Summer Soundtrack 2011

The five-year-old, or Superstar as we refer to him, having a glee moment in the pool.

Peesh out.

Ode To Spring

I'm a seasonal allergy sufferer. However, my season runs pretty much January through December. This time of year, in particular, is a real killer. With all the lovely blooms unfurling and the trees sending out their verdant new growth, I'm a weepy, snotty mess. Not a pretty picture. But, when my complete and total inattention to my garden (and I use that term oh-so-loosely) results in a glorious, heavenly-scented, multi-bloomed lilac bush, it's worth every last achoo! Those fragrant, delicate petals definitely make for a pretty picture. If only Blogger had a smell-o-vision widget.

{images taken by me, outside and inside the P house}

I'm Tickled to be a T.Ruffle

Today one of my photographs is featured on the gorgeous T.Ruffles sweeterie and I couldn't be more tickled pink (or better yet, blue and green, since those are Mary and Karey's signature colors). Stop by and visit the sweeterie to see my snapshot and be sure to check back later for the addition of Karey's always beautiful, witty, and often times cheeky words. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

Black Barn Doors

{love these}

{have these}

{image 1. via imgspark, image 2. via yours truly}

In case you're wondering...

This is what I've been up to. Arranging garden blooms in my new favorite $5 thrifted vase. About all the energy I can muster during the summah time.

Hope you're spending time on equally strenuous pursuits.

It's App-tastic

I told you I could go a lot crazy with this iPhone app. The Hipstamatic vintage toy camera produces such a beautiful, dreamy image it makes me want to photograph everything in my house. Somehow it makes all of my ho-hum rooms look all brand new and magical. Too bad hipstamatic vision isn't included in the $1.99 app price. ;0)

Happy Weekending!

Daily Pretty {times two}

I'm all loopy for this amazing new-to-me app that I spotted on amazing new-to me blog, Sage and Style. The Hipstamatic iPhone app gives your iPhone photos a great vintage toy camera look. I think I could go a little, ok, a lot, crazy with this one. Check it out here.

{Peonies and Jasmine photographed by me}

{Mon}daily Pretty and My Flowers

Here's the daily pretty. A shot of yellow to brighten your Monday morning. How much do I love those twin upholstered stools? Too good for words. {spotted here}

And here, as promised, some shots of my floral harvest. Snow white viburnum and two gloriously-scented blooms of lilac. I wish you could smell their heavenly perfume.

A few more, just because.

Remember the story behind this table? One of my favorite pieces.

Pretty lavender lilac.

Happy Monday.

J and the Giant Hydrangea

Apologies to the handful of you loyal readers who have seen this. It's a re-post. But, I've been reveling in the tiny harvest of flowers that our "garden" has bequeathed upon us and remembered these shots. The little one in green is all mine. The big one in green with a lacy white canopy, courtesy of my sister's garden. Every spring an amazing crop of the most beautiful hydrangeas sprouts under her kitchen window and I am the lucky beneficiary. Picking to my heart's continent.

In fact, yesterday I had a little harvest of my own. Our two lilac bushes have bloomed for the first time since planting them a couple of years ago. Granted, I only got one heavenly-scented conical branch from each bush, but still, it's lilac. One dressed in powdery lavender, the other a glorious pristine white. Oh, and the viburnum is putting on its showy snowball performance. Truly amazing. Photographs to follow soon.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

An update: I've received a few emails today asking about the variety of the hydrangea pictured. Unfortunately I do not know. But while flipping through a magazine tonight I came across a hydrangea from "Proven Winners" called "Incrediball" Hydrangea that looks quite similar. It's an Annabelle hydrangea with huge flowers and strong stems that's hardy and heat tolerant. Sounds like a winner. Amazon has it here.

Guest Blogging: Ill Seen, Ill Said

Wonderful Jane from Ill Seen, Ill Said has an equally wonderful weekly series, "Where we blog from," that I'm absolutely head over heels for. No, seriously, I can't wait to tune in on Mondays and find out which favorite blogger or new-to-me blogger shares their always inspiring space. That said, you can imagine my surprise and excitement when Jane asked if I would participate and offer a peek at my blogging environs. To appear on Jane's wonderful blog is a real honor and I'd love it if you'd pay me a visit there today. And while we're on the subject, do tell, where do you blog from, friends? Since we've covered what's on our nightstands lets keep the conversation rolling...is it the kitchen, the couch, your office? Where do you blog from? Share!

And once you've checked out my space, be sure to check out all of Jane's previous contributors to "where we blog from." I suspect, like me, you'll be hooked!

*just wanted to say thank you, all of you, who have visited over at ill seen, ill said today. I'm so flattered by all of your lovely comments. really. big thanks.

What's On Your Nightstand?

The ever-so-lovely Kate, from The Goodie Life, invited me to participate in her fun and eye opening series, "What's on your nightstand?" As you might suspect by the title, it involves bloggers sharing a peek of their bedside tables and the contents thereof. Pretty racy stuff, huh. ;0) Well I was so flattered that she would ask, that I promptly got out the duster and set to work. I'd love it if you would stop by and visit and tell me what you think. See mine here.

And Kate, thanks so much for inviting me to play along! Oh, and while you're there, be sure to check out the previous participants. Even Apartment Therapy got in on the act!