4th of July Desserts

Don't you just love the 4th! And what is a 4th of July celebration without the red, white and blue! Here are some of my favorite pins...I have a whole board dedicated to the 4th, follow me on Pinterest.

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via Diane on Pinterest

Source: tasteofhome.com via Diane on Pinterest

Source: myrecipes.com via Diane on Pinterest

Source: partycity.com via Diane on Pinterest

Source: indulgy.com via Diane on Pinterest

Summertime Mantel

I should be stripping wallpaper in our guest bedroom, but who can resist a Linky party for Summer Mantels? 

So, I immediately went about the house collecting items that fit the summer theme.

Although, it could be argued that this collection is summertime too. After all, many people escape to the clean cool streams and lakes of the mountains during summers heat. Robert Woods is the painter of both scenes, the larger of the two is from my hubby's parents home. He remembers picking it out with his mom and it held the place of honor above the couch in their basement family room. When my in-law's moved, it was regulated to storage. 

I'm a sentimental sort, from heritage gardening--those plant's that used to reside in my family member's yards--to simple things like pressed glass relish dishes. If it pleases me, is useful, I keep it. This carved Indian is in a whole other category, this guy was hand-carved by my dad. I guess you can tell he was crafted in the 1990s, this is when we used to do craft shows together. The rose color tips on the headdress give the decade away. :) 

I love cabins  by a lake or stream, and I love moose. If I could find a picture with both of them that would make my heart sing.

I'm always on the look out for a Robert Wood's print, but the mandatory cabin must be in the scene.

So, lil' bird...it's time you found a new place to nest, it's time for some seaside fun.

It's about time summer got its due, instead of an obligatory shell or two...

...I added a whole mess of them, filled a couple of vases to their brim with them and added my Nana's little shell box too (This covers that sentimental thing.) ;)

Propped a starfish against our photo at the Southernmost point in Key West and draped a string of shells for good measure.

Time to put some Chesney on, sit back with a drink in my hand...

No shoes, no shirt, no problems
Blues what blues..hey I forgot them
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shirt, no shirt, and no problems!
No problems

After some Chesney, maybe it was 'the drink in my hand' or the bare wall in the loft--the wall the lighthouse picture had hung--on that gave me yet another round of inspiration.

Yes, this one is the keeper. Allie agrees.

My pup's watching the mantel makeovers.

Since the loft looked so empty without the lighthouse painting. I snagged an unused mirror--vintage--and yet, another heirloom, as a backdrop for this beach inspired mantel.

Now for some Beach Boys.

See you at :

The Charm of Home

Beautiful Blight, A Visio Gallery Exhibit by Artist Shannon Piwowarczyk

My daughter's first solo art exhibit. Yes, I am rather proud. Enjoy! di

Artist: Shannon Piwowarczyk

Gallery VISIO presents:

Beautiful Blight

May 25 – June 27, 2012
By Shannon Piwowarczyk

The splendid Victorian era of St. Louis remerges in the work of local St. Louis artist, Shannon Piwowarczyk.  This exhibit will feature a series of hand drawn portraits inspired by photographs from the Gilded Age. 

A Fairy Garden

I visited my cousin over Memorial weekend and stayed in her beautiful home--her hubby built their home, lighthouse included! The white boathouse is theirs as well, if you look closely there is a platform built off the roof. Their daughter was a diver. What a talented family, and a very welcoming family too. I sure wish we lived closer, I'd be rocking on her porch every weekend!

I brought some of my Hosta to share with my cousin and she, recognizing that I was a gardener, introduced me to the owner of this magical shade garden. The owner is her next door neighbor.

This photo is taken from the dock.

I took this photo from her neighbor's dock and my cousin just oohed and ah'd, she had never thought to take this perspective before. That's what I love about photography.

The Lillie's were in full bloom. I love their delicate color.

This stone birdbath is carefully balanced. 

I love its natural look.

A bumble bee, a bit out of focus though.

Before I explored the garden, I had to explore the docks.

This string of bobber's caught my eye.

And here. See, I'm a river girl. We had a weekend place on the Mississippi River, about an hour north of St. Louis, when I was growing up. So many happy memories. Docks, old fishing boats and anything related makes my heart go pitter patter. 

I love this vignette of weathered wood and the delicate flower.

"This home is safeguarded by a bottle tree, the upside down bottles, preferably blue, would capture wandering spirit's, haunts, or 'haints' as the African Slaves believed. During the night, when the haint's were about, they would become trapped in one of the upside down bottles, the morning sun would kill them and if that was not enough the bottle would be plugged and thrown away. More on the custom of blue and haint's can be found in my earlier post on Haint Blue.

She knew that there could be a spell put in trees, and she was familiar from the time she was born with the way bottle trees kept evil spirits from coming into the house — by luring them inside the colored bottles, where they cannot get out again."
—Livvie, by Eudora Welty

I guess the bottle tree also protects the many fairies that call this shaded garden their home.

Her neighbor has young granddaughters and when they visit they play with the garden inhabitants.

They delight in this magical fairyland and the stories their grandmother spins.

I'm sure each girl has her favorites.

And the collection continues to grow.

I love this idea, and plan to steal it when I have grandchildren of my own. :)

We will have our own stories to weave. Don't you just love this magical space?

Sharing at:

Flaunt your Flowers Fertilizer Friday

 

come visit the other gardens.