Everyday Living

Gardening On My Mind

~ Gardening

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭

Happy Thursday dear friends.  The first few days of spring have been eventful for much of the country, with snow falling across the eastern part of the U.S.  and the fourth Nor’easter in three weeks.  Alabama, my home state, was hit by violent tornadoes, and soft ball size hail on Monday night.  Many homes were completely destroyed within a twenty-five mile radius of our home, including some major damage to Jacksonville State University.   We personally know families that lost their homes or that were severely damaged.  We continue to pray for all that have been impacted.  Butch and I are so thankful that we didn’t experience any damage.

With so many people suffering, I refuse to complain that we have frost this morning.  But I can’t help but look forward to warmer weather for digging, weeding, and planting in the garden. Have you been able to get started, or are you waiting for the weather to moderate and the ground to warm up?  With gardening on my mind, let’s grab a cup of coffee or tea and get a few ideas!  You can see more of my garden here.

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 The arbor has been a part of our landscape for years.  Butch built it more than thirty years ago to hold a swing.  It was originally in our front yard and it was moved many years ago to the back of our house.  Lady Banks roses climb the arbor and they are loaded with buds if the frost doesn’t get them!  The old rusty iron boy and girl are my favorite statuaries!

Last year fountain grass filled the garden urn. The building is often mistaken for a guest house, but it is Butch’s workshop!

The bronze statue is the center feature of our garden.  It is actually a fountain, but my Renaissance Man said no to that.  It stayed stopped up before and was a lot of trouble!

 We installed the fence the year that the garden was established (2015)!  The metal obelisk is one of three that we have in the garden!

The pergola was added in the fall of 2016.  I still have ideas to decorate, but so far I haven’t followed through.  We have enjoyed using it without the completed decor!

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I love the shade that the plantings provide for this pergola!

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Beautiful old pedestal fountain!

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This blue wooden obelisk is so pretty!  I am thinking that I might paint one of mine blue.

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The column makes a grand statement in this garden room!  It is a great idea, what do you think?

I love eating areas in a garden.  This cute bistro set isn’t permanently set in our
 garden, but I do move it in for a special occasion!

I sometimes move the rectangular table from the patio to the garden.  For this blue and white tablesetting, the dining room chairs were moved outdoors!

This table is set on the patio underneath the pergola with the garden as a backdrop!

The round table and chairs are permanent in the garden, it is perfect for four!

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With little effort, you can move a small table outside to serve tea or coffee for two!

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How beautiful is this for afternoon tea?

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This tablecloth had me from the moment I saw it on Victoria Magazine’s Instagram.  Any guest would feel special at this tea for two!

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Painting garden furniture will add color in your garden where there are no flowers.  I love this shocking pink color!

Thank you for joining me as I am thinking on all things gardening!  What plans do you have for your garden or landscape?  I would love to hear from you.

Stay tuned for our first Gardens Galore Link-up Party!

 

Monday

 Rustic & Refined | Celebrate & Decorate | Living With Thanksgiving |  Me and My Captain

  Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Petit Haus, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,  Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm,  The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Jodie Fitz, The Design Twins, Happy Nester, Modern Glam Home, Shabby Fufu, Desingthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country

Comments

  1. Love the photos! Was very struck by the one with cerise crepe myrtle and geraniums in pots, as I have both of those, also love the one with the multicolour stripe glasses with the exuberant paisley cloth, but enjoyed all of them!

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  2. Pam, I’m so glad to hear you didn’t have any damage from those horrific storms! It took us 6 weeks to get our roof repaired from our wind damage in January. I can only imagine how overwhelming the clean up must be from those violent tornadoes and hail that passed through. I’ve been late to get out to do any garden clean up with our unusually cold weather. This time last year we already had a fresh top coat of mulch put out and I had already emptied planters to add violas. We had so much washing of mulch and gravel from all our rain…much to do! We’re seeing the sunshine today and tomorrow in the first time in what seems like forever so that’s my mission since the rain returns this weekend. Hurry up spring…. I always look forward to seeing your beautiful garden in bloom! ♥

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  5. Pam, with everything else going on in the country, I guess I missed hearing or seeing about the tornadoes. How very tragic for those affected, and I’m happy to hear you weren’t.
    Your gardens amaze me with their fullness in just really 2 years. There are so many beautiful views and focal points, it’s hard to choose one favorite. I am, however, very partial to that pergola and the ability to your tablescaping there. I also love the small bistro type settings in the garden.
    I am looking forward to gardening, but I’m biding my time with my purge while the days are yucky outside. I’m more anxious to have this purge project completed than I am gardening, so I keep pushing myself. I will, however, shift my focus soon, and look forward to your garden link parties.

