I Heart Home

Flower Power

I can’t seem to resist strolling through my garden every chance I get. Literally, my flowers seem to have this strong power that entices me into their fragrant and visually beautiful world. When I feel stressed, or my eyes are strained after sitting too long at my computer, or I simply need a breath of fresh air, I just step into my garden, and I am instantly rejuvenated. What seems to be the most insignificant thing, like watching a bud getting ready to blossom, or a random plant popping up far away from where it originated, or pruning, or pulling weeds gives me the greatest feeling of peace.

 

It's also been great to watch my garden landscape come together after years of nurturing. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a green-thumb, the sprinkler system has worked wonders. But, after many costly trips to the nursery and a few failed attempts with finicky plants, I’ve come to realize that perennials seem like the best bet. For me, these have been the hardiest, most cost-efficient, and low-maintenance choice of plants. And, they smell great too!

Fairy gardens are another favorite of mine. And, these gardens are so versatile, what I mean is that you can create a giant fairy village or you can simply keep it confined to a small pot. I think these would be perfect on a patio, as an urban garden, or a great "beginner-garden" for kids. The best selection of miniature (fairy) plants that I’ve found is at the M&M nursery, which is located in Orange, CA. That’s an hour and half from me, so I don’t get to go there as often as I would like. Boo-hoo! 

Here are a few pictures that I took on my last visit to the "fairy" nursery.

 

Overall, I feel blessed to have an amazing bit of nature right outside my door--my garden. It has been something that continues to peak my interest day after day.

I See Red, Too!

I am so excited to be participating in the "I Saw Red" game. I can't believe it's Thursday night, and I'm just finding out about this. I guess too much work, work, work, no time to play!

Ok, enough of my moaning. Here's the skinny, one of my very favorite blogs, published by Sadie Olive, has started this fun little task. You simply find anything and everything red and share it through your photography. Needless to say, this has given me the inspiration I needed to get busy on my new blog.

I've posted some old photos that I had on hand. But, I want to take more!!! I have lots of ideas, yet so little time left (before the game-color changes, that is!). So here they are, enjoy!

Here is a giant hollyhock in my front yard. My gardener planted it voluntarily, I had no idea what it would become. A real, BIG, red beauty.

I'm not sure what the official name is for this plant, I just refer to it as the red, pipe cleaner. I think it's normally a tree, however these have been trimmed into bushes along the porch of my mom's home. Very red, very fluffy.

I took this photo on a day trip, up the coast, to the Mission San Juan Capistrano. They have a beautiful courtyard garden inside the mission, definitely worth the hour car ride. Anyway, amidst all the gardens and architectural beauty, I was captivated by these ordinary red candles. Not something I had seen before. Having grown up in a Baptist home in Texas, the Catholic religion and rituals continue to fascinate me.

These are the very red, High-Society climbing roses that bloom rampantly, just outside my office window. My grandma gave me this gift when my son was born. It makes me smile and completely calm when I see it. (It's a nice break from the computer.) And, it smells wonderful, too!

Despite his rough and tough personality, it makes me so happy that my son is beginning to share my love for all things beautiful in the garden.