Garden Wish List

Do you ever make wish lists?  I don't actually write out a list but I do keep a mental wish list.  Spring is still a couple months away and I find myself wishing it was already here.   I've been looking at garden magazines, Pinterest and my own travel pictures for garden inspiration.   

Blue Bird Cottage, Carmel

We are excited as our annual "escape" from winter is just a few weeks away to our favorite places along 

the California coast.

 Pacific Highlands near Carmel

  This trip is always a source of inspiration for my garden.  I enjoy seeing the plant combinations and designs that gardeners create in their spaces and usually find a few things that go on my wish list! 

A visit to Carmel-by- the Sea is always on my 

wish list and I find so much inspiration there! 

Cyclamen in pots can be easily changed 

with the seasons. 

Half Moon Bay is another of

 our  favorite stops along the way. 

   

  Last fall we strolled along Half Moon Bay's historic district with it's quaint shops.  Flowers edged the buildings and store fronts along Main Street.  The town was preparing for their annual Pumpkin Festival so pumpkins were everywhere!

The prettiest potted containers lined the streets and these  favorites and went straight to the top of my wish list!  

Precious bunny topiaries sit as greeters to the entrance of a children's store.  I love the mosaic tile containers and the cute little blue bunny feet! 

Gorgeous hydrangeas at the base of this small tree.

These were outside our hotel entrances. 

I put this on my list too because I love it's simplicity with just  pumpkins at the base.  This was actually taken in Yountville last fall outside of  Napa Style..one of my favorite places to shop in the Napa Valley.  

What's on your garden wish list??  We have plenty of time to dream and plan 

and maybe make a few of our wishes a reality!

I'm joining Susan's Outdoor Wednesday 

 Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers  
and 
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays

It's Finally Really Fall!

It finally feels like a fall weekend!  Pumpkins are out in the yard..leaves are falling and the fescue grass is a beautiful green color under the bluest skies.  

Halloween is almost here and much to do to get ready for our office extravaganza..but I had to snap a few pictures of my fall window boxes and garden cart.  My sons gave this cart to me for Mother's Day...they know me well..I loved filling it full of pumpkins, gourds, mums and kale!

Got to run and finish my shopping before the football game!

Go Sooners!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

I'm joining the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday
and
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays
and 
Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

Celebrate Fall-Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Fall is my favorite season!  I love spring and summer too but fall just feels cozy and comfortable and the  foliage colors are beautiful. 

Pumpkins, pansies,  football and sitting by a fire just makes me happy and I finally get the urge to "bake" something!  I actually "celebrate fall" with warm cinnamon rolls,  a cup of  hot chocolate or spiced teas.  This time of year I love to make homemade soups and chowders.

On our recent trip to California we discovered that the little coastal town of Half Moon Bay also celebrates fall in a big way!  The climate  is perfect for growing  gigantic pumpkins 
-some over 1,000 pounds!   




They have an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival complete with parade and the largest pumpkin contest.  The 41st festival is next weekend and what a great family venue it will be!  We were there a little too early for the festival but the little town was all a buzz getting ready for the big event!  Everyone told us about it and made sure we got a personal invitation.  
What a great small town to live in!

We have decided to plan another trip keeping this is mind. We discovered this charming little historic area of Main Street which parallels Coastal Scenic Highway 1 and had fun shopping and dining along the picturesque street. 

 I took some fun photographs along

 downtown Main Street.    A picture of the corner grocery...

A great outdoor cafe filled with art and pumpkins!

Tile mosaic of Half Moon and a 
signature pumpkin. 

Hand painted and decorated pumpkins.  I especially  like this couple..her hair is made from spray foam insulation and he is wearing the cap from the spray can.  How fun is that?!

The City Jail with the Haunted House in the background...can jails be cute?? This one is!

A purple garden cottage shed in the front 

yard of an artist's studio. 

Mexican heather in full bloom.

Beautiful old church from the 1800's.

A great indoor courtyard with beautiful hand painted murals.  We noticed how many wonderful artists display their work indoor and out in this beautiful area of inspiration!

An old spooky butler greeted us at the door of this gift shoppe. 

Another great mural...this one depicts all the landmarks around Half Moon.

Fabulous flower filled boxes in front of  Pasta Moon-

 a great Italian restaurant!

Side yard of  a Victorian home on Main Street covered in bougainvillea..love the fuchsia pink!

Harvested pumpkin patch on the outskirts of town.

Big brussel sprouts in the next field 

ready for harvest.

We  had a lovely stay at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay -really a dream spot on the California  coast!  Bag pipes played at sunset as we sat with blankets next to the firepit listening to the ocean waves crash....

I love fall!

   I'm linking this week with 
The Tablescaper's  Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednedays
and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

Hummingbirds, Hawks and Heat!!

It's official we have beaten the old record of 50 days over 100 degrees in Oklahoma City.  The heat has been brutal and I have to make sure I change the nectar in the feeders every two to three days.  My little hummingbirds have been so active...an even a red-tailed hawk has been hanging around.  Mr T (our resident turtle) came out of hiding yesterday as our sprinklers came on...I'm sure he loves playing in the sprinklers like my boys did when they were little!!   

July 2010

 While most of my flowers are not flowering at all this heat has allowed  me  to notice the plants that have tolerated this summer heatwave and still bloomed. 

 Next year I am going to be sure and plant

more of these varities!    

Golden lantana

(Internet)

Pentas

Lady in Red Salvia

Blue Daze

Lavender

Hyacinth bean vine

(I have mine growing with a morning glory vine)

Shasta Daisies

(Source:  Perfect Places)

Sweet Potatoe Vine

(Source: Callaway Gardens)

 I would definitely say these are winners for hot, dry summers.

  I am looking forward to some cooler weather with fall  just around the corner...

it will be time to clean up the garden and plant  my beds with  pansies,  pumpkins and mums!!


I'm linking with Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays..
go by and visit everyone this week!