Drought Tolerant Garden

My friend Nancy knows that I'm hoping to put in a beautiful, drought tolerant landscape at the new house. She has a neighbor and also a close friend that have used a local landscaper to plan their yards.  Today she took me to her friend Cindy's. I thought you might enjoy a peek. My good camera battery totally died after about 4 pictures. So, these are taken with my iPhone. Sorry if the composition isn't fabulous, but you'll get the idea of how beautiful her yard is. Maybe Cindy will invite me back when the plants are a little more mature and my good camera is working.  

 This is detail of the beautiful gate they had made for their courtyard.  It is absolutely incredible.

It's covered with three dimensional flowers.  

In the courtyard you can see Cindy's own artistic eye for composition.  

Look at these beautiful planters!  I had serious planter envy.

This is a Palo Verde tree (I think), it has green bark. In front of it is a little stone bench to add to the seating in the small yard. I didn't even get a photo of their patio area or Cindy and her hospitable husband, George.

The side yard has a dry stream bed and fruit trees.

 I may have to copy this smart and simple hose stand.

 This garden is only about a month old.  I can't wait to see it fill in.

 The entire garden is on a drip system of irrigation.

 I love the detail of the blue fescue in the crevice!

 Sorry about the shadows, but this little spot has "sitting stones" for additional seating.  

What a great idea! The better to enjoy their spectacular view that I also didn't take a picture of. 

Nancy is getting ready to have her yard redone also.

Cindy also has some beautiful collectibles inside. 

I noticed her Majolica right away.  This is only a portion of it.  Thanks so much Cindy for letting me tag along.  Next time I promise to take much better pictures!

Little by Little

We finally hung the Monster Mirror. There was only one perfect place for it. Interesting how everything in this house looks smaller than in the last house. I had this mirror custom made for that house.  It had to be big.  Now it looks kind of normal. It still does it's job and reflects a beautiful view. I've got to work on the "brown" mode this room is in!  

My DH and DD2 bought me some pretty pillows for the balcony for my birthday.  

I think they make a big difference!

Things are coming together little by little. I spent time in LA last week looking for another apartment. So, now in mid May we're moving again. Moving the expensive apartment to the more reasonable and closer apartment. That means more packing to come! Kinda tired of that. Hopefully our lives will settle down one of these days. At least settle down to a "new normal".  

Easter Promise

lily, originally uploaded by timerding.

He died so we could live!

Garden Dreams

I started gardening in the mid-1980's. I became pretty passionate about it to the point of becoming a Master Gardener in the State of Illinois. I learned a lot and made many friends. Then, I moved for the third time, to Southern California. Now, you think that gardening would be a breeze here in Southern California. Well, I find it difficult. Maybe it's my Midwestern brain that can't wrap itself around all the different plant material or the decomposed granite dirt that I have to work with. Nevertheless, I found a way to make a pretty garden.

{gardensheds}

Through all these years, though, I dreamed of having a potting shed.

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Now, not your garden variety, Home Depot version, mind you.

{sunset}

I never seem to be satisfied with easy to buy and install kinds of things.

{sunset}

Nope, not for me.  It has to be cute.

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 Really cute.

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Complicated, and probably expensive.

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However, in my defense, our new yard, has a legitimate need for a potting shed. We have a very steep, sloping yard. I can guarantee you that I won't be hauling gardening tools and wheel barrows up that slope to the garage. It's not going to happen. I can barely walk up it, let alone down. I slid down yesterday. Yes, someday there will be stairs, but still, steep stairs. I think one of these adorable potting sheds is in my future. I can just feel it.  

Adorable Easter Treats

I'm sure everyone has seen some really cute Easter decorations and treats all over blogland lately. I thought I'd share a couple that I've seen. One, I'm definitely going to try.  

These are very cute paper mache treat eggs made by Megan at Not Martha. They look really easy and she gives great instructions. This photo just made me laugh out loud!  

These awesome peeps are swimming in chocolate. I've already purchased four boxes and will attempt this on Friday. Looks like my kind of Easter treat! These were made by Leigh Ann from Your Home Based Mom. Complete instructions found here.

