Is it Bigfoot??

On a recent hike in the woods we were so fortunate to find these great footprints. The animal that made these can walk for years on the same trail, following their same footprint and leaving these great trail markings behind.

My little dog Snuggles was hot on his trail....can you guess what we were tracking?

Window inspiration

This past spring I went to a local garden show and I thought this would be a great use of an old window placed against a boring garage wall. A faux window with a charming flower box!

I have lots of inspirational pictures for my to-do list. I thought of this one last night and decided it would be my "day off Wednesday" project.

I'll be posting my completed project this weekend if you want to see what I come up with!

Have a great weekend...

I'm off to visit Washington D.C. for the weekend! Will be back Tuesday. Mary

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of New Jersey!

I didn't know there were Seven Official Natural Wonders of New Jersey, but after visiting this Garden of Eden, I'm going to find the other six! We hiked Sunday, straight up 1.2 miles to the top of the mountain where Sunfish Pond is located. This picture was taken from the Appalachian Trail that passes the pond here. Do you see the little Stonehedge formation? I'm sure some hiker had fun putting that up!

The pond was surrounded by gorgeous pink and white Mountain Laurel. The flowers look like cake decorations.

There were masses of them everywhere.

So peaceful a setting.

I just loved the masses of ferns growing at the higher elevations. The trail was easy going here!

We also saw the yellow fish jumping out of the water to feed. Even the fish were beautiful!

I highly recommend this hike if you are in the area.

Nostalgic purchase

One of my yard sale finds Saturday were these coasters for 25 cents each. I had to have them, not because I needed coasters or that they were a terrific buy, but because they reminded me of my Grandmother. This was a stricly nostalgic purchase, my Grandmother had coasters like these that she kept on her radiator cover in her living room. I don't know why they impressed me as a child but they did.

Despite the fact that these aren't my Grandmother's coasters, I think it's nice that a 50 cent purchase can evoke childhood memories.

Has anyone else made a puchase strictly for sentimental reasons? I would love to hear about what you bought and why.

Thrifty Monday with Rhoda

This was another great weekend for finding bargains! I love-love-love my antique pitcher. I think I'm going to use it for flowers. This was only 20$ at an estate sale! I placed it next to the coffee pot so you can get an idea how big it is.

Look at the detail!!

This is perfect for my bath...6$ at same estate sale.

This is a close up of a huge platter!! Probably 12x18 inches... The mark in back reads _urlington...maybe Burlington?? I can't make out the first initial. There is also a # under the name. Does anyone know anything about this design? I would love to know more about it. It was only 15$ Another bargain!!

And how cute are these? All three for only 1$. I'm giving my Mom the shamrock one, she collects pigs, my sister the blue, she is an avid gardener and keeping the pink for myself.

I also went to a yardsale and found quite a few things and even a side of the road pickup! It was a great weekend.

Please visit Rhoda at http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ for more Monday finds!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday! The first picture is of Mountain Laurel which is blooming prolifically in the forests by me. If you enlarge the picture you will see the intricate beauty of these flowers. The seconds two pictures were taken at a local home that I visited on a garden tour. I wish I could grow clematis like this...and how serene is the little bridge over the stream adorned with pink flowers.

Please visit Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ for more pink beauties.

Garden tour house 2

Beautiful clematis.

I love this path going up the incline.

Different use of plantings in an urn.

View of the vegetable garden.

Beautiful hydrangea.

And this peony is called Carole. I bought one for myself this past weekend. It was stunning. Nice compact form..didn't fall over.

I'll be posting another home I toured for Friday. Hope you enjoyed!

Garden Tour-House #1

(My purchases from the plant sale)

My town's local garden club has a garden tour every June to raise money for the club's projects in our town. It's a wonderful day, it starts in the town green that is maintained by the club with a plant sale. They also have a raffle with lots of great gardening gifts. Each ticket of 15$ includes a map and booklet about each homeowners garden on the tour and then off you go to visit one garden lovelier than the next. It's a great day! Remember you can click on each picture if you want to see more detail. Lots of great inspiration here!

I found this perfect pink and green vase for my little shelf last weekend at an antique store for 11$. It's from France and I love it! I don't think I need anything else on my shelf now.

My peonies have finally bloomed and they are beautiful! Perfectly pink!

And for a perfectly pink laugh you have to watch this little clip, it is adorable! And the most precious of pinks. http://www.snotr.com/video/2630

Have a Happy Pink Saturday and please visit Beverly for more pink! http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/