sweetness

Happy birthday sweet bean! 

Goodbye summer.....

photo taken by my talented sis-http://eguzaldo.zenfolio.com/guestbook.html

some fall trimmings

I am trying to do fall around here on a budget.  It is important when you have to buy diapers and fall shoes that you think of ways to make it beautiful yet practical.  So here is my attempt...

  

We don't get any sun on our front porch so I used willow branches that I had from Michaels to add height to this planter. 

I dug up some ivy from the side yard to add some draping.

To add color I used a coupon to purchase two shade perennials that I can plant in the yard before it gets too cold.  

Our side yard is a shared and loved space with my garden buddy Sue.  Her pines are dropping an insane amount of pinecones this year which seems odd considering how dry and hot it was.  Whatever the reason, we are taking advantage of it by making stuff!

The kids and I made pinecone garland for our fence.....

So far so good!  

what sparks you to create

There are things that I see and hear that spark my soul to create.  You know, they are those things that give you a RUSH of inspiration.  When you have encountered it, you suddenly feel that you can do anything.  My brother is one of my sparks.  He reminds me of what it means to be a fearless artist in this day and age of labeling and categorizing.  John works endlessly at his craft and it is 100% his own.  It would be easy for him to take the safe route with his music.  Cover songs and create songs that the "general" public would relate to.  But he won't.  He won't because he is the epitome of what a real artist is.   

My advice to myself and others is to remember your sparks and keep on creating.  It's what makes the world a beautiful place! 

Interview and music clip of John below....

http://naperville.patch.com/articles/video-one-man-folk-band-brings-unique-sound-to-naperville#video-9932372

end of week garden inspiration

infusing color

collected spaces

Design is everywhere.  I love reading about plants and gaining knowledge about how to become a better gardener.  The interior of the home is just as important to me.  What surrounds us in our home fuels our creative energy.  As in the garden,  I enjoy looking at interior spaces that are collected and tell a story.  I cherish the little pieces in my home that have been passed down to me from my grandma because they remind me of what a strong woman my grandmother was.  Her gardens like her home told a story.

our living room..my daughter's framed artwork

Our bookcase with grandma's teacup and gold leafed mirror.  My great-aunt's silverware box from the 1930's.







Below are some interior spaces that I like.....

John Derian's home via Bon Appetit

via BHG

via Courtney Bishop




And one to read.....

Sunday digging

1.  define bed around Pin Oak on the side yard

Before

After-hostas are going 

2. transplant Dogwood Tree to the side yard 

3.  plant Snowball Viburnum shrubs on side yard...gift from my garden buddy next door

4.  finish one fall container-Purple Fountain Grass, Coleus, Sweet potato vine

5.  plant Barrenwort and 'Gold Zebra' Coral Bells along path in the front yard garden

6.  assess garden casualties 

Beard Tongue

the spare room spruce up

Time to spruce up the spare room for bean #3.   She will be in this space until she is old enough to bunk up with her sis. 

What we need is ART! 

Below is some inspiration I picked up today.  I plan on creating a gallery wall for her.  

The Challenge:  Create 4 to 5 pieces for the wall with 75 dollars 

Piece number one.....  

Leaves on Canvas