Farewell to Peonies, Hello Roses!

I am always sad to see the Peonies fade away, not to return for another year

Such lovely colors in one bloom

These are the last to emerge.  A couple of posts ago, I shared the peonies which were first in the garden:

First to appear

These next shots are close ups that I took to show the complex detailing of the many petals:

I did not do what I wanted to this year, and that is to cut some of the flowers as they were emerging and bring them indoors.  I understand that it is easier to "dry" them that way.  The fresher the bloom, the better luck in keeping them.  

No, instead, I just let them all die away on the plant.  Sigh!

Well, there's always next year, right? 

Meanwhile, there is other activity happening in the flower department.  Between the front garden trellis gate and the garage, the foxgloves and snapdragons are going strong.  

I wish that post wasn't in the way, but it does hold a bird house:

Rustic birdhouse

This pretty birdhouse has been a garden feature for several years.  I love how it has aged.  Every spring, we get new families moving in. . .

The trellis was designed and built by Carl.  It has a gate on it, and two benches where we can sit and admire this view.

The roses are coming along quite nicely in this area,

Hope everyone is enjoying beautiful weather.

Sharing with:

atrayofbliss.blogspot.com/
Thank you for the feature, Mimi!

Saturday Show Off

Cynthia

For Sarah

As a little girl, I adored playing dress-up with the cast-off or out of style garments and all the feminine accoutrements for the toilette or vanity which our Mothers or Aunts no longer wanted or could use.  Having the latter helped fulfill our fantasies of being grand "ladies".  

Apparently, I've never outgrown the love of these pretty old things.  I try to be a bit more discriminating in my purchases (because I fear becoming a hoarder - LOL!).  But, if I get an opportunity to acquire something pretty, chances are I'll go for it.    

And, I still find beauty in things that have been well loved, or past their prime. . .  

This little composition consists of some recent acquisitions: a few brooches (one glass and two that are hand painted porcelain), two small compacts and a hand mirror.  

The mirror has quite a noticeable crack, and that could very well be the reason why I was able to win this for a fairly low bid amount.  Well, that's okay with me, because upon inspecting it, I discover that it is just the glass covering the picture.  I believe that this can be replaced, however I will have an expert do the repair.

In my opinion, it's still quite lovely, even with the crack!  At 17" long, it's bigger than most others I've seen, and it has a "heft" to it.  The mirror is intact.

Very pretty hand mirror

So, you're probably wondering where the title of my post comes in.  

One of the brooches featured in the first photograph (above) is that of a young woman, painted in what I think is a Regency styling.  Just judging from the hair and clothing.  Not sure if it is actually as old as that, but it is definitely "old". 

The artistry of the painting is really exquisite.  Someone was very good at painting on porcelain.  But, they did not sign it, unless they did so on the back, which is now covered.  

Anyway, the day that I was expecting to receive this (won through an on-line auction house), my son was visiting, and witnessed me opening the package.  When he saw this, the first thing he said was "that looks exactly like Sarah!" And indeed, it does! 

Sarah is his wife.  They have been married for 7 years, and have known each other since they were very young children.  It is through them that I am proud to be a Grandma, or "Nonny" as my sweet Adeline calls me!

Well, I thought about this for a while, and decided that this beauty should belong to Sarah.  So, after taking a moment to photograph it, I wrapped it up in a sweet little Limoges box, and sent it off for her to treasure.  Someday, it may be passed down to Adeline, with the story that her Daddy recognized Sarah's angelic look in the face of someone who lived long ago. . .perhaps the artist was someone in love with the subject?  That's what I'd like to imagine. . .

Almost as beautiful as the real Sarah

I am pretty sure that most of you who follow my blog are also lovers of "old things". . .  am I correct in saying so?

Hope everyone is having a beautiful June, and thank you for visiting me today!

I will be sharing this post with the following parties:

Rooted In Thyme: Simple & Sweet Fridays

Vintage Charm Party #34

bellarosaantiques "Let's Talk Vintage"


thededicatedhouseanything-blue-friday

A Tray of Bliss "Five Star Frou Frou"


Cynthia

Hello, It's Me!

Peonies and Roses

Yes, I was absent for a while, but I'm back with lots to share.  I just hit a temporary lull, where I wasn't feeling terribly inspired to blog.  Real life gets in the way, too.  So, I hope that I still have some followers left who would like to see some pretty flowers!

These are a combination of shots taken with my phone and a regular DSLR camera. . .

Back in May, around Mother's Day, the tulips all came out:

Parrot Tulips nodding their heads

Does it seem eccentric to put a flower bed smack dab in the middle of one's front yard?  That is just was we did.  Last fall, I had Carl dig a plot for some tulip bulbs that I was eager to try out.  Previously, any tulips we would plant would do well for a year or two, and then either not come up, or get lost.  This year, I decided that I would pay closer attention to what tulips need to thrive.  One interesting thing I read, was that they should be given their own space, if possible. . .and, that you do not want the bulbs to get watered during the summer months, or they'll rot.  Having tulips in a bed with later blooming flowers that need lots of water would be bad news.

Haven't figured out what I'll do with that "hole" in the yard this Summer, but everyone in the neighborhood stopped to let me know how much they loved the display!  I must say, I am a fan of the parrot tulips. . .These are called "Apricot Parrot".  I also had planted "Red Lizard" and "Black Parrot".  Each was successful, and this fall, I want more, more, more!  LOL!  We may just have to get rid of the grass in the front yard. . .

These two flowers broke off the stems, so I brought them in to enjoy and study their unique beauty.  I can definitely see why artists have been intrigued by the tulip for centuries.

And then there were the Peonies!  Again, I think I will be increasing the amount of plants for next year.  

Peonies just emerging

Looking Blowzy!

I love how these look as they are finishing up for the year

Seems unfair that these beauties are only around for a short time.  I must have lucked out though with the varieties I've chosen, because just as these pink are finishing, the white ones come out.  There are a couple more bushes that will also be coming into flower in the next week or two.

Anyone try that trick with their peonies?  The one where you cut them when they're not quite open and bring them indoors to bloom?  Apparently, that will keep down the amount of ants (ick!) that come into the house.  With these open-faced peonies, it's not much of a problem. . .I can see the ants and shake them off.  But those which have many petals. . .like the white in the first image. . .not so easy to catch those bugs!

Little bouquet of peonies

Hope everyone is having a marvelous June!  The weather has been lovely in Northern Ohio.  Not too hot, not too cool!  

Here's a parting shot of the sunset from last month, before the leaves on the trees were out:

View from the deck

Thank you for visiting with me today!  If you stopped by, please let me know.  And if you have a blog that I'm not already following, I'd like to add you to my list!

Cynthia