It's a Hollyhock Explosion!

Today I'm linking up with Tracie over at Fishtail Cottage . It's time for her garden party! My garden this year is basically an explosion of hollyhocks! I haven't planted any hollyhocks in years. And I'm always amazed where they pop up each year. Below is a piece of dirt on the side of my driveway by the street. The soil is horrible and what a surprise I got this Spring when all the hollyhocks began to bloom. I didn't even know they were there. Their seeds must have blown in that direction this year! Here's some more of my hollyhocks that have gone crazy this Spring!

I have no idea how the hollyhocks seeded themselves and grew here. It is on the side of my garage where the fence is falling down and we are getting ready to re-build it. I'm not sure there is even much dirt over there for the hollyhocks to seed themselves. But somehow, they managed! Happy Spring to you all!

White Wednesday & A Slide Show!

As much as I've been enjoying our CA sunshine and warm weather, it has also been a realization to me as to just how very fast this year is going by! I so, so crave just a bit of down time to relax and enjoy this great weather of ours. Hopefully I will be finding that time a bit later in the week. Today, I've got my "White Wednesday" eye candy from my favorite place, Country Roads. But there is an added plus to this blog post. Down at the bottom of the post I have a link that goes to my Country Roads slide show. But before that, I wanted to share some of my favorite "whites" for "White Wednesday"!

Kathleen has been so gracious in hosting our "White Wednesday" blog posts.  And when you have time, please take a few minutes to hit that little "click here" link below. It took me awhile to get my slide show put together, but I finally did it. I hope you like the music as well. It is from Jack Johnson, one of my favorite artists ever! He just released a new live album he performed at his fund raiser! So,  hit the "click here" enjoy some my Country Roads Family's eye candy!  Take care.

"click here"

Johnnye Merle Gardens

  

I spent some time yesterday, outside in the back of Country Roads in Johnnye Merle Gardens and Nursery! It was a beautiful Spring day and everything in our gardens is in full bloom. My oldest, Brande, owns Johnnye Merle Gardens. She named it after my Mom, Johnnye Merle! My Mom taught us all about the love of gardening. Here are a few pictures of how beautiful everything is in our gardens right now!!

We've got a little bit of everything for sale here. You will find plants that you normally don't find at other local nurseries. We carry a huge selection of Annie's Annuals, succulents, cottage plants and more. I hope you find time to stop by for a visit soon. Happy Gardening!!

Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint!

The amazing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It has been a very long time since I've seen anything so popular that everyone just has to have it. I feel very proud that one of Annie's reps, Debbie Cooper, chose to sell the Chalk Paint here at Country Roads. Debbie, like many of us, is busy! For those of us that are self employed, we know exactly what that means. About a month ago Debbie took on a much bigger space here at Country Roads. And she's been working SO hard to put it all together for you! Take a look.

The best thing about Debbie having a larger space is that she can display and sell furniture that has been painted with the Chalk Paint. She's also take the time to paint several boards in a variety of Chalk Paint colors, and hang them way up high so you can have a better idea what the colors look like.  Friday afternoon I saw Debbie on the floor! Yes, the floor. And what was she doing? Writing a few French words on the concrete floor for all of you. And also as a test to see how well the paint would hold up with all the foot traffic we get here at Country Roads. It's going to be another beautiful day in Old Towne Orange. I hope you find some time to stop by and pay us a visit! Take care.

My Youngest

This week has definitely gotten away from me! I've been working a lot both at "the store" and on other projects as well. I am so, so proud of one of our new dealers here at Country Roads. She just started putting this little area together and she is already doing well, really well! Take a peek at what hasn't sold "yet"! 

Our newest dealer, and my "youngest" is not the cute little kid above, Josalyn, but it's her Mama, Yesi! If anyone knows the ins and outs and everything there is to know about Country Roads, its Yesi, the youngest of our staff here at the store. She has been helping out at Country Roads since she was about eleven years old. And I've always said, I've had the pleasure to watch her grow up from a quiet little kid to someone that can run my store with her eyes closed! She is an amazing person and so is her brand new space. Come check it out!

White Wednesday at Home

On this "White Wednesday" I've got some pictures of my favorite white architectural pieces around my home. I have this obsession, this love affair, this desire to be surrounded by the old chippy white painted architectural elements. I think my love affair with them is because I know if they could talk, they would have great stories to tell. Some pieces may have graced the entrances to beautiful homes while others may have been a part of great old historic buildings. Anyway, here a few of my favorites!

I also love old advertising pieces, like the one above for Norwich Suntan Oil. Many times the old advertising comes with that same patina and appeal as the architectural stuff I love so much! Please be sure to stop by my friend, Kathleen's blog!! She also shares the greatest pictures on her White Wednesday posts, and has a big list of "eye candy" you can go visit as well!!