Home Sweet Home....

The First Sergeant and I were talking today, about the constant upkeep and maintenance of our home.

Always something to repair, maintain, replenish, mow, the list goes on and on.......

We're no different from any other homeowner facing the same constant demands, but sometimes it would be a nice to just take a break, be free to travel, enjoy time off.

I've suggested down-sizing to a smaller home, something with a cottage feel, less land to take care of, after all , we're approaching the time in life when we should be focusing on less not more.

It seems we are staying put, at least for the next few years.

If only I could get this picture out of my head, of what our home may look like, if we slack on the upkeep. A once beautiful and vibrant dwelling, sadly forgotten and neglected.

The Bingo Beautiful Blog Award...

Carol @ The The Writers Porch was kind enough to pass along this fabulous BINGO BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARD.

Thank you dear Carol ! I will display it proudly, and in true"share the love" style, I will be sure to share.
Pop on over to Carol's blog and share in the delight ! If you happen to be a bookworm, or lover of animals, cooking, farming, shopping, country music, all things wholesome, you'll love Carol's little home on the web.... oh and she is one funny lady ;)

The B-I-N-G-O Beautiful Blog Award was started by Bookin' with Bingo Blog.

BEAUTIFUL : Becca @ A Southern Garden by Becca AND Bren @BG_ Garden

INFORMATIVE: Larry @Larry's Creative Zone AND Star @ STAR

NEIGHBORLY: Patti Cakes @ The Cottage On The Curve AND DJan @ D-Jan-ity

GORGEOUS: Marydon @Feedsack Fantasy AND Jane @ Gaston Studio

OUTSTANDING: Amy @ It Goes So Fast AND Joan@ The Retirement Chronicles

I did not check to see if you are an award accepting blogger, if you are not please ignore. If you do, don't forget to pass along !

To Plant Or Not To Plant, That Is The Question ?

I am in need of some gardening advice...

Earlier this Summer I planted Heavenly Blue Morning Glories, the annual variety, started from seeds.

The seedlings were transplanted into an old wooden tool box, where they now reside, and are happily weaving their viny tendrils in and out of the picket fence.

This being my first year planting Morning Glories, I am impressed by their vivid and showy blooms, until I read they are extremely invasive, and should be avoided at all costs.

Upon Further reading, I discover the culprit, to be the perennial Morning Glory a noxious weed which will spread and choke out everything.

According to one source " run as fast as you can in the other direction" if you're thinking of planting this insidious weed.

How can something so beautiful, be so ugly ?

If any of my fellow blogging friends know the answer, or have experience with this plant, I would welcome all suggestions.

Sharing The Love....A New Award.

I was kindly given a new blog award from fellow blogger Dave over at

The Diary of Dagenham Dave http://dagenhamdavesdiary.blogspot.com/

The "Your blog is bloody brilliant" Award, was designed and created by Melissa @ Smitten by Britain http://smittenbybritain.blogspot.com/

Dave is an absolute riot.

His writings reflect his British sense of humor, always entertaining, and" 'tell- it like- it is" style. He thinks I'm posh because my hometown is Cheshire, England, don't let him sway you... I enjoy a meat pie and custard tart, as good as the next fellow.

In true "Share the Love" style, I am passing this award along to eight fellow bloggers.

Carol @ The Writers Porch http://thewritersporch.blogspot.com/

Betsy @ Joyful Reflections http://betsyfromtennessee.blogspot.com/

Sarah @ Brit Gal in the USA http://www.britgalusa.com/

Sunny @ Barnyards and Barnacles http://www.barnyardsandbarnacles.com/

Andora @ Life on Sunny Ridge http://andoraslife.blogspot.com/
Pastor Sharon@ Dances With God http://danceswithgod.blogspot.com/
Wanda @ Moments of Mine http://wanda-momentsofmine.blogspot.com/
Denise @ an English Girl Rambles http://anenglishgirlrambles.blogspot.com/


Congratulations, and don't forget to pass the award along !

Around The Garden....

Waiting patiently for porch visitors.

The seasons are changing fast, the beautiful Clematis blooms are no more....just the canes remain, and the promise of new growth next season.

Rambling around my favorite antique shop, I came across this wonderful old step back cupboard.

If only I could find the space to display it ...

