The Summer Front Porch

I think Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer porch season.

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Please join Madison on a tour of our front porch.

On the black front table I placed three flameless candles (a favorite)

under glass star of David coasters & a watermelon fruit basket.
These candles are great to turn on when company is coming,

since they are flameless I can leave them unattended.

Mr. B hung a fresh new flag outside. We always have an American flag.

All of our landscaping from last year returned (thank goodness)

and we added some red begonias along the sidewalk.

This black urn matches the table. I planted sweet potato vine and red striped petunias.

Here's a long shot from the sidewalk. We need to get

rid of the outdoor carpet, but I'm not sure what I want

to replace it with yet.

After completing the yard work, we headed to Red Robin for some chips and salsa, a burger and . . .
one of these!

Then we drove around a near by subdivision Norton Commons,

which is an example of a mixed use community.

Here everything is within walking distance.

Do you have one of these in your town?
The homes are stunningly beautiful examples of

mixed architecture.

Mr. B and I have a thing for yellow houses.

I love the front porch on this one with the black rocking chairs.

I love the chair swing and white columns of this home.

It's cheery front door.

And delightful little boy sculpture in the front yard.

These homeowners have a sense of whimsy - see the

lady bugs in the bed?

While not a big front porch, I do adore the mix

of oak leaf hydrangea with the style of this home.

Mr. B was ready to head home so I snapped this last picture

from the car of this two story home.

This reminds me of Charleston, South Carolina.

Is your front porch ready for summer too?

Happy Memorial Day ~

Let's give thanks to all those that served our country with the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy this day in freedom.

Today I'm joining Met Monday with Susan at

Between Naps on the Porch.

Clematis

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are having a great day and getting ready for the long holiday weekend!

I think one of my favorite times in the garden is late May and early June. Too early for the heat, drought, humidity and bugs that come in later June and July - you can really enjoy the garden in the evening.


These purple clematis are one of my favorites each year. They bloom full and showy almost in unison along our patio fence line.

We hang a bird feeder above the fence on a shepard's hook and when the cardinals come it makes such a nice red and purple display!
I'm joining My Romantic Home and Bargain Hunting with Laurie.

Tablescape Inspiration

Week 2 of no tablescape finds me searching for some inspiration for summer. Where does a girl turn when she wants to be inspired - well I go to Horchow, where I could basically buy anything on their website/store and be happy. I hope you enjoy and become inspired by these photos from their website www.horchow.com.

I think crimson tide was my favorite, but you need to check out the other choices at the site too, to be sure you know yours. Thanks for visiting, now stop by Susan's at Between Naps on the Porch for more inspiring posts!

Spring Blooms Around the Yard

Today I'm joining White Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday to share some of my spring blooms.

Madison wants you to join us on this hot and sunny Kentucky day

to tour the yard and see what's blooming!

Last Mother's Day we spent the weekend landscaping our front and side yard and it has really begun to pay off.

We planted these gorgeous peonies.

And some digitalis. Yes, I realize these are really lavender, but the outside is white and I think they are to stunning to not share with you.

We are adding in some more perennials this year.

When we moved here there were two huge old Magnolia trees in the side yard. One has since died off but one remains.

I have been anxiously awaiting these blooms for a few weeks. They are high up towards the top of the tree so I'll never get to touch them, but they are great to admire from afar.

Also in the side yard next to my "I think it's a lilac" is this white tree/bush.

Any ideas on what you think it is? Thanks for coming by to visit!

Farmers Market Table Top

I thought you might enjoy this farmers market table top

I setup at the booth recently.

I am pleased to now be carrying a line of Mary Lake-Thompson products including soaps, tea towels and napkins for summer.

Lettuce plates, carrot napkin rings, and

a vegetable pitcher says farmers market to me!

Here's a closer shot of the beehive towel.

Today I'm joining Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life.

Colin Times 2

I received the following email this weekend:

"Colin Cowie on NBC's Today Show Monday, May 24th Lets Party! Summer is just around the corner and that means barbecue season is almost here! Throwing a warm weather soiree shouldn't be a daunting task; with the right tools on hand you'll always be "party ready." The right menu, a tasty cocktail and a fabulous table can be as simple as "just add water!"
So tune in to find out what's cooking this Monday morning."

I set my DVR to record my fabulous Colin and see what he has on the menu for a warm weather soiree but you can check out the video on the msnbc website too. Doesn't soiree sound so much better than get together or party? I am soireeing (which I'm sure is not a real word) from now on!

Speaking of soirees, we hosted a party for Mr. B this past Tuesday and I was able to break out my newest toy, the Colin Cowie Beverage Server.

I wish I had a better picture of this, but you get the idea. It worked great and served ice tea perfectly.