:: fall is coming

Though today's temps don't feel too much like fall....

this little crepe myrtle is shouting LOUD & PROUD that fall is on it's way.

Are you ready?

I sure am...

In fact, I met yesterday with my landscaper to discuss changing out some of the trees & shrubs around our new home, fall is the perfect time for planting trees & shrubs after all.  I spent more time today researching & gathering ideas for trees & shrubs, some are old favorites that I'll plant anywhere I ever go & others are new suggestions & plants I would love to add to my gardens.

 Wanna have a peek at some of my {old favorites}?

 

NATCHEZ CREPE MYRTLE 

Lagerstoemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez'

WHY I LOVE THEM: white blooms all summer long, & beautiful mottled bark.

LOROPETALUM  

Loropetalum chinense 'Suzanne'

WHY I LOVE THEM: pink fringe blooms in spring & year round color. I prefer them in their natural shape like above, so it's important to choose the right variety for your space.

LO & BEHOLD 'LILAC CHIP' BUTTERFLY BUSH 

Buddleia

WHY I LOVE THEM: { THE DOG OF COURSE ;D } the best butterfly bush for smaller spaces, the lovely lilac color, and a fragrance like honey { no wonder the butterflies love em' } 

I planted 16 of these lovelies last fall at my old house,  I hated leaving them : (  but at least they were blooming when I planted them so I could enjoy them. Now I'm going to plant more : ).

Leaving my gardens was really one of the hardest parts of moving besides leaving friends. Who am I kidding, it was like leaving my babies behind. I picked and planted most of what was in my landscape, & I loved every plant. I watched them grow each year for 10 years & I handed them over to someone else when they were finally old enough to really enjoy....kinda like marrying off your children I suppose {ha ha just kidding...sort of I do have teenagers right now}. Though it's a little sad to have to start over, it's also very exciting to create new gardens again. I don't know if I'll be here to enjoy them long term, but I sure have fun planting & watching them grow.

peace, love & hugs

Carrie Ann

Pin It

:: balloon flower

My pretty little balloon flower, one of the newest additions to my gardens. I adore the color of this flower and the size of it's blooms. I captured this photo with the rising sun shining and illuminating the veining of the flower and leaves. I love to stroll through my gardens at sunrise, everything looks so much prettier bathed in beautiful light.

I'm having a wonderfully lazy Sunday here. I've already had a nice little snooze on the front porch, after some leisurely reading of Country Living magazine and a new book on herbs. Ahhh, I love to relax.

Hope you are having a wonderfully relaxed Sunday too, take some time to stop and smell the flowers.

:: peace & love ::

Carrie

Pin It

:: relax

I'm inviting you to come for a relaxing stroll through my gardens and special outdoor spaces. Feel free to take a nap in my comfy hammock when we're done, and enjoy the fresh smell of the outdoors while surrounded by the beauty of Nikko Blue hydrangeas, and Sweet woodruff below. I even have a little table and tray for your lemonade in case you get thirsty.

This is the view of my patio and little garden path from above, if you are laying in the hammock, I'm right above you so this will be your view as you relax. Blooming now are my Hydrangea, Dianthus, Balloon flower, and Homestead verbena. If you get hungry you can snack on fresh strawberries just a step away.

In my island bed for your viewing pleasure I've planted Spirea bushes, a Kousa dogwood, Lorapetalum, Lavender, and a bath for the birds or cats when they get thirsty .

More shots from above of my sweet plantings...sedum, strawberries, phlox, liriope, dianthus, hydrangea, verbena, catnip, just to name a few. I love my plants so much, they give me endless joy and relaxation. I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of my gardens....you are welcome anytime, and if you stop by for a visit this is where you can find me as long as the sun is shining.

:: peace & love ::

Carrie

Pin It

{ chasing butterflies }

Happy Tuesday!

The sun is shining today, woo hoo.

I was up early for a change 7:30am to be exact.

{ this summer schedule is kicking my butt, with it's late nights and late mornings }.

I have {most} of todays to do's done, and I'm getting ready to share with you what I did yesterday,

TO BEAT THE BLAHS:

first I clean the kitchen { this makes me feel good about myself }

secondly I tackle the keeping room desk  { another accomplishment }

in between I take out the dogs { a constant chore with three pooches }

But wait... 

While I'm outside I see this...

my lovely homestead verbena are back in bloom,  { this makes me very happy }

then I see this...

a perfectly beautiful butterfly

so I run back inside grab my camera and the chase is on.

How perfect is this handsome fellow { or gal } ?

 then there was this lovely pale lady,

and this cute and fuzzy guy....

and finally this busy, busy boy.

I'm snapping away by now, and I can't stop...

so then there's this...

my monkey grass { liriope } is in bloom as well, I just adore it's beautiful lavender spires.

it's so lovely in front of my { natchez } crepe myrtle trunks.

More snaps, from around the house.... my birdhouses on my front porch,

and a not so happy to be disturbed sleeping kitty....there she is....

and there she's not.

So there you have it, a little cleaning,

and some camera therapy,

that's what it takes to get me over 

THE BLAHS!

I have more to share from my Monday adventures in the days to come.

Right now though, it's back to laundry duty... bah.

Pin It

{ how does your garden grow? }

Happy Monday dear friends.

Just a few snaps from my garden to share with you today.

I worked last week on adding some new color to my beds,

and here is a little peek at my garden cart with it's new flowers.

I still have a little space at the back, so a trip to the farmer's market is in order.

For now though this is how it turned out,  I think it will be much more lovely

as the season goes on and the flowers start growing and spilling over it's edges.

I think I've decided for now to let it be just as I found it, no paint job needed.

When all of my gardening and planting is done, this is where you can find me.

My { n e s t } , it's quite perfect for long afternoon naps.

*peace & love*

Carrie

Pin It