Flowers and Dishes

What came first?  my love of flowers or my love of dishes?  kinda like the chicken and the egg.  I have always loved both for as long as I can remember.  I plant my flowers with a thought to how they will look in an arrangement on the dining table.  I think about the dishes that I can use with thm too.  It's all a part of homemaking.  Making things beautiful and comforting and harmonious.

I bought these gorgeous plates several months ago and have waited until just the right combination of flowers were bloming in my garden.  And the wait is over for the first round.  These dahlias are just starting their long gift of blooms.  One little tuber will make many flowers and last until frost.  The main one in this arrangement is Otto's Thrill, probably my favorite dahlia.  It's the big purple/pink one.

all that you see was thrifted except the bowls and they were bought online

this cream and gold vase belonged to my Grandmother Lewis

My goal in life is to spread beauty.  It is too easy to look around for the negative and the ugly.  There are always flowers and pretty china.  When I set about putting all of this together, no matter what my mood is.. By the time I am done, I am in a good mood..  Focusing on something good and beautiful really does lift my mood.  Not always easy to do but I try.

Put something pretty on your table..anything..no matter how small.  Make the effort and I promise you that it will pay off.  Even my husband really enjoys eating a meal surrounded by a pretty tablescape.  Who was it that said we eat with our eyes?  well, give them something pretty to eat..

During all these up and down times I have to make the choice to intentionally do things like set the table.  I am not able to get myself there every day but at least most days are ok..

I hope y'all find something here inspirational...
Love,
Mona

What if?

What if I started blogging regularly again...  I often think about writing again..  Maybe I will just try it out and see where it goes.

I do have an awful lot of life that I could share with y'all.  After all, my blog vision was to share what goes on in a home that most folks don't see.  My Mama used to ask me all the time.  What do you do all day???  in a very condescending way.  LOL  I never run out of things to do.  It is never boring around here and I definitely like to make everything pretty.

Elevate the everyday is a phrase I have been repeating often..

Here are a few pictures of my daylilies that are blooming..

Let's just call this a trial run..  I just feel the need to spread the beauty.  to elevate the everyday.  to share what is good and hopeful..

I hope you have enjoyed the flowers.  Until next time..
Love,
Mona

Dahlias and More Dahlias

This winter I decided I was going to splurge on dahlia tubers.  I was ready when the growers posted their tubers for sale and was determined to get some that always sell out quickly.  Well, let me say..  it was so worth it.  All the planning, all the digging, all the sweating, and all the waiting.. We are  in the first weeks of blooming and they are just so beautiful.  Come and let me show you what is happening so far..

Lily..our new Australian Shepherd puppy..14 weeks old and so loved

Winterpast

I could go on and on with pictures.  These flowers inspire me to learn my camera better and to use it!

I hope you have enjoyed these photographs and that they made you smile.

  Spreading beauty is a good thing.

Love,

Mona

Landscape Design

Come on in and let's look around..

so many possibilities

deodar cedar..my favorite tree

big pond

view from the house to the back of property

view from the garden 

dusk

our woods with magnolias

ardisia

I take a lot of pictures for the sake of studying our landscape and creating design that we like.

I have been the designer of this land we call Winterpast.  A lot of pictures and a lot of pondering and studying have gone into the last 16 years of gardening here.  There are still many dreams and plans in my heart.  I have done it all without spending a lot of money..My sweet husband doesn't really care what I do in the yard and helps me bring my dreams to fruition.  I had an idea and a vision for the  raised beds garden and he executed the whole thing with help from one man.. building all the beds and hauling in tons of compost to fill the beds..

As I look through the years of photographs, I can see the progress we have made.  I do love this land and dreamed of having a plot of my own where I could do whatever I wanted. 

I am from a long line of extreme gardeners and think of them all the time..especially my Grandmother Lewis. She was an extraordianry woman and won many awards for her flowers and horticulture work as a home gardener and hybridizer of daylilies among other things..

Grandmother

her daylily seedlings with hollyhocks in background

Oh how I wish I could have a conversation with her today...we share so much in common...

We have had really warm weather this week and it has given me spring fever.  Even the flowers are starting to wake up but...WAIT..winter is returning this weekend.  Before we know it, spring will surely be here and gardening will begin again in earnest.

What are your gardening dreams for this year?  I have enough to go around if you don't have any..LOL

Have a great weekend..

Love,

Mona