A Country Living Giveaway

Earl and I had planned a little trip down to the Country Living Fair next month. Unfortunately, due to circumstances that have come up, that just isn't an option any more. Next year maybe?

The good news is, our loss is your gain! If you want two free weekend passes, just leave a comment!

If you want another chance to win, give a shout out on your blog and let me know in a separate comment.  Winner will be chosen by random number generator on Sept 3:>)

 

Are Those Wedding Bells I Hear?!

After 4 years of long distance romance

her Air Force sweetheart is finally stationed in the United States

 I guess it shouldn't come as a shock that they are tired of waiting to tie the knot...

 So it's official, a wedding date is set.

For next month.

Yes you read that right.  Sept 9th ,  3 1/2 weeks away!

A few days of intense panic later, I'm digging in and, with a little help from friends and family, working on making it as dreamy as possible. Amazingly enough, everything is falling into place. They have already done a lot of the planning and I'm trying to catch the details.

This could be fun:>)

Photos by DB Photography 

See the rest of the shoot by clicking the link above.

Congratulations, to the happy couple :>)

Love Mom



What I did on my summer vacation

I think I've broken my own record for long blog breaks. It's been a busy summer, and I'm pretty sure it has been busy for everyone. I'm not the only one who has taken a little time off to enjoy the longer days.  I finally finished this quilt, and have moved on to begin another.

 But this summer has really been all about the garden. Anyone need any basil? I have an immense 8'x4' raised bed of the lushest basil ever. Victoria and I have made several batches of pesto for the freezer and used it in every dish imaginable. Can you tell I have harvested it already?  Hmmm, I can't either. I'm sharing at work today and even then I will barely be able to tell it has had a hair cut!

 The tomatoes are doing very well, although they are still very green. I can't wait to try these. I found some heirloom plants at the farmers market and I love to try new varieties. These are Convoluto Genovese, an Italian heirloom,

 And these are German Johnson, I have grown these before and they are perhaps the best tomatoes I have ever eaten.

 And then there are the flowers. Lord, have you ever seen zinnias like this? All the zinnias I planted have these same colors, red, yellow, hot pink and orange. It has made for an amazing display.

 And then I threw in some brilliant little marigolds to round things out. I'm not usually a marigold lovin girl, but this summer may have changed that.

These rim all the raised beds, and I have loved caring for these and coming into the house with my hands fragrant from basil and marigolds. the whole garden smells heavenly!

I think it's nearly time to throw a few nasturtium leaves and petals in a fancy salad. Have you ever tried that?

 Love. this. garden.

So in short, I've spent lots of time sewing, gardening, dreaming, working, (oh so much time working ) and we have spent any time we could in the evening, just sitting at the table in the garden and enjoying our handiwork. There is still a lot to do , but so far we love the peaceful feeling in this little corner of our world.  I'll be back soon. I'm still visiting, and leaving the occasional comment, but right now just seems like the right time for more living and less time online.

I hope your summer is happy, enjoy what is left as the days grow shorter and cooler. The last days of summer are not to be squandered looking forward to fall. They are to be savored:>)

On a Summers Evening

One of the things I love about summer, the long days make for long lazy evenings. More hours in the day mean more time for kicking back with my sweetie and relaxing outdoors.

Last weekend we decided to take in a concert advertised at a local lavender farm.

We arrived to waves of many different kinds of lavender planted all around the concert area.

The air carried the soft scent everywhere.

 There were all kinds of flowers tucked here...

and there....

A cute garden bench...

And an adorable gift shop.

Even a little snack bar loaded with lavender enhanced goodies.

We tried the lavender, lemon and honey ice cream. It was amazing!

The concert was great, just right for a balmy summer evening surrounded by lavender fields.

It was a very small venue and a small concert, very relaxing and the band was great.

They took a short intermission and we found a little love seat  covered with an old quilt, hidden in some greenery where we could listen but still talk quietly. One of the things we still love to do best. Just spending time together on a quiet summer night, with music in the background and night falling.

What's your favorite way to spend a summer night?

Here it comes....

I'm linking with some parties today and looking forward to a good old fashioned 4th with lots of flag waving and fireworks!

Picnics and fireflies, flowers and tall iced teas in the backyard. You can still get the pillows, or a pattern here. 

How do you celebrate?

Linking with: