A Garden Girl, some Hydrangeas, and thinking out loud...

 This is one of those posts that is a little of this and a little of that...

just some small things to share with you.

Blogging has changed so much from when I first started almost 6 years ago.(You hear that every day, but it's really true) It used to be that you could confidently share a pretty photo or vignette, how you made a small change on your kitchen counter, or a new "whatever", without feeling like you were supposed to be entertaining everyone. We were excited to show our latest flea market and garage sale finds without feeling "less than". I still love those kind of posts, because honestly, it's those kind of "everyday life" posts that let us in on the real person that's blogging. It really intimidates me that blog posts now are expected to be some kind of major "production", elaborate DIY, or fabulous room reveal. And that if they aren't, then what you may post might be considered as irrelevant, blah, or boring.

(found my sweet little fountain last week)

Don't get me wrong...

I totally love a great DIY, Room Reveal etc.

but I have to tell you...

my life is just not that darn exciting,

 or productive, for that matter.

...and I really don't need or want it to be.

So today, 

I just want to show you where I put my little French Girl fountain,

and that I bought some Hydrangeas...

one pink, and one blue.

Now I just need to pick the right place to have hubby plant them.

 and that for right now they are in my black goat cart 

that I finally found, 

and sitting on the front porch.

'Endless Summer"...

they bloom all summer long 

and then have the most amazing colors come Fall.

 I can't wait to get them planted.

Last year I really missed having Hydrangeas

and Peonies, and Roses, and Black-Eyed Susans...

 Hydrangeas are my go-to flower.

They're beautiful in any season.

 and that my "Little Miss Muffet" is sitting on her tuffet...

taking a bath.

sorry for the cord in the pic.

I'm keeping it real today.

Try as I might, I just can't get "into" Facebook or Instagram.

I know Instagram has real possibilities,

 and it seems like so many bloggers are heading that direction

 because there's less "pressure".

Even there, many blogger photos look "professional",

 and that my little phone pics look silly in comparison.

Oh well,

Let's not miss out on sharing the sweet small things 

of everyday life on our blogs.

Let's not let blogging turn into a "Professional" sport.

Here's to feeling that as people and as bloggers,

 we are "relevant"

...no matter what.

linking here:

Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Share Your Style #13

Hey Everyone,

 It's Wednesday and time to Share Your Style!

I really look forward each week to checking out your links and seeing what you all are coming up with. I'm a vintage gal at heart, so when I see some fun vintage items being used I get all excited. I love decorating with vintage things, but I really enjoy seeing how you all "use" and enjoy them too. I loved Benita's post about her packing her vintage picnic basket and heading out for a "Breakfast Picnic". Hope you'll visit Chasing Quaintness and see the rest of the post.

This last week I shared posts on finishing up 

the Sun-loving Container Planters, 

And then pulled my odds and ends of wicker and vintage pieces

 together for a Patio Seating Area under the deck.

I'm so glad you're here to join in on the party!

Kelly is our host this week,

take it away Kelly...!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the 13th Share Your Style party!
  I am Kelly from The Essence of Home and I am your host this week. 

Remember that when you link up here,
 your link will also show up on 7 other blogs as well!  So, this is a BIG party!

Here are some features from last week.

Panoply shared a fun wedding party that took place in a barn.

  I love country style weddings! 

 This one had lots of great ideas if you're planning your own too. 

Mia Bella Passions shared her recipe for 

raspberry white chocolate drizzle scones. 

 Oh my goodness, do these ever look good! 

One More Time shared how to make a farmhouse hall tree. 

 It's so cute!  I'm sure her family will get a lot of use out of that.

Gates of Crystal shared how she made

 French style shutters for her windows.

  They are so pretty!  I love the blue color too.

Forever Decorating shared her new barn door installed in her garage.

  I would love to have one of these somewhere in my own home! 

 Love this idea.

If you were featured, please add this button to your blog.

Now it's time for YOU to share your inspirations! 

 Be sure to provide a link back to this party on  your specific post. 

I can't wait to see what you share!



An InLinkz Link-up

Patio Seating Area

Hi, Everyone, hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend, 

mine was nice, but pretty quiet.

 My goal last week was to finally get the lower level patio sitting area cleaned and put together so we can have a place to sit and relax. This is under the deck, so it's somewhat covered, but not waterproof. I found the two seat cushions and bench cushion online at Lowe's, and they were just what I wanted. They're outdoor friendly and have the look of heavy linen or hemp in a dark khaki/taupe color. I wanted something neutral, that would match most of my pillows and quilts, and not show pollen/dirt/or grunge and I think these will work out fine.

Container Planting and Painting Styofoam Pots

Like most of you, I've been excited to finally get some outside work accomplished. Earlier this Spring we had our deck rebuilt. It was torn down to the studs and given a complete overhaul. This is the point that I can get really negative on the previous owners for neglecting an amazing 10 year old deck and landscape, but I won't do that. So instead I'll tell you how nice it is to have it mostly finished except for some painting we need to do under the floorboards, and how it's quickly becoming a comfortable place to relax and enjoy our beautiful back yard.

Share Your Style #12

Hey Everyone!

I hope you're having a great week, 

it's time again for Share Your Style! 

This week for me, it's been all about outdoors clean up, getting my potting bench in order, and then planting flower containers with some sun loving posies. My feature pick this week from Praire Charm grabbed me with a fun potting bench and lovely pics of Violets.

 Prairie Charm

So glad you're here to share all your inspiration!

Container Planter Inspiration

I was starting from scratch this year when it came to getting containers planted. Up until last year, I had Geraniums that were 5 and 6 years old, as I would winter them in our basement. So last week I went looking for some container pot inspiration. I was mostly interested in plant varieties that would work for full sun. I do have some shady spaces that I will get to later, but my first round has been for the deck, lower patio, and a large concrete container for the front courtyard.

Potting Bench Progress

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a great weekend...

I've spent most of my time outside this last week. First, working on getting the container planters filled with flowers for the deck, patio and front yard, then coming up with more things for the potting bench area.