Garden Walk

The weather has been crazy this spring in Oklahoma.  We had a late frost and lots of cold weather that was preceded by a brutal winter.  I've been busy working in my garden and I'm almost through cleaning out my flower beds and replacing things I've lost.  

I love waking up early, grabbing a cup of coffee and walking in the garden to enjoy the sights and sounds.    

Red geraniums, salvia and white alyssum are great companions in a french wire basket.

Oakleaf hydrangeas are just wonderful for our climate, although slow to get established...so worth the wait! 

  

First little lavender sprigs from my mini-lavender garden.

Roses on the arbor 

  Million bells outside my kitchen window looking

 into the woods behind our house.

Last week I saw the first Monarch arrive so I replaced the butterfly bushes I lost this  winter so they would have plenty of flowers to visit as they migrate through.  

This butterfly is on our privet that is blooming and smells so good!

I love morning garden walks!

I'm off to the nursery...in search of white hydrangeas

 for a very shady spot.  

What's blooming in your neck of the woods?

I'm joining 

Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

  

Almost France

Our recent trip to California took us along the Pacific Coast Highway down to Avila Beach and just a few miles from San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach.   We stayed in a condo overlooking the ocean at Avila and on this day trip we decided to explore downtown San Luis Obispo and have lunch at the Splash Cafe.    There are several locations of the Splash Cafe and we highly recommend the clam chowder...pure heaven in a bowl!

It was serendipity to find the cutest inn right 

next door to the cafe. 

The inn looked liked it belonged in the 

countryside of Provence.  

After lunch we walked next door so I could take a closer look and get a few pictures of Petit Soleil.   

The enormous gate looked old and heavy and 

 I loved everything about the exterior especially 

the window boxes full of geraniums. 

More window box love....

Oh how I wished I could fit one of those babies in

 my suitcase!

I love the vibrant Provencal colors. 

The courtyard had an old bicycle and beautiful 

potted plants.  

A flower cart filled with pots.

 Parked right out front was the inn's shuttle bus. 

What a fun ride...when I was a teenager my Dad bought a VW mini-bus and our family thought we were so cool!  I still remember the sound it made.   

I did check out the website and the rooms are lovely and the prices seem quite reasonable.  

Clam Chowder with crab and shrimp topping...oh my! 

If you are in the area the Splash Cafe is very addictive and hands down the best clam chowder I've ever had.  The bonus

 is right next door you're 

almost in France!

   

I'm linking with:

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Carmel- by- the Sea

Carmel-by-the Sea was recently voted one of the most romantic places destinations in the country.  It's easy to fall in love with such a beautiful and charming place.   

Our recent California trip included a weekend at the

 historic Normandy Inn on Ocean Avenue.

On previous trips we have stayed at the Lamplighter Inn, Seven Gables and Green Gables.   This time we decided to stay right in the
 heart of Carmel so we could 
just walk to everything in the little village.

The Normandy always has beautiful flowers in terra cotta pots in the courtyards and along the front sidewalk.  

Baskets of flowers are hanging along the walkways 

and from the large trees on the property. 

We had originally wanted to stay in the 

Blue Bird Cottage again 

 (only a few doors down)  but were told that it was already booked due to Doris Day's 90th birthday celebration.  Apparently there are several inns and hotels she owns or has interest in, most notably the Cypress Inn.  The rooms were blocked for her guests and birthday extravaganza so

 when the Blue Bird wasn't available I remembered how pretty the flowers were at the Normandy and it's
 great location for walking throughout the village.  

source: Normandy Inn website

   At the Normandy I loved the library and lobby area decorated in 
  warm woods and french fabrics.  

The fireplace in the lobby was unique in shape and decor.

Our room was very pretty,  clean and comfortable and I fell in love with the fireplace right away.

When I saw the fireplace with the Quimper tiles I instantly thought of Sarah from Hyacinths for the Soul and her love of Quimper dishes and tiles. 

Here's a closeup for Sarah of the tiles

We only had a peek of the ocean through all the cypress pines but we could hear the ocean.  The rooms in Carmel don't have air conditioning since it is rarely needed,  so windows and dutch doors are left open until the
 evening when   

fireplaces are a must to keep the room 
cozy and warm.

I loved the room's little nook

 with a live white orchid as the centerpiece.

The toile fabric and style of this chair was so pretty and 
a perfect compliment to the room. 

     

The bed was super comfortable and had it's own
little nook too. 

  

The inn is charming, french inspired,  right in the 
heart of Carmel and just a few blocks from 
the beach.  

Shopping is a joy in Carmel and the window 
displays are just so beautiful and make you want to go in 
each and every shop!

We had a lovely visit with friends and shared some fabulous meals.  Our weekend in Carmel and the 
Monterey Peninsula couldn't have been any lovelier. 

Our trip took us on down the coast to Avila Beach...

I'll share that next week.

I'm linking with 

Oh, the Places I've Been