Bloom Where You Are Planted

Good afternoon my dears, how have you been?

Yesterday, it was in the 70's with Carolina blue skies, birds chirping, a gentle sway of wind, and sunshine - glorious sunshine. I met my hubby for a lunch date at one of our favorites, Bravo, which serves up food with an Italian flare.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I ordered a dish, akin to a Mediterranean meal with rice pilaf, vegetables, and grilled shrimp and it was delicious, not just the first bite, but all the bites. So I'll definitely be ordering that again.

I came home and took care of my routine in our home and garden, then sat on the front steps, and took in as much of the spring-like day as I could. I pulled out my camera, and started snapping pictures of all the flowers that were blooming - a flower journal of sorts.

Then I found out that we're expecting snow this weekend. Which is random, considering we've only had one snow day this year, so I'm praying that my flowers will make it through.

 Crocus

 Crocus

 Muscari, aka Grape Hyacinth

English Ivy 

Pansies 

Pansies

Last weekend we were mostly outdoors, in the garden, bagging straw, reseeding, planting flowers, and getting our pool clean and ready for spring and summer. It takes us a few weeks, from taking of the cover off, to chlorinating, pumping, removing leaves and vacuuming, which is arduous for some, but for us it gets us active outside - enjoying the sunshine.

We also went to go see the movie Before I Fall, based on the book by Lauren Oliver. The main character, Samantha Kingston, is played by Lea Thompson's daughter, Zoey Deutch. She and her friends get into a car accident, yet everyday she wakes up and relives her last day, like purgatory. 

I think the movies lesson was that we all have an impact on those around us, so be a role model, and encourager.

Last but not least, we had Sunday brunch at The Gallery. My mini waffles served with warm syrup, whipped cream and fresh berries was delicious. And my hubby said his eggs benedict was delicious too before venturing for ideas at the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show.

That's all for now.

From our home to yours, have a blessed weekend.

 

~ Kiki Nakita ~

You can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest or Bloglovin'.

Life Lately And Garden Incidents

Our life has settled down in the past few months. It's been almost a year since we packed up and moved to the South and as much as we loved all the experiences, it's actually nice to be settled in our new home. Our dogs Sophie and Oscar have settled also, and love having a large garden to run around in. But most of the day they take long naps!

 

 

 

We have had our fair share on incidents happen also.

 

Oh my goodness!

 

Firstly, our lawn was growing and so we went to go get a mower, Cory started mowing and within a few minutes it just cut out. So the next day he returned it and brought another one home, and it did the exact same thing.

 

Anyhow, we talked about getting a lawn service, at least until we figure out why were jinxed with mowers, and as we were talking it just so happened that our neighbor behind us was having their lawn cut. We could tell it was a lawn service, so I suggested to my husband we drive to the house behind us to see if they have a number on their truck, they didn't but I managed to talk them into coming by our home and cutting our lawn after they were done at our neighbors.

 

He came out and quoted us $35 and went ahead. We told him about all the pool wires, but while watching we realized we'd have to cut it ourselves in a few months as the grass was flying everywhere! I wouldn't want to skim that out the pool!

 

Also, he mowed over all my muscari. I was a little sad as I actually liked the muscari and didn't think to mention not to mow down my flowers. I guess if we want the job done well, we'll have to unjinx ourselves soon!

 

Luckily I took some photos of my muscari before it got mowed down.

 

 

Our precious tulips.

 

 

Our second incident coincided with the first. We started having plumbing issues. So Cory tried to Google and problem solve the plumbing issues, and eventually he called in a Benjamin Franklin plumber. The plumber used a camera to travel down our pipes and we were watching in anticipation. It turned out we had roots growing in one of our pipes and a portion of it had to be replaced.

 

After agreeing with the quote, the plumber called in the city utility department to put flags and spray markers where our electrical lines were. Shortly afterwards the plumber and two helpmates had a digger and started tearing 7 foot down to find the blocked pipe.

 

 

Luck has it that we only had to replace a small part of the pipe, but before they left they had a pipe sticking up really high out of our grass. At first I was worried we would forever have a pipe sticking out. Cory asked that they cut it down some, and now it's like a stump. Apparently we'll be able to cut it more in a few months as it settles. Also they covered that whole patch of grass with seed and straw. So it was a good job we got our lawn cut the day before, and it will be interesting watching how it gets cut again in two weeks.

 

Isn't that crazy. Last month it was us missing our cable man because our cell phone wasn't working. So we had to buy a new cell phone and go almost two weeks without internet and cable. Which wouldn't be a problem if my husband wasn't a graphic designer.

 

So hopefully we've had our fair share dear Lord, and one day get our garden to look like one my outdoor Pinterest board.

 

I've been sketching out plans for an arbor. One like this that has clematis climbing on it.

I've also dream of a cottage garden with flowers everywhere. This one reminds me of my childhood, growing up in an English country village.

Or a pergola with climbing roses. This would be such a nice place to sit out and read, or sip on iced tea.

Maybe I like the escapism of Pinterest, even when incidents happen I can dream up my dream garden, and share them with others. I've made a start, but I realize it will take time until everything comes together, and I can go outside to smell the roses!

Garden Woodland

To the back right of our garden is a woodland, covered in crisp leaves. There's a creek running to the back (behind the fence) so we can hear frogs. There are squirrels that jump across the trees so it feels like we're in the mountains when we go back there. Well, the other day my husband and I had an impromptu photo shoot (he was once a photographer) and today, I went out to take some photos of our flowers.

 

This is me, with Sophie

 

 

Muscari

 

 

 

 

 

Camellia

 

 

 

 

 

We've been looking at garden nurseries for flowers, and planted some creeping phlox and foam flowers but would love suggestions. Hostas galore? Shaded wildflower garden? or bluebell woods?

 

 

This is the first month in our new home, so I can't wait to see how the woodland transitions over time. How do you record your flowers? And gardening projects over time? I'd love ideas.

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