Garden Love

Greetings dear friends!

SO very sorry it has been so long since I've posted or come to visit with you.  Time has gotten the best of me, it seems.  There's been a lot going on over here, and so I took an "unplanned" vacation.  But I am gradually getting back into the swing of things, and I'm MOST glad that you have all waited patiently for me to return!

 I thought a post featuring some of our garden beauty would be a nice way to return.  Everything is in full bloom!  And today I saw the first butterfly of the season - a yellow swallowtail. Alas, she was way too high in the air for me to photograph.  But she'll be back!  The first photo I've shared is one of our many ferns in the yard.  The photo above is a close-up of my favorite azalea.  It has clusters of small flowers.  We've tried for years to find a similar azalea with small flowers, and we hit the jackpot last year.  That azalea is still very small, while this one is HUGE.  It has been in the yard longer than we have lived here (15 years!).

I have several Lily of the Valleys in a circular garden in the front yard.  They are such precious flowers.  This is by far the best photo I've taken of them.  Their delicate beauty literally takes my breath away.

The bees have been out in full force!  They are loving all the treats in the yard.  This photo is slightly fuzzy because the bee was flitting about so quickly.

 There, in the same flowering tree, sits this precious robin's nest.  I was surprised to see how low to the ground it was, nestled in a nook of branches.  The mama robin was so very nervous, so I tried to keep a good distance away.  I zoomed this photo so you can see the beauty of the nest and the care that went into creating it.  Later in the day, I took a peek and saw mama's beak - so I knew she was there taking good care of her precious cargo.

 Our house is surrounded by lilacs!  Their scent is so intoxicating.  There were so many lilacs in the yard of the home I grew up in, so they bring back special memories.

Several years ago, we were searching for unique trees for our yard.  We discovered Japanese dogwoods while on a walk and searched the internet to learn what they were.  We bought another this year - it's small but it's already getting ready to blossom beautifully.

 This year our currant bush is filled with beautiful berries.  Last year's crop didn't do very well, but this time it looks like we will do very well.  I'd like to try and make some jam.  In the past, I've made scones and pies.

 We also have a wild black raspberry bush that has yielded an abundance of fruit over the years.  Each summer my hubby looks forward to the pies I bake for him using the delicious fruit.  We also have strawberry planters which are starting to sprout flowers - which means strawberries cannot be too far behind.  Strawberries are my favorite fruit!

 Even the irises are making an appearance.  Aren't they just one of the most fascinating flowers you've ever seen?  I'm always astonished at how intricately they are designed?  I'm similarly drawn to orchids, as well.  So mysteriously lovely.

Hope you've enjoyed this tour through our gardens.  I will try and visit when I can.  Til then, I wish for you all an enchanting week to come! 

Theresa

Happy Mother's Day!

 Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the whole world over...

Wishing all my mama (and furry baby mama) friends the whole world over a very happy Mother's Day!  Sharing this favorite photo from several years back of me and my mama - who made me who I am today.  

Hope you are doing something special today with those you love.

Til next time,

Theresa

Spring Renovating and Special Blog Sale!

 Greetings everyone!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Earth Day giveaway!  I was delighted with the wonderful poems you shared and the different ways that you help celebrate our beautiful earth.  The winner of the giveaway is Cameron from Paint Myself Pretty!  Big congrats to you, Cameron!  I'll be sending your goodies very soon.  Speaking of Cameron, as luck would have it - I was fortunate enough to have won this beautiful hand-painted stone from Cameron earlier this month as part of her birthday celebration.  Thank you, Cameron - I absolutely love it!  You can find more of Cameron's wonderful hand-painted stones in her shop.

We've been doing a lot of spring cleaning and renovating over here.  Our biggest project was tackling our sunroom.  We refinished the floors, got new carpeting, sanded and refinished all the woodwork, got new curtains, and new ceiling tiles.  The fun part is the redecorating!  Here's my favorite little nook.  The only thing that is missing is some artwork for the walls.  My hubby took some fabulous photos a few year's back and handmade some wooden frames for them.  They will soon be gracing the walls.  Don't you love the natural light filtering in here?

Here's a view of the ceiling.  Isn't it beautiful?  We found some gorgeous warm coppery tiles that you simply glue into place.  It gives the room an amazingly cozy feel.  The cost was fairly reasonable and the process only took a few hours to complete.  Sadly, you cannot see the lovely curtains too well in this photo.

FOR SALE  $30

In the process of cleaning and renovating, I wanted to offer some of my creations for sale for my blog readers.  Many years ago, I took a series of decorative painting classes.  I fell in love with painting on slate.  I have a number of hand-painted "welcome" slate signs - more than I have space for.  They all have protective coating on them.  Plus, they are now "vintage" - since  I created them so many years ago.  This first one is a beautiful winter greeting sign featuring a lovely red candle burning in an old-fashioned tin-type candle holder surrounded by berries, pine cones and winter greenery.  The slate measures 7 inches by 10 inches.

FOR SALE $30

Here is a fun Halloween-themed slate!  I remembering having a ton of fun painting this spooky ghost scene, featuring a glorious full moon and little jack o' lantern.  This slate also measures 7 inches by 10 inches.  

FOR SALE $20

Last year I worked on a fun series of fairy tale characters, which I turned into art bookmarks and postcards. I am offering all the original pieces of art for sale.  There are no backgrounds, and all pieces measure 9 inches by 9 inches - unmatted and unframed.  All the artwork was created with colored pencil.  Here is Thumbelina.

FOR SALE $20

Sleeping Beauty...she is my personal favorite.  I enjoyed creating her beautiful lavender rose.

FOR SALE $20

Alice in Wonderland.  I loved matching her dress and headband to her bright blue eyes.

FOR SALE $20

Little Red Riding Hood.  I love her sweet innocent expression.

FOR SALE $20

Goldilocks...I had so much fun crafting her little teddy bear.  

FOR SALE $20

Cinderella.  I wanted to incorporate some classic elements, such as her hair.  But I also wanted to create some new and fun elements, such as her feathered dress.  I adore the sweet singing birdie perched on her shoulder.

FOR SALE $20

Finally, we have Snow White.  I modeled her after the actress who portrays Snow on "Once Upon a Time." Of course, I had to include an apple in her hand.  

If you are interested in any of these art pieces, please email me privately at theresamacnaughton(at)gmail(dot)com for payment arrangements or indicate which item you are interested in a comment, and I will contact you directly.  I would be honored if anyone is interested in offering these pieces new and happy homes!  All shipping is FREE.    

Til next time,

Theresa