And the Winner is....

And the winner is…..
Congratulations to Kim of The Manning Family Tree for guessing the exact number of corks in the apothecary jar! There were 325! She will receive a package of my White Pizza Cheese Spread from my product line, The Victorian Garden.
Thanks to all who played along. I was surprised myself when I counted them all

A Vintage Outdoor Wednesday

It’s hard to believe another Wednesday has rolled around so quickly. It’s time again for Outdoor Wednesday hosted by A Southern Daydreamer.

The calendar may say spring, but temps have only reached the low 50’s by afternoon, and many nights are in the 20’s.Haven’t put away those winter coats just yet! For inspiration I have turned to some of my vintage garden books. One, “Garden Bulbs in Color” was published in 1948 by the J. Horace McFarland Company. We toured Mr. McFarland’s home in Belleview Park for the Christmas Holiday tour. It is in a state of renovation right now. The house had been left in disrepair for years. It’s wonderful to see someone taking the time to restore this former Grand Dame. The other book I am showing pages from is, “Chase Fruit & Flowers in Natural Colors”. This lovely garden book was written in 1922. Some of the illustrations take you back in time to a simpler, beautiful, romantic life. See how many of these heirloom plants you have in your garden or maybe might want to add.

My tribute to Outdoor Wednesday is a bit of Victorian Scrap I purchased at the antique mall when I was supposed to be working in my booth-it’s hard not to shop and I almost always bring something home.

Enjoy Outdoor Wednesday and visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for more inspirational Outdoor posts.

These vintage garden books are still fairly easy to find at reasonable prices. I've found them

at yard sales, flea markets, antique shops & co-ops. They have many lovely illustrations &

great ideas for the vintage gardener. I have included a photo of grapes. Before all our trees were mature the former owners had grape arbors stretched the whole way across the back yard.

I almost wish they were still there.

the former Mcfarland Mansion.

Thoughts of Spring

For the past several days temperatures here have been in the 20's. It snowed Monday & even though the sun has been shining, with the cold temps, the snow has lingered. The pond is frozen over completely, when only last week you could see down to the bottom.

For my first Outdoor Wednesday, I profile my garden instead of bleak & snow-covered but as it will be with the first kiss of Spring.

Be sure to visit our hostess for this lovely event at A Southern Daydreamer & join in the fun!

Tablescape Thursday-From the Garden

Another Tablescape Thursday-Today it seemed one step closer to spring. Bright & sunny without the gale force winds we’ve been having, you could forget it’s February. My Tablescape Thursday reflects my spring “state of mind”. My theme is “In the Garden”. The blue toile tablecloth was a yard sale find for $4.00-(it’s originally from Williams-Sonoma). The table topper is a pattern by Brunswig & Fils called Trophies- a decorator sample I picked up at their bargain-bin sale. I removed the coordinating swatches of fabric & trim attached to it and just finished it off. It is the perfect size for the round table in my breakfast room.

The center runner is actually two tea towels I purchased at Target at 75% off. I loved the Chinoiserie-look of them. The centerpiece is a faux orchid with a Staffordshire spill vase of two gardeners in front. The lacy, shabby iron lanterns were purchased at Michael’s last year at the end of the season. I used little, clear flowerpot style votives centered in a mini grapevine wreath. The stem wear & water glasses are over-shot glass from the 1960’s I found at a flea market years ago. The yellow side plates are Andrea by Sadek, I found at a local thrift shop. I am planning to hang them-(I have four) in my guest room.

Fresh strawberries in a robin’s egg blue dish-(probably Fenton that I just bought at Goodwill) are a perfect end to a light spring lunch “for two”. The first course a salad with mixed baby greens, strawberries & blueberries with a Pomegranate vinaigrette. After, I’ll serve my Golden Tuscan Pea Soup & warm, crusty rolls with herb butter.

I must thank our charming hostess, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch & visit all the other luscious tablescapes that await!

I'll be posting the recipe for the spring salad on my blog as well as my website. Just click on my recipe link!

Key Lime Dip

One of my newest additions for spring/summer is Miss Lily's Key Lime Dip. It is named for my little third cousin in Tennessee. The artwork is a fabulous hand-tinted French Postcard. Doesn't it look delicious? Just perfect for summer.

Even though home-grown strawberries are over,

the shipped ones work just fine to dip into our

Summer Strawberry Dip.