a potting bench container perfect for housing garden supplies.

hands planter

Abbott Hands Planter

Planting, potting, and playing in the dirt is good clean fun, but messy all the same.

Drop in a hammered copper sink, plumb it all up, and say hello to my little anything but garden-variety potting bench friend.

garden sink

Handmade 20 Vessel Hammered Copper Sink

How fabulous are these personalized planting tools in a copper and wood grain finish?

Personalised Luxury copper garden tools

Personalized Luxury Copper Garden Tools

garden-cart-rolling-work-seat-storageCostway Garden Cart Rolling Work Seat for Planting w/Extendable Handle

Easter basket goody for the gardenista.

Rabbits Potty Feet, Set of 3

No yard, no problem.

Plant and pot veggies and herbs in a decorative planter.

White Washed Brown Composite Faux Woven Planter

My mint harvest is a treat for the senses.

mint-basket

Iced tea with mint.

Green peas with mint.

Carrots with mint.

Mint sprigs floating in a bowl.

Looks, tastes, and smells like spring into summer.

fresh-corn-summer-spring

Another centerpiece idea in play with your food fashion.

spring-centerpiece-embellishments

picking-vine-tomatoes

As I sliced into a fresh tomato this afternoon the freshness jumped off the cutting board.

green-garden-chicken-t-shirt-womens

fresh-diced-tomatoes-green-onions

This tomato smells so good brings the tomato lovers running.

Duke's mayonnaise

In our house the perfect tomato sandwich is a spring into summer delicacy.

Fresh sliced home grown tomatoes, Duke’s mayonnaise, a dash of salt and a sprinkle of fine black pepper- it doesn’t get any better.

Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart

Heirloom Tomato Ricotta Tart recipe from Foolproof Living

Indulge in fresh vegetables featured in delicious recipes perfect for the best of the season menu.

Click on the link under each photo for the recipe.

fresh-peas-on-a-wooden-background

Asparagus, Chicken, and Green Pea Salad with Mint

Asparagus, Chicken, and Green Pea Salad with Mint

fresh-carrots-vegetable-garden

roasted-carrots-recipe

 Southern Living- Photo by Jennifer Davick

Flavors from the Garden Heirloom Vegetable Recipes from Roughwood

Season seasonal dishes and drinks with the fresh taste of spring and summer herbs fresh from your garden.

fresh-thyme-in-a-window

Gardening is a beloved tradition of master and amateur gardener, an exercise in fruitful happiness.

Into The Garden I Go To Lose My Mind And Find My Soul Poster

Container, patio or parcel of fertile ground, what are your spring garden goals?

Darleen-signature-love

Blooming Good Spring Finds

Signs of blooming good spring finds have arrived.

time for spring

Daylight savings time begins this weekend.

Pollen: the amber yellow tint beginning to cover the outdoor world.

Pretty little things for home, lawn and garden tickling your spring fancy.

Screen saver image switched out to reflect spring’s in full hydrangea blooms beauty.

spring-2021-computer-screen-image

Back in stock and delivered to the door just in time for the season willow cloche is marked gorgeous for a garden decoration or tabletop accent.

 

22 in. H Willow Cloche Protector

willow-cloche-tulips

So Fine by Electric Light Orchestra providing spring (and summer) hum and buzz sweet inspiration.

♫ People walking hand in hand,
Everybody’s singing to the band
I want to be where the stars shine bright
And hear sweet music on a summer night ♫

fresh-strawberries-farmers-market-pints

There’s nothing quite so delicious as the first bowl of extra large Louisiana strawberries to kick off the spring tasting season.

fresh spring asparagus

Well, perhaps a fresh bunch of garden asparagus.

the seasons of Louisiana

The seasons of Louisiana vary from minute to hour to week.

Ice storm damage is throwing our planting into wait and see mode, but the warm days signal planting and patio time is near.

Nature awakens in color and bloom to remind us dark and barren times never last forever.

Burchett Outdoor Acacia Wood Club Chairs with Cushions (Set of 2) by Christopher Knight Home

The Burchett Outdoor Acacia Wood 4 Seater Chat Set with Cushions by Christopher Knight Home sold out faster than you can say Oprah Winfrey’s palace patio sit-down with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but here’s two other options from the line to pretty up your patio, porch or perch.

Linwood Outdoor Acacia Wood Club Chair with Wicker Accents (Set of 2) by Christopher Knight Home

Linwood Outdoor Acacia Wood Club Chair with Wicker Accents

“Peter Brady” is a mover and a shaker in the home furnishings business, and the line’s options offer a good look at a good price.

Aston Outdoor Modern Acacia Cushioned Club Chairs (Set of 2)

Aston Outdoor Modern Acacia Cushioned Club Chairs (Set of 2)

Flowers infuse color into our homes with all of the beauty and scents of the spring season.

