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The Ones that Got Away

Remember "Old Yellow"? Here she is today looking beautiful with lots of flowers planted in all her beds and in pots as you walk up the front steps.

When she was up for sale, I was hesitant about entertaining the thought of becoming her owner for two reasons.  One because Mr. Incredible is a light sleeper....and Old Yellow is on a some-what busy street. Well more busy than the one we live on now and second because of our Jack Russel Terrorist who if gets out is a runner.  That was more true when she was a pup and I was afraid she would get hit by a car being on a busier street, so we were late putting a bid on her and didn't get her {I still have visions of her glass knobs, chunky mouldings, recessed panelled doors, the built-ins, the double fireplaces, the deck, the dormer windows in both of the upstair bedrooms, the ...ahhhhh}. If any of the houses I regret not getting it would be "Old Yellow".  An invester came in and fixed her up and flipped her.  Lots of that going on in our neck of the woods.  I don't know how I feel about that, part of me likes it because they improve the neighborhood and the other part, is that maybe nice families get priced out of owning a home so I don't like that part.

I'm so glad that the person who ended up in the home is adding so much curb appeal.  I love all the flowers she has planted all around her yard,  last year when she was in the garden and I was taking the Critters out on a walk I stopped and told her how we fell in love with her house and if I could see inside.  She obliged but I did not have my camera that day so I did not get to take any pictures for you.  I did wish the "flippers" would of stuck with a more of a cottage style kitchen than going with the tan cabinets and granite counters, I think that would of been a better fit for the style of this house. 

I'm wishing I could see a window box up there in the dormer window......

Here is another one that we looked at but it was a LOT of work...and Mr. Incredible was not up for that. Let me take you back in time...

Yes, there was a lot involved....it had a big hole in one of the ceilings...

Here is a picture of the inclosed, shuttered patio, off where the french doors are now....

Here is the front door during the fall sporting a new wreath and address plaque. I think they have done a great job adding curb appeal with the flowers, plants, new shutters and paint.  Here are some photos of her insides when she was on the market.

This was one of my favorite elements of the house..those big beautiful beams and that fireplace with the bookshelves on each side.  They put in hardwood looking laminate floors.

The kitchen needed a lot of work and now it opens up into the living room area.I'm not a big fan of granite, I'd rather have carrera marble or buthcher block but that is just me.  I like an all white kitchen but this one fits the house.  It is very neutral, it will fit with most peoples tastes.

 Looking from the kitchen you see the gorgeous mantel, to the right is the big windows that overlook the front porch and the french doors that now lead to an enclosed backyard.

Here is the walkway leading to the garage.  They added on a second bedroom, a laundry room and another bathroom, it was a 3 bedroom, 1 bath when we looked at it.

This was the original bathroom with two sinks.  They did a great job fixing it up.  New tile floors, new vanity, new faucets. 

Here is one more image of the home, sporting a new white fence around it for some privacy. 

Now to come full circle with my post...I'm completely in LOVE with my house..Old Yellow is the one that still tugs at my heart strings when I walk by...but I'm so happy the new owner is loving her as much as I would of, so that makes me very happy but I think I need to suggest the addition of a window box up on that dormer. 

Gardens and Flowers Everywhere

The weather here in Southern California has been perfect for planting and taking walks.  All winter my plants get put on the back burner and are not at all cared for.  Come spring my green thumb gets itchy and my trips to the garden centers are more and more frequent.  Some people get mani/pedis I buy Bacopa.

All my planters get refreshed with new plants and I start to see lots of blossoms starting to get buds on them.  My Gardenia plant over in the corner next to the steps has a ton of buds on them so next month it should smell heavenly when we walk in/out the door or when sitting out on the porch drinking a nice, fresh squeezed lemonade{lemons from our tree, of course}.

My blue enamel wash tub is looking nice and full with just planted Persian Buttercup Ranuculas and a Lemon Slice Calibrachoa, one of my favorites to plant in containers and they love the sun this southern side porch gets all day.

I planted some hydrangeas last spring in this bed, they are just starting to get established. I've been reading up on the internet, on how to turn or keep them blue, the trick is the acidity level. I bought this stuff and it seems to being doing the job. I sprinkle it on top of the soil twice a year, in fall and early spring.

My vision is to have huge, lush, blue blossoms like you would find on Martha's Vineyard in the summer.  I see them spilling over the brick walkway with a ton of blooms on them all spring and summer that I can cut and make flower arrangements for my dining table.  Yep, that is the plan.

