“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank
Good morning friends, it’s Saturday and today I’m joining my friends Kim of Northern California Style and Juliet of Make Mine a Spritzer to share our weekend roundup so after you finish here make sure to hop on over to their blogs to see what they are up to this morning.
It’s cold and rainy this morning, I am sitting in bed listening to the rain pitter patter on the sky light. I have opened the shades so I can watch the pink, white and coral camellia blossoms dance and sway in the wind. I am also hoping to see the deer, they love to visit in the early morning and I have missed them lately.
The next two days we are going to have a lows in the 20’s and highs in the 50’s, the weather is all over the place. Yesterday morning I went out to do errands wearing a sweatshirt, and a light down jacket and I was still chilly, a few hours later it was 65. If the weather is cold and snowy and you are looking for a warm drink or some hot soup, look no further here a some delicious recipes I make frequently.
Spring Ahead
Tonight, before bed we move the clocks ahead one hour, I am probably in the minority when I say this but I am not excited about “springing ahead.” I don’t like when it is still light out at 9:00 at night, and to be honest I love daylight savings. But I have no say in the matter so I will be springing ahead with the rest of the country and lamenting the loss of an hour of sleep. You might think that loosing one hour of sleep is not that big of a deal but according to the experts most people don’t get enough sleep anyway so the loss of another hour is a big deal. Here are 14 sleep tips to help you as you spring ahead.
Garden Thoughts and Inspiration
Image French Country Cottage
This week I have been researching native plants and deer resistant plants for my area. I found out that in fact deer will eat everything and anything if they are hungry and they particularly enjoying plants with soft leaves. I have a vision, I want to create an English cottage garden and as I have never had a garden before I have been going down a rabbit hole researching what it will take to create one.
From all of my research I learned that deer are not very fond of most herbs, that is good to know because I am planting an “herb garden” as well. I use the term garden loosely because this year my focus is on the area along the patio, it is raised and there is a 21/2 wall around it, below the wall is the rest of the yard and that is where we have been trimming and feeding neglected boxwoods(117 to be exact), beyond that is the golf course. Interspersed between the existing juniper, and boxwood I am creating a layered effect and this is where I will be planting my peonies, catmint, and herbs. Here are 10 herbs that the deer resist unless they are really hungry.
I currently have 76 tabs open on my computer and at this rate I will probably have a plan in place by next year. Courtneys’ cutting garden is my inspiration. In the process I discovered a fascinating gardening blog, Pith & Vigor, written by Rochelle a garden designer, tv host and former F-18 flight simulator designer. If you like to garden and want to learn more about all things gardening this blog is for you!
Still Life Photography from Jamie Beck & Paulette Tavormina
I love still life paintings, and photographs and when I visits museums I can sit for hours and study the details. During the first lock down of the pandemic Jamie Beck created several in her Isolation Creation series. I purchased day 35 and day 50, and they are both beautiful. This week while scrolling though a magazine at the I discovered the still life photography of Paulette Tavormina, her work is stunning! You can also follow her on Instagram.
St.Patrick’s Day Sweet Treats
Image Sprinkles Bakes
St.Patrick’s Day is Thursday and while I do not think I will find myself out drinking green beer I am pondering green dessert or to. Isn’t this green velvet cake gorgeous? I love the little shamrocks. If you want to make something a little easier I would suggest dark chocolate bundt cake with Irish cream glaze.
Bailey’s Irish cream cupcakes or Guinness Stout Brownies are two additional and easy options.
Style & Simplicity Watson Kennedy
In case you missed my Friday Favorites post I shared some easy, cheesy recipes, the latest books I am reading, lots of interesting articles that will take you from the streets of Paris to the Gilded Age, teach you about inflation and introduce you to new artists, among other things. These is something for everyone!
Have a wonderful day friends, enjoy your weekend and thank you for sharing part of your day with me.
Don’t forget to visit Kim at Northern California Style and Juliet at Make Mine a Spritzer and see what they are up to today.
Please keep the people of Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers, here are are few additional places to offer support.
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Elizabeth, thanks for the reminder about the time change. I’m not excited about it either … especially when I’ll be up late tonight and expected at brunch in the morning. We’re going to really feel that loss of an hour. I also appreciate the reminder about St. Paddy’s Day … it’s my sisters birthday. And with all the wedding events keeping me focused on one things … oof, everything else has fallen by the wayside. I can’t wait until you settle on your garden plants … I’m going to follow your lead. I have heard deer don’t like herbs, and many herbs make great garden perennials. Well, I’ll off to get glamed and attempt to walk down the forrest path aisle in crazy shoes. Hope you have a wonderful weekend … and it warms up a bit! xo
Juliet, I am sure the wedding is going to be fabulous and you will enjoy the brunch as well, with or without sleep. Then I think you will need a week to catch up from all of the excitement before you celebrate your amazing sister. I will let you know how I fair with the plants. Have an amazing time Juliet, looking forward to hearing all about it.
Elizabeth, I had forgotten about the time change.. Yikes. I always love/hate it. I like the light, but feel out of it for a bit. Thanks for the good article. I need to get more sleep I guess this weekend. It’s a real adjustment when we do this. Could we please just choose a time and stick to it?
I am intrigued by the Guinness Cupcakes. You always have something fun to try. The still life photos are beautiful and especially the ones by Paulette! You also have a gift with still life and should make a calendar or something! I would totally buy it. I hope you are saving some of your beauties in a book.
Good luck with the garden planning. I like the websites here. I am now on the third year of two new yards and it takes some trial and error. A lot didn’t make it – and some things just became too much. We are doing a refresh this year and taking out those that didn’t work. Boxwood is wonderful. I feel like that plant never looks bad and asks so little. I can’t wait to see what you do. Will you share photos? Have a wonderful weekend ! I am off to read your Friday edition. xx
Kim, I am happy that you like Jamie and Paulette. Paulette is amazing. I cannot even imagine what it takes to make an image like that. It is fun to look at them. As for the garden/yard, it is going to be a challenge and it is going to be done in phases. We have several other projects inside the house that we want to complete first, that is why we did the front of the house first. This little part in the back is where I am experimenting with native and deer resistant plants. My goal is really to have a bunch of peonies but I also want it to look nice in the winter as well when the peonies die so I have to find additional layers. Have a wonderful weekend, I hope the weather is beautiful.
I love your vision of the garden you are wanting to create, I can picture it in my mind. Love the pictures of the flowers. I so agree with the Luther Burbank quote.
Katherine, thank you! How are you? I hope you are keeping warm and looking forward to Spring!
I actually dislike daylight saving time.
William, I would think after a long Canadian winter that you would be happy to see a little light.
Hate the time change but love the quote.
Elizabeth! Remind me what part of the country you live in? It must be fairly warm if you have camellias in bloom? I’m totally jealous! Thanks for the reminder of daylight savings! I should be in bed! haha
xo
annie
Hello Annie, it has been very warm but like most of the country we are having a cold spell. The camellias have been beautiful!Have a great week!
I’m so rare, I’m not a fan of the time change. Summer doesn’t agree with my MS. I try to make the best of it. Nothing I can do.
The weather has been nuts in NJ too
Cindy, I am sorry summer is so long for you, you are right all you can do is make the best of it. Hopefully you will see some warm days soon in NJ. Have a great night.