The Meaning of Flowers

I've always loved flowers and gardening as long as I can remember. I grew up around it and it had always been a part of my life. My Mom loved flowers and gardening, with her favorite being her beloved Texas Bluebonnets. Just as she had passed down the gardening bug to me, I passed the gardening bug on to my kids as well and my little grandkids get it from Brande, Katie, and Bryce. As many of you know, when my oldest, Brande, opened a garden & nursery in the back of Country Roads she named Johnnye Merle's Garden & Nursery. It meant so very much to my Mom.

I love orchids, especially the white ones. There is a little book I've had since it came out in 1998. It's called "The Meaning of Flowers and is written by Gretchen Scoble and Ann Field. Its a wonderful little book that gives a short history on several types of flowers. The orchid, for example, stands for
"ecstasy" which I can understand when I look at the two orchid plants of mine above.

Besides several plants throughout my home, I always "have" to have flowers throughout the house. It doesn't cost much to keep little bouquets of flowers throughout your home like I do.  I think the roses above from Trader Joes were under five bucks.

I buy most of my fresh cut flowers at Trader Joe's each week. They are priced so reasonably that it is easy to pick up a bouquet or two. Often I will split them up the bouquets and put them in different vases sprinkled throughout my house.

I love dried lavender as well. It is easy to keep a little bit here and there.

And although succulents are not flowers, I love them too. They are so low maintenance, so 'easy' to care for, and come in so many varieties. I have them here and there around the house.

I don't know why but I like having fresh flowers in the bathrooms at my house.  I guess it just brightens up the room. The ones above came from the same big yellow & white bouquet I had bought

in the picture above with the white flowers. I don't know about everyone else, but I love to garden and when flowers bloom it is always an extra perk of the work we put into our gardens. My son stopped by this morning on his way to Country Roads. I was walking him out to his truck and we were talking about my garden. He was asking me what one plant was called. In this crazy, rushed world of ours, it is nice to just talk about "flowers", you know? I know it  makes my Mom happy!!

Country Roads Eye Candy

Today, I think & hope that the computer Gods are all here cheering me on! As many of us know, there are times that I try hard but just end up kind of screwing my plans when it comes to sharing some of Country Roads sweetest eye candy.

So, I made sure I got a really good nights sleep (which I did) and made the decision I was ready to try and put together a little slide show of some of our stuff here at CR.

So far, things actually have been going well. I got the slide show posted to Facebook okay. So that was a positive for me!

Now, after I'm done writing this quick blog post, I'm going to try and send out one of our Country Roads Email Express and hope that the slide show will actually open there as well. So, if you hit the "HERE" word below, keep your fingers crossed and I may just go to the slide show. If you have speakers, please turn 'em up and enjoy a few of my favorite songs! Take care

Create a free slideshow

Gratitude

There are many, many things that I'm grateful for daily when it comes to my store, Country Roads. First, without the patronage and support of our customers, Country Roads would not be the store that it has become in the past twenty years or so.  And secondly, we are a store that is made up of incredible talent. Seriously, each and every time I come to "work",  there is always something new and exciting that catches my eye. These photos today are of Linda Curry's spaces here at CR. She just took on additional space, and again, once I saw what she was beginning to put together,  I knew it was going to be amazing. . .

I always believe that it is important in life to be appreciative of the people, the things, and the wonderful events that occur daily in our lives. It truly is important to take the time to notice theses things, to appreciate a compliment a customer may share, or even a simple smile from a total stranger. I hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday! Take care.

Blossoms

Many of you know our Debbie Watts from these really beautiful vignettes she continues to put together inside of Country Roads.

What many of you might not know is Debbie has a new project she's working on here at Country Roads. And this little project is "outside" in our gardens. She's only just begun but I just wanted to share with you a sneak preview.

I love white roses, a lot! Actually I need to plant one at my house. I use to have one that had a touch of pink on the inside but I can't remember the name of it. Anyway, I can't wait to see the transformation that will soon happen in our gardens courtesy of our Debbie!! Its such a beautiful day outside. I hope you have some time to come on down and see us! Take care.

Be Inspired Friday

  I am so very lucky to be surrounded daily by vintage inspiration at my store, Country Roads. And the best part is that this inspiration comes in all different shapes, styles, and sizes. Here are a few of my favorite. . .

Country Roads is located in the heart of historic Old Towne Orange. The buildings that my store are housed in have great architectural elements. Just take a look a this awesome ceiling in our third building! I love it. Today I'm linking up with my friend Debra over at Common Ground. I hope you have a chance to stop by and pay her a visit!

Spring in My Garden

I don't know what it is about working in my garden, but I love it! As those of us that crawl around in the dirt, haul soil, and all the rest of the "work" we do, it's all for the rewards we get in the end that make it all so worthwhile. I so, so love these sweet peas!! The color is so different than any that I've had in the past. Brande planted these for me awhile back and I'm pretty sure they are from Annie's Annuals as is the rest of my garden!

A single yellow rose always reminds me of my Mom! She loved her "yellow rose" of Texas!

I really enjoy succulents.  I kind of got into them last year. There is a huge variety to choose from and they are so easy to take care of. I also have them all over my house.

This is my big tub of succulents on my front porch. I love the old cement angel. She doesn't look like a heavy girl, but let me tell you, she's solid!

The rustier and worn the birdhouse, the better I like it!

My hollyhocks have grown totally out of control this year.  They've taken on a life of their own!

 

Here is another one of my favorites in my garden, and of course it too is from Annie's Annuals. We sell all of these plants in our garden at Country Roads called Johnnye Merle Gardens and Nursery. My oldest, Brande, owns the nursery and many of you know that she named it after her Gramma, my Mom!  Brande posts daily on her Facebook page, "Johnnye Merle's Gardens". Annie's Annuals, by far, are the best and have a huge selection. So with that said, time to move on and wishing you all a fun time in your own gardens as well. Take care!

Be Inspired Friday

It's another Friday here at my store Country Roads.  I am always, without a doubt, and a bit frightened as well, with the passage of time. I wish I could figure a way to slow it down a bit. These pictures today are courtesy of my son, Bryce. This is where he displays his stuff at Country Roads.  I think owning a store these past twenty years have inspired us all, including my son and Katie and Brande, my daughters. Below are a few of Bryce's vignettes and lamps he's made.

 

The old huge chippy door in the background came from the old Lincoln Heights jail. Back in the 1950's in LA, the jail was primarily used as a "drunk tank" for the Hollywood celebrities.  One of the things I love best about antiques is the stories they have to tell.  Also, if you are looking for something to do tomorrow, Old Towne Orange will be celebrating its 125th birthday!!  Be sure to where something Orange and come on down and wish her a happy birthday!! Also I'm linking up today with Debra for "Be Inspired Friday"! Please stop by her blog to visit not only her post, but many others that are participating.  Take care.