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    • Rita, I hope spring will come to your home very soon. I am hopeful this is the last frost we have. The weather was very scary, we were in our safe place for about 40 minutes. I can’t wait for gardening season to be in full swing. I am sure you are very busy with the purging!

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  6. I love your garden areas! Your garden and outdoor areas are just an extension of your beautiful home inside! We had your same frightening weather Sunday night. Happy you and your home were not harmed. It is cool but beautiful here, also. Happy spring!

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  7. This has to be one of my favorite posts of all times. Your gardens are incredibly beautiful and that includes your statuary, pergola, and all the other things that make it picture perfect. This is the result of good planning and very hard work, maintenance, etc……but oh, the joy! Nothing quite like it. The other pictures from other sources were stunning also. That tablecloth in Victoria takes my breath away. I am so anxious to dig in the dirt. How about the gall bladder surgery?

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  8. Love re-visiting your beautiful garden…cannot wait to see it in full bloom again….I am not sure how my flowering shrubs will do after this last snowfall, however, that is not important as my thoughts and prayers are with your friends and neighbors who experienced this horrible and tragic storm….Happy that you and Butch and your family are OK….

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  9. Pam, your garden takes my breath away. And THAT requires a LOT of upkeep, which REALLY takes my breath away! It’s so gorgeous and you use it so very well. I love your al fresco tables, too. You are truly the epitome of gracious Southern entertaining and style and I bow down in awe to you!

    I’m so sorry about the Alabama tornadoes and the effects on those you know (and all). I’m grateful you and those you love are all in one piece but it is frightening how quickly lives can be changed. Sending healing wishes to all.

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    • Thank you Jeanie for your healing wishes. We all know life can change in a blink! The garden does take a lot of work, and Butch hasn’t retired and probably won’t anytime soon. He is a guy that loves to work outside! He worked all last Saturday cleaning up the garden. Thank you for your sweet comments always!❤️

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  10. Every picture is more gorgeous than the next! We have an enormous deck that is basically useless because it gets the hot, hot late afternoon sun. Did I mention hot?!? I would love to put a pergola on it with curtains that could be pulled shut. I did that on the screened porch last year, and it made a huge difference. My azaleas are just beginning to show color, and we woke up to 25 degrees. Not good. But like you said, Pam, nothing compared to the tornadoes. How is Butch? Were you able to get a surgeon appointment?

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  11. We live in Jacksonville but thankfully had no damage. My son and hubby watched the storm go by from our back porch. So sad to see the damage. Anyway, this is one of my favorite posts! My back yard is ruled by three big dogs but I long for the day when I can make it my dreamy cottage garden! Thanks for the inspiration! I’d love to come see your garden sometime!!

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  12. Oh my goodness, Pamela! How enchanting is your beautiful garden!!! I love every nook & corner!
    One of these days, on my bucket list, I shall have to come visit you and enjoy this little paradise on earth!

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  13. Pam, I had no idea that the weather was so bad around you, or I would have called. I am so grateful that you had no damage. I am in DC for a meeting with Mike, sitting in the hotel executive lounge having breakfast, and so enjoying this beautiful post. It is one of my most favorites ever! Being where I am, in our nation’s troubled capitol, I can’t help but think of all the division in our country. If more people took time to bring beauty like yours into their lives, I believe we would be able to heal some of what ails us. I realized many years ago that I have a need for beauty; it is not a want, it is a need. Your post certainly met my need this morning! Love you!

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    • Thank you Patti. I certainly understand your need for beauty. Thank you for your gracious comments. I would love to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with you and catch up. Ella Mae will be spending Saturday and Sunday with us, her first overnight stay ever. We are excited! Love you❤️

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  14. This was my favorite post today. Beautiful photos of your beautiful garden. Thank the Lord the bad weather missed your garden. There was a good amount of labor to have such a lovely place to enjoy and a good amount of labor to keep it. I also would love to have the tablecloth from the Victoria magazine. Did Phyllis not let her readers know where to purchase the tablecloth? If you find out please let us know.

