FALL IS IN THE AIR

It's been seventeen days since my last post.
I feel like I should do penitence but I'm not Catholic.
I always tend to get a bit melancholy when Fall is in the air.
I don't know why, it just is.

Even though things in the garden are starting to fade,
there is still a lot going on and
coming on.

Yellow Asters are starting to peek out.

Rose of Sharon spring up everywhere.

Clematis having another go.

Knock Out Roses still going strong.

This Mandevilla, I in doored all last Winter, has finally
decided to bloom.

One of my favorite things about this time of year.
Autumn Clematis

Lots of buds on my Mums.

Happy Gardening.

EARLY START

I can't believe I haven't posted since last Tuesday!
After the garden tour, I kind of ran out of steam.
Now I'm thinking ahead to Christmas...
I know, go ahead and shoot me.

We do a Holiday Sale in November
and I have to
start thinking about what I'm going to
make and sell.
I usually do some kind of wreaths.
Last year I was very inspired
with all the burlap wreaths I saw
out there in blogland.
I'm starting to work
on a few ideas.

At the end of the season last year I bought up a bunch of
silver balls that I will incorporate into
this years wares.

I thought myself very clever when I purchase this bolt of
burlap at the local garden and feed shop.
It was a fraction of what I would have paid at
the fabric shop.
$16.99 for a 3' X 48' roll.

I've been making origami cranes all Summer.
I'm planning on doing several things with them.

I'm all about mixing unexpected things together.

My sister said...interesting.
I like it!

The next two are simple
and easy.
The picture doesn't do it justice
but the bright pink poke a dot ribbon
just makes you smile.

So that's what I've been up to.

Have a great day and
Happy Crafting!

HERB GARDEN

Is it hot or what?
The temperatures are reaching ninety
and above here in Tennessee,
it's just too darn hot to be outside in the garden.

I've been toying with the idea of an
herb garden,
today, I stopped off at
the local gardening center
and picked out
a few.

I haven't done any research yet so I just
selected the ones that intrigued me.

I love the silvery spikes of this Curry
and the Trailing Rosemary seemed like a good choice.
I also picked up Chamomile,
English Thyme and Sage.

Wish me luck.
If they do well I can see more
in my future.

Happy Gardening!

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL

Susan and I took a little road trip yesterday to
Abingdon Virginia.
Abingdon,
in my opinion is a
near perfect
small town.

It's home to the "Barter Theater",
"Martha Washington Inn",

and countless Bed & Breakfasts.

Every year around this time they have their
"Virginia Highlands Festival".

It is quite an event around these parts.
Artist and craftsmen come from all over
the US to sell their treasures.

I purchased this colorful
pottery wren house from one of the vendors.
It has found a home between my upstairs
bathroom windows.

This hummingbird feeder pole
was made by "Hunt Country Iron"
The artist came all the way from
coastal Georgia.
Now I need to find (or make) the
perfect hummingbird feeder.

The last item I brought home
is this adorable cat birdbath.
I found it at one of the local antique shops
when we ducked in to cool off.

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Happy Gardening.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Three blocks from where I live
some folks got together
and created a community garden.

I drive by it from time to time,
but this Sunday I took a stroll
down the street for a closer look.

I'm not sure who owns the lot
or even how many people are involved,
but it is quite impressive.

There are all sorts of green things growing.

I don't know much about vegetable gardening,
but I do know I would like to
partake of its fruits.

This was one of my favorite plots.
Love the whimsey of the
gloves on the stakes.

I think this is dill...it smelled wonderful.

Some kind of squash, I think.

Happy Gardening.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

What a relaxing morning!
How nice is it not to have to go into
work until one thirty?

A steaming cup of coffee.

Fresh tomatoes from the local
Farmers Market down the street.

A dog that only wants to be by
your side.

A bouquet of fresh flowers
you grew yourself.

Simple pleasures...it's a good life.

What makes your life special?