Peonies in Bloom!

Late May and early June in Western NY is the peak time for peony blooms.  I travel alot for work and today I took note of the many yards that had peonies in bloom.  They are one of my favorite flowers.  I love the ragged, ruffled beauty of peonies and the scent is a bonus!  Here is a small bunch from my peony bed.  I also have white and blush colored peonies. 

I put this small bunch in a vintage silver plated vase I have and set it on my bedroom dresser where I can enjoy them!  Mercury glass votive holders, vintage mirrored tray, and Simply Shabby Chic lantern complete the look. (I scored the SSC lantern at my local Goodwill store for $1.99!)  Happy Thursday!

Clinging Vines

Happy Wednesday!!! Two more days until the holiday weekend!  Things here in Western NY are a little ahead of schedule as far as growth so I thought I'd share one of my favorite flowers: Clematis.  This sweet vine comes in many different colors but this pale beauty is one of my favorites.  It was loaded this year and it greets me each time I pull into my driveway!  This "clinging vine" even wound it's self around the little bird on top of the trellis.  So cute!

Here's a close-up of one of the blossoms.  So pretty!  Happy Memorial Day!

My entryway

The gang and I have not really shared much about our actual home.  Since we will soon be revealing a name for the home, we thought we better share some of our living space.  We use the basket at the door as a drop-all.  The towel for wiping tiny muddy feet.

The metal flower bucket, I painted with chalkboard paint and added branches with tiny LED lights.

Every house with a cat needs a window seat.  No explanation needed!

Every house with a dachshund needs a plump chair to curl up on for naps.

The other corner is for humans to take off shoes and boots.  Every item in this room was purchased at yard sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores.  It's amazing what can be found that other people are parting with!  I know many of you also decorate your homes this way!

I can't believe I havent posted since March 3!!!!

I've really gotta get back into this.  Anywhoo, we recently went to Mrytle Beach, SC for a week.  This is my favorite place in the whole world and would like to relocate there in future.  We stay at a wonderful place called Ocean Lakes Family Campground.  The ocean and beach setting are so inspiring to me and get me motivated for the summer.  We missed the freaky snow storm in Western NY that week!  Here's a pic I took to hopefully motivate you all to get ready for summer!

The flowers were a reminder of the ocean for me because I purchased them at Wal-Mart on the morning we left.  Their tag read "ocean colors" or something like that.  I stuck a broken tea cup and wooden eggs in to "pretty it up."

I put some sea shells I collected on the beach into one of my little angel terra cotta pretties.  I just love walking the beach and finding shells!  Each one I pick, whether for color, pattern, or shape, tells a story of the ocean. 

I saw this yard/garden one of my many golfcart treks around the resort.  This woman's yard was amazing with such a small space.  Hint, hint, one of the items in the pic gave me project inspiration that I'll share soon!

I must say, being away from the dogs, or should I say, the dogs being away from us, there were a couple near tragedies, making me realize our next trip will have to be planned differently.

Do you have a special place you just love to go, whether for a day, a weekend, or a week?