"GOT SOMETHING TO SAY"

Since I have a lot to say..........I find it so much fun to have yard signs in my garden....you know the ones like "Home Sweet Home" and "God bless this Garden".....except I really enjoy the funny ones the best....when guest come to visit, they find themselves reading the short messages out loud...and when one has been found, as they wonder through my gardens, I enjoy watching as their eyes search for another one that might be on the next tree or fence post.......and much to their delight, they do find many tucked here and there........One of my bunko friends once told me ....."You know what I love about your garden ....... you just never know what your going to find.....I was amused..............I love hiding my "Got something to Say" signs all over my gardens........My favorite sign is the picture of one I choose to share on the post that says......"Choosing a dog may be your only chance you get to pick a relative" now isn't that so funny..........and so true.... another one of my favorites says...."WINE DRINKERS WELCOME, beer drinkers by appointment only"...LOL.....soooooo next time you are out and about and you come across one of these little signs with messages on them ......why don't you have some fun...and add a few to your garden to........after all......us gardeners have always ..."Got something to Say".......

Pretty Flowers and Pretty Food.......

Salad Recipe - Romaine Lettuce-cherry tomatoes- mandarin oranges-sliced pears-strawberries-cucumbers-sliced almonds-black olives-green onions-walnuts-feta cheese (optional)-pour a little pear juice from the can over top........ serve chilled with Walnut Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing-Delicious!

Flower arrangements and food go together like flowers and romance....When I have dinner for my family, I like to include flowers from my own garden whenever I can .......adding some candles here and there, even when it is daytime , adds to the beauty of the meal.......Bringing my family together to have dinner is so rewarding to me so I make it a point to make it an inviting experience....flowers are not just for dinner time either, as we all know..... I can't imagine not loving flowers for any occasion......Striking and creative arrangements are simple to make,  whether picked from your own yard or bought from the super market......you can create beautiful arrangements to enjoy......You don't have to have special occasions to have pretty arrangements sitting about.......not having a reason at all is sometimes when we enjoy adding flowers somewhere in our home the most......DO IT FOR YOU...you don't need classes to design arrangements, you just need some motivation mixed with a little inspiration :D.........A small vase of flowers placed by your bath, along with a scented candle flickering nearby can have a soothing effect on the most weary of souls.....If you are an avid gardener like myself, then the sky is your limit....remember ....cutting your flowers makes growing them back something to anticipate...........So pull out your favorite vase or a pretty glass and stuff it full of greenery and blooms....add the flicker of candle light ......sit back in a comfortable chair.......take a deep breath and feel blessed that life is sooooo beautiful......:D
                                                   

Southern Nights......Southern Lights

Creating an ambiance of lighting outdoors is as enchanting as a magic trick that captivates a crowd.....Star light , Star bright,  let's light up the night.......

I love spending time outside in my gardens, sitting on my comfortable wicker chairs, a book and a glass of pinot nior.........it is the most peaceful time of the day for me, so when I planned my outdoor decking I made sure that it was just as inviting at night as it is during the day.......So I designed a plan for 'lighting'. I conjured up a mesmerizing evening setting with quick and easy lighting......tiki torches, pretty candles and flower shaped torches, along with trees strung with rope lighting leading to the evening sky........in the distance a light iluminates a large gold moon hung high up on a tree trunk with shooting stars of metal to view from the outdoor seating......a flower oasis is aglow with a tall tiered fountain filling the night with the music of it's falling water......the lights, the sounds, the moon and musical water fountains........Southern nights, Southern lights, just how it  should be......so light it up, grab a book and a glass of pinot nior,  kick back and enjoy the ambiance of the night......

"Southern Rains"

There is a song called "SOUTHERN RAIN" written by Roger Alan Murrah and sang by Mel Tillis.