I have a few more hydrangeas in the terracotta pots on the brick steps.  I bought my daughter these rainboots from the Goodwill last year but she would rather wear mine.  I had some Gerbera Daisys from TJ's and I thought they would look cute in them for a pop of color on our front steps. {got the idea here}

Here she is wearing my boots and taking a ton of pictures of everything and anything...she has a future in photography for sure.

Crazy Girl...

I like this shot she got of the peeling paint on the table with the simple blossom. 

On my walk with the critters I saw this Cottage Style Garden...love all the rambling flowers..

Love this flower wishing well {this was my collegue at works' house, but she has moved since}....don't you love it?

And here is my little Garden Window with petite flowers inside empty jelly jars {i pick them for their shape and for drainage} and a mini terracotta pot with Calandivia {only $2.50 at my TJ's}. Along with the mini african violets make my kitchen such a happy little place to be.  Hopefully soon it will have a little dutch door to join it..

Speaking of gardening before I leave you...wouldn't this zinc top garden bench be perfect for planting?

And this quote sums it all up for me.....{the last two images are from my local Nordstrom florist shop}

 

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I'm enjoying the longer, warmer days Spring has brought, with that I've been taking mini trips to my local nurseries. One of my favorites, as I've said in another post and another and another is Armstrong Garden Center, their plants are healthy and you get an interesting varitey to choose from as my previous posts can attest. I've picked up a few plants lately on a few of my garden jaunts, like the hanging basket of Bacopa and Calibrachoa, the hummingbirds love them.  I always have one on my porch year round if I don't kill it, it hangs up above my Adirondack chair, a favorite spot for everyone to enjoy a drink and the occasional lunch.  This year the hanging basket I chose has more white in it with a tad bit of red Calibrachoa.  My brick porch is south facing so it gets full sun all day.  I need to make sure I water it every other day and come the hotter summer months everyday as it will dry out pretty rapidly, it seems like they like to be misted.

I have an old white iron crib headboard or footboard, anyways a piece of a baby crib..I picked it up at the Rose Bowl several years ago and my girlfriend in San Diego has the other half.

I like planting something that climbs on it and covers it up totally with only a little bit of the iron peeking out.  At our old house I planted sweet smelling Jasmine on it and it was out in our front garden and it took off.  They can be seen at all the plant stores right now, they are all blooming like crazy, even my beloved Trader Joe's has them shaped up in a circle topiary.  For the last few weeks I've been pulling weeds in the two flower beds and between the bricks on the brick patio that my fingers are numb. So it is time to get it in tip top shape by planting back there and making it a welcoming place by summer.  This is the year since the front garden beds are pretty much done and getting established.  I plan on putting the iron crib in one of the backyard flower beds and choosing a climber type plant...but which one should I pick?

Here are some at Armstrongs that caught my eye...Clematis, an interesting looking flower but I love flowers with a strong pleasant scent especially in white and knowing it will be planted outside my bedroom window and I want to inhale it's smell as I'm reading in bed at night with the windows open.

Now here is a prolific climber, the White Wisteria which has a nice sweet smell.. but maybe it would be too heavy for the iron crib...the stems get really big and heavy.  I think they might be better on a gazebo/ pergola or trellis. 

Or maybe my Lady Banks Rose that my good freind gave to me for my birthday a few years ago..it's still in a pot and needs a good spot in the ground.   All you gardeners out there....I hope you can weigh in and give me some advice on what you would pick?

 Before I leave you my mop bucket planter got a refresher...more purple Calibrocha and some purple and white allysum and bacopa and I forgot what is in the back, it's been in there since last summer.  I use this has my umbrella stand and I roll it wherever I need some shade on my brick patio.  I bunch of rocks in the bucket are holding up the umbrella.  Pretty nifty...huh? 

Well..I hope to show you the final reveal..well almost final on the bathroom facelift I'm on the hunt or having my friend make me a skinny rustic shabby cabinet out of an old window to add some texture to the space everything was looking to new.

 

First Day of Spring

Looking forward to the Hummingbirds visiting our Cottage with the changing of the season. 

I'm also enjoying my trips to the local nursery and refreshing my planters and replanting some of my pots.

 

Roger's Gardens

Almost every year we make the pilgrimage to Roger's Gardens.  I don't always buy something there because they are quite expensive on most of their items They do carry many famous artists such as Wendy Addison or Nicol Sayre that you will not find anywhere else so that does make it a unique item to collect.  What caught my eye this trip, where the super white Hydrangeas...take a look at the above picture to see what I'm talking about. 

