Peonies Very Soon!

The peonies in my garden are getting ready to pop!

Purple in Profusion

My alliums are in bloom right now! I don't have much else blooming in my garden yet, but I can't help but admire the pops of purple going outside my kitchen windows. They are so eye grabbing. We have thunderstorms from the west headed our way, so I thought I'd take some allium pictures before they possibly flop over from the impending high winds.

I have been busy in the gardens. Last week I planted 4 bareroot David Austin English roses. I also added some Virginia bluebells in the shade garden and some bearded iris plants up front. It seems I am forever adding to my garden in May - I like to make a big splash. :) I am just so giddy to see these new roses bloom! 

Hopefully my peonies will bloom this week ~ fingers crossed!

I'm sharing my post with:

A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

Cottage Style at Lavender Garden Cottage



Lilac Dreams

Hi friends! Happy fresh new week to you! I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day. This morning I had some time to play with some dreamy lilac petals. They were just begging to be photographed. I wanted to create some very soft photos. The blooms from old fashioned lilac shrubs are so dreamy; lilacs are definitely one of my favorite spring blooms.

In the photo below, I used the Milk and Honey II action by Florabella at full percent. I very rarely use full percent, but I liked how it looked with the lilacs and light in the photo.

We've had a cold front move in and the past few days have been unseasonably chilly. I lost a couple pots of Morning Glories. Ah, trial and error with this weather. From now on I'll keep my pots indoors at night until June. It is supposed to warm up again for the week and I am out to happily work in the garden once again.

Have a sweet week!

I am participating in the following linky parties today:

Cottage Style at Lavender Garden Cottage

A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day 2013!

I got some fruit and blueberry frangipani tartlettes from the bakery for you. I hope your day was full of sunshine and smiles! Have a great evening! xo, L

Old Fashioned Lilacs

My kitchen is filled with the scent of heady old fashioned lilacs right now and I am getting ready to shoot some photos of them... just waiting for that sun to come back and shine. For now, stems have been hammered and they are drinking up cool water in a bucket... that's enough to make my day right there. :)

For more cottage style home and garden inspiration...

 please accept my invitation to follow my Pinterest boards.

Have a charming weekend!

Apricot Beauty Tulips

Good afternoon! It is another beautiful spring day here in Northern Illinois! Today I thought I would share my Apricot Beauty tulips from under my river birch tree. I absolutely love their soft apricot colored petals. I decided to cut some for inside and for my daughter to bring into her teacher today. Olivia picked a handful of dandelions for her teacher; I told her we could give her teacher some apricot tulips instead.

 

I was busy again in the garden all afternoon working on fixing up a bed. I planted another limelight hydrangea bush to anchor the left side of the garden bed in the front of the house. I also sowed a bunch of seeds. I am looking forward to seeing what will happen. Every year I like to do a big variety of color to keep with my love for the cottage garden look. Hopefully my David Austin English roses will be delivered today.

I just love this time of year! The windows opened, the birds singing all day long, the sun rising earlier and setting later. I look at my budding alliums and peony plants and get excited for them to bloom, yet at the same time I love how mother nature takes her gentle time and does not rush their sweet beauty.

I am off to my daughter's school now - the kindergarten is doing a Mother's Day Salon this afternoon. Hmm, wonder what they'll be doing; I'm so curious! :)

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Mother's Day this Sunday... all moms, grandmas, moms to pups and kits, too! Have a happy one and enjoy the day! xo, L

I am sharing my post today with:

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Cottage Garden Party No. 2 at Fishtail Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Woodland Violets

Hi dear friends. I have a special spot I visit every spring where wild woodland violets grow under the shade of trees. Pretty dappled light above and soil like fine sand below. The river runs just a few feet away and small turtles sun themselves on big river rocks. It is very quiet and peaceful there with the occasional fisherman or picnicker. To me, it's a springtime haven.

My husband was studying for a final exam this past Sunday and I suggested he take his studying outdoors. The weather was perfect to go to my favorite woodland area. Off we went and just a few minutes drive. He brought his book and notes and I brought the latest issue of my beloved Victoria magazine and my camera. Springtime bliss!

I am sharing my post today with:

A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life