     SOMETIMES MY SOUL GETS WEARY AND MY MIND BEGINS TO WONDER

     AND LIKE THAT OLD TRAIN 'THE HUMMINGBIRD' IT GOES TO ALABAMA

     THEY SAY THAT HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS DOWN IN DIXIE

     AND WHEN YOU GO DOWN TO DIXIE YOUR HEADING FOR HIGHER GROUND....

                                                      "SOUTHERN RAIN"

     LIKE SUNSHINE IT'S A BLESSING SENT FROM HEAVEN

                                                     "SOUTHERN RAIN"

After weeks without a drop of rain......today the showers came......I have lovingly watered my beautiful garden flowers daily and with each day have prayed for the wonderful Southern Rains.......today, falling from the sky like beads from heaven.......my flowers whispered a sigh of relief in the wind......

      I FEEL BETTER WHEN THOSE SOUTHERN WATERS HIT ME

      LIKE THE SUNSHINE, IT'S A BLESSING SENT FROM HEAVEN

                                                        "SOUTHERN RAIN"

      THEY CAN WASH AWAY YOUR CARES IF YOU LET THEM

                                                        "SOUTHERN RAIN"

I hope you enjoy my rain kissed flowers.......I know they enjoyed the rain with each droplet that clings to their pretty petals.......I bow my head and thank GOD for those SOUTHERN RAINS...........

Creative Ideas

 Get into the zone by using objects of color in your garden .......... a garden doesn't have to be just plants or flowers planted in the ground ........ sometimes I use the most unusual things.....objects that are not even meant to be outside....... I find broken bottles or colored plates and just lay them in a flower bed ..........colored rocks are also an option......anything that has color is my theory......I've seen people use old bicycles leaned up against a tree , the basket filled with dirt and overflowing with colorful petunias...it is so charming.......I personally use mirrors and hang them on trees, they do tend to deteriorate with time, but that is ok, I just try to find them on sale and that way I haven't got a big investment in it .....once they are thrown away I have an opportunity to  find a new treasure to hang there......I love colorful ceramic pitchers or tea cups, sitting them on small tables somehow makes one think that that spot has a personal space about it , used maybe to just sit a minute and have a cup of coffee or tea......there are no rules in the garden place,that is what makes it so much fun......you can make your own rules......I love to visit other gardens and see how creative other gardeners are.....it always inspires me to find new and pretty treasures for my own garden place.....there is a man here in my home town that makes ceramic or pottery flowers and puts them a top a metal stick so they can become a flower garden of their own when several are placed in one spot....and guess what? You don't have to water those and they are always so colorful and pretty year round.......Being creative is what gardening is all about and there is a little artist in all people who love to garden......So go ahead and think outside the box.....be creative.......make your own rules.....have fun .......and then sit back have a mint julep.....and ENJOY

Flowers make us happy....

It's funny how lots of things in our lives go past us unnoticed, but have you ever noticed that when we want someones attention or we want to leave a lasting impression on someone we always think of giving them flowers....when someone is sad, we can give them a flower and almost immediately we see their face light up and a smile shows up instead of tears.....that is probably why when we are sick and in the hospital,  protocol is to send a bouquet of flowers, it just makes the bad go away somehow.....I think beautiful things create positive reactions in all of us, so to me flowers have a magical power to make us feel happy when sad, to feel better when we are sick, to feel loved when we are lonely, or just to say hey, I think you are wonderful........here is a flower just for you.........there is nothing more simple or so wonderful as receiving a flower. Often we buy flowers as a way to brighten up our home, we place them lovingly in a pretty vase and enjoy the very presence of them gracing our kitchen table or on a dresser in our bedroom...no doubt........flowers make us happy........I've been gardening for over thirty years and as I share my love of gardening with you and learn more of how to use this wonderful way of communicating with you on this blog I hope you and I can share many of our creative thoughts and our love of flowers for many blogs to come.....so if you happened here by chance please check back because you will find that the knowledge I have to share is fun and unusual........so share a flower with someone today and spread some happiness around .....   :D