Every year about this time I start missing my garden spaces. I look across the expanse of my snow-dusted lawn and start making plans for spring and summer. Today I'm pondering the elements of a cottage garden. A quaint garden shade is a classic element of any cottage garden. Anything that gives your eye a focal point since cottage gardens tend to be a little on the wild side. When it comes to flowers in a cottage … [Read more...]
Create a Staycation: My 2019 Resolution
January 16, 2019 By 9 Comments
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Nature Conservancy for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine. Almost every year my New Year's resolution is to lose weight. Unfortunately, I don't always stick to it. So this year I chose a more creative 2019 resolution inspired by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). I'm going to help the planet and create a staycation in my very own yard! After downloading and … [Read more...]
My Late September Garden and Pond Tour
October 1, 2018 By 15 Comments
Although it's officially the first day of October, I'm sharing a tour of my late September garden and pond. The State Fair zinnias are still going strong in our cutting garden. This is my favorite zinnia variety. They grow up to five feet tall and the more you cut them, the more they bloom. I have a couple more varieties of zinnias in the garden. I love the speckled look of this dainty bloom. I'm going to … [Read more...]
Garden Pond Creates Total Backyard Transformation!
August 23, 2018 By 20 Comments
I'm in love! We now have our long-awaited garden pond that totally transforms our backyard! An amazing pond designer drew up the plan several months ago and we waited patiently. Our installation date on their schedule finally arrived and I'm bursting with joy over the new addition to our household! The super-talented crew turned our hot mess of patchy grass, weeds, and beat-up sidewalk into a beautiful garden pond that's the focal … [Read more...]
Garden Tour and Sneak Peek of the New Pond!
August 4, 2018 By 28 Comments
August has arrived and there's no place I'd rather be than outside enjoying sunshine and nature. The flowers are at their peak so I thought I'd share my garden tour with you - along with a peek at my new backyard garden pond! It's the first Saturday of the month which means I'm joining a few blogging buddies to share ways to cozy up your living during the month of August. For me, August is all about the garden and relishing its … [Read more...]
Country Garden Tour in Upstate New York
April 24, 2018 By 10 Comments
Somewhat warm breezes are beginning to blow and I'm in the mood to get dirt under my fingernails! I stumbled across a country garden tour photographed by Rikki Snyder and it's got me inspired. Stepping up to the front door of the historic Colonial home, you get a hint of what you'll see throughout the gardens. Second-hand treasures dot the property in really delightful ways. Photo by Rikki Snyder Charming outbuildings add architectural … [Read more...]
Favorite Houseplants to Filter the Air
March 31, 2018 By 3 Comments
Some people collect antiques. Others collect shoes. Lately I've been collecting houseplants. I'm trying to place a few plants in every room of the house to help filter the air. Here are some of my favorite houseplants. Philodendrons are an easy-to-care-for plant that enjoy bright, indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering. This plant has a nice green hue to it. Probably my favorite houseplant right now is … [Read more...]
Oak Brook Garden Tour
March 22, 2018 By 6 Comments
My plan was to blog about favorite houseplants today, but then I stumbled across a beautiful outdoor setting that captivated my heart. So instead of ivy and pothos, we're taking an Oak Brook garden tour by Bertrand Landscape Design that's sure to put you in the mood to get a little dirt under your fingernails! This Oak Brook home outside of Chicago is beautiful and the garden spaces frame it perfectly. The archway and brick walkways invite you … [Read more...]
Spring Bulb Gardens to Soothe Your Soul
January 27, 2018 By 12 Comments
It's the end of January and I figure we can also use a dose of cheery spring goodness to soothe our souls! Enjoy this collection of spring bulb gardens to lighten your mood and help you anticipate the joy of longer days and warmer breezes, not to mention the beautiful colors of spring! Entryway Gardens Every spring I kick myself for not adding more bulbs near the entryway of our home. What a beautiful way to greet guests to your home. Not to … [Read more...]
How to Grow Herbs Indoors
November 3, 2017 By 1 Comment
Fall is such a beautiful season and I enjoy it immensely. But once the first frost comes I really start to miss my garden. I love stepping outside to grab tomatoes off the vine and clip some herbs for homemade marinara sauce. Since this option is no longer available, I'll move and grow herbs indoors and clip them when needed. Growing herbs indoors isn't as easy as letting them thrive outside, but you can be successful with a few helpful … [Read more...]
Gardening Fun with New Deco Planters!
July 11, 2017 By 5 Comments
Is it ever too late in the season to plant and garden? I don't think so. Even though it's July, I'm still planting and today I'm sharing how to create cute container gardens using colorful and versatile Deco Planters. These fabric pots are water-tight and perfect for both water and terrestrial container gardens. They even come in a hanging version! I'm going to show you both container gardens - water and soil. (This post contains affiliate … [Read more...]
Planting Tips for Your Garden
May 23, 2017 By 8 Comments
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Planting season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the smell of fresh dirt and enjoy planting new items in the yard and garden. Some of you may not be as enamored with the process as I am, so I'm sharing my planting tips. I already shared a few easy gardening tips with you a couple weeks ago. A climbing hydrangea from our local … [Read more...]
Easy Gardening Tips with Miracle-Gro
May 2, 2017 By 4 Comments
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Gardening is one of my favorite past-times during the warmer months. It's good therapy being with Mother Nature and enjoying fresh air. Even weed pulling can be pleasurable, provided you don't have too many. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite, easy gardening tips that I've learned over the years. Beautiful flowers and vegetables can be yours … [Read more...]
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
