a new normal

Thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts this last week.  Your kind words truly touched my heart. 

We buried my father's body yesterday but his love will remain alive in our hearts always.   As a Korean War veteran he received a full military burial including color guard, taps and a 21 gun salute.  It was a fitting way to say good bye to such an honorable man.

Now our family must go on and find our new normal.  For me that means heading out to the garden.  It is one of the strongest connections I have with my father and I know it will be the place I feel his presence most.

He prided himself on his green thumb and I know he was pleased that I inherited it from him.

This metal bucket was my grandfather's from his days with the ATSF railroad.  I resisted the urge to put a few holes in the bottom to use as a planter (in hopes of preserving it) for the longest time but finally decided that it was better to use it with love than keep it safely put away.

I am so glad I did...I love the cottage charm it adds to the simplest annual planting.  My husband put together a couple of raised bed planters so today we will add the soil and begin our summer vegetable garden.  He also sectioned off a section for a picket fenced cutting garden.  Exciting stuff, right?

Enjoy your weekend...I hope it's delightful!

xo. Patty

beautiful memories

I will be away for a little while.  My dad went to be with the Lord today.  His life was lived to the fullest and he passed surrounded by his family, in total peace.

Thank you for your prayers during this difficult time, they are so appreciated.

xo, Patty

have you seen these yet?

I went to the bookstore last weekend looking for a new magazine to take with me on a visit to my parents and I hit the jackpot.  Not only did I find the new issue of Where Women Cook but I also found two new magazines, Flea Market Decor and the Premiere issue of Vintage Style.  Have you seen them yet?  You're going to love them.

What a perfect way to enjoy the last couple days of winter...curled up on the sofa, hot chocolate in hand, a fire roaring and vintage goodness to browse through.  (We won't talk about how much this loveliness set me back at the register.)

Please keep my family in prayer as my dad has taken a turn for the worse.  It might seem strange to some that I would post such trivial things during this difficult time but blogging is such a nice retreat and a reminder that life is full of beauty no matter what the circumstances...just like my dad.

xo, Patty

where are you Spring?

It has been such a cold and rainy weekend here in Southern California.  Our usual sunny 70 - 80 degree days have been replaced with 40's - 50's and lots of blustery wind. 

Luckily, I took a few pictures of the back garden last week just in case the days ahead would be too gray to take decent photos.

I was lucky enough to find three six packs of foxglove at our local nursery so that means 18 new spires will be blooming this summer.  I love finding them small and waiting for their towers to make a show rather than buying them big and already in bloom with nothing to look forward to until next year.

Hopefully the sun will shine this week and I can show you the progress I'm making in bringing color to the front porch furniture and you can help me decide on a color to paint the front door.

If you have sun where you are, can you send a little west?  Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go make me a big mug of hot chocolate, sit by the fire and wait for Spring to return.

xo, Patty

basking in Love

My devotional this year is "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.  I can't tell you how profoundly it has touched me, washing my mind with thoughts of God's love each day.  Today's entry included the following thoughts, spoken from the heart Jesus...

"I comprehend you in all your complexity; no detail of your life is hidden from me.  I view you through eyes of grace so don't be afraid of my intimate awareness...Trust me enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually...I will never leave you or forsake you."  Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

To be viewed through eyes of grace, even when we don't deserve it.  To be forgiven continually, even when we've blown it...again.

When God sees us, all that he sees is the beautiful flower he created.  He doesn't look into the dark recesses and corners of our life and see the debris that we haven't cleaned up yet.  He sees only beautiful, vibrant petals reaching up toward Him.

"No one will be able to stand against you for as long as you live.  For I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail you or abandon you."  Joshua 1:5 NLT

Have a wonderful Sunday, basking in His love.

Patty

I'm joining Lorraine this week for  Think on These Things.  Thank you sweet lady for hosting such a beautiful party every week.

a bit o' green

I wanted to share my St. Patrick's Day centerpiece with you today and to wish you all a very Happy Weekend!

Don't you love the hand embroidered detail in this vintage apron?  It belonged to my husband's grandmother and I cherish it. 

