Cloche Party Outside

I bought this beautiful cloche from, A Gardener's Grate, at Scott's Antique Show in Atlanta. She had a lovely booth.

This is the parsley the monarch butterfly caterpillars have been working on. One year, I picked all the caterpillars off not knowing what they were. So this year, I decided to let them eat my plants. Would you believe I witnessed from the window a beautiful pair of cardinals feasting on the monarch caterpillars? Of course, my camera was not ready with a zoom lens and  I missed a good picture. Maybe they will come back.

While I was playing in the garden with the cloches I remembered a book I have, "Antiques from the Garden". It was interesting to read about cloches. The book just makes you drool over the beautiful antique urns, plant stands and garden benches.

I learned that cloches or bell-glasses, originated in France.

Playing in the cloches was fun. It did make me want at least one more large cloche to group together inside. I do have two baby ones that are so cute! Marty, I am getting crazy about cloches!

I am so excited to participate in Marty's Cloche Party@astrollthrulife. I am a little late but I have been having so much fun viewing all the entries.

Dinner in the Garden

May I invite you to my Garden Party? Please sit down and I will tell you about my dishes.

 My transferware plates are labeled on the back, Olde Alton Ware, England. I'm not sure how old they are. I  bought each plate separately at antique stores. The sugar and creamer are labeled Japan, maybe 40's or 50's. 

Sterling is Buttercup by Gorham.

In July, the hydrangeas change from blue to a beautiful green. I hope this arrangement will dry well. The stems are in an oasis and I will let it dry out naturally and use it on my dining room table.

I love my Mama's crystal which is Meadow Rose by Fostoria. 

My centerpiece bowl is new and came from East Enterprises. I found the napkins a few years ago from our local AAFES store.

It's almost dusk now and the crickets are beginning to sing. I love this time of the evening. Thanks for listening to my story.

I  am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday. I enjoy viewing everyone's tablescapes so much.

Summer Garden

Summer phlox attract butterflies.
I am allowing the caterpillars to eat my fennel and parsley because they will be swallowtail butterflies soon.

                                           A Gardener's Prayer by Edith Craddock

Father of all Gardeners, we thank Thee that in the long ago Thou didst begin the world in a garden.

We thank Thee for the morning and the singing of the birds.

We thank Thee for the quiet and peace of eventide and the blessings of sleep which comes with the night.

As we rise in the morning to work in our gardens, grant that the toil of our bodies may bring tranquillity to our minds; That the growth of our plantings be exemplified in the growth of our souls.

That the fruit of our lives, as the fruit of our trees, be the perfect attainment, the crowning glory of a life dedicated to Thee.

Encourage us to lend  helping  hand to the needy, to speak words of sympathy to hearts that mourn, to bear the burdens of the weak, to make the waste places of human need to blossom as the rose.

Exterminate the weeds of doubt, sensitize the roots which nourish our inner being that these roots may drink from the still waters by which Thou dost lead us.

For the gift of Thy Son who suffered in a garden, we thank Thee, and in His name we make this prayer. Amen

                                Joining Susan for  Outdoor Wednesday.

Visiting Grown Children- Part 2

Two consecutive weekends visiting our children's homes and I am still smiling.  In this post we are celebrating the fourth at our daughter's home. We always eagerly anticipate the great food we will enjoy and this time was no exception.

Appetizer was incredibly delicious! We could have eaten another plate full.

Burgers with sweet potato fries and fresh grilled corn! Scott is a master on the Green Egg.

Our family has always loved peach ice cream and  Alabama Chilton County peaches are the best.

I did remark that making homemade ice cream is like putting lights on the Christmas tree because something always goes wrong. I won't elaborate on all the issues but in the end it was worth it. It's always fun to pull the dasher out and get a taste before the freezer gets wrapped in towels for the ice cream to ripen. Thanks, Scott, for all your hard work.

                                                                   ~Peach Ice Cream~

6 cups whipping cream

4 cups milk

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring

4 beaten eggs

4 cups mashed peaches with 1 1/2 cup sugar added

Combine cream and milk. Stir in 1 1/2 cup sugar, salt, flavoring and beaten eggs. Add mashed peaches combined with 1 1/2 cup sugar. Place in freezer and freeze.

Graddy and Sophie: No words needed here.

We felt so blessed to enjoy the grandkids and their parents. The weather was much more moderate and sitting on their deck watching the water gun fights, sparkler fun and baseball practice was very enjoyable.

Water gun fight!

This picture is blurred but I just had to share it. After supper one of the nights we all danced and had so much fun.

This is just a small glimpse into part of the good food and fun activities over a three day weekend.  We always enjoy going to church with them, too. It was pretty special to hear my grandson's sweet voice in my ear next to me. He takes after his mother and daddy.

They have just moved into a bigger house and have done so much in a short time. I will show you a few rooms.

Master Bedroom

Great room

Kitchen

My talented daughter inspired me to start blogging. We had so much fun Amy, Scott, Noah and Sophie! Thanks for a wonderful weekend.

To both of my grown children: Those sweet words,"I love you" are beautiful music to my ears. I am incredibly proud of you and the mates you have chosen and the godly men and women the four of you are. Thank you for our grandchildren.

Special Memories

It doesn't  get any better than visiting your grown children. My husband, his mother and I recently visited our son and daughter-in-law in Texas.  We were so happy to see them. It has been four months since we have seen them which is a shorter time than usual. The first thing that caught my eye was this beautiful array of fruit which we enjoyed everyday.
I love her Portugal pottery!  Since I have a new camera it was fun to chronicle most of the wonderful food and sights we enjoyed.

Does this look good or what!  Dinner was a feast with marinated grilled chicken breasts, rice with cilantro, grilled pineapple slices basted with a special sauce and  a green salad with carrots, tomatoes, and mango  topped with a spicy dressing which complimented all the flavors so well.

We had the best time sitting in their loggia eating,visiting, and enjoying the view of their pool.  A variety of birds, several of which I was not familiar with, also entertained us flying back and forth from the palm and banana trees.

Sarah made homemade pesto with fresh basil from her garden to serve over ravioli. Served with a salad it was a yummy lunch. 

A leisurely breakfast outside by the pool was delightful! Whole wheat toast, cranberry pecan toast, spinach souffle, fresh peaches and sliced apples  could not get any better.

After all the good food a walk along a creek in a local park was enjoyable.

Then, we rode out to a beautiful lake. The water is really this blue! I went on and on about how pretty it was!  Lake Amistad is an impoundment of the Rio Grande and forms part of the border with Mexico.
Next, we toured a local winery which was very interesting.  Last on our sightseeing agenda was a visit to the base where my son is stationed. 

 Thought you might enjoy a few views of their home. Hospitality is their gift and they have enjoyed hosting squadron parties, bible studies and entertaining friends during their stay in Del Rio. The pool has been great for families with kids.  They view their yard from their bedroom window, great room and kitchen. It is so pleasant it draws you out and I could spend some major daydreaming time there.

Their house sits on a tree lined street and the bougainvillea growing on the wall by the garage is gorgeous. Wish I had gotten a picture of it. By the way, their house is "For Sale" since they will be moving to their next assignment.

There are so many architectural features that give their home so much character and flavor of the Southwest.
 The mexican tile floor in the loggia is stunning!  Double glass doors lead from the loggia into the great room and kitchen. I am so glad they found a home with such personality because it was perfect for them.

I praise God for special memories and the great blessing of family and ask Him to prepare the way for their next phase of life.

Thank you James and Sarah for a wonderful visit. We love you.

We are invited to visit our daughter's family for July 4th. That will be my next post. Life is good.

I welcome your comments. They are so encouraging.

I am linking this post to: Tablescape Thursday with Susan @betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com, to Foodie Friday @designsbygilliam.blogspot.com and Tabletop Tuesday @astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

The Charm of Hydrangeas

I fell in love with hydrangeas many years ago.  A special generous friend had beautiful hydrangeas and allowed me to cut as many as I needed anytime I entertained. Her flowers were so beautiful we used them in arrangements for my daughter's wedding. In fact, I rooted some of the flowers from the wedding and enjoy them now eleven years later.

Not long after the wedding I moved to another house and moved the hydrangeas too!

I've purchased and have been given many different varieties but can always be tempted to buy a new cultivar.

Would you believe I now have 82 hydrangeas plants? I just walked through the garden and counted and even I am amazed! 

My prayer and dream to have enough plants to make all the arrangements I wanted and share generously with others was answered!  It has also been a joy to share many rooted plants.

I am linking to a Southern daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.