Comfort Food

I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch today, but she came down with an awful bug. I think it's that same bug that's been going around for months now. When will it end?!

So I decided to go out anyway and treat myself to a bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup, a Harvest Salad and a pretty magazine at Corner Bakery. Yum!

Get well soon, my friend!

Atlanta Trip - Part 4

Here are some of the beautiful orchids and other tropical plants from inside the greenhouse at this place.

These were part of an orchid sale they were having later in the week.

Don't you love the stripes on the flowers above?

There were lots of these frog sculptures scattered about the gardens. They certainly added a whimsical touch.

The Frog Baby sculpture below created by Edith Barretto Parsons is so sweet. Sorry for the poor photography, but the small child is holding a frog in each hand. Adorable!

Thanks to fellow blogger Jeanie Callaghan, who told me the name of the artist who created Frog Baby and also that she has a twin at Ball State University.

Atlanta Trip - Part 3

The sculptures above and below done by Dale Chihuly are part of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Chihuly is an amazing American glass sculptor whose work I have seen in Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory, The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

I believe this fountain, surrounded by the beautiful gardens, is my favorite.

These pink and white tulips are a little past their prime. Just a week before they were in full bloom and quite breathtaking.

Atlanta Trip - Part 2

Here's the next installment of photos from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

A rainbow of Pansies

Pansy Topiary

Potted Pansies

Above and Below - Iris Cristata

Above - Fairy Blue Clematis

Atlanta Trip -Part 1

One of the sites I visited on my trip was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The beauty of the flowers in bloom was truly glorious. My friend told me the week before I arrived the blooms were even better. I can't even imagine! Today I'll share the rose garden with you. Enjoy!

Where I've Been

I went on a little trip to Atlanta last week, thanks to a friend of mine.

It felt good to get away.

A change of scenery is always good medicine for the mind.

I saw beautiful things like this.

And I came home to the likes of this!!!

Quite a difference, huh?

I'll have more photos of the colorful type to share soon.

Hello Monday!

My mailbox has been filled with fabulous inspiration due to the Postcard Swap that Natalea from Kandeland organized. I've received almost all the postcards now, with just a couple more coming. It's been such fun to go to the mailbox and find something other than bills inside!
And guess what? Lucky for you, Natalea is running a second round of the Postcard Swap! She's taking sign-ups now and you can get all the details by clicking here.
This past week I drove up to our cottage for the first time since this happened. It was very difficult since having this getaway was my DH dream. I'm so grateful he was able to enjoy it for a few years, but I must admit it's not quite the same without him being there. Fortunately our good friends have bought a place in the same town and will be spending the summers there, so that will make things a little easier. And as you can see by the photos, I was not alone at the house on this visit.

Have a great week!

Vintage Hat Boxes

I was so inspired by Jessica Enig's pretty little hat box project featured in the March 2011 issue of Romantic Homes Magazine, that I decided to make a few myself to give to some special friends I was seeing for lunch yesterday.

I used this lavender, aqua and green floral vintage wallpaper that I bought ages ago to cover the paper mache boxes.

The girls just loved them and now I have to find some time to make one for myself!