Evening Strolls and Southern Charm

Earlier this week I posted about planting creeping fig in an attempt to incorporate some Southern charm into the landscape around my home. I mentioned being inspired by glimpses of the gated gardens of Charleston, South Carolina. Many commented about their own love for Charleston or a wish to visit there themselves. Bonnie even suggested a lovely book about a Charleston garden (which I will most certainly read)! Allison, one of my newest blogging friends, mentioned a desire to see more of my own Southern garden. So here it goes!

After pondering Allison's request, I came up with many reasons as to why she would be disappointed after seeing my garden.

1. I do not really have a garden. (I use the words garden and landscaping
interchangeably.)

2. I am not a gardener. (I am in awe of those of you who are true gardeners.)

3. My landscaping has many imperfections. (Did I mention that I am not a gardener?)

4. This summer's drought really took its toil on my landscaping. (a.k.a. garden)

5. Fall is not the best season for show-and-tell. (See some of my spring posts.)

However, as I have said before, I am a very transparent blogger. I am not afraid to show the bad as well as the good in my blog. Keeping that in mind, I took a little evening stroll around the house trying to capture some of the Southern elements of my landscaping.


A climbing camellia is actually a regular camellia that is pruned to appear to climb the brick wall.


The Adirondack chairs are not a Southern element, but the view is!


What Southern garden is complete without lots of ferns? I just wish I could get mine to grow as big as the ones in Charleston. Any ideas?


Of course every garden needs a kitty or two. They are perfect for catching pesky voles.


Every Southern garden needs roses! Since I am not a gardener, I grow knock-out roses. These are easy to grow and smell wonderful.


This is a picture of the alcove area created with our addition. The creeping fig is on the wall that cannot be seen. If you look closely you can see one of our Southern enemies...Bermuda grass! It invades every inch of our landscaping. Does anyone have suggestions on getting rid of it for good?


Our fall-blooming camellia is full of buds this year.


Camellias truly are southern shrubs that I cannot get enough of.


As you can see, my alcove is not big enough to be called a courtyard, but I just love the character that it adds to my home.


Look! I found a little surprise! I noticed my first fall camellia bloom during my evening stroll. (Thanks, Allison, for sending me out to photograph my landscaping!)

I love this time of evening during the fall months. The air has a certain woodsy scent that one can just inhale deeply to melt away the stress of the day. Maybe I was wrong...maybe fall is the best time in my garden/landscaping/yard. And, maybe...just maybe I'll turn into a gardener when I grow up! When under the influence of this autumn air, one begins to believe that anything is possible.

A Surprise From John

I looked at the date on my last post and could not believe how long it has been. I have gotten a little behind on blogging lately. John has been out of town a good bit for his job and I have been trying to keep everything together here at home. With school to teach, animals to feed, and kids to taxi there is not much time for anything else. I always miss him so much when he is gone.

He has been building a Family Dollar store in Hurlock, Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay. I had the opportunity to travel with him there a couple of weeks ago and loved the area. It has some of the most beautiful farmland that I have ever seen. Another thing about the area that I noticed was the many places that sold Adirondack chairs. These stood out to me because I have been looking for some new chairs for our pier. We have had the old ones since we got married and they have seen better days. Unfortunately, we had to hurry home and did not get to stop to check the prices.

Imagine my surprise when John came home last Thursday with a something special for me. (Now, he is not the most romantic man in the world, but every once in a while he does something that totally catches me off guard.) It was about 9:30 Thursday evening when he pulled into the drive from the long trip. He called me outside to show me something....two beautiful chairs and a table! He said that it was a gift to celebrate the anniversary of our first kiss. Can you believe that? He always remembers that date. Isn't that sweet?



















He set them off of the truck in the side yard.




















They are still there today. It is the perfect place to see the pond and to view the moon and the stars.




















I don't think that I want to move them to the pier. What do you think?




















Maybe we need to purchase two more.



















Even the kitty likes them exactly where they are.




















Can't you just imagine cool fall nights with a blanket and a glass of wine under the light of a full moon?

Now, if we can just get rid of the ninety degree days here in North Carolina, maybe I won't have to imagine.

I thank God everyday for my wonderful husband! He is always full of surprises.