A Family Tradition

When we were children and hung our stockings by the fireplace we didn't use fancy "store bought" stockings. We used socks. We didn't have too, we could afford to buy the stiff, decorative stockings with sequins and embroidery. But Mother and Daddy were more creative than that, they loved the quirkiness of the unusual, the silliness of the whimsical. So we used socks, all kinds of socks although the stretchier the better! We had quite a collection and I remember arguing with my brother on which stocking we got to hang! I also remember friends thinking we were a little odd, that our socks weren't charming but a bit strange. That didn't bother us, we knew that Our stockings stretched unbelievably and could hold a multitude of nuts, candy, and surprises! Over the years I have made our sock stockings as gifts occasionally and been pleased to find that they are now thought inventive and fun. Our family thinks they are wonderful and everyone knows where their sock hangs whether from the fire screen or the hall tree. They all have a designated spot and I dare say any of us would be quite appalled and disappointed if a stocking wasn't waiting with our name on it --there Would be consequences to pay!
Our Christmases have changed over the years, I guess that happens to most everyone. Sadly my brother is not here but we added two nephews, the husbands of my nieces. Another change is that we are all older. But some things never change--and that would be the socks! They are a family tradition!

Simplicity

I used to have roses surrounding me. My tastes have changed. I still love roses and rose fabric and rose prints but I crave simplicity. I want less, I want aged, I want natural. I also want a garden room, not exactly a potting shed because I don't care to "pot" in it, but nevertheless a charming little rustic place to put my collections of old garden tools, clay pots, rickety wood furniture, and yes, some rose printed pillows! I have just the spot only it's filled with a collection of junk rather than a charming collection at the moment. Next year! Really! I mean it!

Welcome In!

And here we are inside! See why I love working late? It's just a magical place to be.

Entrance to White Barn Upstairs

This is the entrance to my dear little shop--aka White Barn Cottage but always The Rose Garden to me. My workroom is still in the back of the upstairs and still crowded with all manner of floral stems, containers, seasonal flora and anything else I may or may not need. It is still my love. I haven't really decorated it yet, I always have the white "fairy" lights there but they look even more magical this time of year. The upstairs is my favorite room, apple green, black and white. Basic and shabby and inviting. Let's go in, shall we?

The Beginning of the Season

I've always loved the fresh scent of evergreen so therefore a fresh wreath is essential to me. We used to have real trees to decorate but even I, a diehard "fresh" lover, have to admit that artificial is easier. For one thing I like to get my tree up earlier than most and in the past have had to put up as many as three fresh trees. So these days I am content with going out and cutting all manner of greenery and constructing a huge, lush, fresh wreath for the front door. A birds nest is always nestled in and though it isn't the time of year for birds to have eggs an empty nest doesn't seem as festive! Top it off with a big red bow and some glitter and the front door is dressed for the Season!

The Mirror

Ahhhh, I finally got the picture of "the mirror" on here! Upstairs again and quite comfortable nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Yet.

Sort of a Ghost Story

I was just trying to give you pictures of "the Mirror" that seems to have a bit of "spirit" to it. However, it refuses to be uploaded. Honestly. I have tried and tried. Now obviously I haven't had a problem getting pictures on my blog but tonight I'm having a problem. No bother, I can still write. So write I will and tell you the story that I promised a long time ago. This is about the parlor in The Rose Garden--the only room that seemed to have a "presence" for lack of a better word.
The parlor was the most elegantly decorated room in the shop. It had a dressier feel, more formal arrangements, more ribbon, more jeweled fruit, more of everything. It also had a French mirror crowning the wall. It's a tall, gold framed, beveled beauty that now graces the upstairs bedroom. It was upstairs originally and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The downstairs parlor however was a different story. No, we did not see gossamer gowns floating about nor did we hear noises or thumps in the night. Still strange happenings from time to time and Usually concerning the mirror although not always. The first time I remember thinking "Hmmmmmmm" was a morning when I opened up and went downstairs. It was about two days before our annual Christmas Open House. The night before we had been hanging several very large, ornate wreaths on the side wall. Underneath the wreaths we had a glass topped table with lots of glass apothecaries, breakable collectibles, and various other decor. I was always very particular about things being hung securely so we had checked and double checked the wire and the hangers before we left for the night. That morning all three large wreaths were on the floor. They had fallen or floated down to the floor, all three were face up, they were not touching each other nor had a single glass item been broken or even touched by the look of things. The glass table was about two feet in depth so this was quite a feat for the wreaths to have fallen and not hit the table. And why didn't they fall face down? Hmmmmmmm.
The next three times involved the mirror and each time was before an Open House. The mirror was over a buffet. Three times the mirror fell and balanced on a ledge about a quarter of an inch wide. That's not very wide for a four and a half foot tall mirror to balance upon. The wire was not broken on the back, nor had the huge nails we had it hung upon bent or come out of the wall. No explanation at all really. Just one of those odd happenings. Very odd happenings. Janice used to say that the parlor did not like being messed up or disarrayed. Actually that did seem to have some bearing to it, it never happened when the parlor was totally decorated and clean.
So there you have it. Yes, we have had visitors go down the stairs and say they "felt" something. I feel very comfortable myself but doesn't it make you wonder?