The little shamrock tea cup is one of my favorites and it comes out every year in March.  The cupcake liners are from Michael's, the yellow rose is the first rose of the season from my garden and the pretty plaque was a gift from my good blogging buddy Elaine.

I kind of got my groove back on late yesterday, after a few days of feeling the blahs...

I did a little work in the garden and after removing the dirt from under my nails, I completed a couple of little dresses for my etsy shop.

In addition to children's clothes, I am hoping to add some pillows, memory journals and gift tags to the shop.  Every thing I've read says to have a decent inventory before opening day so I need to keep my nose to the creative grind stone so to speak.

We are expecting a substantial rain storm this weekend so that will certainly keep me inside and in my studio.  I am hoping for the Grand Opening of Lemon Lane Cottage on Etsy by April 1st.  Yes, I realize that is April Fool's Day and I am not missing the irony of it.

Thanks for stopping by!

xo, Patty

I'm linking to Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper...

blooms and blossoms

I headed out front as soon as I got back from my parent's house today to do a little more garden clean up before the rain comes this weekend.  I managed to fill two trash cans with green waste and cut back the rest of the perennials in the front border.  I am hoping to add a compost bin to the back corner soon so that I can put all that waste back into the soil.

I did a quick stroll through the rest of the beds and noticed that the lettuce, radishes and carrots I planted from seed are peeking through the soil.



It still isn't quite warm enough to put these tomatoes in the ground but it will be soon enough.

I am waiting for my hubby to build a trellis for these grapevines and blueberries...



And the peach tree is full of blossoms which will hopefully mean plenty of delicious fruit this summer.

Why is it that all just seems right when you work hard in the garden?

Enjoy your Thursday...

xo, Patty

spring forward

I have been busy tucking bits of Spring in around the cottage.

The weather has been a bit fickle but it certainly isn't enough to deter me from thinking Spring.

I find the older I get the longer it takes me to "spring forward".  It is so much easier to "fall back".  Don't you agree?  I certainly do appreciate the extra hour of daylight, that's for sure.

It has been so fun seeing Spring show up in the garden.  There are blossoms on the fruit trees and the first signs of radishes, lettuce and carrots are showing up in my winter vegetable garden.  I even have a few green strawberries teasing me with the promise of their sweet taste.

Now if we could just string together a few warm days in a row...

xo, Patty

freshened patio pots

We enjoyed the most wonderful spring like weather over the weekend.  I managed to clean up and trim back some of my back patio pots and plant a few annuals for a little extra color.

I added a few white snap dragons, purple pansies, yellow and purple violas and some sweet allysum into my geranium pots.

It felt so good to have the sun on my back and some dirt under my nails.  This is my favorite time in the garden. 

The fruit trees are in bloom, too.  I'll be back to share them tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week!

xo. Patty

Saturday morning

Happy weekend everyone!

I arrived home late yesterday and had a wonderfully long night's sleep.  I am having my first cup of coffee and planning my day outside.  The sun is shining and my garden is calling...

Enjoy your day, Patty

the little things

Don't you agree it's the little things in life that bring a smile to your face? 

Little things like these adorable measuring spoons...

and these...

a beautiful handmade apron...

and a vintage painted tray.

All beautiful little things made even more special due to the gracious women who gave them to me.  Thank you Jeanette and Debbie and mom and Shelly.  Your kindness means the world to me.

xo, Patty

a new day

Is it Thursday already?

Yesterday I made an unscheduled visit out to see my parents for a few days.  My dad is suffering from bladder cancer and was not doing well.

What a difference a day makes...

Praise God, he is having a much better day today.  He seems to be regaining his strength and is his old smart alek self again.  Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts.  I know the road ahead will not be easy but I am so thankful for today and however more today's we have with him.

I'll be back tomorrow to share some adorable measuring spoons and what nots...

xo, Patty

rounding the corner

Happy Tuesday... 

I just wanted to show you how pretty the ranunculas look in the garden. I actually planted them last Friday but I haven't had a chance to share the pictures  until today.

I got another little section of the back perennial bed cleaned up yesterday.  I've just about rounded the corner which is the half way point.  I actually could have kept going but I had "help" from of a certain three year old who delights in gathering pill bugs.  He insisted I stop what I was doing and help him make a house for his new "pet".