My daughter (the bargain hunter) bought me a grand old piece of wrought iron for the garden.

It needs a little repair here and there, but will be perfect for rambling vines.

The Carolina Wrens have once again nested in the birdhouse of their choice.

The Balloon Flowers are still trying hard

The Morning Glory here today gone tomorrow.

Tea For Two .....

Follow me through the gate, would you care to join me for tea in the woods ?

A little further down the path


The table is waiting to be set


The conversation may include a little Jabberwocky

I'll bring one of my favorite teapots

And a new blend of tea

I've invited a special guest........

Welcome Morning Glories.....

This is my first year of planting Morning Glory seeds. The variety is Clarke's Heavenly Blue, and is reknown for it's showy sky-blue blossoms, which can reach 4 inches or more in diameter.

The flower usually lasts for a single morning and dies in the afternoon.

On a cloudy day, the flower may last until night.

New flowers bloom each day.

The flowers usually start to fade a couple of hours before the petals start to show visible curling. They prefer full sun throughout the day and mesic soils.

Some Morning Glories, such as Ipomoea Muricata, are night blooming flowers, I shall plant those also next year.

Reflections On A Summer's Day...

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.
~ Jane Austen

Keep Calm And Carry On....

Several readers have asked what is the origination and meaning of the Keep Calm and Carry On entrance carpet, displayed on my sidebar.



The Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II, but never used.
I was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of products.

The poster was initially produced in 1939 during the beginning of World War II, and was intended as a "last case scenario" to be used only should the Nazi's succeed in invading Great Britain, in order to stiffen resolve.

Two and a half million copies were printed, although the poster was distributed in limited numbers.

The designer of the poster is not known.
The poster was third in a series of three. The previous two posters from the series, "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in Peril", were issued and used across the country for motivational purposes.

They were designed to have a uniform device, be a design associated with the Ministry of Information, have a unique and recognizable typography,with a message from the King to his people.

In 2000 a copy of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster was rediscovered in Barter Books, a second-hand book shop in Northumberland. Since Crown Copyright expires on artistic works created by the UK government after 50 years, the image is now public domain.

The popularity of posters, and motivational merchandise has been a much sought after example of British character "Stiff Upper Lip" attitude, a much needed example in today's financial recession.

Photo credit : Graham Turner Info credit: Wikipedia

Fancy a Cuppa ? Go On It Will Relax You...

There is no trouble so great or grave
that cannot be much diminished by a cup of tea

~ Bernard-Paul Heroux


It’s NO revolution {cough} revelation, that we British would rather forego any other punishment than being deprived of our tea.

The British seemingly have the act of drinking tea, down to a science.

That being said, in the most recent scientific studies the findings are that drinking tea “Brit” style is one of the most beneficial stress relievers there is.
The very act of taking a few minutes, in the middle of a stressful workday, to pour a relaxing cup of tea, is in itself, a stress reliever.

According to this, CBS/Drew Levinson report, it is a habit well-worth the indulgence.

Milk and sugar ?



Watch CBS Videos Online

The Joe-Pye Weed Is Back ....

Down in the field yesterday, to my delight, I noticed the Joe-Pye Weed has returned. A beautiful combination of Queen-Anne's Lace and Joe-Pye Weed as far as the eye can see.

Mixed in between grasses were these tiny yellow flowers. I thought at first it maybe Black-Eye Susan's but not sure.

The Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum, is an amazing plant that is an herb, a wildflower, a butterfly plant and an ornamental for the flower bed. It obtained its name after a Native American herbalist, named Joe-Pye, cured fevers using the Eupatorium plant. Though we tend to think of it as a wildflower in the U.S., it's long been an ornamental plant in England where our cottage gardens are so popular.

I enjoy gathering the flowers, stems and all, to hang from the rafters of my potting shed.
Surprisingly enough they stay vividly colored until late Winter.

Sunday Repose....

Enjoying a quiet Summer's day ....daydreaming.

Ahhhh For The Day....

Lots of great reasons, why we should always carry a camera..

Photo credits: Web resources

Gone But Not Forgotten...

Remember a few days ago, I posted a picture of mama Carolina Wren feeding her babies ?

Today, they felt the wind beneath their wings.

Sadly not the best pictures, but just in time to wave goodbye.....