This wall of gears and clocks behind the super white hydrangeas was an interesting display...

They have beautiful and sculptural topiaries and paperwhites...

I am forever attracted to succulants {my Mother was a big fan of succulants and California Native plants} in intersting containers, even pumpkins as seen in my previous post.

I have seen in my Better Homes and Gardens Magazine if you want a garden and you are short on space go Vertical.  This would be perfect on a wall for some interest in a patio.

I liked this idea, planting a variety of lettuces in small wooden containers, if you can find old soda boxes at yardsales or flea markets that would be a perfect idea to put in some plants.
or a BIG container full of lettuce....not sure you can find an old PEPSI container in that size...

Another rustic box but this time full of herbs.....

I loved this area over here with the think hedge and lots of galvanzized steel and wood.

Even rusty crusty makes me smile...the fresh greenery, a bit of ivy and kale...make for a great display..

Hanging flower baskets on a pergola....ready for someone to take them home..

This seasonal box with it's monocromatic theme of green...some red ornaments would look pretty or any color to match your decor.

Every year Roger's Gardens sets up this train in the woods...

With the many mini christmas trees and plants....it is the cutest thing...

I would love to have this set up all year round in my yard....why not?

Yes..the super white hydrangeas where my favorite......

That was the "garden" center of Roger's Gardens...in my next post we will go inside to see the place all decorated for the Holidays....and I did manage to bring home a couple of Saint Nick's to add to my collection. 

My home is slowly getting all decorated...the mantel is done and we will get the outside and the tree done this weekend.  Mr. Incrdible does not like to get a tree to early, he is afraid it will dry out and catch fire. {I'm having issue with my camera it is not unloading my pictures}

If you need some inspiration head on over to The Lettered Cottage's Mantel Linky Party she throws a good party and her buddies have more linky parties coming up...today I believe is the Christmas Craft decor linky party. 

 

 

Pumpkins....and more Pumpkins

Wow...I amaze myself...I've been in a creative projecty {yep that's a word, I just made it up} mood lately.  Since I saw those cute pumpkin planters at Roger's Gardens...I have been itching to try making one..I went to Blue Hills nursery which is a hop, skip and away from my house. Picked up a variety of succulants....for about $2.50 each and the bigger one with 3 of them inside for $4.99.   I had the White pumpkin from TJ since early October.

I hallowed it out...with my handy dandy pumpkin carving tools, getting my hands all gooey in the process.

I dumped some marbles in the bottom for drainage, you could use aquarian rock, styrofoam peanuts or any small rocks would do.

Here they are...just the perfect amount...

Put in potting soil, they do make special soil just for cactus....if you would like.

Drop in your succulants and add some spaghum moss to seal in moisture and add a decorative touch....

I had one of the girls find a old branch in the yard, I cut it and hot glued a chalkboard sigh to it and stuck it in the middle with the word gather....

I think it came out soooo Darling.......I hope our Hosts love it as much as I do..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Happy Thanksgiving~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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Last weekend when we were at Crystal Cove on a Girlfriends Getaway, we decided to stop at Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar.   It is one of the best Gift/Garden Centers to visit on the Newport Coast...they have the most AWESOME seasonal displays and showcase many handcrafted artists such as Wendy Addison or Nicol Sayre. I posted here and here but I'll have a separtate post in December on all the Christmas Decorations they have but today is all about Pumpkin Succulant Planters....

In the harvest section of Roger's Gardens they had the most adorable Pumpkin Succulant Planters.  Here is a Cinderella Pumpkin, found in any pumpkin patch, Trader Joes or at your local market, they also had some mini white pumpkins and orange and green striped small ones too!

Here is a warty-looking pumpkin, I like all of it's textural goodness. Any pumpkin will do for a planter, I think a variety is nice. I think it would be really cool to make some out of the mini ones and use it as a place setting at your Thanksgiving Table and they can double as a gift for your guests.   HERE is a great thourogh tutorial on how to make a one.  Now off to the Garden center I go to pick out some for my pumpkins......

Wild Parrots

In the city I live in there is a "humongous" flock of wild parrots that inhabit the area.  I have an apple tree in my back yard and at this time of the year.....they swarm upon the apple tree.

They are quite noisey and chatter up a storm which attracts my....doggies.

As you can see my "Jack Russel Terriost"...Snickers Barbara gets air borne trying to reach the parrots.  Critter {the Chihuahua} doesn't know what quite to think about all this action.  When I saw the apples appear last year I told myself I'd attempt to make an apple pie but yet again the Wild Green Parrots beat me to it.  Hopefully next year I'm a bit faster at picking them. 