This is just a simple, and beautiful centerpiece found on MSL. Now to just find the natural multi-colored eggs. Lastly, I wanted to give you one more smile for today. Erin is an incredible artist, gardener and photographer from Tennessee. Her blog is SO BEAUTIFUL! How can you not love this little guy?

See you soon!

Good Night Moon

The moon put on a show tonight.

Good night moon. . . Good night stars, good night air, good night noises everywhere.  

~Margaret Wise Brown

Floral Fridays

{Rue}

Happy Weekend!

Beautiful Bedroom Inspiration

{martha}

{bhg}

Its funny to see several photos I've saved that have the same colors and/or look to them. It helps me define my own style.  Now, translating that into my own bedroom is a different story.  I'm not sure I can pull that off. I do have to use what I have. You know what I mean? There's no going out and starting over with every move. I know I've said this before. The similarities I see are mainly the colors in these rooms. Lots of neutrals, with a touch of a dusty blue or robin's egg blue. Antiques are a necessity and beautiful fabrics. What other similarities to you see?  This is a really good tool to help focus in on what you want.  Now, to take this laptop into my room and see how it compares.  Right!

Buddy's Wondering

Today, I'm working on ideas for a couple of Women's Ministries events coming up.  I love the creative part of this ministry.  I'm sure the details will show up here eventually.  I'm also working on hanging more pictures.  I'm hoping to have my first family portrait wall, with style of course, in this house.  But, I thought it might make you smile to see Buddy today. He's not used to the lizards that are all over the place.  Makes for lots of barking and whining.  He was actually being obedient in this photo and quietly watching the little guy very, very closely.  

Travel Gallery Wall

I worked on this wall above my desk for most of the day today.  I needed to add some of my collection of mirrors into it in order to add depth to this wall and as always, reflect the gorgeous views.  Here I'm showing you my laborious but tried and true technique to tape pieces of paper on the wall in order to tweak placement and get them hung right the first time.  Usually.

TA DA!  All finished.  There are actually only three paintings from our travels on this wall.  I'm planning on another gallery wall opposite this that will also include shelves, maps and "things".  On this wall are paintings from Dubrovnik, Croatia and Portofino, Italy.  At the top is a print from Bayreuth, Germany.  We've never been there, but my husband's family is originally from that town.  Day by day the house gets to be more like home.  Keep checking back for more progress.  

* If you love Gallery Walls check out Melissa's Gallery Wall party for more ideas!

House Warming Gift

My friend, Kathleen came by for a visit Tuesday. Kathleen is VERY creative. Hi, Kathleen! I worked with her at Farmer's Wife and she does a great job merchandising the store. She brought me a beautiful plant as a housewarming gift. On the top she put a German stamp attached to a page of poetry.  The stamp has never been used and even the back of it is beautiful.

 She wrapped the Kangaroo Paw with moss and burlap and river rocks, perfect for my new yard.

Kathleen helped me visualize where to hang some more things and we loved my bus sign in the corner.  I think I need to move it up a little more.  I also took this picture to play with other virtual paint colors on Sherwin Williams' site.  We'll see what I come up with.

Here is Navajo White.

This color is Software. I had fun loading different colors onto my photo. Plan on having time and patience when doing this. It works really well, there are just SO MANY colors to choose from. I'm going to have to revisit the "visualizer" again.  Try the tool out at Sherwin Williams.

Color Fix

I needed a little color burst this morning.

This looks like the same pattern as the above headboard, but in a wallpaper.  

It's a fun, contemporary version of Toile.

You can buy these fun pillows here. Good luck picking just one.

Katrin Cargill doesn't always use red? 

1,2,3,5 coastal living; 4,7 country living; 6 eisman designs; 8 House Beautiful, kathryn ireland; 9 katrin cargill; 

10 Rue, 11 House Beautiful, Jonathan Adler.

It's funny how I gravitated toward these bright colors, I don't decorate with these at all.  It's difficult to totally change directions when you need to work with what you've got.  It sure would be fun, though. If you could totally change your decorating choices, what would you pick?