Flowers, Flowers, Flowers (and a peek at the shop)


Anne Hathaways cottage at Stratford-upon-Avon by Richard Peat: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtpeat/219375900/in/set-72157594243313821/

It's windy and cool at my mountain cottage today, but this photo warms me. I imagine myself strolling along that stone path amongst the beautiful blooms. Can we ever get enough of cottage gardens?


Recently while cyber-searching for garden inspiration, I came across the Heidi Claire blog by floral designer and owner of The Nesting Company Florist in Burton, Texas Heidi Matthies-Jaster. I found her backyard garden and flower arrangements enchanting, and since I'm not a bit shy when it comes to introducing myself and asking if I can share with you what I've found on other blogs and web sites,  I contacted Heidi. I asked for permission to feature her photos, she graciously said "yes", and here we are. I'm very happy to introduce you to Heidi and her florals
.


Let's begin with Heidi's beautiful roses.
Secretly, I'm a little jealous of her Souvenir de la Malmaison roses blooming in March.







Heidi's backyard has special charm.


Her neighbor made the tripod from pieces of antique wrought iron cemetery fence. Heidi sells the the purple German Bearded Iris plants, as well as Yarrow and Periwinkle at the local Farmers' Market. 


Texas is recovering from the worst drought in recorded history, yet through it Heidi's garden survived. She says, "Choosing hardy, heirloom or antique variety plants are my secret to the success of my garden."



Isn't Heidi's dog, Jack, cute? Heidi calls him her "alarm system".


Evergreen Wisteria surrounds the bluebird house made by Heidi's step grandfather. Heidi says chick-a-dees like to take up residence here. Who can blame them?


On to Heidi's floral shop.
Very charming and festive decor last Christmas. Love the punch of the black and white doors against the pale yellow.




Obviously, December doesn't get as cold in Burton, Texas as it does where I live. The gorgeous flower arrangement on the table wouldn't last five minutes here in the Colorado Rockies.


I have a thing for painted chairs and this periwinkle blue is a beauty. Especially with that gorgeous flower arrangement sitting on it.


This white bride's bouquet is exquisite.




More blooms!


For more views of Heidi's wonderful arrangements, hop over to The Nesting Co


And for the amazing story of Oreo, her neutered male cat turned Foster Mom, see Heidi's other blog: Heidi Claire.


Thank you, Heidi, for allowing me to share your beautiful photos and introduce you to my cottage friends.


Last week I promised the next time I posted I would show you photos of my new shop. I mean to keep that promise.
Dennis put a fresh coat of paint on the shop's front. I wanted to make it look like a cottage, but. . .well, we're on a budget. Maybe next year.


Watercolors by Dennis Reinke. Hobnail glass sits on the little Stickley desk. 
Hall teapots, Hull pottery, hand made birdhouses and planters, and that fabulous table fill the front of the shop.
The table is made of all recycled materials by a local artisan. He made the bookcase, planters and birdhouses too. 
Dennis' oil paintings hang above two lovely wing back chairs. Van Briggle pottery is displayed on the occasional table.




I love this primitive possum belly cupboard and the armoire next to it. 

Resident artis Dennis Reinke. (Sorry, he's not for sale.)

Original watercolors and a primitive chest.


We've only been open two weeks, but already we have some wonderful consignments to compliment Dennis' lovely paintings. And we've had some sales. I'm very thankful for the Lord's provision and for the wonderful people I get to meet every day in a job that I am truly enjoying. In fact, it hardly feels like a job at all.


Hope you have a joyful weekend in your cottage.


Blessings,







French Cottages


Photo by Philip Evans:http://www.flickr.com/photos/fredspoonphotos/63550563/
Some rights reserved.

I've been showing a lot of english and irish cottages here at A Joyful Cottage, so today I thought I'd mix it up a bit and share some french cottages with you. I love the rustic window trim and shutters on the cottage above. Just the right kind of weathered look, in my humble opinion.




Photo by Jojo77:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jovriens/2754854496/
Some rights reserved.
These purple flowers (hydrangeas maybe?) really pop. Great french doors and lovely old brick. Very charming.



Photo by Jojo77:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jovriens/2754862988/sizes/z/in/set-72157606653225703/
Some rights reserved.


The tiny windows (red trim is a great choice) and old stonework on this cottage tell me it's probably pretty old. What a pleasing garden. I really like the stone steps and wall. I'm pretty sure I could live here.


When I saw the date on my last post I was really surprised. I've been so immersed in getting our brick & mortar store open that I've lost track of time. The signage went up last Saturday.



You knew I would give it this name, right?


I've got more to share with you (like the shop's interior), but it will have to wait until my next post. I promise it won't be as long a stretch this time.



Blessings,

Inspire Me Monday - Cottage Gardens



Spring comes late here in the mountains, so right now I have to get most of my garden fix vicariously. I've been collecting some cottage garden inspiration to share with you.



Cottage Garden in Tissington, Derbyshire by UGArdener / © Some rights reserved. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial license
I love the colors in this bountiful cottage garden. The deep blue compliments the gray stone color and the pink makes such a great contrast. 






Beautiful cottage garden by Anneka's Quay (The Bar) on Bryher
© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Here's a case where the square footage of the cottage garden appears larger than the cottage itself. I wonder what they use for fertilizer.




Chocolate box garden on Tresco© Copyright paul dickson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This looks like a Monet garden. I love the softness of the dainty blooms and, of course, the climbing roses -- one of my favorite garden features.







Cottage garden, Coombe BissettThe roses are along the fence of this cottage that borders the road from Coombe Bissett to Homington.
 © Copyright Trish Steel and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
As long as I'm showing climbing roses. . .how about these? Pretty amazing, huh?






Deutsch: Bauerngarden des Botanischen Gartens in Hamburg Source: Eignes Work, Author Hallveig, Date 11.08.2004 GNU Free Documentation License


This cottage garden in Germany eclipses the cottage. It's a bit more formal, what with the boxwood border (at least I think that's boxwood) and reminds me of gardens I've seen in Colonial Williamsburg.


Are you busy in your garden these days? I'd love to see what you're up to.


Blessings,



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