Heat Wave & Inspiring Lavender Farm

We are having record breaking temperatures here in the heartland.   The past few days have been the hottest since 1980!!  I moved here in 1983 and don't ever remember a heat wave like this.  I've been trying to be positive and find something pleasant to do in this sweltering heat.

         (Lavender Wallpaper-internet)

  We decided to visit a lavender farm about 30 miles outside of  Oklahoma City that I have been intending to visit for several years.  What a  pretty and charming place we found out in the countryside and backroads! 

   There lavender embraces the summer heat and thrives in dry conditions while reminding me that some of God's creations NEED what I find almost unbearable.

Back porch and deck area

Country Cottage Lavender Farm is located near Shawnee and the owner grows several varities of lavender behind her charming gift shop. 
Website:
http://www.countrycottagelavender.com/

A red barn next door houses her husband's woodworking shop and they sell his handmade furniture and country primitive pieces  in the adorable cottage he built himself.  

The front porch greets you with
 handmade "pretties" for purchase and made me want to run home right then and
redecorate my porch.

 The porch is just picture perfect and is edged with a flower border of sun loving plants and flowers.  When you open the door to the shop the aroma of lavender welcomes you inside.  The sales lady offered us complimentary lavender lemonade that was so refreshing and explained all the different classes they offer in the adjacent craft building.  

    June is prime lavender blooming and cutting season and we were there a little past prime, but there were still lavender blooms ready to harvest.  You can cut your own lavender bouquet for a modest price.

Somehow walking through the lavender field made me feel better about the heat just knowing that this wonderful herb is happiest this time of year.   

My lavender tea table last summer was
a favorite of mine so after  

returning home I decided I would love to grow more lavender! Early yesterday morning Mr. Bloomers began helping me create a raised bed out of some leftover railroad ties.  I will  fill the bed with a mixture of sand,  gravel and garden soil and have it all ready for planting
 lavender this fall.  Next year instead of dreading the dog days of summer I hope to be looking forward to abundant blooms!

 Hope you find inspiration from even the things you  dislike or dread...if life gives you lemons...

Country Living Magazine

make lavender lemonade!!!


I'm joining Tootsie's Flaunt Your Flowers Friday
can't wait to see what everyone is posting!!

Hydrangeas-My Favorites!!

This month my hydrangeas are at their peak so I thought I would share some of my favorites.

This is a varitey that can tolerate more sun than most ...I love the pink and purple blooms and leathery foilage.  Wish I could find the plant tag or remember the name of this one as it does great in

our hot summers!

The hydrangeas below are all 'Nikko Blue' a tried and true variety and easy to find.

My hydrangea border is behind my house and only gets the east morning sun...they love this location and share it with our resident turtle Mr. "T" who has been out and about again.

The oakleaf hydrangea is in the foreground..first white elongated blooms that turn lime green.  

The variety is 'Nikko Blue' but some do bloom more pink so I just add more organic material like peat moss or pecan hulls to make the ph of the soil more acidic.   I don't mind if some are pink  as it just adds more color to my border.  

No matter what color they are I just love these big mopheads!!    Right now I am having to give them plenty of extra waterings as the temperatures are above 100 degrees. 

As summer heat turns to fall the blooms turn a wonderful lime green with touches of mauve..and that's when I cut them for drying in arrangements.

If you've never grown them I highly recommend you give them a try... with a little extra care you won't be disappointed!

I'm joining Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday 

 Beverly's Pink Saturday
 The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays

go by and visit!

Sunday Favorites-Nature Inspired Table

Originally posted last year on

 Mother's Day weekend. 

  I'm joining Chari's Sunday Favorites this week.  Hope your Sunday is blessed!

 Nature Inspired Table

I love bringing the outdoors in...birds, nests, eggs, garden tools and other natural materials  I've collected from here and there just make me happy.    This weekend I gathered some of my favorite things from around my house to create a nature-inspired table for one.  

The green transferware teapot was a gift from a friend..she brought it to me from a trip to Williamsburg.  I love the bird pattern motif!

I made a simple burlap tablecloth.   All I did was purchase several yards of burlap and threw it in the washing machine.  It frayed all by itself and created this wonderful natural hem.

I found the green "runner"   at a thrift store. It's actually a Waverly valance panel and I love the fern pattern.  Old window coverings make great runners or tablecloths and are usually inexpensive at garage sales and thrift stores.  

The bird is from Goodwill for $3.00 and it still has a Stein Mart price tag of $19.99 on the bottom.  The little cloche with the robin's egg I made from odds and ends I found at a thrift store.  The dome was $1.00 and the clear candleholder was .75 cents and they fit together perfectly!

This adorable old bee hive creamer was half-price at an antique store that was having a closing sale.  Later that same day I found another honeypot on sale and thought they would look cute together.

The old vintage garden book was from a friend's mother's estate.  I love old garden books!  The art on this old cover is very sweet.

My green majolica cabbage plates and a nest are always welcome.

A little bird and garden stakes are welcome too!

My garden tea table was a treat for me on Mother's Day weekend!  Take the time a set a beautiful table just for you!

Go by and visit Chari this week!

Garden Walk

Now that the temperatures have soared to 90 degrees and above things are really starting to grow in my garden.  Before leaving on my trip to Florida I snapped a few pictures and thought I would share them for Beverly's Pink Saturday and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday.

My newest pink hydrangea...
just look at the size of this mophead!!! 

 I couldn't resist.

My garden gate arbor with the the first flush of  climbing knockouts....I really love these roses.  Bloom all season long!

A purple clematis vine..the perfect

companion to plant with roses.

After we mow tomorrow I'll

add more pictures of the garden.

Happy Fertilizer Friday and  
Pink Saturday!

  

Memorial Day- Family and Country

Memorial Day  gives us time to reflect

 on loved ones that have gone on before us,  our country  and those who have served in the military. 

  I haven't had the pain of sending one of

my sons off to war and can only imagine how difficult that must be.  

My father served  in Viet Nam

and clearly that was the hardest year in our families lives.   He returned safely but several of  my friends fathers did not and I remember how difficult that was. 

Many have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can  enjoy our freedoms.  I pray especially for their families and that they be honored and remembered today.

I count my blessings and have so much to be thankful for.  We proudly display the stars and stripes and are so grateful to

 live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!