Autumn Pansy

Throughout the changing seasons, in Oregon, there is one flower that outlasts them all.  It is the pansy. They are the first to bloom in the spring and last to go after it freezes. I've planted several containers with them this week.   It doesn't take a great deal of effort to plant a few old pots with pansy's.  Will you find time to give yourself the gift of a pansy or two?  It's worth considering, don't you think?

Be sure to pinch back the fading blooms and fertilize regularly. 

   And, if you need a flower to top off a cupcake..this is the one to use!

Cupcakes With Brown Butter Frosting! 
Photo taken from www.southernliving.com . 
 Take a look and get the recipe!

Letterboxing

This young man has been in my life for eight years!  He is our Grand Nephew..which make me a Great Auntie!  I've mentioned him from time to time because he is an important part of our family! 

He and I have started a fun activity.  It's called Letterboxing.  If you have young people in your life and would like to do something fun and educational, while introducing them to new areas of the world, do take a closer look at this.  It's a kind of treasure hunt that takes you to interesting  places.  Go to http://www.atlasquest.com/ and figure out what I'm talking about.  All the hobby requires is a car, journal book, a handmade rubber stamp(or finger print), ink pad and a pencil.  Take a snack along, have fun and don't let anyone see you at work!!  It's a highly secretive adventure!

O yes, do think up an interesting nick name for yourself.  You will need it when you find the hidden letterbox and sign-in. 

On our trek through Elk Creek Gardens at Bishop's Close we saw several beautiful and unusual flowers.  Many of them only bloom in the cooler weather and are in the lily family. 

To read a previous post about Bishop's Close from October 23, 2008....go to it here.

The slugs were out on this day.  Ick...ick..ick....but kind of worth looking closer at.  This specimen was skimming over the rocks! 

We found the Koi pond and stopped to peer into the green water.  There were many  Koi fish swimming around and just the kind of thing a young man of eight would like to look at!

Another lily appeared around the bend. It had no leaves..just a tall, thick stem and these beautiful flowers.

Fall Crocus..randomly growing along the path.

The back side of the Kerr Mansion appears through the bushes and trees surrounding the estates ten acres. 

Below is a side entrance.  It shows the simplicity and the charm of the stately home. 

Wuthering Heights comes to my mind when I come here.  There are some nice details to the building but it is also stark and plain.  It is a big grey cement house with lots of rooms. 

As we leave the parking lot we notice the blue bench almost hidden beneath the very large wisteria vine. We wanted to stay but our next stop was the DQ for an Oreo Blizzard! 

Harvesting Sunflowers and Zinnias

It's time to gather the flowers and begin the process of drying, in preparation for making some very colorful wreaths. 

 

I'll be sharing the wreaths as soon as the drying is done and autumn's air has turned crisp.

These are the days that I wait for all year. Cool mornings with unfolding warmth as the day goes on.  Autumn is "my" season. I love each seasonal change we experience throughout the year, but there is something about Fall that brings me that feeling of complete satisfaction.  Maybe it's the harvest of our labor, maybe it's because I was born in this season, but whatever it is.....it is good! 

Water play

LA enjoyed quiet play on the front porch this afternoon. 

She had tubs of water, rocks and some treats to eat. 

Maggie joined in as the day progressed.

 Maggie and LA are about the same age at heart.  They react to life with similar glee! Each of them likes to tell the other what to do!

LA is gone and the house is quiet.  We miss her little squeals of joy at each new experience and so does Maggie!

Both of these faces are about as cute as they get in my book. 

There is one more adorable face in our family.  It belongs to the newest member..who turns two months old this week.  He is growing like a weed and looks a lot like his mommy and daddy.  Trust me..he's cute!! 

(Spoken like a true grama!!  :)

First Pony Ride

The sweetest days come right when you need them!

Our granddaughter has been talking about "the pony ride" for weeks.  She was invited over weeks ago and it happened! 

 The pony, Oreo, had to be brushed.  Next, the saddle was put on,  helmet  placed on LA's head and up she went! 

And, off she goes!

I think LA has been bitten by the pony bug!  What do you think? She did not want to get off of Oreo and that was clearly stated! 

Love you sweet one!

Traditional Wedding Flowers

Pink and white flowers were the choice for the weekends traditional style wedding. Flowers filled my car as I drove north to the outdoor/indoor setting of my last wedding for the summer.

This wedding was a lot of fun to do.  The bride gave me free reign in design ideas and flower choice.  It was important to have flowers that would make the six hour trip and still be in good condition to arrange. I chose roses, asters, mums, lilies, gerbera daisies, hydrangea, baby's breath, grasses, curly willow, leather fern, ivy, and salal.

The bridesmaids bouquets were especially wedding like in the nosegay style and finished with a cone shaped holder.  I covered heavy carboard cones with pink polka dot paper and added pink organza ribbon as the finishing touch.  The flowers were arranged in an oasis holder that keeps the flowers fresh for hours and  then glued into the cone.

The brides bouquet was styled in the traditional cascade and held a dozen pink roses, bouvardia, asiatic lilies, daisy mums, salal and ivy. 

Pink organza ribbon and white tulle was tide lightly around the holder, which created a stream like flow as the wind gently blew. 

A simple cake topper of pink roses, mums and asters were placed on the cake.

Life is beautiful and even more so when there is a wedding! 

Wedding month....

..is just about over.  As I write this, my car is packed, and ready to head out first thing tomorrow morning.  Another wedding is about to unleash a fury of activity and my job is to design the flower arrangements.  I'll be arranging on-site.

Last weekends wedding was a dream come true for an amazing young bride.  She chose a beautiful country farm setting and everything fell into place!

The brides dress was white, off the shoulder and flowing.  She was beautiful carrying her bouquet of mixed calla lilies and white satin ribbon.  The bridesmaids wore teal blue t-length gowns, which set off the simple and sleek lines of the lilies. 
The country farm setting was pristine and well appointed at each turn in the path. 

Benches were placed perfectly for the guests to sit, take in the lush green lawns and flourishing flower beds. Notice..no weeds! 

I found this farm to be one of a kind with HUGE Black Walnut trees that created a sun barrier like none other.  It was pleasant and refreshing all day long.

I'll be back in a few days and ready to share more flowers from my travels. 

Have another good weekend!