Monday, May 25, 2009

My crown is in my heart

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Today was a really productive day at the old manor house on the hill.

Did you know that if you drink several glasses of iced tea throughout the day, you can keep going and going. And going . . .

Today we each worked on our own projects. My husband was in his garden and I continued with my container gardens that I’d begun last weekend.

I would work for awhile, then take a break and cool off with a glass of raspberry iced tea.

I love raspberry iced tea. And mint. And ginger, too. And blueberry, actually. It’s surprisingly good. But today I made raspberry.

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I have this three-tiered wire planter that I like to line with moss and then fill with little impatiens. It will be beautiful in about a month or so when they start to get bigger.

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My husband moved the pansies to the shady side of the house. They’re still doing pretty well, I’d say.

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This is the front porch. It’s a nice place to sit in the mornings and evenings. That’s the huge azalea bush on the right. I bought those urns at the WalMart last weekend. They were on sale and look like stone. But they’re not. I hope I haven’t ruined it for you now that you know.

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I found this old wire planter in the garage. I don’t like to use other people’s things but it looks nice hanging on the back porch. And it goes with the house.

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I have a collection of wire planters and each year I just buy new coco mats. I couldn’t find any for the cone planter, so I improvised and used moss at the top. I actually like it better this way, don’t you?

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I love yellow petunias and these were on sale this weekend at Home Depot.

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We needed new lawn chairs. The camp chairs we’ve had for the past couple of years were looking ratty and these pretty yellow chairs were on sale at the WalMart. They’re really comfortable, too.

It’s been a beautiful week here in Maryland. A little warm today, but the house has been staying cool (so far). It’s from precise timing on my husband’s part, of opening and closing windows and curtains to keep the cool inside.

Hope things are going swimmingly in your neck of the woods!

Until we meet again . . .

My crown is in my heart, not on my head,

Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones,

Nor to be seen: My crown is called content:

A crown that is, that seldom kings enjoy.

William Shakespeare

30 comments:

Hilary said...

These photos are just lovely. Everything about it says contentment. Beautiful.

Unknown said...

Can I run away for a while and come camp on the property?

It is so beautiful and what a beautiful job you did. It made my heart SING!!!!

Daryl said...

Oh nice ... now I am having hanging plant envy ... those urns are SO urn-y.. I could use a BIG one of those for inside the wrought iron gate, dont you think? Keep an eye open for one ... you'll know it when you see it. xoxo

Jeannelle said...

Gorgeous goings-on at the manor house! I love pansies.....but, they are so fragile....we have much wind here and they don't do well with it.

Mental P Mama said...

Just beautiful. I am a new Walmart groupie;) And I can see I need to take one of those urns in to you-know-who!

Maria said...

they are all beautiful, what an enjoyable way to spend the day

Sue said...

Hi Kate....your giving away a secret....That Walmart actually has some good stuff...I love the urns...who knew they weren't stone...everthing looks lovely...Hope you have anice Memorial weekend...Sue

ELK said...

what a very wonderful gardening post Kate...i know you will sleep well..if you stop drinking the tea!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

It looks just lovely! Ilike what you did with moss. Sometimes when we improvise it turns out even better!

Jacqueline said...

Lovely pictures. I feel like you are walking us around your house showing us your latest finds from the stores. Pretty much like things around my house. :)

Sounds like a peaceful holiday weekend.

Thanks for sharing!

Jacqueline said...

Almost forgot--I love the Shakespeare quote. I had not seen it before--its so true.

Kentucky Farm Girl said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Flea said...

You've ruined it for me. :)


Love all your plants, hanging and otherwise. Now that the weekend is over, I can go play in my garden. :)

Country Girl said...

Well, thanks all. I'm glad. And that is one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes. Ever.
I am sitting here shaking because I tried to add a Stumbleupon bar at the bottom of my posts. I must have done something wrong because I lost all my posts. Everything! And stupid me hadn't made a copy of my template . . .
Went back in and found the problem and now I can sleep easier.
It's so scary hitting delete sometimes!

~ C.G.

Char said...

you are making a beautiful retreat - really beautiful. and I love the flavored ice teas too.

Leenie said...

Love the new banner and the new look of your blog. Scary to think it almost went poof into cyberspace! Your flowers and photos and the fun stuff you found at Wally's and Home Depot. Wow.

BB said...

Sweet. I felt like an iced tea myself halfway through!! Luckily I had a chardonnay at hand, which filled the void nicely...

I too love your new header - I shall use it to inspire me to update mine!

I have Autumn at my place - love blogs during the changing of seasons... the contrast is wonderful.
:-)
BB
PS Adored that quote too.

T said...

I love your wire hangers - I have a few and plan on getting them out soon.

I've seen those planters at Wally world - not on sale in mine yet, so I have to wait a bit!

abb said...

Nice the rest of your weekend was so nice. My hub and I also worked our rumps off yesterday. I slept like a baby last night. Very nice!

Anonymous said...

I am getting more and more into the planters also. Ahh... annuals! But my heart belongs to perennials!

Mary said...

Ah yes, there is such quiet satisfaction from planting a few flowers, isn't there? So glad to see you content.

Oh, and I love the texture on the petunia photo!

Mary said...

Ooops, forgot to say how much I LOVE your new header!

Deb said...

I, too, love the new header. It is so soothing. One of my passions is container gardening. You have presented a lovely arangement of beautiful flowers.
Good job, kate!

Skogkjerring said...

Really lovely Kate, I love planting in my garden also and all the summer flowers are so sweet, pansies are one of my favourites also...such sweet faces..
I'm afraid on the tea I'm just a plain ol' sun tea gal with a couple spoons of sugar and I'm a happy camper...here in Norway they sell peach and lemon tea in convient bottles for when you are thirsty but no regular tea without flavor..bugs me to pieces..but I'll be making sun tea this summer..love that stuff...
You mentioned walmart also...got homesick a bit after that one..love walmart..wonder why they haven't come to Norway yet..probably too expensive for them...huff...

Together We Save said...

Your home and flowers are beautiful.

Karen said...

What pretty flowers and captured so beautifully on film.....well...digi bits! :> I just love the color saturation paired with the vintage feel of the photo. Thanks for sharing your garden! :>

Woman in a Window said...

Yes! Swimmingly! I considered a wood fire today I was so cold.

Beautiful treasures around your place. Always invites relaxation. You do take a break, don't you?

Daniela said...

I love your blog..and your flowers..and iced tea..haha.

imom said...

Looks like a lovely way to spend a day!

Anonymous said...

I bought a coco mat
as well the other day. we'll see how long it lasts