Some wonderful garden photos & Ideas!

Photos by Ali Kaukas

Valentine's day is a day to celebrate love. And what a better day to decorate the table & bring everyone together! This year I went with pink, red & white. Of course, I did it frugally buying most everything from my local dollar stores! I like the challenge of going in there throwing it together with whatever they have on hand! Ya never know!

These votives were a hand me down given to me by niece. "Could I use these", she asked. Of course! I used Valentine candy corn around a candle to decorate them! Can you stand the cuteness?

These are a Valentine's day must, don't you think?

I found this ideas on Pinterest. Pipe cleaners shape into hearts for napkin rings. I found these pink plates at our local Dollar King, too! Mmm hmm. Love the Dollar Store!

Oreo Trifle! Layered with Frozen pre-made Pound cake (cubed), Oreo pudding, crushed oreos, whipped topping, drizzled with chocolate syrup. Super easy! In honor of my hubby who LOVES oreo cookies!I spoil him!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope yours was great!

Springtime in January

The weather right now is such a tease! Warm one day..cold the next. Sometimes, I wish it would just make up it's mind! But then again, a nice springlike day in the middle of January has it's perks! I've got the gardening bug real bad! I just want to get out there & plant something! But I have to keep reminding myself, it's not Spring!

I planted these ornamental cabbages in the Fall & was really glad I did. They've made for some beautiful color in my winter garden. I need color in my life!

Both Ornamental Cabbage & Silverlace planted in my Fall Garden are doing great in the winter garden.

My herb garden is doing better this winter than it has all year! Especially the Sage & Italian Parsley.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be in the mid 70's. I think it will be a perfect time to do some weeding & clearing out! The not so fun part! Have a great weekend & Happy Gardening!

Merry Evergreen!

I was at Lowe's & picked up a fresh Evergreen Wreath. I saw a cute idea on Pinterest for an Arrangement & had to make one! I was able to pull the wreath apart with enough Evergreen to do both!

Christmas Table

I wasn't feeling much in the Christmas Spirit until I slowed down long enough to reflect on what the true meaning of the season is about...the true gift...Jesus! And I began decorating the Christmas table. I wanted to make it extra special for my family & our Christmas meal together.

This is my Dollar Store Christmas table. I call it that because just about everything on it came from the Dollar Store(Dollar Tree, Dollar King)...Plates, placemats, goblets, napkins, Candles, Candle holders, etc..with the exception of the glass vase, greenery, ribbon & candy. I love the Dollar store! I love to find pretty stuff for cheap! Who doesn't?

Isn't this little Bird Cute? & I love the Moss Ribbon, which I ended up using to place the candle holders on.

I found this little Rooster at Dollar Tree, too. He didn't make the Christmas table...But I have different table plans for him, later in the year!

Okay, don't laugh, but I found my napkins in the automotive section! A 6 pack of glass cleaning rags(for a buck), with a ribbon & some Jingle Bells slapped on em! It works, wouldn't you say?! Elegant!

Oh, Poinsettia!

I made a trip to Ellison's Greenhouse while visiting my In-Laws in Brenham, TX this weekend. Specializing in Easter Lilies, Hydrangeas and Poinsettias, you could spend hours here exploring the vast Flora.

Tis the season to pick out a Poinsettia...

or two...

or hundred...

It's so hard to choose...

The friendly worker asked if I'd made it to the tomato greenhouse yet. Why, no, I haven't, So I think I'll just mosey on over there and come back to make my decision...

Wow! Get a load of these mater plants! Texas-Sized! I sure wish it was planting time!

After wandering through 32 Acres & Lord knows how many greenhouses, this was the one! My most fave. It kept saying, "Pick me" "Pick me!"

Well, Okay.

This place is a real treasure! And a gardener's dream! Hope you're having a great weekend on the Gardenfront!

I love Fall!

Ballerina

This little dainty rose is making a comeback after being moved. As I have done to many of my roses. All of my Full Sun spots are spoken for. That's what I love about old roses. They're resilient & tough & can hardly be killed. I bought her because of her ability to do well in part-shade. The first spot was a little too shady, next to the house, on the south side, completly shaded by trees & not too many blooms were happening. I moved her to the Northeast corner of my yard on a tripod & am training her as a climber. She's still somewhat shaded by trees, but not the whole day, she gets about two hours of sun per day. Slowly but surely, she's making a comeback! I love her daintiness & Apple green leaves. She can be used as a bush or trained as a climber!

Don't be such a show off, bouquet!?

I have Several Antique Rose bushes growing in the yard. I fell in love with old Roses when my In-Laws moved to Brenham, TX. The old roses seemed to be everywhere, showing their stuff! Then My Mother-In-Law found the Antique Rose Emporium, just down the road from her place. How dare she! These things are addicting! You can't have just one! I wanted them all! But alas, the shade won out in my yard, I could only get so many. How dare it!

In this Bouquet:
Clytemnestra,Orange
The Fairy. Cl, light Pink
Green Rose, grn
Kirsten Poulsen, single cupped, dark pink
Old Blush. Cl, dark Pink
Smith's Parish, Wht

Show offs! But well within right!