My Garden


I wanted to paint my door a fun new color, but due to strict HOA's I had to get creative in order to make my home stand out from the crowd. I bought the dragonfly door knocker years ago from Target and painted it white. The two lanterns are from Homegoods and added the simple pop I wanted. I did love my doormat, but with the new set up I am thinking I need something more simple and clean. Now on to the backyard...


We love to grill out, sit around the fire pit and roast marshmallows, and of course simply play. Oh, and there is a big ole playset at the far end of the yard, but I figured I didn't really need to show it. I would just love to paint stripes on the patio, but that will just have to wait till it gets cooler. Also I am planting creeping fig all along the back of the house in hopes of covering all the vinyl. Thinking back we do wish we paid the extra to have our home four sided brick instead of three. Then again we also thought we would have moved by now, but this lovely market is keeping us settled here.


This is where we dine alfresco. The hydrangeas in the back are limelights. They do great in the Alabama clay and full sun. Although the one on the far left is having quite a hard time.


Close up of a piece of my garden. Foxtail fern resides in the foreground, lamb's ears are the big green plants in the middle. I just love the texture and silvery hue they bring to the mix. They too are great for the clay soil and full sun. They start out small, but they have more than doubled in size since planting them last spring.


This area takes up a good portion of the yard. It first began because the sod all died and we thought it would be cheaper and easier to just plant a flower garden. We were wrong on both accounts, but are very happy with the results. Well, except for the butterfly bush that has all of a sudden decided to wither and die. I am hoping after cutting it back it will come back next spring. I can't wait to share new photos next year when everything becomes more established and full.

My Garden

So it's a bit cold today, kind of odd since it's been in the 70's lately, oh well. As soon as it warms back up I am going to work on my garden. I have a dear friend who has a passion for gardening and she has offered to get mine in tip top shape. I could not be more excited. The kiddos and I spend so much time in the yard that I really just want it to be enchanting. Hubby actually started it for me last year for a Mother's Day gift. I am hoping it will be done by this Mother's Day. I believe our actual yard is made up of more weeds than grass so after trying to fix it ourselves for the past couple years we have finally decided to call in some help. Besides having a beautiful yard and garden I also want to make the outside more like an extra room. We already have a dining area, but I also want to add a lounge area. These are my ideas...

{via here}

I would like to replace the current light fixture to something a bit more substantial.

{image via here}

I really like the first, but the second is much cheaper. This is not they exact one I was thinking of, but close. I've seen it in Lowe's, but I could not find it online.

{via here}

I would love two chaise lounges. This is the best price I've seen, but it will add up since I do want two. I may have to go a cheaper route though. I will have to see.

{via here}

I want to purchase a bunch of terracotta pots in various sizes to frame out the patio area. I then will plant them with flowers, strawberries, and a few herbs.


{via Sprout Home}

I would also love to add a bird feeder or two. The kiddos love to watch the birds that stop to visit in the yard and I know would be smitten with the idea of the birds actually visiting for awhile.

{via West Elm}

To top it all off a few throw pillows will add the coziness I am looking for.

Oh, and if anyone has any cheaper ideas for the chaise lounges I would love to hear it. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.


A Cottage

I have been dreaming about this house ever since I saw it here first. I think it looks quaint and peaceful. I would love to sit on that swing sipping lemonade while the kiddos do art projects on the little picnic table. I also love the vines climbing along the porch, which is something I am going to try with my own home this spring. Well, needless to say I was ecstatic when I got a peek inside on Blueprint Bliss. I thought I would also share this little home with you all and file it away in my "one day" folder. Be sure to check out Blueprint Bliss for more photos.



Also be sure to check out the behind the home story on Garden & Gun. It seems this little home once belonged to a Cottage Living staffer who now is part of the Gun & Garden family.

Oh, and any of you once subscribers to Cottage Living that are now subscribers to Southern Living notice the new Editor in Chief? Yes, the one and only Eleanor Griffin the former Cottage Living Editor in Chief. Do you think Southern Living will look more like Cottage Living in the future? I sure do miss Cottage Living already.