We put a few clippings in the bottom of an old sippy cup for food and the poor bug made himself comfortable in his new prison home. 

I don't know how to tell the little rolly polly that he is luckier than the last pet bug who didn't even make it out of Andrew's pocket alive.  I'll let you know his fate tomorrow...the last I saw he was being clutched in the hand of a toddler strapped in the backseat of a car and headed to San Diego.

Weather permitting, I will be back outside today to finish the clean up.  Then I will work compost into the soil and decide what new plants to add to the border.  I have a few annuals waiting to go into pots, as well. 

All in all it sounds like a pretty terrific day.  I hope yours is enjoyable, too.

xo, Patty

delightful daffodils

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I wanted to share these delightful little daffodils, a cup of coffee and a cookie with you on this gorgeous California Monday morning.



I picked up the daffodils for .79 cents a piece at Walmart last week.  I know from your comments that yellow is your favorite springtime color.  Don't they look sweet potted in this lime green pot?

I wish I could just bottle up the weather we enjoyed this weekend and spread it around.



It was in the mid 70's with just a slight little breeze.  It was just right for some thrifting and lunch with the girls and perfect to piddle in the garden.

What was your weekend weather perfect for?

xo, Patty

I remember Davy Jones and why I blog

I remember Davy Jones.  Not only do I remember him but I even remember watching "The Monkees" show on Saturday mornings. I never had his poster on my wall (I was a David Cassidy girl) but he was a part of my growing up years.  Does that date me?  I thought it might...

Honestly, I had no intention of writing a post let alone joining the party on, "What do you want your blog to be when it grows up".  After all, I am all grown up.  But after reading some of the inspirational thoughts of some younger bloggers it dawned on me that I share their dreams just from a little different perspective.

So here goes, the top five ways I want to grow with my blog (plus a lot of random pictures)...

1.  To be a destination for friends to stop by for a chat.  One of the first blogs I ever read was Dear Daisy Cottage and the reason I returned every morning with my coffee in hand was because of Kim.  She had the warmest most engaging conversation started and she shared her real, lived in cottage.  It was unique to her personality...it was different from the ultra trendy, magazine worthy homes of some other blogs.  She has since gone on to a beautiful photography blog and I miss my visits at Dear Daisy Cottage terribly.

2.  To inspire you to live a beautiful life no matter what life throws your way.  You might be surprised at what my real life has been and I know I would be surprised if I knew your whole life story.  We all have challenges we need to work through but I am such a firm believer in attitude over circumstances and this little blog is a daily reminder of what is good in my life each time I write a post.  I just need to search out something beautiful to share.  Trust me, sometimes I have to search really hard but I always find something.

3.  To meet new and interesting people living in far off places.  Sounds silly I know, but I do enjoy the friendships I've made by way of my blog.  I have shared some difficult times with my cyber friends via email and felt such love and encouragement in return.  Definitely one of the unexpected surprises of my blogging experience.

4.  To write authentically.  I have always enjoyed writing but blogging has shown me to write from the heart.  Each post reminds me to be true to myself, to express my authentic point of view, to embrace who I am and to not to be someone I am not because readers can always spot a phony.

5.  To share beautiful pictures.  When my children were little I was the one who always cut off the tops of their heads or left half of someone out of the picture and then I started blogging.  I learned to take pictures as part of a story, as a way to enhance, not merely to chronicle.  I learned a little about staging and backgrounds.  Last year I got my first big girl camera and I love it.  I still have so much to learn but am enjoying the process.  I am constantly amazed at the generous spirit of other bloggers and am always inspired to try something new from what they share.

At this point in time, growing my blog does not involve numbers, although I do love my followers and getting comments, or dollars because that isn't where I am in my journey right now although I would encourage anyone, who is willing to give it their all, if that's one of your goals.  Blogging takes time and effort and that is certainly worth value.

For me blogging brings me joy through relationships. 

To touch others and to be touched...to inspire others and to be inspired...to encourage others and to be encouraged, these are my biggest blogging goals and I am loving every minute of it.

xo, Patty