2017 Gardens

Its been a year since I've posted anything - where does the time go?   There have been a lot of changes to my garden this year and its time to reveal.

I love my little garden patio but it is too hot to sit there much of the time.  

This spring my husband crafted a gazebo for me by combining two wrought iron arches.  My biggest problem at that time was what to grow to give me shade -  roses, clematis, morning glories?

Before it had warmed up enough to plant anything we got new neighbors and their arborvitae hedge (my garden backdrop) had to come down - a necessary move.    With the hedge went my backdrop and privacy for both of us.   They put up a new fence and I took on the challenge to give us both privacy -  lots of trips to local nurseries with a girl friend - always a fun day.

Two shepherd's poles and hanging baskets went up.

The birds are happy.

This started to build a backdrop from my favorite viewing spot.

Morning glories were planted on the sides of the trellis since I knew they would grow the fastest and give me the most coverage.  The solar chandelier was crafted for evening glow.

They slowly started to grow

and grow

and grow to give me my private little tea house.    There are two chairs inside blocked from view by the foliage.   So far I have deep purple, pink and blue flowers but not enough to show all at one time.

The view from the front part of my garden through the trumpet vine arbor into my secret garden.

Garden Art

Our Historical Society recently hosted a Garden Tour and Sale which prompted me to share some pictures of my garden and some of the items from the sale. 

My Fairy Garden Tea Cart

 Pink poppies - new this year.  The plate flower is from last summer.

Our little girl and boy mannequins guard the garden art at the Historical Society.

Close up view of a garden totem, succulent garden and button flower bouquet

Succulent Gardens and Totem posing for poster pictures

My back porch lined with succulent gardens awaiting transport to the sale.

Planters from my patio

Garden Flowers and chimes crafted by Geri

Inside view of Window Display

Our Garden Lady Window by  Barb

Garden Totems

Daughter Michelle providing background music during the Garden Tour

My Rock Garden

My daughter and I stole this idea for the crocheted rocks from Barb who did our Garden Lady window.  Barb's daughter Andrea has pictures from our garden tour posted on her blog.  You can visit it by clicking here.

Garden tour day was in the 90's but we had a good turn out.  I did not take any pictures on tour day as I was busy greeting in one of the gardens but did want to share some of the crafting leading up to the event.

Unusual Teapot Find

I found this unusual coffee/tea pot combination at a local antique store and had to have it.  The delicate ring of roses was too precious to pass up plus the stacked pieces fascinated me.

My parents had a dripolator coffee pot so, even though the pot was in the shape of a teapot,  I believe it was meant to brew coffee.

There was also a tea strainer which leads me to believe it was meant to be used for coffee or tea - unless this strainer was meant for the coffee.   I believe the holes are large enough that coffee grounds would go through them so have discounted that theory.   Of course we tea lovers know you would never brew coffee and tea in the same pot!

I looked the coffee pot up on the internet and the Apilco  China was made in France and known for its special glaze which would maintain the color permanently.  It made special reference to the interior glaze so I'm assuming it would not stain.

View inside the dripolator.

Outside view of the same.

The tea strainer fits on next with the top of the coffee pot fitting snugly on top of this stack or on the coffee pot itself.

I love the uniqueness of this piece, and since I am strictly a tea drinker,  this will remain a teapot in my house.

I will by joining Sandi for Teatime Tuesday

Tea Cup Heaven Part V

Welcome to the last of my 5- part Teacup Heaven posts sharing a collection of teacups recently given to me.  I've saved the best for last as this is my favorite of the teacups.

I had starting collecting "black" teacups over a year ago with the intent of using them for a Halloween Tea.  So far I have only been able to find 2 so this was a welcome addition.

Even if I hadn't been looking for black cups this would have been my favorite.  I love the deep pink roses against the black.

This delicate rose teapot is the perfect companion.  The cross stitch rose napkins were a Christmas gift and go nicely with the cross stitch luncheon cloth.

The black cross stitch picks up the black in the cup.

I'm especially fond of teacups with a flower on the inside.

I had to take a picture with the full table cloth to show the pink tulips.  I'll do a future post on the unusual coffee/tea pot that's shown.

This ends my series on my very special gift of teacups that belonged to my friend Dottie's mother.  These cups are so very special to me and I will cherish them and give them a loving home.  Dottie's house is small and she didn't have a place to store or display them.   I did these posts to thank her for her generosity and honor her mother--plus she can visit them whenever she likes.

I will be joining Sandi for Teacup Tuesday

Teacup Heaven Part IV

I have two more teacups to share today from my girlfriends's mom collection.  I wish I could have known her mom as we are definitely kindred spirits.

This floral bouquet is as pretty on the back as it is on the front.

The yellow rose has been replaced by a buttercup on the back.

There is yet another bouquet on the inside of the cup.

I added the next photo to show off the beautiful embroidered tablecloth.

The table looks a little busy but the embroidery has all the colors of the teacup.   I love my embroidered tablecloths but often end up not using them because they seem to fight with my dishes instead of enhancing them when setting up for a tea.

The second teacup today has a pretty orange flower in the bouquet.

I immediately thought of my Hall Orange Poppy Teapot.  I seldom used this teapot because I didn't have a tea cup to compliment it.

The back of this teacup has a pretty blue and white motif.

  My mom made this blue cross stitch tablecloth for me.  It accents the tiny blue flowers on the teacup and teapot.

I've took all the photos for this 5 part series in one day .  I have fasting blood work next week so have avoided putting any sweets in the photos but all these shots have my sweet tooth throbbing and the pictures are begging for a proper teatime treat.

With only one more post in this series I want to thank all of you who have made me welcome to "linked" tea parties.  All the kind comments and words of encouragement are truly appreciated.

I will be joining Sandi for Teatime Tuesday to get my sweet fix as I view all the treats in my fellow blogger's posts.