Category: Beauty and loveliness…


Can I get an AMEN for the beautiful weather we had here in Chicago this weekend?

I spent every day at the Illinois State Beach Park, lingering on the beach with Audrey Anne acquiring more freckles and going for long walks in the woods and along the shore. These nature trails are my new discovery that I am just reveling in like a delicious perfume. I went Saturday morning and fell in love. Wild roses lining the paths sending up there light scent; made me want to invest in anything rose scented (call me old lady). Wild irises, lilies, these interesting purple droopy flowers, little five petaled white flowers that looked like strawberry plant flowers. I even saw cacti with extraordinary yellow blooms. This orange blossomed plant was everywhere covered in butterflies. The colors scattered through the woods was eye candy for me and I needed it so badly.

I spent time in the garden every day, too. I am loving my garden these days. Transplanted some sunflowers I planted from seed that took off in a space that isn’t getting too much sun. I kind of gave up on the vegetable garden this year and they were in that corner. So I moved them to two other plots in the front of the house and near the fence in the backyard where they will get much more attention and glory. Weeding and more weeding, but that’s okay, because it makes all those little plants happy as they stretch their roots and leaves out. Thankful for all the rain and sunshine these past few weeks.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend outside!

Some lovelies…

Do you have things in your home and around you that just make you feel a tad bit better?
Something lovely, fun, unique, special to you?
Here are some of my favorite things lately.

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My friend Renae and I, in a desperate attempt to catch the avenue of heaven at the Botanic Gardens where the crab apple blossoms open in all their glory, went to the gardens a few times in a row together. We saw much beauty, but alas, never the avenue. So sad. But all was not lost. Good conversation. Our children playing together. Exercise and taking in good amounts of beauty for our hearts in need of comfort. We stopped at the gift shop after one such outing and I found these. These little birds are quite wonderful to me.

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My peony bushes bloomed more than ever this year. They were transplanted the first spring we lived in this house, thanks to dear LoAnn. It has taken them a few years to bounce back. I loved every bloom that came from them and felt fortunate I gleaned the aromatic ones.

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Hello, my name is Shanel and I am a plant-aholic. Lately, every time I go to Trader Joe’s I snag another plant. This is my current favorite one. They are miniature, and I mean miniature, little yellow orchids. Oh, happiness.

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I have been on a lemon kick ever since the dietitian in the cancer clinic I work in told me of the natural remedies of citrus used in treating nausea.

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And my wisteria bush that continues to be a steal from Sam’s club is taking off like a weed. I wish I had some pergola or arch to coach it over; for now, the chain link fence will have to do. Kati, this is the bush I think that would look stunning over the pergola of your deck.

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And last but not least, this little treasure. I found this also at the Botanic gardens; great place for little gifts, btw. It is a miniature bud vase of sorts. Perfect for my garden that is still in the toddler stage of growth and development.

FYI: Thanks to brilliant Brendan, my official webmaster, you can double click on any image and see the image much larger.

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