Putting the Garden to Bed

I'm almost ready to put the garden to bed--to weed for the last time of the year and/or hope that next year the weeds don't come up. One can always dream! I have promised myself I would do no new beds. I have too many now to take care of. However, my theory is that adding to an existing garden is not the same as making a new one. Adding is acceptable. So the existing vegetable garden is being enlarged on the sides to accommodate the new lilies that I will order next year! [There are always methods of getting around self made stipulations!] Next year perhaps I will enlarge on the back side--I think that might be where I make the new "zinnie" bed. I mean, the new "zinnie" addition!

Chrysanthemums and Pumpkins

Is the centerpiece too big for the table? No, no, is the table big enough for the centerpiece!!?

My fall table arrangement has a big ole rusty orange pumpkin nested right in the middle of it! Is it too large for the table? Of course not. I happen to like large assessories!

The colors of autumn are some of my favorites--goldy yellows, muted greens and browns, reds and
ruddy oranges. The Lord matched our seasons well with his palette of colors, didn't he? These earthy delights are perfect for the end of summer, wouldn't do for Spring at all! Some people find Fall depressing--the green leaves of Summer turning brown only to eventually fall to the ground, the flowers going to seed, the foliage of lilies drying up. I find it restful. The days, though shorter, are cooler and seem a slower pace. The garden despite it's aging seems beautiful to me. Like a full blown rose instead of a bud there is still beauty--just of a different nature.

This is the time of year I plan on what to plant next year and where to move something that's not thriving. It's the time of year that weeding doesn't seem endless and when I can say, "next year I won't let it get ahead of me!" It's not depressing, it's inspiring.

Every season has it's endless possibilities. The garden grows with it, so must we.

Getting ready for Fall

We've had a terribly hot summer this year of 2011 and so the promise of cooler days is very enticing. One way to feel cooler is to start decorating for Autumn. This is my fall wreath, not new, I made it a couple of years ago. I like it so much I don't think I can improve on it yet so it's quite at home on the front door. Yes, I know its a bit large. Too much is never enough, right?

Shabby Cha Cha

So I semi-retired and planned on doing custom orders, decorating my house seasonally, gardening , and doing all manner of things that I simply wanted to on the spur of the moment, a whim, or at the drop of a hat. Life has a way of altering plans! My front porch looks like white trash, my garden is a mess, and I haven't done ANYTHING on the spur of the moment except go to the vet with our rescue dogs.
So my big plans are to get a little balance in my life. And to start a friend and I opened Shabby Cha Cha. It's in a small antique store around the square in Covington and we have the front windows and the first room on the right. It's just a small taste of The Rose Garden, big enough to maintain easily and still get those creative juices flowing. Kim does custom lamps and I do my florals and we will have some antiques and unusual gift items. Right now it is filled with Fall--arrangements for tables or doors, pumpkins plain and decorated, and of course Rose Garden trademarks--lots of nests including a squirrels nest as a door topper complete with squirrels! The Square's Christmas Open House is Nov. 4th and 5th so we are about to decorate for Christmas! I have branches cut for the corners and new Christmas trees and my workroom looks like I never closed! I'm loving it!
I haven't had time to blog lately and I've missed it terribly--I hope you've missed me too! But I'm back and have lots to talk about! So please check in with me now and then!

Shhhhhhhh! Naked Ladies!!!

What's in a name? What do you call these fantasy like flowers that seem to spring from nowhere this time of year? They actually do have foliage but it comes up earlier and dies down so these beauties do seem to pop up magically. Hence, one of the names bestowed upon them--Magic Lilies. Also Fairy Lilies, Surprise Lilies, and my all time favorite--Naked Ladies. Aunt Lina had several clumps of them and naturally I had to have some. She told me that calling them "Naked Ladies" was not genteel but I could if I whispered it! So there you have it. You can choose your name for them. Whatever it is, I am always cheered by their luscious pinkness, their scent, and their ability to thrill me with their sudden appearance.

