I am just loving this time of year. I find it really inspiring. It's not too hot or humid yet, but the sun is shining and there is just the right amount of warmth. I love spending time outdoors, as I look around I am noticing so much beauty. The bees are buzzing around as they do their jobs. The mama birds are sitting in their nests, blooming flowers are in freshly manicured beds (ah except mine but I'm working on it!) And of course my favorite LILACS are out! The smell of fresh cut grass & spring blooms is in the air! The air just seems so FRESH! I opened the windows to let some of that IN and I opened up all the curtains to brighten up the interior spaces. I took duvets and pillows out for a good fluffing! The asparagus is ready and the local fruit & veggie stands are starting to get busy. And of course I'm finding super cute outfits & shoes for the girls and get to see their cute painted toes! Ahhhhhh it's a wonderful time of the year! I hope you've been able to enjoy the weather too! ~Mel

som får velge et av disse deilige duftlysene, fra Yankeestore.no , er kåret! ;-) Og de tre heldige er: Hobbyvimsa Sivs Verden Precious Home :-) GRATULERER!! Nå er det bare å velge duft, og sende meg en mail! * Til deg som ikke vant denne gangen: Det kommer flere sjanser snart! ;-) * Her hos Adine by Natalie finner du også en give-away, ta en tur inn å se! Nydelig, håndlaget putetrekk er premien! * Ønsker deg en fin, avslappende kveld! ;-) Klem-Mia

Ja disse vårblomstene er virkelig noe av det skjønneste jeg vet....så derfor kjører vi en hyllest til de her på bloggen i dag....Kanskje ...

I hope you all are having a wonderful September. It's still pretty hot here in Ojai, but the mornings are crisp, signaling the end of Summer. I wanted to share with you some exciting news. A beautiful barn that Steve designed with Interior Designer Courtney Hollander is featured in this...

Blackbird treehouse in Seattle's urban rainforest is designed by O2 Treehouse. It hangs 25-feet from the ground and is accessible via a lift.

Euro Plants Vivai

A summer home on the coast of Maine. Construction - Hewes & Company Interiors - Courtney Hollander Furniture - Giannetti Home

Welcome. I am so happy that you stopped by. My garden gate is always open for you to come in and sit and relax with a cup of tea early in the morning when the air is bright and fresh and still cool from the night time ocean breezes. Most of Southern California is sweltering, however, we are still staying fairly cool near the coast compared to the high temperatures inland. I can tell that Summer is starting to wind down when it is time to pick the last of the Hydrangeas to dry to use in Fall arrangements. Let's join Bentley, my helpful Studio Assistant, in the garden to see what is ready to cut and then find something to paint. The Delphiniums are fading and it is time to pick the last of them. I love the blue and purple color of them and they are one one my favorite cottage garden flowers. These are the pale washed out blue Hydrangeas. These are the brighter blue ones! The difference in colors of the flowers on the same bush is amazing. This year some of my hydrangeas were a lovely blue and some of them a more washed out pale blue - it is hard to get them the right color. When I add the acid early in the year before they bloom - I never know what color they will be until they bloom - some turn out dark and some turn out light!!! My vintage blue Rocket bicycle is the inspiration for lots of my bicycle paintings - you have probably seen it many times and I hope you are not getting tired of it. I decided to paint it with some of the hydrangea blossoms in the basket. I put 3 coats of vanish on the little bicycle paintings so I can hang them outside in the garden. I always take lots of photographs so I can use them for reference after the real flowers in the garden are gone during the Fall and Winter months. I love the classic look of blue and white china and decided to paint the blue Hydrangeas in a blue and white vase. Blue and white china has become a signature for me and is found in most of my larger paintings. "Art In The Garden" Dear Readers, Thank you for stopping by. I sincerely appreciate your visits, e-mails, comments and those of you who follow my blog. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special. Due to the numerous requests I receive regarding purchasing the small original art I usually blog about I made the decision to sell only small art in my ETSY shop - all art is an original and will be $45.00 or less and vary in size from 9x9. 8x10 or 8x8 or smaller. I want to keep the shipping price to a maximum of $10.95 and will ship via US Post Office. I will be on a blog break until August 24th so I can work on my ETSY shop. My ETSY shop can be reached by clicking on the photo of any painting on the right side of my blog under MY ETSY SHOP. My large paintings can be found at the Heart of The Island Gallery on Balboa Island. Have a lovely week. Blessings, Erin "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places . . . and you shall be like a watered garden . . . whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11