Fluffing up the Spring wreath

I actually did a little Spring cleaning in the yard the other day and spruced up the house for Spring. I even mowed the lawn...imagine that with the pollen count in extreme record highs!  The mowing is usually my son's job but I thought I would give him a break. Anyways... I put up my Spring wreath and added a few vintage Easter picks in it.  Here it is on my front door. It feels like Spring has sprung in Atlanta. Wishing you all a happy day!

Tracy

Grape Hyacinth

I just love these flowers. I planted lots of bulbs of these a few years ago and they come up every Spring!
Let me tell you I have a brown thumb so these must be hardy! They are so cute and are bright blue. They come from the Lily family. I love to cut a bunch and make a small bouquet in a vase. It's one of the 1st flowers to pop up in my yard. If you like the look of these, plant the bulbs in the Fall. They will not disappoint!
"The nature of This Flower is to bloom."    
-  Alice Walker 
Happy Wednesday!
Tracy

Happy March!

 Ahh.. Spring is in the air. Today it is sunny with blue skies and puffy white clouds. A slight breeze and the air is high 60's. The daffodils and Springtime flowers are peaking out. Such a lovely feeling! Wishing you a happy day on  the start of a new month!
Tracy

Priceless

 Tiny moments captured on film that is so sweet and innocent. Natures gift that brings a smile to our faces young and old. A gift that keeps on giving. My fondest memories from when I  was young was picking flowers from someone else's garden or in our own yard and bringing them home to my mom to make her happy. Flowers just do that to us. They make us feel good. Just like this sweet little neighbor of mine picking flowers for her mom. Simply priceless!
Tracy

Ranunculus is the name of these flowers

The name Ranunculus is Late Latin for "little frog," from rana "frog" and a diminutive ending. This probably refers to many species being found near water, like frogs. Yes...I looked up the definition! Funny name I think but I think they are my most favorite! I bought them at Trader Joe's on Friday and had to have a little photo shoot. I just love em! I haven't been around in awhile... just one of my blog away phases....sorry if you have missed me. I'm back today to spread the word Ranunculus! Enjoy!
Tracy

Tulip Time!

 I had to buy a bouquet of Tulips! I saw them and just swooned over them! Reminds me of Spring! Even though we still have a ways to go. Loving the clementines too! Our family can't get enough of them. I recommend getting yourself some Tulips or any type flowers to brighten your day!
Enjoy!
~Tracy

Shades of orange

A necklace I created ...I call it Eve.

My bright orange Le Creuset cooking pot. I bought that at a Garage Sale 15 years ago for $5.00! Love it!

Sweet chili pepper plant! So festive and sweet to eat!

My favorite glass lamp shade my husband gave me .

Today I'm inspired by the fabulous color of orange! I love this color and all of it's shades. I 've taken some photos around the home to share with you my inspirations! The image above is an old olive jar that I have and I love to put flowers in it. These were actually fresh burnt orange colored roses which are now dry and I love them..Enjoy and Happy Wednesday!

Tracy

Shades of pink

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Sunny, clear blue sky and a little breeze. The pollen here has been unbelievable! The light green powder is everywhere! Luckily I don't have an allergy problem because I really feel sorry for those that do. Ugh! But with that pollen comes spectacular shows from the flowers! I captured some flowers in shades of pink and wanted to share these lovlies. My neighbor has this tree with the pink flowers in the top photo. I don't know what the name of this tree is....they look like carnations all clustered on the branches.

These are my azalea bushes that are in my front and back yards. Oh so pretty! Just thought I would share and wish you all a Happy Monday!

Tracy

Ahhhhh...Spring!

The beautiful flowers popping up,the warm air,the birds chirping and the bees are buzzing! It's a wonderful thing! This picture is of my Baby's Breath Bush and my shabby little blue garden house stick. The Bush is in full bloom now ! It is so pretty! This weather sure does change your mood! At least it does mine! I'm just happy all the time! Lol! Well ,at least I try to be. I hope you all are enjoying beautiful Spring weather too! I'll be off to warmer weather next week for Spring Break! I can't wait to go! On another note...I want to thank everyone for their support on voting for my bracelet! I came in 3 rd place! Yay! It was fun and I couldn't have done it without all of your help! Thank you! Have a great day!
Tracy

Just because......

I loved them at first sight! Pink, a bit wilted, perfectly shabby! So I bought them for myself! Yes...I do tend to buy myself flowers all the time. I love fresh flowers around the house to brighten my day. Hubby occasionally brings them home...but in between I need to fill my flower addiction! One time a friend of mine saw me in the store with some in my cart and asked what are they for? I told her..for me of course! Lol! She replied that she never buys flowers. I thought how sad!Actually now that I'm thinking about it I should go buy her some! Everyone needs to have fresh flowers around once in awhile. Anyways ,I thought I would share my bouquet with you. Have a great weekend!

Tracy

New inspirations

Just thought I would show you my new collection of barrettes! I've been having fun with these. They add such charm to anyone's hair and make you feel young and pretty all in one! Lol! How is that for the fountain of youth! These are in my Etsy shop now in case your in the need for that special something for your hair or for a gift! I always wrap pretty too. Yay! It's Friday! Wishing you all a fabulous week-end! I will pull the name of the winner for the earrings on Monday. So there's still time to leave a comment on the previous post. Thanks for stopping by!

Tracy

Signs of Fall at home

Yesterday was so pretty out! There was a breeze and sunny skies! Leaves were rustling and I decided to take some pictures around my home to show you my inspirations for Fall!Above is my Fall wreath! Some of you may have already seen this on my Flickr account from last year! I just love it!

This is a tin bucket that has a slot for pictures that I can change throught out the season's or B-days and fill with any type of flower or fillers. It's hanging on my porch.

