Fresh-Cut Friday #11 Larkspur July Flower Of The Month

Well! It's the first Friday of the month and that means it's time for Fresh- Cut Friday.

Can you believe that I started this party almost a year ago!? Well, since then I have seen so many other blogs with their own version, (all of which are wonderful) but I thought I would change things up a little and feature a Birthday Flower of the Month. Please still link up your flower or garden posts. They don't have to be anything specific. Just pretty!

I am going to start a new series and share something a little more specific.

How about the Flower of the Month?

The Birthday Flower of the Month for July is Larkspur. Similar to Delphinium and is part of the same Buttercup family. Indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere it is also found in the tropical Mountains of Africa.

(this was taken from google images...not my photo...isn't it gorgeous?)

These beauties bloom from late spring to late summer. They are pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees, however, most species are poisonous.

Colloquial Names: Larkspur or Delphinium are lark's heel, lark's claw and knight's spur.

Meaning: Delphinium, Hybrid (coming from the Greek word delphis, referring to the flower's resemblance to the bottle-like nose of the dolphin) generally symbolizes big-heartedness, fun, fickleness, lightness and levity. It also can mean "ardent attachment". And, as with other flowers, the colors can mean even more. Pink, fickleness and Purple, first love and White, happy-go-lucky.

An interesting tid-bit: Mixing the juice form the Larkspur seed with alum can create a blue ink. Because of the blue color it used to be used in Transylvania on the stables to ward away witches.

If you are enjoying a Birthday this month you deserve a big bouquet of Larkspur!

Now, Larkspur is not grown locally here in the desert. So I had to order some.

Not very expensive, I got these from Phoenix Flower Shops for $3.10 per stem.

The girl on the phone Saturday morning was so sweet and helpful! I also picked up a sunflower or two and some mini carnations and daisies.

It's just a little Patriotic, don't you think? I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

Next Month's flower is the Gladiolus!

Now! Let's see your pretty arrangements.

I'm linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home. (thanks Cindy)

A Perfect Summer Salad

Not to heavy ... not to light ... Just the perfect dinner salad.
Good Carbs! Lots of wonderful protein too.

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Sliced almonds
• Grilled Chicken
• Spinach
• We used a Light Balsamic Dressing
• as an option you could add a tasty cheese like a Blue or Gorgonzola
  

Now isn't that a nice option for the 4th?

Don't forget that Friday is Fresh-Cut Friday. I will have the linky tool up tomorrow night.

See you then!

Mini Before and Afters

These little pretties are for Cielo at The House in the Roses. I'll be showing off my Cottage there!

Today I'm sharing 2 little vignette changes that I made in the kitchen last weekend. I'll be sharing them with you, and at
Marty's Table Top Tuesday party at A Stroll Thru Life.

(Before)
I am slowly getting rid of all the red in the kitchen. This is my little Sara Lee bakery tray. I was torn about painting it, but I gave in and did it anyway.

(After)
I'm glad I did! I think that it has a more elegant, cottage feel.

This is another "little" change that felt big to me. This was my former utensil holder... I had to reach back in the archives to find a picture for you. This pic. is from fall... I don't normally keep pumpkins around all year. Anyway! I never really was in love with this look. Plus, it wasn't deep enough to actually contain the tools. It just alwasy looked messy to me.

(Before)

So, I have been on the look out for a while for something that would fit the bill and I had seen this idea in County Living's little book of 500 Kitchen Ideas. But I didn't really go "in search of"... I was just looking for something that would work.

Love that little book!

I was in Brass Armadillo (the local antique mall) last Saturday and I spied this Champagne bucket sitting up on a shelf. It isn't old and it's only silver plate... BUT! It was only $15.00! I thought is was a deal and perfect for this little corner. I knew right away that it would work. Don't you love it when a vision comes to you?

I also found this Flow Blue sugar bowl. I got this for a steal as the lid was missing... That was just fine by me. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

Sweet! Yes?

Finally ... here is another shot from a different angle. Hubs likes it because he thinks that the counter looks like it has less clutter.

So there you have it. I love my little changes!

Just a little reminder... It is already the First Friday of the month!

I will have the Linky tool up Thursday night for Fresh-Cut Friday! I hope you join in!

Have a great week!

Picture Postcard

I was just sitting here reviewing all my beautiful post cards from Sweet Daughter. These are just from this trip. I have saved all of them over the years like treasures.

A thoughtful daughter is just one of the many reasons in life
I know I am blessed beyond anything
that I could have ever hoped for.

So glad you are safe and sound back in the States. We love and miss you too!
See you soon ...

I Actually Kept a New Year's Resolution!

Well... every once and a while you make a New Year's Resolution ....and actually keep it! My pantry is one of those "big plans" that we actually got done.

Let's take a look behind the door...

I feel pretty lucky in the fact that most of the "canned " goods go in another pantry. So I have plenty of room to organize.

One of the first things that I had my husband do for me was add these racks to the inside of the door....I think that I got them at Target. I got all of my spice jars from World Market and the labels are from Martha Stewart.

The top shelf is hot beverages...

Second Shelf...More spices, vinegars and rubs.

A shelf for baking stuff...

A shelf for sauces and handy stuff... and a shelf for pasta, rice, crackers, and nuts!

I hope that gives you some ideas for your pantry... Here's the best part...We did this right after the first part of the year...and I took the pictures the other day. Honestly! It has stayed nice and neat and organized. I'm shocked!

What about you?

Do you feel like your a better cook when your organized?

Pure Charm!

Today I'm showing off my Grandmother's tablecloth.

I believe this is called tatting. But what ever you call it...
This table cloth is so beautiful. Every inch is covered in hand stitching and is pretty heavy. I remember one year my aunt had Christmas dinner and put this over red.
It was a stunning table!

I have had it for a long time and never used it. I started thinking that I really wanted to enjoy it. No one ever really sits at this table or sets anything on it so I thought that it would be so pretty to just have it out. If we have dinner in here I'll take it off. I just couldn't bear it if it got stained.

Isn't it incredible!? I am really enjoying it. I'm glad I got it out.
What about you? Do you save things...and then wonder why?

A quick look at the rest of the front room...

Have a great week!

Joining in for:

Show off Your Cottage Monday at House in the Roses

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Messing With My Photo Editor

Lot's of projects going on...

But not much to share...

Thought I would show you some shots of my dinning room table...

Make sure you stop by and say hi to Marty.
There are always beautiful ideas over there!