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.

Rain Is a Good Thing

Yesterday brought us some refreshing rain! We had been hot and dry for so long that I thought this day would never come. We were sitting in church when it happened. The pastor was saying a prayer when we heard it...the rain pouring onto the tin roof of the sanctuary. Now, that is a sound that can only come from God! I think that I even heard some 'Praise the Lords' mixed in with the prayer and the rain. Today promises even more.

I thought that I would venture out this morning with my camera before the heavy rains come later on. I wanted to see if my thirsty plants enjoyed the showers of blessings. I believe that they did.



The knockout roses that had been languishing in the dry heat seemed to be singing a chorus.



The little pot of asparagus fern hummed along.



The writing spider listened intently to the concert.



It is amazing that the downpours didn't wash her away.



The loropetalum seemed to hold on to every drop that fell.



And every fall spider web appeared to be clothed in splendor.



The little mum seemed to jump for joy to finally have some cool, autumn temperatures!

Fall is finally here! "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

Then and Now

Isn't it funny how time changes things? Last week it was hot and so very dry, but after a day of rain (a little over two inches) everything is green and beautiful again. It made me think about how just a couple of months ago I thought that the winter was going to last forever. I knew it wouldn't, but it just seemed like it would.

I spent some time today looking at some of my late winter posts to see exactly how much things have changed since then. Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while may remember my post about our new vegetable garden. It is hard to believe that we have now harvested some wonderful romaine and broccoli.

Then (early March)


Now (a little overgrown, but producing broccoli)


Then (February, I thought John had ruined my knock out roses.)


Now (His 'tough love' did them a favor)


Then (Our landscaping looked dull and drab.)


Now (It is my favorite place to sit and drink coffee or dine.)


Now (We have baby tomatoes on the vine.)


Now (We have heads of cabbage on our plants.)


One thing in life is certain.....things are always changing!

My Mother's Day Present

My sweet husband bought me the best mother's day gift. It was a new camera! I couldn't wait to go out and take pictures. Now, if my pictures are not very good I have nothing or no one to put the blame on except myself. I hope I can learn how to use all of the features of this camera. I am pretty challenged when it comes to new technology.

Aren't the knock out roses pretty? I know that nothing beats the old fashioned roses, but these sure are easy to take care of.






This is another variety of peony in my garden. I wish I could remember the name. Does anyone out there know what it is?





The day lilies are just starting to bloom. I think these are Happy Returns.



It will be nice when they all bloom.



I can't wait to see what all I can do with my new camera. I just love my man. He always seems to know just what I want. Tomorrow I am heading out early to see if I can capture some good pictures of birds with the zoom lens. Wish me luck.

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of my blogging friends a very happy Mother's Day! I know a lot of you are mothers, and of course, all of you have mothers. Make sure you take the time to tell those closest to you how much you love them.



I have not posted for a few days because I have been very busy. I don't have a lot of time today either, but I was starting to have blogging withdrawals. So... I just had to post something. I will keep it short and sweet.

I couldn't let this week go by without sharing a picture of my peonies. I wait all year for this. However, their blooms don't last nearly long enough. Some of you may remember my peony cages that my dad made, well they were not tall enough. I have already put in my order for taller ones next year.



I also wanted to share a picture of my broccoli. I can't wait to harvest it.



This weekend also held another treat. I got to meet Ree Drumond, aka the Pioneer Woman, at a book signing on Friday evening at Jospeh Beth Bookstore at South Park Mall in Charlotte.



The wait was long but we were given a letter and called by groups so that no one had to stand in line. That was a great idea. We actually enjoyed dinner with some relatives at an outdoor bistro while we waited our turn. After a day of shopping and an evening of waiting, I didn't quite look my best when I finally got to meet her (9:30 p.m.). She seemed very nice.



My little Vanna White, aka Carson, decided to show off my newly signed cookbook.



Today, I had my mom, dad, brother, and aunt over for a Mother's Day lunch. I kept it very simple with chicken salad croissants, chips, a veggie tray, and key lime pie. I didn't want anyone to have to do any work preparing a meal today. Thank you my sweet John for baking and cutting up the chicken and veggies to make my life easier today. I just love my husband.



Carson loves her grandma, aka my mom. I do too! I am so thankful to have her still with me. My heart goes out to those who have lost their mothers. I know that is a void that will never be filled. May God truly bless each one of you on this beautiful day.

Do they look Okay to you?

Last summer our knockout roses started to look a little leggy. They had been in the ground for three years with only a light pruning. I started pruning a little heavier this year, being ever so careful.



John comes behind me and starts purning like crazy. Notice all of the branches on the patio. Now, I know that sometimes you have to show a little tough love, but did he go to far?




We garden by trial and error, can you tell? What do you think? Will they come out fuller this Spring, or is this a big error? Tell me. Not that I can do anything about that now.