Our Scented Garden

When we first moved to this house there was a huge oak tree situated right in front..sadly we found out soon after moving in that it was in failure and had to be taken out. So then the front half of our yard was big mess o' nothing after the tree was removed. I envisioned a partitioning off with an arch and lovely, scented plants and flowers growing everywhere.

I am one of those blessed wives whose husband tries very hard to make all my dreams come true. He started off by installing a picket fence with an archway and planting fragrant honeysuckle to grow along it..and a small, planked 'bridge' of sorts inviting you to venture to the other side..

Once inside, one's sight and senses are enthralled by fragrant lavender, thyme, gardenia, roses and jasmine!

Walking across the carpet of thyme releases the captivating scent and relaxing in the chairs with a glass of iced tea..or wine in the evening ;-) is just heavenly!

Steve arranged darling garden figures to add whimsy and delight for me...

Gardenia and lavender..aaahhhh!

Sweet roses..

Sitting amongst the ivy and plants adds coolness and relief from summer's heat.

The view from the chair.....

..you feel so secluded as you can't be seen from the street.

Winston loves to romp here...

I am so grateful to Steve for creating this sanctuary for me!

I will be taking a bloggy break this week as our BFF's are coming to visit...in the mornings you will probably find us here with our coffee, catching up on life! Have a wonderful week!!

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment”

~Jane Austen

Serenity in Scottsdale, AZ

 I must say..the heat did not bother me in Scottsdale. While my husband was getting a surprise honor at his business  luncheon on Friday (more later), I enjoyed the view off my balcony at the hotel~in fact, I spent the afternoon there reading, studying, and writing. The sound of bubbling water is always so soothing to me..

 The sweet soft clucking sound of a mother duck with her babies gliding along the pond added to my delight.

  

In the evening we relaxed...

I am happiest when I am with Steve and near some sort of water...pond, lake, river, stream,or fountain~it always nurtures my soul.

And may I just brag on this man of mine a little?? He was the recipient of a Career Achievement Award.

                                                                                                                                                                                        

I am so proud of him and happy that he was recognized for all his hard work for the past 28 years with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence. ~Author Unknown

Shopping in Scottsdale..

Karen and I went to several stores, but I'm only going to share my favorites..

the first one being The Embellished Home. Karen was sweet to pose in front of the shop! ;-)

Karen told me that it had originally been a bar called Drinkwater's..she liked how they paid homage to it..

This is their amazing bathroom!! I LOVED what they created!!

Beautiful!!

Next stop was Not Too Shabby...

Hi Karen!! Isn't she just the cutest thing?? ;-) 

That's a little sampling of these darling shops!! Hope you enjoyed the tour!!

Back from Scottsdale, AZ

Hi all!! I recently returned from accompanying my husband on a business trip to Scottsdale, AZ. When I found out I was going, I contacted the lovely, talented, world famous blogger, Karen Valentine from My Desert Cottage to see if she was free for a day..she WAS!! She graciously picked me up at my hotel and showed me around Scottsdale, her favorite stores AND took me to her fabulous house!! So, for White Wednesday, I am showing her BEAUTIFUL home!!

These pictures are of her living room..

The TV cabinet she painted white and decoupaged with sheet music..so clever!!

A table she painted and decoupaged in the corner of her living room..

Here is her family room. I just SWOONED over the beauty and creativity of it!!

Remember you can click on the picture to get a larger view and be able to take in all the gorgeousness of it!!

The formal dining room..

Love the gallery of displays..the three black framed pieces are her original art work..

The counter beyond her kitchen sink..

The breakfast nook...

The guest bath..

She glued fabric to the panels of the cabinets..beautiful!!

The serene sanctuary of the master bedroom..

WITH a fireplace!! How romantic!!

Everywhere you look were clever touches..Karen's attention to detail was amazing!!

Her mom had made this lace jacket in the '70's..isn't is SO Magnolia Pearl?? ;-)

And here is her studio..for more fabulous pictures of her studio, go here. Karen is the hostess of Where Blogger's Create..AND she is the one that made over my blog..which is her business~she has fabulous ideas and is so easy to work with!!

I had a wonderful time with Karen..she is beautiful, and sweet and kind and loving....stay tuned for pics of the shops she took me to!!

Every house where love abides

And friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home sweet home


For there the heart can rest.


~Henry Van Dyke