"Pretty" Pitiful

At the risk of using a double negative...

no one can say that I'm not an optimist.

I mentioned last week that my poor hydrangea bushes have taken a terrible beating in this heat. Same thing last year. I'm seeing that most plants and hydrangeas especially, aren't fond of 100+ temps and drought. I water them every day, sometimes twice a day but this wicked weather is just not conducive to pretty, luscious, colorful blooms. They started out white, then started to immediately dry up. But then just the faintest tinge of color started showing up. (Believe me, there have been some posts from you all out there that have caused severe bloom envy!)

 Not to be outdone by this danged heat spell, I cut what few little attempts there were for blossoms and tied them together to dry on the sunporch. Which by the way can be hotter than Hades in the summer...no AC, and my husband frowns on paying the electric company an arm and a leg just for the perk of having it comfortable...wah wah wah.

So, I'm looking on the positive side

 and remembering how much I just love those blooms come Fall; 

all dried and "Autumn-y" with browns and ambers.

I'm hoping if I praise those sad little bushes

that they'll hang in there and keep trying.

...on the other hand,

my geraniums on the deck have done well

as they get afternoon shade and a lot of TLC.

 These next two photos were from May.

Can you see that brown patch on the upper right?

yep, that's the yard.

so sad.

We've managed to miss every little local pop-up storm.

OK, out to water these babies.

joining in at:

Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme

Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Hope you're having a good Sunday,

and staying cool.

xoxo,

Where I Create...

Welcome to my studio;

I'ts the place you'll usually find me.

A place where I can "perch", and be the "queen".

It hasn't changed too much in this last year, except I think I may have added a suitcase or two for more storage. That's my idea for stashing supplies; trunks, suitcases, "train cases", and hat boxes. I love old luggage and containers, so they are filled with ephemera, prints, paper, ribbon, jewelry findings, sewing supplies, and any number of odds and ends.

This room is my little escape and sanctuary.

Filled with bits and pieces of the things I love.

Mementos from friends

odds and ends...

A place where I create jewelry

and photograph it for my Etsy Shop

Much loved collections...

and where I write a personal blog on my spiritual walk with God

A place to dream and pray...

and look toward what the future may hold...

  

full of the familiar and much loved.

A desk full of ideas and inspiration...

and a must-have comfy chair and ottoman.

And what's a retreat unless you can have

your sweet companions there to enjoy it with you?

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

You can see photos from Where Bloggers Create 2011 here

Drop by Karen's at My Desert Cottage

to share with more of our blogging friends.

I'm also joining in on these great parties:

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday 

Share the Love Wednesday for Very Merry Vintage Style

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration #96 Cabin and Cottage

Hello everyone, so glad you're here for
Vintage Inspiration.


Do you love a romantic cottage look?

How about ironstone and transferware?

Immaculate vintage linens and fabrics...

photos styled with flair and expertise?

vignettes that draw you in

to partake of each item as a delicacy...

Posts that take you on a journey,

 transporting you to another time and place?

then I know that you must know Jacqueline from

  Cabin and Cottage.

Jacqueline has an endless collection of dishes, books, ephemera, and linens. One of the things that I really enjoy is that so many of her posts have a color theme. Her use of soft and romantic pastels, love of nature, and passion for vintage caused me to become an immediate fan when she started blogging in April of 2010. If you haven't had the pleasure of getting lost in her world, please go by and visit, then enjoy your get-away.
Thank you, Jacqueline for all the beauty you share, for always coming to the party, and being such a sweet friend and supporter!

And here's a little more inspiration from last week!

Sherry from The Charm of Home,
created this wonderful cow print turned piece of art!

Daisy Mae Belle 

took a dated brass lamp and painted it for some aged perfection

I'm Sharon With You turned her "bowling alley" front porch

into a wonderfully refreshed, relaxing space.

And Solange from Shaggy Sheep Home 

shared a re-do of a wonderful old wardrobe.

Looks great from the outside...

and what a fun idea for the inside;

book pages and chalkboard paint on the doors!

(so many ways and places to use this!)

Thank you, each of you, who join in each week, who share all the great projects and decor that you've been working on.  You all bring so many great ideas to the party! Hope you'll join in today for Vintage Inspiration. Please have a link within your post to be featured.

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

And please visit these other wonderful Friday party places 

love ya'll bunches,