Mosaic Monday: We Remember

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. "

~John A. Logan

Let us remember all those who have served,

on this Memorial Day

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Container Gardening

I've been busy this week trying to get the garden and the deck containers in order before the long weekend. I thought I would show you what is on my deck so far.

I bought two small side tables to use as plant staging on my deck this year. I already had two smaller ones, and I've combined them all to get the look of a baker's rack, without the steep price. I will add a hanging shelf soon.

The urn planters were from Michael's a few years ago. So far, I have a pot of blue pansies and some scented geraniums in them. The pansies will have to be replaced once the weather begins to get hotter. I'm thinking I may go for purple and orange as my colors this year... maybe a little chartreuse thrown in. :)

Another corner of the deck sports some lantana, nasturtium, and a standard hibiscus. I need to find some heliotrope to add to the nasturtium, and maybe some good old-fashioned marigolds. I'm loving all the orange that is so fashionable in decorating this year.

Well, that's about it so far. I did add a new cranesbill geranium to the garden yesterday. If the deer haven't eaten it, I may show you a picture tomorrow. lol

It's light out and the birds are singing here at 5:00 am these days, which means our cat has been bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and meowing at the bedroom door this morning. So here I am, putting the finishing touches on this post at 5:26 am.

Good morning, dear bloggers! :)

Mosaic Monday: My Photography Business

Some of you may remember my New Year's day post, in which I chose the word accomplish as a guide for myself in 2011. I listed several goals for the year, but the big one -- the scary one -- was to start a portrait photography business. I'm a little closer to that goal this week, as I have just put the finishing touches on my professional website.

Last summer, I mentioned to my hair dresser that I was interested in finding some children to photograph -- to see if I could get some practice in doing portraits. She led me to several families, who led me to several more... the result was a lot of practice for me, with the promise that I could use the images on a professional website. The result for the families was a free photo shoot. Some of the families used my images for their Christmas cards. I also did a newborn shoot, and the family used my photo for their birth announcement.

It was great fun, and I learned so much with each new family. I still feel as though I have a lot to learn, but I think I'm ready to make this business a reality, at least in a small way.

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

After the Deluge

After a week of non-stop rain, where we must have gotten a month's worth of water (at least), after swollen streams and lawns too wet to traverse, and a cellar full of puddles, it is finally, thankfully... sunny!

My heart goes out to all those along the Mississippi River, who are experiencing far worse. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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I'm really looking forward to Mosaic Monday this week. I will have a special and exciting (at least to me, anyway) announcement! I hope to see you when the linky machine goes up on Sunday night -- 8:30pm, Eastern time, USA.

Azaleas at the New York Botanical Garden

I just wanted to share a few more photos from the New York Botanical Garden with you today. As you might imagine, I shot a lot of photos. :)

These are all from the newly opened Azalea Garden. Sited in an old growth forest, the paths of the garden wind their way up a hill, to culminate in a small open clearing. Overall, the azalea garden covers about 11 acres, and numbers some 70,000 new plants, including 40,000 bulbs, 28,000 new woodland perennials and ferns, and 3500 trees and shrubs.

But the numbers don't quite convey the genius of the garden, which is designed to appear as if it grew naturally out of the 200-year-old forest which once covered the site.

There are pockets of plantings nestled against ancient glacial boulders, and complimented by an understory of low perennials, including barrenwort, foam flower, bugloss and sedge. The garden paths wind past the rocky outcroppings and meander through semi-wild wetlands.

It is a very soothing place, filled for the most part with soft pastels. White, pale pink and lavender swathes of blooms paint the forest. The stronger reds appear in a separate planting, where they light up their wetland landscape. It is a tribute to the designers that this very important plant collection is presented in such a natural and beautiful manner.

And I will just leave you with a shot of one of the NYBG's beautiful planters, located near the entrance to the garden. So pretty and inspirational!

Mosaic Monday: New York Botanical Garden

Last week, I spent some time at the beautiful New York Botanical Garden. Founded in 1891, the garden was designed to emulate the famous Royal Botanical Gardens in London. Many different gardens and plant collections cover some 250 acres in Bronx, NY. The newly opened Azalea Garden was in full bloom during my visit. That alone was definitely worth the trip. A series of perennial garden rooms, designed by Lynden Miller, were also very beautiful. The highlight of the garden is the gorgeous Enid A. Haupt conservatory, a vintage wrought-iron framed glass house from the 1890's. It was designed by the prestigious company of Lord & Burnham. The garden itself was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

While I was wandering through the garden, a group of extremely well-dressed women walked by, carrying little gift bags. And guess who I spotted? Carolyne Roehm, designer and author of A Passion for Flowers, Presentations, and At Home with Carolyne Roehm, among other books. She was beautifully dressed, as befits a former Oscar de la Renta fitting model, and remarkably well-preserved.

