Miss Bloomers : July 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Heat Domes & Herbs

Wow is it ever hot here in Oklahoma! The heat dome is over much of the midwest and we are praying for rain! We had a high of 107 last week and my plants are starting to feel the effects
of the heat and drought! Thank goodness for
sprinkler systems...I've been mulching
everything to cut down on watering.

On a positive note... I am thankful for herbs that love this heat. My rosemary and lavender are thriving and never looked better.

Inspiration came from a few grocery store herbs that led me to create a herb vignette with some herb themed items I have collected over the past few years. My latest addition is this bee skep...they look wonderful in a herb garden.

I started with an apron a good friend gave me

and just laid it down on the table as a runner. I just love the fabric!

The woven tray serves as a perfect setting for these little herb pots I purchased earlier this year on a trip to California. The herb pots will be perfect for a kitchen window sill garden this winter. I try to use only fresh herbs to cook with whenever possible.

This little herb topiary book I have had for many years and it has lots of great ideas to

create your own topiaries and very detailed information about herbs.

I like adding a few interesting items and unexpected items to a table too and
the plant labels are fun and can be used as place cards for guests.

The dishes were found for $1 each at Goodwill and they have 4 matching bowls and a chip and dip server. Don't you love those bargains? The delicate pattern features some of my favorite herbs!

The lavender sachet is a pretty guest favor and looks pretty tucked in the bowl.

The dried lavender is from my garden...when I deadhead my 'Grosso' lavender I just bundle and bring it in. I also cut it when it is in it's prime...but even spent blooms don't go to waste...I just make potpourri out of them or replenish my sachets. 'Grosso' is the most fragrant of the lavenders and so worth growing. I have added a few more plants to my garden this year so I will have plenty to
cut next summer!

This Goodwill find can be used for salad dressing

or a vase for herbs.

The pretty dish towel was purchased at the Apple Farm Inn in San Luis Obispo...such a wonderful place to shop, dine or stay!

The candle is handmade from the

Fredericksburg Herb Farm in Texas

and is lemon grass scented. Their candles are wonderful and I discovered them on a trip there a few years ago. I have to order them in between visits since we don't get there nearly often enough.

If you are ever in that part of the country the herb farm is a real treat...they have added a spa and darling cottages to stay in! The restaurant is wonderful too! It's on our list to re-visit
next spring.

Stay cool and hope you find something

to inspire you even in all this heat!

I'm linking with:

Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Tootsie's Fertilizer Fridays
and
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Summer Blue Willow Tea

I love blue and white tables and setting our breakfast table overlooking the garden.

I have always had an attraction to Waverly

fabrics and found these placemats on sale at Burlington and thought they

would look great with my dishes.

The flatware is King Cedric Oneida and from my mother-in-law's sterling collection. I added a soft green napkin with my thrift store

blue and white napkin rings.

I set my table with my Blue Willow Villeroy and Boch plates. I recently looked up the mark and found these plates are over 100 years old! I bought them about 20 years ago in an antique store in Florida when I was home visiting my parents. I had no idea they were that old!

I used my spring/summer cloche for a centerpiece...the yellow flowers and nest seemed to go well with the placemats.

I started the table with one of my mother-in-law's tablecloths..she always sent her table linens to the cleaners and had them starched and pressed. She was so organized she had each tablecloth labeled for size and how many leaves it required for her formal dining room table. This one originally was used on her breakfast table. I so enjoy using things that belonged to our families.

I added two egg cups from my collection. These were purchased on our trip to
Solvang, California and are delft blue.

The teapot was given to me by my Mother. She purchased an entire set of rice china for me when she lived in the Japan. The tiny one is also from her and is used for cream.

This is one of the china cabinets my Mom gave me when she downsized. It is full of the blue and white she collected while overseas and I am so fortunate to have it!

Today is my 36th wedding anniversary.

We met and married in Austin, Texas in 1976 when I was attending the University of Texas.

We laugh at Mr. Bloomer's tuxedo every time we see our wedding pictures (burgundy was the rage back then) ...why didn't someone suggest classic black!

I'm linking with
Kathleen's Let Dish
Smiling Sally's Blue Monday
Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Susan's Tablescape Thursdays

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Fourth of July Garden Walk

Fourth of July is all about family, picnics and being outdoors celebrating our freedom with flags and fireworks! Wouldn't it be nice if it wasn't so hot? I do enjoy my garden walks in the mornings when it's a little cooler. Here's a little tour of what's blooming in my yard this week.

My neighbors surprised me with Yard of the Month...I'm not even done with my mulching and plantings but thought I would share my flag buntings and award.

Knock out Roses

Tropical Hibiscus

Red Salvia and a few pansies left from fall.

Hydrangeas have changed to lime green color and I love that they continue to change until fall. When they turn that pretty mauve color I cut them and bring them in for drying.