Hollyhock time

Yep, they are in bloom. They surprise me every year. This summer, they are mostly shades of pale pink and peach. There is one dark red and one or two white.

Appears these two are taking turns.

 The bumblebees were loving these hollyhocks, there were hundreds of them. 

They didn't seem to mind me snapping photos this morning.

 

uh! I am not immune from Hollyhock rust either.

I love this study of white and green, so cool and soothing.

This week I am joining in on these parties
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

It’s Bloomin’ Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Simple and sweet Fridays @Rooted in Thyme

Freedom rings today

Have a joyus holiday

~Let Freedom Ring~

 Lovin my new found treasures....the trellis and the chair!

An evening garden stroll

I am sure many of you have heard or are experiencing the heat in the western half of the USA. We went from rain to heat within just a few days. It had rained so much that when the heat came the humidity soared. And when you live in Oregon, summer humidity is very rare. I thought I was back in Hawaii for a minute. But we don't have it quite as bad as further south, we topped out at 98f. July 4th looks like we will be a perfect 85f. Certainly not complaining.

Last night I stepped out for a few cottage garden photos.

I think this is my favorite section at the moment

Eden roses, coreopsis, alyssum, geraniums, swedish ivy and angel face roses grace this bed that also invites lots of pretty birds for a snack and a bath

on the other side of the garden, the Betty Corning clematis is making a beautiful show along with the hollyhocks that are just starting to bloom

Below, trellised at the fence, the star jasmine fragrance is wonderful in the evening with all this heat.

Hope you enjoyed, I will be back soon with another evening tour when the hollyhocks are in their glory!

This week I am joining in on these parties

It’s Bloomin’ Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Simple and sweet Fridays @Rooted in Thyme
Fresh Cut Fridays@http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com/

An amazing re-purpose

A few posts back, I asked if anyone knew what this was. I am still guessing, but I think it was a silk flower planter of some type. When I picked this up a garage sale a couple weeks ago, I envisioned what it could become. I love when an idea works!

I cleaned up as it was pretty dusty. Spray painted with Painters Touch Heirloom White satin. Then used a dry brush method to add some chalk paint in Provence blue. then waxed with a dark colored wax and buffed.

Next, since this was so deep, I needed to add a false bottom (I bet you are still wondering what I am planning). I simply cut a 2"x6" circle of cardboard, wrapped it around the post and taped it at the bottom. Then I cut 2 half circles, covered and glued some scrapbooking paper and placed inside. Nothing fancy.

 

I debated on how to divide the inside. I came up with these plastic storage containers. They are light, easy to clean, and most of all they fit the best.

Okay, so now the reveal....this is going to serve as an outdoor serving caddy! We eat outdoors in the summer a lot.

Instead of dragging out a pile of flatware and napkins, I can simply bring the whole caddy to the table and let everyone help themselves, or I can easily set each place setting in a jiffy. Note on the top loops I have added seasoning bottles, which will change based on what is being served

Below, I have a corner table on the patio that I can set this having it out of the way while we are eating. When cleaning up for the day, simply bringing in the caddy never got so easy, And I am all about making it easy on myself.

Total cost of this project was $4.00 That's right only FOUR DOLLARS for the caddy itself.  That is because everything else I had on hand including the spray paint. I am a firm believer in using what you have to make it work.


This week I am joining in on the following parties

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Cottage Style Entertaining Party @ EtsyCottageStyle  
Mod Mix Monday @ Mod Vintage Life
 Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Vintage Style Inspiration@ Knick of Time