One Step at a Time

Decorating isn't as fun for me as it used to be.  I used to enjoy "the hunt" for just the right piece to fit in just the right spot.  And I found pleasure in garage sale and flee market finds that I could go home and "re-purpose"for my current decorating tastes.

Kids, schedules, commitments, and conflicting design ideas reduce the joy of decorating to more of a function than a fun action.  Regardless, I try to squeeze in a little bit pretty whenever I can; one step at a time.  Today I gave the guest bathroom a quick pick-me-up.  I moved the towels from under the sink (where they were getting pushed and piled into such a mess that I'd have to wash them before I could offer them to company) to a rack on the wall.  And I brought some color and life into a bathroom that is usually dim with the shades drawn (since the window faces the road...and who wants to pull their drawers down in front of an open window?).

It's not much, but the cabinet under the sink is neater now, the guest towels are up and out of the way, and the flowers are pleasing to look at when I go in to do...whatever I went in there to do.

Color and Texture

This summer is roughly half over already.  By my calculations, I would have to say it will probably go down as one of the best summers in recent memory.  That's saying a lot since two summers ago we had an *epic* (if I can steal a well-used term from my children) family vacation riding motorcycles through Germany and France.

This isn't *that* kind of summer, but it's got some pretty awesome highlights; nearly three weeks on a road trip with my kids - visiting family and friends along the way, building a beautiful deck on our house (I'm assuming that it will be beautiful, because it isn't done yet), and keeping things low key.  Aside from the road trip and the deck, we have kept the commitments simple and short, leaving lots of time to do...nothing.

Nothing except enjoy looking at my garden.  Yep, that's another highlight of this summer.  Last year I planted two *epic* car loads of perennials in the front yard, in newly created flowerbeds flanking our newly installed walkway.  This summer I get to enjoy the fruits of that labor.

The Hydrangea are gargantuan.  The large bloom in the front is about the size of my head.

 

(A Queen of Hearts for size reference.)

 

 One of my favorites - Astilbe

 Yellow Columbine

 This Menarda is actually in the back yard, but I have a hummingbird that really likes it.

 I'm not sure what this tiny green moss-like plant is.  I didn't plant it, but it's covering some of the shady ground.

 I'm not very creative with pots, but I really like Celosia.

 Creativity in gardening isn't really my strength, but I sure do enjoy a variety of colors and textures.

 And another Astilbe favorite.

 I can't wait to see the deck finished so I can start dreaming up pots of sun-loving annuals.  Hmm. Better order more irrigation supplies.