Friday, March 25, 2016

Cottage Garden

I love this time of year.


Every morning when I look outside, 


there is more color in the garden.


I've been sprucing up the yard because we will be away for Easter and I want the garden to be a welcoming retreat for Lulu's sitter.


Buckets of flowers on the ladder add vertical color to the garden.


I will plant all of the flowers in the garden next week and choose new flowers for the ladder.


I even found time to organize La Petite Maison


just in case our sitter, Suzanne, happens to look inside.


We don't use this area behind Steve's studio much


but the nights will soon be warm enough for us to sit by the fire pit.


Steve and I both enjoy reading (and just maybe snoozing) outside this time of year.


Fortunately, since Lulu likes to sunbathe on the chaise,


we have a second chaise for Steve and me to fight over.


The planter in front is bursting with color


and there are a few flowers I am watching closely.


I swear that our garden is planted by the birds and I'm keeping my eye on this fuzzy little bud.


Two more have developed since I took this photo and I am curious to see what the flowers will look like.


By the time we get home on Monday, I expect the hibiscus to be in full bloom


and maybe the rock rose hidden in the jungle will finally show its face.


I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to gardening, but I love our funky little cottage garden.

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Join me at Poofing the Pillows for Thoughts of Home on Thursday

46 comments:

  1. I also love your funky cottage garden. It is happy, colorful and peaceful. It's also a place to rejuvenate.

    Have a lovely Easter ~ FlowerLady

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  2. I think you said it; the birds are the ones doing the gardening, and the bees...all you have to do is assist from time to time, and enjoy.

    THAT LULU, WOW! She has marked the spot, "X!" She is a crack up.

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  3. Oh Carol, how exciting! You have poppies coming in that fuzzy one you're watching! I hope you can capture their crepe papery petals in photos - they're a fleeting bloom. I transplanted some orange ones from my sister, and am hoping they have happily spread for this 2nd year of blooms I'm expecting. I love how you've tidied up for your pet sitter - she's not going to want to leave! I also found it interesting that even though you often speak of the small space you have, in this one you mention a space outside not often used. We probably all could downsize and never even notice for the most part (after the initial purge). I always like to hear your thoughts on that. Safe travels, wherever you're headed for the Easter weekend.
    Rita

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  4. There's a bit of snow with an icy crust on it outdoors, so it's a treat to see your garden. You do have a knack for making beautiful and colourful spaces, indoors and out. I've treated myself to a bouquet of yellow and purple tulips while I wait for some to come in May.

    Karen

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  5. Carol, I think Rita is right...that looks like a poppy. I love how very colorful it is at your house. I am wishing you a safe weekend. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  6. It's so nice to have an outdoor space to enjoy since you have such beautiful weather. Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Diane

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  7. At this rater you'll have all of us lining up to house sit the next time you go away!
    I smile every time I look at a photo of your red door - it is so welcoming.

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  8. So beautiful Carol. Ahhhh to see the lovely colors coming back to the garden. I wish I lived closer to be Lulu's sitter lol! She and I could relax the days away on the chaise. Have a great Easter. Safe travels my friend. Enjoy.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  9. Your garden is so pretty and fun. I love to see what the birds have planted! Have a fun Easter weekend.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  10. such a magical looking garden!!!! You truly created a tiny piece pf paradise in your backyard!

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  11. Gorgeous...
    Enchanting...
    Restful...

    Lucky sitter, and lucky you!!

    Hope that poppy (the fuzzy thing) blooms before you go or after you get home!

    Safe travels ~

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  12. Love seeing all your beautiful flowers. Things are just now starting to pop out of the ground here in Ohio.
    hugs,
    ~Cindy

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  13. How beautiful, Carol! Lulu's sitter is one lucky person to stay in such an inviting place.

    I love to read and snooze outside too. I was telling a friend that last week and she sure did rub it in that I was wasting time. No..that's just one of the perks of not teaching anymore. Right?

    Thank you for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday this week. I hope you and your husband have a wonderful Easter. Hugs. :)

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  14. There is such an abundance of beauty in your small spaces!

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  15. I love that it's always Spring at your house! I think of Crayola Crayons. All tastefully done.

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  16. Yours is one of my favorite gardens ive ever seen!! So wild and colorful...love it

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  17. Your garden is full of whimsy and I love it! I think you have poppies coming in that fuzzy bud. I wonder what colour they will be?

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  18. Carol,
    I LOVE your bright, colorful and charming garden! LOVE all your bright colors and what a treat to see your beautiful flowers. It will be at least a month to 6 weeks before we will be able to plant flowers here.
    You have me so looking forward now to getting to play in my little garden!!
    Happy Easter and thanks so much for your visits and kind words!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  19. Your garden looks so charming. It's nice that you'll have someone watching over your dog and house while you're away. I hope that you have a nice time away.