The Stone Steps leading down into The Fairy Garden

This is one of my favorite spots. I know, I say that about all of them, but I mean it, this one rates way up there! It's secluded, it's quiet, it's whimsical, and of course, a little magical. This is where I would go to plan the different seasons of The Rose Garden, where I would draw my designs, where I felt inspired. This is where I would go to totally relax and breathe and just be. I haven't had time to "just breathe" lately but am planning on getting there again. In fact, I think I will have my afternoon coffee there. Might as well start breathing today.

The Magical Stepping Stones

These are the stepping stones that start you on the path around the pond where you end up going down more stone steps into The Fairy Garden. I love these pink surprise lilies and every year after they bloom I separate them and spread them to other parts of the garden. I remember when I first planted them on either side of the magical stepping stones--now I can divide them! So exciting! I consider them part of my heirloom garden collection because the first ones came from Aunt Lina. [Where else??]

and more Zinnies!

The Zinnie Bed

My brother did not like zinnias. I think they reminded him of little shacks with only a square patch of dirt for a yard and usually a few derelict zinnias popping up here and there. After all we lived in the country and rode the school bus and there were many such little houses in the South. I, on the other hand, loved zinnias. They were colorful, they were persistent, and they thrived in our summer heat. I also loved the little unpainted wooden shacks with the chickens running around, the barefooted children, and the worn dirt paths leading to carefully tended vegetable gardens. Mother liked them too and we would always plant some much to Merrill's dislike. He sarcastically called them "zinnies".

When I knew that Megan would need fresh flowers for her wedding I immediately planted a huge bed of zinnias. They weren't quite ready to use, they were in full bloom a day or so later. Did my brother have anything to do with that? I put him in charge of the weather and he did very well--only a shower at the very end which cooled everything off and made the zinnies pop out almost the very next day! Coincidence? There are no coincidences! So what do You think?

left together as "R's".

And so L and M.....

The Icing on the Cake

Sweetly scented peonies and Grandmother's Sweetheart Roses adorned the cake. It was perfect.

The Groom's Cake

Logan raises cattle, hence the cows. The cake was chocolate mint and had big luscious chocolate curls on the top. Again, doesn't it look like it just grew there?

The Groom's Cake Pedestal

A Room with a View

And each tented table felt like a "room with a view". Some looked toward the lily lined pond, some at the hosta and caladium bed, some at the wedding finery. You were truly in a garden setting and it felt like the tents just grew there. Perhaps they did.

The Fabulous Menu

Don't forget the fabulous menu that was served on these beautiful heirloom plates---Chicken and Spinach crepes with White Wine Sauce, Roasted Asparagus Salad, Fresh Fruit, and an assortment of Hot Muffins and Breads with Strawberry Butter.

The Brides's Table

The Children's Table

The old picnic table covered in burlap was perfect for the children.

The Caterer's Screen

We wanted the caterer to have a bit of privacy so we devised a screen from weathered wood, burlap, and vintage tablecloths.

Old Blue/Green Canning Jars

Every table had a "collection" of old jars with fresh flowers in them and a nest. Every table was also set with place settings of family china, crystal, and silver. I do have to say that it looked beautiful. The whole thing was a mix of formal, natural, and vintage and it came together with aplomb!

Family Silver, China, and Crystal

Lots of Magnolia Branches

The tents got put up on Thursday. Tent poles are not attractive. Who knew that two days before the wedding with everything else to get done that I would want to wrap the poles and peaks with magnolia branches? Not me! Otherwise I would have been dreading it for days. Since it was a spur of the moment decision I just started it and it got done! Thank goodness Kim was there to help me finish! It softened the look and made it blend with the natural landscaping--Thank you, Logan, for getting the magnolia branches for me. I started out stealing them from a local business that I won't mention--after all, I'm sure I'm on camera anyway.

On to the Brunch

The Marriage Arbor

And finally--the door arbor that Sam built for the bride and groom--or Honey's Door's as they are now called because of the picture I took of our rescued Honey Girl under them one misty morning. Old crocks filled with an abundance of various greenery and lilies, a bird bath used in the background as a flower filled urn. I scattered peony petals on the ground and added them to the arrangements for scent.

The Bride's Entry Doors

More doors from T.P.'s house, this time used for the Bride's entry. Moss initials, flower stands, and antique urns on either side finished the setting. Huge nests and greenery filled the urns.

Roses, Peonies, and Hydrangeas

Roses, Peonies, and Hydrangeas--can't get much better than that!