Some pansies I planted over the weekend!

A big pot of Mums in my front yard!

I just love the color of this Kale! I planted a pot of this and just love it! I think I'm going to buy more because I just love it! It's just the start of my Fall decorations. It's my favorite season! Pumkins and gourds and wheat stalks will be added to the porch too! Halloween decorations as it gets closer to the date!I can't wait for the changing of the leaves...it's such a pretty season! Have a great day!

Tracy

Pretty Girl

I just love this image! I think she definately is a "Pretty Girl"! Which brings me to my inspiration piece that I have made.

Something about this necklace is very feminine,dainty,romantic and oh so pretty!

I truly believe any woman can be pretty!This necklace can be found in my Etsy shop!Thank you for taking a peek! Wishing you all a happy day!

Tracy

Found treasures

Just wanted to show you my new work of art! I just love making collages!This is a 6x12 collage on canvas. It's layered with papers and paint and embellishments. It's fun and bright and would add a touch of whimsy in any decor! This collage can be found in my etsy shop! Thanks for taking a peek!

Tracy

A beautiful day!

Just clipped some fresh cuttings from my yard. A little of this and that and put it in one if my favorite pitchers. It's a perfect day to be on the porch just relaxing!Hubby is not home from work yet but thought I would have a little something waiting for him when he comes home!

Such a pretty Sunday afternoon! The kids are all at the neighborhood pool and I'm sitting here wearing one of my latest creations. I call this necklace "Stella"! Not sure why? It's tough coming up with names for items! I love the way it came out. It's pretty unique. This can be found in my etsy shop!

Lol! Yes ...I am wearing clothes too! In case any of you were thinking I wasn't! Just wanted to blog about this beautiful day and wish you all the same!

Tracy

I Want to Ride my Bicycle...

Well..not really.,but I just love this garden bike! It's so cute and I get to change out the pots of flowers with the seasons. I've told you all before I pretty much have a brown thumb but I love flowers!! Around my mailbox is looking pretty perky actually!!

I think because we've been getting alot of rain and things are staying alive! I tend to be a pot and basket girl and like to use elements in the garden to distract people from my not so pretty landscaping.

A rusty ,old mailbox a friend gave me and I just loved it!

This is my rosemary bush that is growing wild and free...I love herbs just growing here and there! I like to know I have some in the yard for cooking. Well actually for my hubby cause he's the chef in the family! Anyways..just thought I would share some elements of my yard!

Tracy

These are supposed to be crowd-pleasers!

This is how sad my green thumb is! When I saw this photograph in the latest Martha Stewart magazine(of course..picture perfect)....I thought to myself..hmm? Didn't I but those flowers last Spring? I just love them! It's a type of verbena. They are so pretty and remind me a bit of Lavender. Anyways I noticed in my yard a a stem with purple flowers on it..yes that's right one stem! LoL!

It's sure a crowd pleaser! Poor thing standing all alone. I try. AnnMarie if you read this I know your thinking I'm pitiful! I can dream watching your garden grow!Wishing you all a day of Happy blooms!

Tracy

I Just Love Lavender

The tiny fragrant puple flowers that shoot out from dark green spikes. They are a mound of gray foliage and are so fragrant and pretty! I have seen fields of them in the south of France and it is a sight to see! The picture above is a watercolor drawing I did years ago inspired by my travels. Again I've tried my luck at growing this flower but I usually don't have luck keeping it alive.It's my brown thumb! Lol! Well last Spring I bought about 7 plants.

Here is one of my growing mounds and I can't wait to see some shoots coming out soon!

Here is my field of lavender! I really hope they do well this summer! My climate is very hot and dry in the summer ... so we shall see!!! I love to cut bouquets of them and put them in vases all around! It's definately one of my favorites! How about any of you??? Any luck with Lavender?Let me know if you have any secrets for keeping them healthy.Thanks! Have a great rest of the day!

Tracy

Feeling blue????

Marcela has invited me and everyone to join the blue blog party today! I just love the color blue!

It is definately a favorite of mine! I love all shades of it! I have to admit I love the robin's egg blues and baby blues....Oh and the aqua blues! It's such a pretty color! I was at the local nursery to see what's new for Spring and Summer planting ideas and blue is everywhere!

The pottery is overflowing in all shades of blue! It's really beautiful with the contrast of flowers and shrubs!
I spotted a favorite flower of mine! The blue delphinium. I've tried twice to grow this flower and have not succeeded. I'm not sure if it's the climate I live in or my brown thumb!
I love this color so much I tend to create with it a lot! I create many necklaces with the color blue! This necklace I call Butterfly Kisses is in my Etsy shop right now! Among other inspired blue necklaces!

So if you are in a blue mood today check out........

http://www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com/

You will be singing the blues! Thanks for taking a peek at my blues today! Have a great day!

Tracy

A French Garden

All day yesterday and last night and I believe today has been and will be raining. To say the least it's been dreary,damp and cold. I've been spoiled the past two weeks with wonderful warm,sunny, Spring days. We need the rain it's good I know but it does seems to change your morale. The sun is the best medicine for us all!My mother in law is leaving today. It was truly wonderful visit! I feel bad for her though. She brought in the snow and now she's leaving with rain! She keeps saying that Paris is always raining and grey. She's not looking forward to going back.I think that Paris does get a long rainy season before the summer comes.Anyways I would like to share one of my most favorite photos I took in a Paris garden a few years ago. This brings so much sunshine and delight to me when I see it! I love the painted concrete wall and the contrast with the overflowing flower baskets!It's amazing and an inspiration of how I would love my baskets to look like.This is my sunshine today!Wishing you all a happy day!

Tracy