Gardens, ying and yang?

For the last several months we have been working on the front yard tearing out plants that weren't our style and taking out the weeded lawn. It is coming along nicely and soon it will be ready for the big reveal but not quite yet. As we decide how we should landscape, I've looked for inspiration in various places. The first place is of course my neighbors' yards to see what grows best in their gardens, as well as what it looks like especially this time of the year when things are in bloom.

Our front yard is south facing so it gets sun all day, so that is a factor in what we decide to plant. Now Mr. Incredible and I have completely different taste in plants and the type of gardens we see in our minds eye...I'd say he is more tropical {think Palms} and I'm more cottagey, can they co-exhist? I would like to think so.

Can we find a happy medium...we have two beds in our front yard...mine and his.  Mr. Incredible loves to do landscaping and he often says, if he was to have a different job it would be a Landscaper and I just love to garden and plant interesting, beautiful and sweet smelling plants.  On the side of our house where our bedroom window is, is an overgrown, night-blooming jasmine...Oh, I love to walk into our bedroom and take in that sweet fragrance.  

The previous owners had quite a few of granite rocks in the backyard flower beds I'm not quite how we will use them..but I think this inpirational photo is a great jumping off point.  I love the Cream-colored hydrangea in the left hand corner.  

I like the look of the boulders with lots of plants crawling willy nilly on top of them.

Mr. Incredible bought some Kangaroo Paws, {the orangeish plant in the center of this photo, they also come in yellow and pink}, I think this garden composition shows how the two styles can mix together? 

I love how full and lush this garden is......it has a lot of texture, color and a variety of plants.  

But then again I would love to have a BIG, beautiful bush of blue, blooming hydrangeas......oh be still my heart.  Stay tuned for our big reveal of the re-landscaped front yard......

 

Herb Garden

Since we moved into this house last May there was this small area that looked like this when we first moved in.  The bushes were huge and boxy so Mr. Incredible pulled them out but it left a small plot of dirt which I thought would be a perfect place to grow a herb garden.

As you can see it is right outside of our kitchen door.  {please don't look at the falling stucco, we need to re-stucco and repaint the whole outside of the house}  You can see my little garden window above it {we plan on taking down the awning to let in lots more sunshine into the kitchen}. 

Here is a shot from the top of it...as you can see in the right back, I've planted lavender, in front of the lavender is mint, Mojito anyone?  To the right in back next to the lavender is basil, orange thyme and in the very back I planted dill seeds.

On the right side it has rosemary, oregano and more lemon thyme.  I love to cook with fresh herbs and having it right outside the kitchen makes it so convenient, don't ya think?  I don't have as much time during the school year to get my coolinery groove on but come summer when schools out I get down.  I got the cute little silverware markers from Anthro awhile ago but they would be super easy to make.  With a hammer and metal letter stamps and some vintage silverware from an antique store or flea market, they always have a lot of mismatched ones.   The stamps I think can be found at the Home Depot or Lowes.  If you have been following my blog for sometime you might of remembered  the planted herbs in mop bucket I did a couple of summers ago.   Also you can go here and get the markers with the seed packet combo if you so choose...or make your own. 

On another note have you seen the new Agrarian Line at Williams Sonoma?  Wow...they have all kinds of neat stuff for the garden,  such as growing herbs or veggies for example these herb bombs.

or the seed bombs from here . 

or some heirloom seed packets...

I love the packaging on these form WS...I would like the packets just to frame them and put them up and decorate my dream potting shed....

We talk a lot about having a garden in the backyard, right now it is such a overgrown weed mess.  We need to get it into better shape so we can have our meals out there and enjoy when the warm weather is here to stay.  One area behind the garage I've been cleaning up that I thought would make a great area for some raised beds and a garden full of fresh veggies, there is nothing better than a homegrown tomato in my opinion.

a chicken coop.  I love this one cause it has wheels and you can move it around.  I don't know if I told you but my neighbor behind us has chickens and I love that you can hear them clucking when they are laying eggs.  I'm really hesitant about having chickens because we have a Jack Russell Terrorist on the property and she might think they gets KFC every night for dinner.   My favorite chicken coop hands down would have to Heather Bullards, you can get it has a kit and make it yourself from Country Home.  Those of you that have chickens...what about your dogs or cats?  Can they co-exist?  Does it depend on breed or temperment?