Blooming Good Spring Finds

Muscari

“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink”

– Lilly Pulitzer

time for spring

Ranunculus

Harsh late winter storms combined with multiple days and nights of arctic freezing temperatures zapped the life out of many of my plants, buds and blooms- most notably the hydrangeas I’ve babied for the last three seasons.

new-hydrangeas

Jordan Manufacturing Lessandra Outdoor Square Toss Pillows Rosewood Set of 2

Jordan Manufacturing Lessandra Outdoor Square Toss Pillows Rosewood Set of 2

Pressed flower notecards, set of 6 assorted cards, blank notecards

Pressed Flower Blank Notecards, set of 6 Assorted 

Much to my surprise and joy I’ve proven to myself no formal florist skills are needed to create a seasonal floral arrangement.

fresh-flower-bouquet

Blooms and greens from my lawn and garden or the clearance buckets perched in a local grocery store floral department display become the stars of the window seal or tabletop spring flower show.

spring flowers in pitcher

Better Homes & Gardens

Keeping it simple is the key to DIY flower arranging.

green-clippings-in-antique-rose-bowl (1)

It might be a dollar store glass container, vintage Mason jar, ironstone creamer pitcher, the antique rose bowl Dave the Builder gifted me with years ago, or these eye catching-soon to be in my buy now pickup later cart- pretty in pink vases that becomes the vessel of choice.

pink vases for spring

Point is whatever you’ve got and whatever suits your floral arrangement fancy is perfect.

Fill vase with tepid water, add one teaspoon of vodka and one teaspoon granulated sugar.

Tepid water allows for quicker water absorption, and the vodka and sugar combination delays wilting.

Drop a copper penny in to the vase to help deter the growth of fungus or bacteria.

floral arrangement tips

Although the decorative post courier mailbox wall accent is not new to the home decor accent market, its popularity is ongoing.

Give it the wall pocket effect and fill it to the brim with your favorite spring floral and greenery stems.

Post Courier Mailbox Wall Accent by Ashland®

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

How I do love a season that shows out.

Darleen-signature-love

Spring Break

Spring break is not canceled on the beaches of Places In The Home.  Reality of late is some serious stuff, which brings us to the necessity of taking a spring break to calm these choppy seas.

The wall to wall pandemic coverage is informative and needed, but my goodness can it be overwhelming.

As it is in design and decorating, balance is key.

spring break

To keep the windmills of the mind turning in a positive manner, give yourself permission to take a daily spring break.

Something so simple as wildflowers blowing in a virtual breeze cancels the noise better than a pair of Bose headphones.

Bessie Potter Vonnoh statue 1Flickr

letter writingPinterest

Truer words, Lord Byron.

spring-collection-note-cards

At home and on demand music stations and smooth jazz concerts inspire the inner DJ in all of us to create live in-house concerts and dance parties to beat the band.

Music-can-cure-things-medication-never-willDodinsky

Cooking, baking, discovering new recipes and brushing off old cookbooks combats boredom in the most delicious way.

white chocolate bread pudding recipe

vanilla bread pudding with vanilla sauce

For every evening I indulge in my famous vanilla bread pudding with vanilla sauce, there is a day of slim fasting.

slimfast

It’s amazing what you can learn in breakfast round table coffee talks.

creative-living-country-houses-photo-Luke-White

Architectural Digest – Photo by Luke Wilson 

Reading a good book and the Good Book transports the mind and eases the soul.

Newman

Esquire

Spring is a time of renewal- a season of reminding.

Nature awakens in color and bloom reminding us dark and barren times never last forever.

Now more than ever it is vital to our overall well being to see the good, the beauty, and the best in our every day.

how-to-brew-teaSugar and Charm

Taking a spring break from the everyday, if only for the time it takes to brew and enjoy a cup of tea, is a relaxing and renewing indulgence.

Floral "Love" Decorative Pillow

Darleen-signature-love

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

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

garden-paint-colors-benjamin-moore

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

—Rumi

violet-hydrangea

Photo by Yoksel Zok on Unsplash

Hydrangeas tend to prosper when fertilized with coffee grounds. The earlier fertilized the better in the spring season, ideally in March will give these plants beneficial nutrients that support early growth.

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, a necessary nutrient plants require.  Using coffee grounds as a fertilizer for hydrangeas results in advanced root health, a source of nitrogen, and help with beneficial drainage.

coffee-grounds

Photo by Mae Mu

Did you know you can naturally change or deepen the color of hydrangeas with coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are slightly acidic which modifies the pH levels of the soil to naturally change or enhance the colors of hydrangeas by turning or deepening the blooms to blue or purple.

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.

“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

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.

22 in. H Willow Cloche Protector

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.

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

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.

SAFAVIEH Handmade Chelsea Aubree French Country Trellis Wool Rug

SAFAVIEH Handmade Chelsea Aubree French Country Trellis Wool Rug

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

bee-motif-china

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

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 just a few days to go until the first day of spring, it’s time to plan your get it growing garden.

spring signature