Now Growing at The Ranch

Just some shots of what's blooming now at The Ranch.

After years of living in manses with landscapers trading out flowers each season, it is nice to get back to growin' my own........ things I can actually cut and bring inside.  However, I do miss the help of those gentlemen when it comes to the weeds.

Blue Gardenia

My mother always grew a gardenia bush wherever we lived.  How she did this successfully in Wichita Falls, TX and Edmond, Oklahoma (Hard Country), I'll never know.  I do know it was the flower in her wedding corsage and a flower I have been enamored with all my life.  I would cut them and float them in a bowl by my bed.

I planted one at The Ranch about 2 weeks ago and I already have a bloom!

And yes, of course there is an old black and white movie by the name The Blue Gardenia starring Ms. Anne Baxter (1953).  As an extra bonus, Nat King Cole singing "Blue Gardenia."  I'm in heaven.

I'm celebrating Blue Monday with Smiling Sally!

Miscellaneous Ranch Vignette of the Week

If Wishes Were Horses....

house wishes, that is.....
I would have the largest paddock in the land!  It has been a bit frustrating to be in a rental, simply because I have so many ideas that involve permanent changes to the house and a bit of a $$$ investment on our part .......which ain't happenin'.  I have decided that Wednesdays at The Ranch will now be Wish Wednesday.  I would "host" such an event but the fact that I even have a blog is amazing.  To quote a friend, "Blog? That's a pretty big word for you, isn't it?" Also, something called Mr. Linky is involved and that's almost as disturbing as me giving names and personalities to my statuary.

Anyway, my wish this Wednesday -

I sketch, I don't do to-scale drawings.  I would have built-in cabinetry for china, serving pieces, etc, drawers for flatware, napkins, tableclothes.....you get the idea.  That's a mini banquette between the storage units with sconces.  Cozy!  I could hide there to read a book.  I don't think anyone would notice me lounging behind the table.  I have a "few" books and could also use the storage to house them. Or perhaps instead of cabinet doors, that would be open shelving for my library.  That's the dream anyway.  Happy Wednesday!

Flood Survivors!

Happy Blue Monday with Sally.

Alfresco Luncheon for One Please

After all the tragic photos of the Nashville area, I could use some eye candy.  Life always goes on, somehow.  So many people have lost everything, homes and family members.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Thanks!          Thank you Susan and to my beautiful friend Missy for the peonies and cheer!

Thank You

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have inquired about our status here in Nashville.  We are warm, safe and dry and have electricity once again!  It was a wild ride.  Here are a few shots I took.

This was taken from the front porch looking at the vacant lot next to us.  I think this is why it's a vacant lot.  There's a drainage ditch there somewhere.

Looking out to the street.  The water is cascading over our drive.

The view out the back door.  Look closely and you will see 2 geese who temporarily moved it.  I had been kidding about just such an occurrence and then they actually showed up!

What to do stuck inside without power?  Play Monopoly by head lamp of course!  Jack prefers to call it Binopoly.

This is how he feels about being electronically deprived.  I sincerely hope you are enjoying nice weather where you are.  It is an unbelievably gorgeous day here!

Brocante Nashville

Okay ya'll, Merisi has been showing off the flea market, Viennese style - Brocante and I'm jealous,  BUT can she top a tub o' mermaids?

Or a lovely Blue Danube Waltz with a headless woman?  Shout out to Forensic Files!

Welcome to the Nashville Brocante, or as we'uns say......the flea market!

These gentlemen are the procurers of the aforementioned pieces de art.  I LOVE where I live!  Have you had your Wheaties today?  If not, a stop by Sally's Blue Monday just may do the trick.  Check it out.
p.s. these items were more blue in person.