Our First Spring Tour Day

Hello Everyone,

     I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful long weekend. We had our first tour of the season on Friday -it was a small tour of twelve ladies from Japan. On the day of the tour I was up at the crack of dawn and watched the sunrise over our pond before getting on with my day.

My husband shot this photo from the balcony as we toured the garden and cottage.

We toured the early spring garden .

The garden is changing so quickly as already since the tour the apple trees have started to bloom-oh well,they will have to come back!

There are lots of varieties of daffodils blooming still,although already the process of deadheading the ones that are done has started.

We checked out the Gardener's Cottage where there were little squeals of delight!

And once again it was the smallest room in the house that brought on more happy squeals.

New to our tour this year is a stroll down to the pond. it was a perfect May day for our first tour of the season. We don't have any more tours until the first of June when the lilacs and early peonies will be blooming.

After the tour it is time for a relaxing moment in Martha's Garden with a cup of tea. The first tour pushes us to get the garden tidied up,the garden furniture and ornaments back out,the cottage cleaned up after the winter and the verandas set up again for summer and did I forget to mention all the pruning done on  the roses(aprox.100),hydrangeas(almost as many),clematis etc. So now that all that is almost done, we can while away the rest of the summer on the veranda with a book and lemonade! Ha!Ha! 

This is some of the blooms in the garden now.

I had to show you that the garden is not all orange and yellow!

Do you have time to watch the sunset with me?

Thank you for coming along on this our first tour day!

Take care,
Carolyn

Soft Light

Hello everyone,

      This evening the sun came out and so I grabbed my camera and took a few soft white photos to share with you. The ornamental pear tree is blooming and it just a humming with the sound of bees.I stole a few branches from them to make a bouquet.

I have been getting our little garden cottage cleaned up for the season and since we have a tour tomorrow I wanted to add a nice bouquet.

I liked the soft light streaming in.

A pretty old doll.

After,tomorrow(after our tour) I will have time to take a few pics of the garden etc. to share with you soon. It is supposed to be warm and sunny tomorrow-perfect!

I am joining My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Take care,
Carolyn

Morning Glory

Good Morning!

     As many of you know we have a large pond on our property that was made last year in our field. So this spring it has been a real treat to sit in the early morning and enjoy the peace and quiet and watch the     Canada geese.

We had some cool mornings giving a mist on the pond in the early hours.

So peaceful to watch!

But soon the sun comes up and burns off the mist and it is time for breakfast. The heron statue is from Homesense and he has since been moved to the little island.

We feel blessed to be able to enjoy our breakfast in such a peaceful and beautiful setting.

Morning glory!!!

Well,now that breakfast is over the garden is calling to me!

Today,I am joining Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday ,The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home and French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.

Thank you for visiting,
Carolyn

Little Miss Abby

Hello everyone,

     I had a special little visitor this morning as our granddaughter Abby had some alone time with me. I had another post prepared but I loved how these turned out so I couldn't wait to share them.

Abby loves her tea parties.

Little Miss Abby is five years old this month.

I think this one just might be my favorite!

Or maybe this one?

I sure did enjoy my alone time with you, little Miss Abby!

Well, I have some house cleaning to do today as Friday is our first house & garden tour and I have focused mainly on getting the little cottage and the garden ready up until today.

We are having lovely warm weather and although it is cloudy today it is still a nice spring day.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Carolyn

Breakfast in Bed

Hello everyone,

      Before going out into the garden to enjoy the warm spring day I have prepared a light breakfast for you. 

This blue and white room has the original pine floors and a toile theme.

It is not a fancy room by today's standards but it has a fresh,relaxed look.

I have had this old dresser/vanity for years but I think it suits the room just fine.

Mirror reflection

A light breakfast of tea and homemade scones.

This little teapot came home with me from England a few years ago and sits out on display.

You can linger in bed for awhile longer if you like before joining me in the garden where there is still lots to do.

I am joining Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday today.

Thank you for visiting me and I hope you have a lovely day!

Carolyn

Color in the Garden

Hello everyone,

     I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We enjoyed a sunny warm Mother's Day here with lots of food and all of our family. It was warm enough to eat out on veranda-I love to eat outdoors whenever possible.

The garden is starting to fill in and the leaves are coming out on the trees and shrubs.

Hyacinths are scenting the air.

The bleeding hearts are blooming.

The snakehead- fritillaria meleagris are blooming and slowly spreading in the garden.

The hostas are putting up their fresh green and cream leaves.

Ice follies daffodils blooming around the old wheelbarrow.

Dainty little narcissus-not sure of their name.

Our tulips are starting to bloom-now I am wishing I had planted a lot more as not all the old ones returned.

These Red Riding Hood tulips have returned faithfully year after year. I hope I can get more of these for the fall planting.

The hillside garden is awash with the beauty of many different varieties of daffodils.

Well,that is what is happening in our garden so far. Tomorrow is going to be a hotter day so things can change pretty quickly in the garden. However, the benefit of a long cool spring is the flowers stay in bloom longer and have a more intense color.

How is your garden doing? I know many of you are way ahead of us here as we are just getting started in our garden season.

Today,I am joining the house in the roses for Show off your Cottage Monday.

I hope you enjoy your day!

Carolyn