But my visit was capped by a meeting with one of the sweetest bloggers I have ever met -- Katy Noelle, of In the Sunny Spot and Katy Noelle's Photo Journal. Many of you probably know her from her generous and friendly comments on your blogs. We sat down with a cool drink, and talked for almost two hours! It was such fun to meet a kindred spirit, and a talented and sweet blogger.

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

White Rummage

I'll bet you've been waiting with bated breath to see what else I brought home from the rummage sale last week, yes? Well no, not really. But you are too polite to say so, and I thank you. Actually, I always feel like I'm writing a report for school entitled What I Bought at the Rummage Sale. But without the butterflies in my stomach from having to deliver it in front of the whole class. :)

First up is this pair of white urns for $1.50. each. I think I need to find a couple of myrtle topiaries to go inside. They will look nice on the deck for the summer. And I'm a sucker for anything urn-shaped.

Next, I found this gigantic stoneware compote for $3.50. I've been collecting white and cream dishes for the kitchen, so this big guy fit the bill nicely. It's marked Red Cliff Ironstone on the reverse. A little research tells me that the pattern is called Heritage, and it was probably made sometime from 1950-1980. Tureens in the same pattern are going for $65 -- $95 on ebay, so I guess it was a good deal.

You know I can't leave the rummage sale without at least one piece of milk glass. This footed candy bowl, in the English Hobnail pattern by Westmoreland, was $3. A collector's encyclopedia published in 1995 values it at $25 - $30.

The two hobnail pieces above were most likely made by Fenton. I think I paid $1.50 each. Haven't found a current price for them yet, but it's probably not more than $10 or $12 each.

And finally, I think this little vase is an antique reproduction made by the John E. Kemple Glass Works, currently selling for around $20. I paid $1. for it.

So that is what I bought at the rummage sale. :)

Our white azaleas are bursting with blooms this week, and I thought they looked really pretty in my new little vase. The green and white tole tray was a gift from Cindy, at My Romantic Home. The blue and white tufted seat is a new HomeGoods purchase to spruce up our family room. If I get my act together (highly unlikely) I will be showing you some changes there in the following weeks.

So, can you tell that I'm currently in love with white? ;)

Mosaic Monday: Flowers for Mother's Day

Just a few blossoms for you today. I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine included a visit to the New York Botanical Garden, and a wonderful dinner with my family. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Because You Can Never Have Enough Dishes...

I just wanted to pop in to show you what I got at our semi-annual VNA Rummage Sale this past week. Most of you already know how much I love covered dishes... :)

This particular rummage sale is great because, in addition to the regular sorts of things you find -- books, baskets, old furniture to paint -- they have the Bon Ton Tent, which is dedicated to all the nicer items. That's where I found this covered dish with tray, for the exorbitant price of $28. :)

There was a line to go through the tent, and someone ahead of me had picked this up. But she put it back down when she spotted the tiniest of chips. I was so nervous that someone else would nab it before I got there, but my luck held. :)

The backstamp says: "Royal-Crown China," with the initials "LBC" below. Then "Decorated USA, 22 karat gold." I need to research a little to find out more about it. But in the meantime, I had to share it with you all, because I know you all appreciate a good thrifting story, a good bargain, and a beautiful dish. :)

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I hope to see you all for Mosaic Monday this week. The magic link machine will be up by 10:00 pm Eastern time, USA, Sunday night. That's a little later than usual, because of Mother's Day. Thanks for all the wonderful links you share -- you guys are the best!

PS -- my hand still hurts when I type. I guess I will have to get it looked at. :(

Mosaic Monday: All Things Beautiful

I don't know if it is all the snow and rain we had over the past months, but the flowering trees here are amazingly beautiful this year. The crabapple in our front yard has flowered almost overnight, filled with a gorgeous pink set off by russet leaves. And it smells divine! I couldn't resist snipping a few branches to bring inside and enjoy. :)

We took my mother-in-law to visit her husband today, in the rehab facility. She suffers from a type of dementia that often makes it seem as if she lives in another world. But the sight of the flowering crabapple trees along the road had her exclaiming with joy. And that was so beautiful to hear. :)

Thank you for all your get well wishes and your words of congratulation. I am so very appreciative of the time you take to leave a note for me; each and every one of you make my day brighter! I have been trying really hard to rest my hand, and it's feeling a little better. I think a little further rest may be required, so this may be another light blogging week. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.