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  15. Pam, I am so glad to hear that you didn’t suffer any damage. My heart goes out to those that weren’t so fortunate. On a brighter note, I always love seeing your beautiful flower garden, and that pergola is gorgeous. Spring is finally starting to show up around here. Last weekend, I was able to get out and play in the dirt. It made me so happy to be planting daffodils and pansies! I hope you enjoy your day, sweet friend!!!!

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  16. Pam, so glad you and Butch and your surroundings are okay. We had a hail storm in my community on Tuesday and many people’s vehicle’s were damaged as well as outside their homes. It was totally crazy. I love your gardens! That to me would be my sanctuary. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  18. Pam friend, you show us a wonderful tour of your garden and starting to have your best face. It’s beautiful…
    I realize that you have also received the unfriendly side of the winter, which is very difficult for you to retire. As I said in another post here is still a very bad time. In Spain, houses do not usually fall because they are made of highly resistant materials, but there have been people who have disappeared due to the waters of the rivers that overflow and carry everything ahead: people, trees, animals … and especially the disappeared.
    Today the sun has risen … that’s good, to see what lasts.
    I love the flower tablecloth at the round tea table … Everything is very beautiful.
    A hug
    Dolores

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    • Querida Dolores, tu clima suena tan aterrador. Espero que disminuya y llegue la primavera a España en todo su esplendor, querido amigo. Seguimos teniendo temperaturas anormalmente frías y mucha lluvia, pero esperamos que la primavera comience a aparecer muy pronto. Sé que estás entusiasmado con tu próximo viaje a Irlanda. ¡Te deseo un hermoso fin de semana! Enviando abrazos, Pam

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  19. I love the photos especially the blue & white setting in the garden! I am definitely a blue & white girl!
    I also loved the high tea scene!

    It has been a long sweltering summer here in Australia, we are now in Autumn with pouring rain at the moment, which the earth here desperately needed!
    Thank you for that enjoyable gardening trip!

    You’re most welcome to drop by & enjoy a cuppa together.
    Jennifer

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  20. Pam, your garden is spectacular at every turn. I know it has been a labor of love. So glad to hear you did not have damage with the tornadoes. I have been through many hurricanes, but the tornadoes are far more freighting to me.

    Spring will truly be here soon in all her glory and I will be anxious to see your garden dressed in her spring finest.

    Have a beautiful day and weekend !

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  21. hello Pam, I have many plans…. my garden is not so big as yours but…. right this morning I went to a nursery to look for some roses, peonies, lavanders, hydrangeas and some other bushes ? for my new flowerbed. I can’t wait. Hopefully the weather will be milder so I will start digging and planting, diggging and planting…. Have a great week end

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  24. I’m a bit behind – but I am so happy to hear you did not sustain any damage. My heart and prayers go out to those that did. Mother Nature is so fickle to deliver such damage and yet produce such beautiful gardens. Your photos are such inspiration!

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  26. So glad the tornadoes missed ya! I love your metal obelisks. I made two last year but have to admit I am longing for the metal ones which would stay standing in our high winds we often get. I may pry open my wallet so I can have the gorgeous view you have. Thanks for sharing your garden, I have some maintenance to do and seeing yours is just the inspiration I need to get up and out to get it done.

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  27. It’s way to early for us to even think about gardening. Your garden is peaceful, pretty, and I always enjoy your
    Al fresco tables. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a Happy and Blessed Easter.

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  28. So much inspiration Pam. Your gardens are so beautiful. Love visiting to see your fabulous alfresco dining tables. Lots of hard work, but it does pay off. The tornados are so scary and I feel for so many who endured that. Love your pergola and obelisk. It might be fun to paint one of them. Have a great week and thank you for sharing at DI&DI.

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  30. Such beautiful inspiration Pam! the moment spring arrives gardening is on my mind. I chomp at the bits to get out there. lol! I have 3 pillars in my garage waiting to do something with at least one in the garden. I already have one with a birdhouse on top. My garden is not large, like yours. It’s more long and narrow. I love the Obelisks! I use to have three wooden ones, but they eventually fell apart. Your metal ones will last forever. Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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