Ferns Catching Sunshine

We finally had a warm, sunny day after many dark, rainy weeks.
The sunlight, caught in my perennial ferns, made them extra gorgeous.

I love ferns.  

Europalooza

Europalooza, yep, that's what we're calling our next sale.

Two of our co-op partners went on a ten-day buying trip to England.  Their finds at markets inspired the partners who were left behind to get on the Euro band wagon and fill our spaces with all things from across the pond and beyond.  We'll have demijohns, grain sacks, pottery, french tables, Belgian dressers, baskets in all shapes and sizes, cupboards, dough bowls, and so much more.

I was surprised by how much I could pull together.

Peek Into My Space This Month

Italian Foyer Table

French Enamelware Canister Set

Hand-made Antique Dresser From Belgium

Farm Table, Yelloware, Dough Bowl, Corner Cupboard, Down-Filled Euro Pillows

London Calling

I'll have transferware in red, blue, green and some white ironstone pieces too.

Red and White English Transferware

When I reupholstered this vintage chair I added a grain sack to the back.

Vintage Wing Back Chair with Grain Sack

What's more English than a 19c. Staffordshire chimney figurine?  The name "chimney" figure refers to its flat back.  This made it possible for the figurine to fit on the mantel or into a niche above the mantel.

19c. Staffordshire Chimney Figure

Another Staffordshire Chimney Figure

Leather Book and Architectural Fragment Candleholder

European Cutting Boards

It's hard to tell from the picture but this demijohn is huge.

Demijohn on Top of Wine Cupboard

Large European Gathering Basket

Large Stick Spatter Bowl from Holland

Too Much Rain and Flower Deals

We've had way too much rain these past weeks, but my garden really responded.  Plus, my sister Claire and I hit the jackpot for annual flowers. They were wheeling out carts filled with marked-down plants just as we arrived.  Hanging baskets bursting with flowers, flats with vinca, dahlias, zinnias, celosia,  impatiens and begonias.  Needless to say we went crazy.  We could hardly wheel our overloaded carts through the aisle to get to the cashier.  It was a flower feeding frenzy.  We both spent all day Saturday planting in our yards.  It was quite a project but such fun.  Bargains are always fun. I wanted to share the results of too much rain and flower deals.

THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND SPRING GARDEN

FRONT PORCH CLOSE UP

I filled my Chippendale planter with zinnias and dahlias.

PLANTER WITH ZINNIAS AND DAHLIAS

I thought we were going to lose the Japanese Maple, but it seems to be recovering. 

 It used to thrive in the shade of our Bartlett Pear tree.  It is adjusting to a full sun garden

now that the pear tree is gone.

OUR RECOVERING JAPANESE MAPLE

I tucked some zinnias among the rocks that fill my garden.

ZINNIAS AMONG THE GARDEN ROCKS

I found another iron sphere for the garden and planted some zinnias in it too.

More rocks, this time with celosia and zinnias.

IRON SPHERE WITH ZINNIAS

I planted the portulaca in the basket of my garden statuary.

I'm hoping it spills out some more and spreads onto the rocks.
Did you know that you can put a coffee filter over the drainage hole in a pot
 and the soil won't clog the drain?

PORTULACA IN MY GARDEN STATUARY

These pink Dragon's Breath added color to the side yard.

SIDE YARD WITH DRAGON'S BREATH

I filled the bird bath with trailing vinca.

Did you know that vinca resembles impatiens but the deer don't eat it?

BIRD BATH WITH TRAILING VINCA

I planted clematis on my arbor and my trellis.  They're just starting to climb.  

I can't wait until they grow taller and bloom.

MY ARBOR AND MY TRELLIS WAITING FOR THE CLEMATIS TO CLIMB THEM

CLIMBING ROSES OUTSIDE MY KITCHEN WINDOW AND
A SNEAK PEEK AT THE CLEMATIS ON THE ARBOR

I divided some of my perennial ferns and planted them in the side garden.

PERENNIAL FERNS IN MY SIDE GARDEN NEXT TO MY NANDINA

Annuals are a great way to add color to your garden all summer.
How does your Spring garden grow?