Monday morning musings-a dinner party with family and friends, beautiful weather, time in the garden and a red moon.
Monday Morning Musings
Good Monday morning friends, did you have a nice weekend. We had a wonderful weekend, good food, time with family and friends, a lot of fun and a little work.
Saturday dawned cool and rainy so we eased into the day with a cup of chocolate for me and a coffee for my husband. We sat on the front porch and read while listening to the pitter patter of the rain. I am currently reading this book and my husband is reading Shucked. If you like oysters you will love Shucked.
Dinner Party Prep and Clean-up
Then it was into the kitchen to prep for our dinner party. We made sauces, and pickled vegetables, appetizers and of course dessert.
I zipped through the house to put away dog toys and blankets and then ran out to the golf course to pick a few rhododendrons for my centerpiece. As most moms will attest, keeping up with the mess your kids make is sometimes a little bit of a challenge(even fur kids).
Patches of course wants every toy out at the same time and if you put any away will stand by the toy baskets and cry(that is a story for another day).
Foraging for Flowers
The groundskeeper was working on the green a few days ago and I asked if I could clip a few flowers. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen the reel that I made. There are 5 or 6 huge flowering bushes and on one side the branches have created a grotto of sorts. It is so beautiful standing or sitting in there with the pale purple peeking through the leaves and branches.
Sunday
Sunday I was a little tired, too much fun and too little sleep. That didn’t stop me from getting in some time outside clipping hedges and planting peonies and a few other shrubs. I also headed to the garden center in search of a large shallow planter.
Landscaping Progress
As I have mentioned several times we are re-landscaping the yard. Phase 1 has been completed(the front beds, 6 privacy trees and a partial fence that runs the width of the driveway), phase 2 will be started after the kitchen is complete. But with the way things are going in the kitchen that might not be until January.
A corner of my front porch
Phase 2 includes the island in the middle of the circle driveway. This odd space is partially elevated, ringed in fieldstone, has a fountain and plantings. The rest is grass(which the dogs love).
Over the past few weeks I have cleared this space of 8 dwarf holly, 12 grasses, some flowers, the rocks and the fountain. After clearing all of this I was left with grass/weeds and a circle of dirt will with rocks peeking out. I picked up 3 gallons of white rocks but every time it rains more come to the surface.
Center Island Landscaping Idea
I had a “great” idea a few weeks ago to plant dahlias and to throw wild flower seeds all over the dirt. I was hoping to create an English garden bed of wildflowers.
The good news is that a few of the dahlias are coming up, and many of the wildflowers are growing, the bad news is that it is still ugly.
In reality the entire area needs to be stripped back to bare dirt and started again. That will happen when the professionals take it over but honestly I don’t have the patience; I want it to look better sooner rather than later.
My latest idea is to “weed and feed” the grass/weed area and hope grass will replace the weeds, then I am hoping to find the perfect planter that I can plop down in the middle of my wildflower patch. I went in search of a planter that is over 36″ but shallow. I did find one on Sunday but because of the shortage of workers it cannot be delivered for 3 weeks. Hopefully when they pick up our kitchen island and new dining room table they will be able to swing by the nursery and load in this 150lb monstrosity. I will keep you posted.
In case you missed it
On weekend meanderings Saturday I share all things lavender, including recipes, drinks, diy and finds. If you love lavender make sure to check it out.
After a productive day outside it was fun to relax and wait for the red moon. Did you see it? It was a beautiful clear night here and it was beautiful.
Ok friends, now that I have caught you up on all of the weekend events let me share 5 things that caught my eye this weekend.
5 Finds on Monday Musings
Last week I shared my three favorite sandals from Target so today I thought I would share a few from Anthropologie. Let’s start with the Braided Sechelles Sandals. I love the nautical knots and the organic look of these comfy slides.
For something a little more fancy De Siena Embellished Raffia Slide Sandals.
Or these colorful Fuchsia Slides.
I love everything at Serena & Lily, and have been perusing the 20% off sale. I wonder if I can find a space for these chairs.
This blue and white hand-painted dinnerware would look beautiful on your summer table.
I hope that you enjoyed my Monday Morning Musings and 5 Finds. If you have any suggestions for my center island landscaping or ideas for creating an English cottage wildflower garden please share.
Have a wonderful week my friends!
Monday Musings No. 28
Monday Musings No. 26
Monday Musings No. 24 and 5 Things
International Picnic Day June 18th
Elizabeth,
Gardens can bring such joy, and sometimes frustration. Mother Nature doesn’t always provide the vision we have in our creative minds. Hahaha.
I’m sure it will be lovely
Karen B.
Karen, you are so right. I think it my case my vision has no patience. Thank you
It’s looking fabulous Elizabeth. We will have some landscaping to do here come winter as well. The roses here are all modern varieties and I am not a fan.
Cindy, your garden is going to look fabulous! Everything you do looks amazing.
Your idea for the center island by your drive sounded so pretty, sorry it didn’t live up to the vision you had in your head. If we were nearer, B and I would deliver your planter as we now have experience hoisting very heavy planters hither and thither!
Thank youChristina, your garden is a great inspiration. I guess I will have to be patient and get back out there.
Good morning, It take so much time and hard work to receate a yard! Then there is the maintenance. It took us to several years to clear ours, but so worth it! Look forward to seeing your progress.
Thank you Linda, I have to keep reminding myself of that.
Your garden is beautiful but your sweet dog caught my attention 🙂
Thank you! Patches is a handful.
Wow, Elizabeth … you had a busy weekend! One dinner party and that would be it for me. Our little Maggie likes to have all her toys out as well. Putting them away is futile, but I still do it. I can related to landscape impatience. Why can’t everything just l look pretty now?! Well, the week off to a good start and I’ve got your blueberry muffins on my recipe stand for the weekend. xo