The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs, Ins. presents "Historic Garden Traditions"

 
This was the first house on the tour.  Let me tell you this house was fabulous.  I only took a few pictures but I hope you get a feel for the gracious beauty of this home.

 
This was a sitting area off the garden house. 

 
Look at these four statues.  They were beautiful together.

 
This koi pond was the center of part of the garden.

 
This is one of the side entrances to the house.

 
These were around the koi pond.

 
These tiny flowers were beautiful.

 
This is a Second Empire Victorian named Alta Vista.

 
ThisI believe this building was a summer kitchen at one time.

 
What a great way to display tiny furniture!

 
I forgot to take a picture of the front of this house.  This home made me feel like I was in Williamsburg, VA.

 
This is the entry to the heart of the garden.

 
This was such a clever idea.  I bet you could find a shelf like this at big lots or Wal Mart and just add baskets and plants.

 
This was such an interesting bird house, I had to show it to you.

It must have come from an art festival.

 
This was the back patio off the house.

This was a house (not on the tour) but I thought the front was very pretty.

This was the garden house of house number 4.  I was getting tired and I again forgot to take of picture of the front of the house.

 

Look at the fireplace at the bottom of this terraced yard. 

A cute bird house on top of a shovel handle.

House #5 with lots of hardscape.

This is the sunny part of their garden with herbs.

 

I would guess this is a "Polly's Island" hammock.  I was ready to jump on it and take a break.

This azalea was huge.

 

Even the kids at this house had a great play area.

I think this plant is called Lenton Rose.

 

House #6.  This arbor was very unique.

I loved this brick entrance with the gate.

 

This gate isn't elaborate but just perfect for this home.

 

This was the owner's painting shed.  It was as pretty as the house.

 
This was the only home with a waterfall.  The sounds were wonderful to listen to.

 
These people had a lot of handmade garden art.

 

This fence surrounded the entire side and back yard.

These beds were immaculate.

I'm sorry this picture of the holding pond isn't perfect.  The water feature was handmade by the owner.

This was a secret garden on the side of the house.  On the left there is a water feature.

 

Grandchildren would adore this little area.

 A picture of the front of the house.

Thanks for reading,

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Gretchen

 
 

Redo of a birdhouse...

 
This birdhouse has seen better days but it is sturdy and just needs a little love.

 
Ok and some sanding and a little primer won't hurt either.

 
There was some life left in it with a little color. 

 
It looks so tiny in our live oak tree.  But you know and I know, it's there.  Now if the little birds can just find it.

I'm on my way to Greenville this morning to meet my good friend Joy.  She invited me to go on a home garden tour.  I've got my camera and hopefully tomorrow I'll have some great (or at least good) photos to post.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

I need some advice...

 
This is my front porch with my porch swing and rocking chair that our son Rick got me.  I had the chair on the screened porch but I like the idea of getting comfy out front with a book and so I've moved it.

Since they are different colors, I know I need to sand, prime and paint them.  I rarely paint natural wood but these need it to go together.  My dilemma is what color?  Black or white?  

 
I got this fabric to make cushions and I'm leaning towards painting them white.

 
Here's where you have to use your imagination.  We are planning (in the next year or so) to reside our house.  We'll get rid of the yucky vinyl siding and replace it with the siding above which is called HardiePlank in Iron Gray.  It's a cement board product that is used a lot now in new housing.  It's even darker when you see it close up, so I'm afraid the black would be to dark.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Carson lost his first tooth...

 
It took me a while to get a picture where we could see the missing tooth.

 
Right before we left on vacation, I heard he had a tooth ready to come out so I made little pillows with pockets for all the kids to put their teeth in for the tooth fairy.

 
I forgot to take a picture of them.  The boys pillows were made from fishing fabric and the girls were a flowered print.

 
It's going to be tough for him to eat corn on the cob this summer.

 
Lauren got about 4 inches cut off of her hair but she still has lots left.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen