Summer's End



With leaves already starting to turn to deep yellows and shades of amber, paired with some cooler mornings, it's apparent that summer is coming to an end. It has been a long, hot, dry, crispy, smoky (forest fires) summer. I admit, I'm very much looking forward to cooler temperatures and some precipitation.

 

This guy will need to get used to going without his summer romps in the garden !

 

With all of the problems we've had with the William Baffin climbing rose being skeletonized by insects, we made the decision to move him into this corner. I did some research on insects and surrounded the rose with cat mint and sage. Some birch branches were also added to attract helpful insects. The final touch is this charming insect hut for garden friends to thrive.

So far, these changes have had a tremendous difference. Here's hoping that next year, the rose will be back to its former glory.

To welcome in the new season, I've switched our summer front door décor to something more late-summery, early-fall.  Are you ready for the new season ahead?

 

~~~

 



Summer Gardening

 

 

It has been a difficult season for gardening this year. Our William Baffin climbing rose from 2014 is just not making it and has all but died. We added a second substantial bush of the same type but it has been ravaged by sawflies.  This type of rose was almost growing out of control at our last home, so, we're a little frustrated. Meanwhile, we have a zone 8 white rose from the grocery store (meant to be indoor decoration) that is thriving after we planted him in our west facing garden. I am determined to make it survive the winter!

 

Otherwise, our Virginia creeper has also been ravaged by sawflies, my containers are doing OK, but not great, and I can't figure out why, and one of my newly-planted clematis died after it climbed half-way up the trellis. I suppose there have been a few successes though;  our shade garden (pictured above) is filling-in nicely once again, and my first year 'Cheyenne Spirit' cone flower is finally happy and growing beautifully after relocating it a couple of times.

 

With several 50ft trees on our property, it may be difficult to believe we have planted two more trees. The trees are smaller decorative columnar 'Gladiator' crab apples that have gorgeous crimson flowers in springtime. We had a space along our east fence that had been overtaken by (the neighbor's) raspberries and looked somewhat barren and  lacked privacy. After removing the raspberry patch (if you know raspberries, you know they never really leave) and some grass, we added the two trees along with creepers and shrubs. The trees et al should grow in nicely and the trees will grow to be approx. 4-5ft wide and about 15ft tall.

 

Here is a 'before and after' of that area:

 

 

 ~  How's your garden growing this year? I hope you've had more success than I have! ~

 

 

New Addition

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, we have a new addition to our house. The day before Valentine's day we brought home a new little buddy; a rescue cat named, 'Bertie'. He is a very sweet and outgoing cat who just loves to be around people. This new little buddy is actually not so little weighing-in at over fourteen pounds at only two years old! Which brings me to our second new addition...a replacement for the armoire in our living room!

 

I had been considering replacing it with something lower. A sideboard perhaps or a shorter armoire. And then apparently Bertie tried to jump on top of it. Poor guy hooked his front paws over the top crown moulding façade and couldn't quite get himself up without resorting to the power of his back legs (and claws).



Andrew helped me dismantle the armoire and move it into the garage. My cousin is refinishing it for their  laundry room to use as storage. I think it would look beautiful in chalk paint with crystal knobs.

 

After a quick trip to Bondars, I selected this solid wood dresser but hated the cold, generic hardware. So, I selected new hardware at Banbury Lane and settled on Oriental-style handles made by Top Knobs, in a warm bronze finish.

 

 

The result is far more interesting and the cat agrees!

 

 

~ Have you considered adopting a new buddy? Go for it! They'll be furever grateful!~

 

Backyard Progress

 

With a lot of work this season, and still more to do, we're finally enjoying our efforts in the back garden. The best part is more privacy as a result of a beautiful new fence built by Union Jack Decking. A few 'before' shots taken in the spring, followed by some 'after' shots taken both early and late into the summer season. Looking forward to some fuller blooms next year... Here's hoping our clematis and climbing rose steal the show!

 Before:

 

 

After: 

 

 

Are you still on summer vacation and sleeping-in tomorrow? I'm envious!

IKEA in the House!

As expected, my Swedish crush continues...and...if all goes as planned, we'll be in Sweden sometime this summer! I truly cannot wait.

Perhaps some of the first things that come to mind when you think of Sweden are IKEA and meatballs. Meatballs aside, I really didn't think we had many pieces from IKEA in our house, but after a brief inventory, it seems the Swedish 'common-sense' furniture maker has made its way into our home even more than I realized....

Can you spot the IKEA pieces(s) in each of our rooms?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1. sofa table
2. desk & table lamp
3. outdoor metal dining chairs
4. glass vase 
5. dresser, picture frames & coat rack
6. side table & floor lamp
7. framed print (Richard Barrett, for IKEA)

Andrew's Bar Cart

I had promised you a post on Andrew's bar cart last week - so here it is! Andrew really wanted a place to display some nice bottles as well as his cocktail books and accessories. Instead of adding another small table to our living or dining area I reorganized our bar cart that was being used to display server ware. (And it is a BAR CART after all!). 

Some photos of our bar cart and some other fun ideas via Decorpad: 

We'll be sipping on French 75's this Sunday for the Oscars. How about you? 

Are you having an Oscar party? Enjoy it!

A Merry Christmas

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases from our home to yours!

Lemon Loaf Love

Indulge me while I share my baking success.... While this may not seem to have anything to do with decor, a well-decorated home is meant to be lived in, and hence, baked in, non?   

The best part of my beautiful lemon loaf before you: it was delicious! Andrew agreed. I could be on a roll here...Special thanks to S.T. for the pan (it was a gift to encourage my baking!)

Currently working on some festive and cozy posts. More to come soon!

Thanksgiving Al Fresco

So, we were able to have our rustic Thanksgiving outdoor feast after all! We set-up a table for 10 outside, and a table for 6 inside so guests had the option. Overall, it was a great night and we even had the honor of having our good friend, Chef Judy Wood as a guest. A big thank-you to my cousin's wife, Melissa for snapping this shot while all the activity was going on in the kitchen! 

We returned from San Francisco and Napa Valley on Friday. Was gorgeous. Lots to share soon!

Fall.....Happens

I looked outside a couple of days ago and noticed that this had happened. 'This' being the sprinkling of crisp yellow leaves scattered like treasured gold coins all over our deck....

 

 

...And so it has begun; the autumnal equinox has moved in and is making way for the next season. It's the first day of autumn on Tuesday. Time to get out the fan rake and begin stocking-up for the season ahead. 'Someone' is already filling his cupboard! Hope you're enjoying a gorgeous weekend.