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...]
Garden Planning Ideas for Your Home
March 25, 2017 By 2 Comments
As I write today's post about garden planning ideas, it's 75 degrees outside! No wonder I'm in the mood to start thinking about what to plant this year. Crocus have been blooming all week and the daffodils are halfway up. I've even noticed my Virginia Bluebells poking their way up through the soil. This is always such an exciting time when the Earth gives birth to all that's beautiful! I'm sharing inspirational photos to help you plan your own … [Read more...]
Garden Pots and Plants to Brighten Your Home
March 21, 2017 By 5 Comments
Are you itching to get outside and do some planting? Here in Illinois the spring weather can be finicky so you're never quite sure when you can begin planting. We've had snow as late as the end of April. To bide the time until planting season, I like to get a little creative with garden pots and plants. (This post contains affiliate links.) One of my favorite spring vignettes is this cheerful one with pink flowers and green plants. I tucked a … [Read more...]
How to Care for Poinsettias
December 16, 2016 By 1 Comment
Bottle brush trees are my favorite Christmas decoration, but a very close second on the favored holiday decor list are poinsettias! I love this flower's festive color and bushy shape. Many people find this holiday flower a bit finicky, but with a little knowledge you'll know how to care for poinsettias. A quick email to our local greenhouse resulted in permission to take photos of their beautiful poinsettias. Shady Hill has so many … [Read more...]
Fall Landscape Features with a Splash of Water
November 4, 2016 By 1 Comment
Orange, red, and yellow leaves are falling all around our yard, which means we'll soon be raking and bagging them. I had hoped to get outdoors with my camera to capture the riotous colors, but I just never found time. Lucky for me, I work as marketing communications manager for a water gardening company with talented photographers. Tony and Lisa took amazing photos of fall landscape features, and each one showcases water of some sort. Aquascape … [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. 
