LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Time Travel Thursday #50 - Purple Passions


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~



Welcome to the 50th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

I love to display fragrant, fresh-cut flowers throughout my little cottage, whenever
I get the chance.  And during the months of spring, there is always an
abundance of beautiful blooms with which to do just that.

But by the time the intense heat of our Southern summer settles in...
the lovely blossoms of spring have all faded away.


Determined to find SOMETHING from nature that was both beautiful and fragrant—
with which to decorate my tiny abode—I took a little stroll around the farm today
to see what my eyes could spy.

Provence Lavender

The lavender lovelies growing in my vegetable garden are past their prime,
but pretty, nonetheless.

So I thought of gathering a bunch to display in the cottage, but...
for a while, there was a standoff...


 between a swarm of these little fuzzy creatures and me.

Having been stung twice in the past month, I had to spend some time considering just
how badly I wanted these pretty pastel picks.

After a few seconds of quiet reflection, I decided to take a walk around the cottage to
see what else I could find—that didn't involve the threat of pain.  ; )

Hosta

Currently, the ONLY thing in bloom in my flower gardens are the hostas.
I thoroughly enjoy their fairy-like flowers but prefer to keep
them dancing daintly outside.

What to do, what to do?

Rather than risk another run-in with the wicked little winged stinkers stingers, I
extended my search to the edge of the woods.

Heal-all Mint

This particular type of wildflower—quite common around our region—didn't appeal
to me in the least.  So...they were left as decoration for the foxes' dens.

Spotted Star-Thistle

I DID, however, find these flirty purple thistles quite lovely
and gathered a small basketful.


Queen Anne's Lace

While I was busily clipping the thistles, I caught these lacy ladies 
out of the corner of my eye.

They grow quite profusely around here.  And since I love the combination of white,
green, and purple, I gathered a handful of them, as well.


On my way back to the cottage, I tossed in a few more odds and ends from nature—
to help round out my arrangement.

As I approached the back steps, I glanced once more toward the vegetable garden
and my lavender plants.

With clippers in hand—AND a bit of trepidation—I walked cautiously to the plants...
to lay claim to what was rightfully MINE!  The bees were
none too happy with my decision.

But I had a plan...


and it involved THOSE lusciously-scented stalks!


Armed with the bounty of my morning walk, several pieces of vintage white ironstone
 from inside the cottage, an old wicker table with chippy-green paint—
borrowed from the front porch...


and an abandoned nest—with an empty eggshell, found on the ground below it—I went
to work to create a sweet floral vignette 
outside one of the barns.

I love how the prissy flowers play with the primitive elements and how
the refined beauty of the ironstone contrasts with
the rustic, timeworn wood of the barn.


Who would have thought that weeds could be so charming?


Personally, I think WEEDS are just beautiful flowers that have gotten a bum rap!

What do you think?    

Now all I need to do is grab a few comfy chairs and some munchies and invite a few of my
gal pals over to watch the nightly firefly spectacular.  ; )



 





Linking also to Susan's for Outdoor Wednesday, Mary's for Share the Love Wednesday, Suzanne's for Vintage Thingie Thursday, Susan's for Tablescape Thursday, Tracie's for Cottage Flora Thursdays, Cindy's for Show and Tell Friday, Tootsie's for Flaunt Your Flowers Friday, and Meg's for Everything But the Kitchen Sink.


IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.


21 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting :) Those hosta blooms are quite lovely as are the thistle blossoms!

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  2. Hi Liz,
    I don't have much in bloom for cutting at the moment either... waiting for my roses to bloom. The blue flowers are pretty! Thanks as always for hosting.
    Mary

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  3. Oh, we don't even have roses anymore...so hot and dry.
    Beautiful photos...
    Thanks much for hosting.

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  4. Oh my gosh, Liz, these pictures are exquisite!!! WOW!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  5. I love any kind of flowers for the table -- and wild flowers are free for the taking!!! Love your lavender -- mine is in full bloom and smells heavenly outside!

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  6. Very very interesting post..I like this one. gotta bookmark this one.
    Cottage Furniture

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  7. Beautiful dreamy and makes me long for summer.

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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  8. I think you must be passionate for purple. Those photos are gorgeous! Love the spiky thistles and the way they add interest to your arrangements!!!

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  9. Liz, your photos are amazing....love the white you used as vases. Perfect.

    Happy VTT!

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  10. I love Queen Anne's Lace! I carried it in my wedding bouquet.

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  11. Your pictures are just beautiful. I love the combination of green and lavender. How nice it must be to discover all these beautiful blooms just from taking a walk on your property. Your arrangements are gorgeous!

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  12. Bouquets from nature are the best! Visiting from Fishtail Cottage.

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  13. I would SO pay for those bouquets!!!

    I wish you could send one to me!!! Very, very pretty!

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  14. I totally agree with you about weeds - they are so lovely. They also look fabulous in your white ironstone.

    I'm visiting from the Blog Party/A Vintage Summer today - hope you can come over and say hi sometime -- We're having a Celebrate Summer giveaway. ;o)

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  15. How beautiful...thanks for sharing your lovely garden....and yep, I've always thought weeds have gotten a bum rap too lol!
    Thanks for hosting :)
    Queenie

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  16. Your collection of flowers are just beautiful. Just taking the time to look around and see what nature has for us is always rewarding.Thanks for sharing .
    Blessing, Sheila

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  17. Thanks so much for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's! The lavendar in your pitchers are so pretty & i'll bet they smell quite yummy too! xoxo, tracie

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  18. Gorgeous photos, every one! My favorite are the weeds in the white pitcher, perfection. Thinking of you and leaving some ♥ on your blog, have a happy weekend!

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  19. This is such a beautiful post! Thank you for a little Friday night treat for me!

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  20. this is such a pretty display! I love the photos...and the descriptions! Thanks for linking in this week....I will for sure be putting your logo in my listing...and trying to link in whenever I can!

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  21. Hi Liz! Thanks so much for linking once again to Share the Love Wednesday; hope you'll be back this week!
    Mary

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Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to comment.