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  20. What a charming yard. I adore the red door.
    Thank you for linking up this wonderful post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday. May you have a glorious Easter!

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  21. Have a good weekend away. You must surely miss your little piece of heaven when you're gone.

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  22. Everything is looking lush and full Carol and you have me longing for our growing season. I think Lulu's sunbathing on your chaise lets me know she has her priorities in order, lol. Happy Easter wishes.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  23. I love those red doors. They are perfect in you pictures. I think that fuzzy bud is some kind of Poppy. Happy Easter Carol!

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  24. I love those red doors. They are perfect in you pictures. I think that fuzzy bud is some kind of Poppy. Happy Easter Carol!

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  25. Thanks for posting useful links in your article regarding military. Keep it up.

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  26. Hope you had a lovely Easter away. Your garden is looking so good and full of promise. It is always exciting to discover new seedlings. I hope the poppy is still in bloom when you return. Sarah x

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  27. Good Morning and Happy Easter Weekend!

    I know that right now you are enjoying the companionship of your daughter and knowing that makes me so happy.
    Lovely gardens and such a sweet spot to rest, relax and read in the quiet hours of the day.
    Easter Blessings,
    Jemma

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  28. My front Garden looks wonderful ... but the back is in some serious need of help... I'm gonna have to get out there and do some weeding! With our California rain came weeds!

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  29. I wish the birds around here would plant some flowers. Seems they only plant weeds. This Spring it is clover, which I will be removing today. Ugh. I can't wait to see what that fuzzy bud turns into. Something wild and vibrant?
    Have a blessed Easter. Debbie

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  30. I love your cottage garden too. That is the look I am going for in ur little yard. Have a Happy Easter!

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  31. How lucky for your sitter - Lulu and a heavenly retreat, too! I love your "accidental" garden.

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  32. I love this time of year also Carol! Your garden is looking so lovely. I'm a bit sad to leave on Monday and be gone for two weeks. So many things are in bud and I am afraid I am going to miss my blooming trees. Oh well, I'll see plenty in North and South Carolina. I'm sure that fuzzy little bud is a poppy. I have orange, red, white, and salmon colored ones in my garden. I love them! Always drool over that chaise every time I see it. Have a fun get away!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  33. Happy Easter! I hope you're enjoying your trip. Your garden is such a wonderful source for inspiration. LOVE it! I can't wait to plant flowers after April 15th.



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  34. You and i do love our cottage gardens don't we! One difference when you look out your windows ou are seeing gorgeous blooms....I don't see anything yet. Oh that's not true my boxwood is in bloom. I can't wait for me garden to look like yours! Soon, real soon I hope. Do you remember the color red of your door. Our front door is got Orange tint to it and not liking so much. Love your garden!

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  35. Love your garden and photos. Very inspiring! I particularly like the nastursiums. In Western Washington, we probably won't see any of them flowering until aroiund July!

    Enjoy the spring, hugs, (another) Carol

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  36. I love gardening and I love this post! Just got to reading my blog roll as we've arrived back at our Stone House on the Hill in Greece and between setting up the inside and time spent in the garden, I've just not had time to relax with my blogosphere friends. Enjoyed this tour though over my morning cup of coffee!

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  37. You are forever creating something lovely, Carol. The garden looks so very inviting.
    Amalia
    xo

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  38. You have created a beautiful garden. What a gorgeous space to relax! xxx Maria

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  39. I always love seeing your cottage garden with all its lushness and color. What a beautiful place of relaxation you have created, especially with the chaise lounge chairs...perfect for reading or just doing "nothing". Hope you enjoyed your Easter getaway!

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  40. That fuzzy little bud looks a lot like and Oriental Poppy. I can't wait to see what it turns out to be!

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  41. Carol, your cottage garden is so bright and pretty! We had more snow today and might get even more tomorrow, so spring seems far away. It's all good, however, as this is the way our area gets all its moisture this time of year. The bears wake up in April and wildflowers appear in May and June. That's spring at high altitude! :)

    Hope you had a wonderful Easter and an enjoyable time away!

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  42. Your garden is so full of colour! I hope you had agreat time away from your darling cottage.

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  43. I love your pots on the ladder. I'd have to glue the pots to the ladder at my place here and at the farm. The gets to blowing so hard things kinda get blown around sometimes.

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  44. Fun post, we have snow showers forecasted, siggggghhhhh! Beautiful yard, and I would love to have and icetea in at your little table, so inviting, Thanks, Sandi

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  45. What a gorgeous, colorful, cottage garden you have!! And your fuzzy little buds are poppies - one of my favorite flowers!!

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