SPRING LOVE AFFAIR

I am head over heels in love with

STEPABLES

Stepables are hardy plants that tolerate

foot traffic and spreads like a ground cover.

Mine have finely begun to spread in fact they are now spreading between the  stepping stones.  These are in my front yard along a stepping stone path and I just love them.  If you need a ground cover, you can walk on, check them out.

In the last 6 years I have bought Stepables every spring, as many as I can find.

In our area if I luck up on 4 to 6 big pots I am thrilled.

Probably over half of the plans have not made it through our hot summers

but the ones that have are taking off.    Once established they seem to tolerate  our heat and sun.

They love abuse and keep on growing, it is like they need to be walked on in order to spread.  In the early summer this type has tiny white flowers.

This morning on the way to work I could not resist taking photos.  I am just so darn happy with them and I wanted to share my small success.

ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL SPRING AND TO ALL YOU MOTHERS

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, BLESSINGS KATHY

Elisa has a weekly Nature Garden Walk - come join in

http://www.elisaloves.com/2012/05/very-first-nature-walk-garden-party.html

QUEEN OF HEAVEN

Month of May  - Crowning of Mary

 Our Lady, Queen of Heaven 

These photos above are just some of the incredible collections

featured in the book, The Virgin by Marie-France Boyer.

Boyer traveled the world photographing special images,

shrines, statues, and hearts all devoted to our 

Blessed Mother.

I have always been captivated by the image of the Sacred Heart,

I own several but they are all reproductions of antiques and oh, so special to me.

You find a lot of symbols in the Spanish culture and there are always Sacred Hearts to be found.

Most hearts open with a compartment to store your

religious treasures or to tuck in prayer

for the name of a loved one.

When this you see,

think of the love our Lord has for 

you and me.

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I stumbled on the solution to my blogger problem.....

I needed to download the Foxfire, Mozilla browser.

Guess I just missed that memo from Blogger.

I plan on joining a few parties, there is lots to catch up on.

I've missed you all and can't wait to see your newest

redo, garden and yummy recipe.

Kathy

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage 

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Beauty and the Beast (Blogger)

Beauty and the Beast (Blogger)

Hello Friends,

I have missed you all and have especially missed posting but it seems Blogger doesn't want me to.

Since I have been inactive for a few months they go and change things, just when I was
trying to get into the swing of things.  I haven't a clue if this post will even go through. 
I have been trying countless times to post with no results.

I wanted to send a few photos of this beauty that is blooming her heart out.
Sorry but I can't seem to remember her name.  As you can see the bloom
is long and slender each bud reminds me of a red fingernail. 

She lingers on my front fence and is always a welcomed site.

Each year I say that I will not let her come up, she is very invasive and
has a huge bush, and takes up a lot of room in my little garden.

But just look at her........she is a lovely one.

Back to my Blogger problem, if you have experienced any headaches please
let me know so I won't think I am alone.  The text box to blog is about 1 inch high
and it covers the toolbar so I can't change anything.  I have wondered
if Wordpress might be easier?  Any thoughts on that or if you know the magic button
please share.

Spring is just heavely,

There is always a nice surprise in the garden.  Hope you are enjoying
the beauty in nature.
I will look forward to hearing from you.  Blessings,  Kathy

GRATITUDE GIVEAWAY

I was thinking how much I enjoy blogging and getting to know you.

 Sharing my treasures, garden and opening my

home and you letting me peak into

your life has meant so much.

I am so grateful for having almost 200 friends that

came to visit.  I appreciate you all....each follower and each comment.

That is why I wanted to host the Gratitude Giveaway to thank you.

1.  Please leave a comment and your name will be

     added to the pot, come back to visit, comment more.

2.  Become a follower and that gets you another chance.

3.  Mention my Gratitude Giveaway on your blog and invite your friends,

     let me know and more chances to win.

4.  Post my Giveaway button on your blog and wow.

Lots of Vintage Treasures

French Music - Hardback Book on French Letters

Play and More Music

Metal Roses with Leaves

Wonderful White Ironstone Platter

I will be adding more to the Giveaway to make

it extra special to thank you

 to visit and comment.

Another sweet small oval ironstone platter and

Vintage Linens.

Continue visiting and commenting and your chances pile up.

Drawing will be March 7th and the winner will be announced

by March 8th.

Thank You!

Blessings, Kathy

ANTIQUE SAMPLERS WARM MY HEART

Do all my post start out with I Love.....?

 This love fest will feature

some of my antique samplers that I have recently displayed

in my one and only bath. 

What samplers in a bathroom, is she crazy?

Yes, I probably am but trust me it isn't

because of the samplers.

I believe the treasures we dearly

love should be enjoyed and out in view

for us to treasure.

Framed in lovely birdseye maple, it just

sets off the beauty of the samplers.

As you can see they are from the

early 1900's.

All three were purchased in different years from a great antique show, "Heart of Country",

some 25 years ago. 

Samples of needlework from boarding schools for proper ladies.

The girls were young so it was a good way to teach them the alphabet and stitches at the same time.
As you can see I some didn't make the best grade.

I never tire of them but since I do live in a tiny cottage and every

wall is taken I just had to hang them in the bathroom.

You have to think outside the box in a tiny space.

Come follow me to some great sites, I am joining up with:

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/01/how-to-make-felt-roses.html

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

http://frenchcupboard.blogspot.com/2012/01/voila-french-inspiration_26.html

http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2012/01/thriftn-on-thursday-link-party-9.html

http://ivyandelephant.blogspot.com//

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/vintage-inspiration-friday-74-sunburst.html

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com/2012/01/farmhouse-bedroom-reveal-farmhouse.html

The Last Hooray

The Last Hooray.... came from this lovely single bloom. 

A couple of weeks ago this little cutie pie

was blooming its heart out the day before

Jack Frost nip at it.

Triple ruffles just being prissy.



I love to start bulbs in the house but as

always they get to leggy.

This one vase the Paper Whites are in

helps to keep them from falling over. 

I love them started in my white ironstone

comp but before long they will

out grow their home.

Today was the last hooray for the
 Tulips also they started shedding this morning but they

were grand.

This is my spot to enjoy coffee

and visit with you, so I always love

having something blooming near by.

An old statue of St. Joseph seems right at home

along with the collection of stoppers.

Hope you enjoyed a wonderful day,

 Good Night and Sweet Dreams

It's not to late to catch some fun, come join me.

Don't forget to drop by Ivy and Elephants for their Giveaway.

                             http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2012/01/skip-to-my-ormolu.html

2nd Time Around @ A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

Anything Goes @ Type A

It’s Bloomin’ Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Martha's Favorites @ Martha's Favorites

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage

Tuesday Tea for Two @ The Plumed Pen / SilkenPurse

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday’s Treasures @ Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Teacup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

Teatime Tuesday @ Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy's Corner

Victoria Party - A Return to Loveliness @ A Delightsome Life

Your Cozy Home Party with Cozy Home Scenes

                        A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life