This was yesterday, but mentally, I'm still lingering over here in happy land. That cupcake was especially good, compliments of Grace who's real-life baking is just as sweet as her dollhouse goodies. If this keeps up though I'm gonna have to let out my pants!
I've been particularly charmed with the May 2008 issue of Romantic Homes, (shown above) starting with the letter from Editor, Jacqueline deMontravel, about the changing art of communication between women. About blogging in particular she says, "Step inside these cozy places trimmed with crafty borders. You can visit any time of day, dress as you please and type a few nice words to your host that will be as appreciated as a bundle of flowers." She really captured the essence of it all so nicely in just two simple sentences I think.
I keep going back to this issue for all the amazing articles, like the one pictured here about retro baking, Betty Crocker style, so fun, and the cute aprons it inspires like these darling ones from Heavenly Hostess.
I feel lucky to have some of those old cookbooks from Mom's day and cherish them. Most are dog-eared and spattered, a sign that it was a favorite and used often. I don't really cook the same way today, but they're a lovely connection to the past.
And, of course, lovely to linger over.
More lingering out here too.
The garden is at its Spring peak right now and I've been spending more time outside admiring the flowers, trying to keep on top of the weeds, and planting a few things. Field daisies are always a welcome sight. They've propagated themselves throughout the yard dotting the landscape with bright spots of light. Each year they fill in a little more. Some may consider them weeds, but give me a choice between weeds with thorns and weeds with flowers and I'll choose the flowers.
See them over there in the background? They've wrapped themselves around the lawn in this way purely by nature's design. The effect is charming! I'm still gushing over that blue Iris too. It's the perfect accent with all the pink and white.
Well, my lingering time is just about up. I have lots to do and I know you do too, so I won't keep ya, but I just want to again say, thank you for stepping inside to visit with me here today. You're most welcome anytime!
~I LOVE visiting the sweetest blog around!!~ ~Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | May 22, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I love the pink rhododendron! They are one of my all time favorite plants! I like the flowery weeds, as long as they don't interfere with my chosen plants... I have some awful chrysanthemum weed growing all over my perennial bed, and I'm having the hardest (3-year) battle with them! UGH!
Posted by: Em | May 22, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Aah! Cannot wait for my rhodies to bloom!
Those iris blooms are such a perfect shade.
Your coffee looks yummy. I think I will pour myself another cuppa and join you.
Posted by: Dawn | May 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Such a beautiful garden! Your garden fortress inspired to add some structures with roses to our spread. I enjoy your blog, actually I check it every day to see what little bit of lovely you've added!
Posted by: Jackie | May 22, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I only wish I had all those flowers to look at all day. The coffee and cupcake look divine as well!
Posted by: Melissa | May 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM
What a beautiful yard who have! Ours is a work in progress, but we are still having fun with it. Have a blessed day.
Mary
Posted by: Mary | May 22, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Thanks for showing me the way to Heavenly Hostess. Those aprons are so beautiful. I want the ruffly white one with black polka-dots ("Faith"). Even the back is gorgeous! Thanks for your heartwarming blog which I visit almost every day. T.
Posted by: Tina | May 22, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Beautiful garden. The editor sure did capture it all. :)
Posted by: Judy | May 22, 2008 at 02:32 PM
The yard is like a pic from a magazine! Now I need a cupcake--why do you do these things...LOL!
Posted by: Suzanne | May 22, 2008 at 06:08 PM
what a lovely post! I feel like I was there chatting over a cupcake, reading RH with you and adoring those flowers!
Posted by: jerusalem | May 22, 2008 at 06:22 PM
What a beautiful yard. It reminds me of my grandpa's and all the time I spent there. Your post just brought me a nice feeling of peace. Just what I needed. Thank You. Love Stacy
Posted by: Stacy A | May 22, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I just had to comment about cookbooks. I love older cookbooks and when I'm 'Thrifting' and looking at them, if they look well used and especially if they have notes or index cards or something personal in them I have to buy it. It is as if the cookbook is speaking to me and wants to continue on in another life, mine.
Hugs!!!!!
Posted by: Cat | May 22, 2008 at 09:10 PM
The garden is beautiful. If it EVER warms up here for good I hope I'll have some flower filled photo to share as well!
God bless.
Terri
Posted by: Terri Pollhein | May 23, 2008 at 04:16 AM
Lovely looking cake- making me hungry!
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | May 23, 2008 at 06:53 AM
You have a very pretty garden, I love the fencing and the archway.
Rosie
Posted by: Rosie G | May 23, 2008 at 08:22 AM
It all looks perfectly beautiful Vicki. My compliments once again to Miss Grace.
I love your garden. My favorite sort of garden has a slightly uncultivated look about it, and daisies always have a way of evoking that untamed spirit to me. I have them in my garden too, but they won't bloom here, until closer to July, along with the cosmos. Kindred spirits they are.
Your lovely posts always make me feel as if I've been handed a gift from a kind heart. Thank you.
Posted by: Lena | May 23, 2008 at 08:47 AM
What a beautiful garden you have..like a vision of lovliness,how you must enjoy it! Every time I hint at a new flower bed my son who mows....groans and protests! And the aprons were fun to see too. What a nice visit! Thank you...
Posted by: Maggie Ann | May 23, 2008 at 09:58 AM
What beautiful pictures! Your cupcake treat and the spring garden! I feel refreshed!
Becky
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | May 23, 2008 at 12:16 PM
The pink cup and saucer are very pretty.
Enjoy the yard!
Posted by: amy | May 23, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Oh, to have a garden/yard like yours! It would be heaven and it looks like it, too.
Romantic Homes has really been keyed into the blog world lately...it prompted me to re-subscribe a few months ago. Yes, coming to the blogs is just like sitting down at the kitchen table with a friend having a cup of coffee & a yummy dessert. :) And, Grace sure has some of the yummiest treats, too.
Posted by: tammyCA | May 23, 2008 at 02:31 PM
What a lovely backyard. And I love daisies... they're not weeds to me.
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | May 23, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Thanks for the invite :o) Your garden is just breathtaking! Wow! It's exactly how I would dream a perfect garden to look like!! I sure would like to have a coffee break like yours...but it's a little late (maybe tomorrow morning!). Grace looks like an extremely talented baker! Take care & have a fantastic weekend!! xox, Linnea
Posted by: Linnea | May 23, 2008 at 11:09 PM
loveliness! and congratulations on the arrival of Olivia...sweet little one. xoC
Posted by: charlotte lyons | May 24, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Here in Belgium, it's an extremely good year for the rhodos, they bloom in abundance.
I simply love your china!! Drinking coffee while browsing a magazine, what a delight!
Posted by: sabine | May 24, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Love your garden-how beautiful and must be a delight to walk in. Let it grow! I love lush. Wish I could grow rhododenrums here in Tenn. -it's too hot. They are one of my faves. Love your blog. Nerm
Posted by: Cynthia Austin | May 24, 2008 at 08:57 AM
how lovely...i would love to step right in to this garden just for a few minutes...our neighborhood was hit by a tornado here in greeley colorado and everything is a mess and all the landscaping is destroyed for miles. what you share on your blog has comforted and delighted me many times over the last two years. can't thank you and your girls enough.my neighbor who lives behind me has masses of iris that were just about to bloom,we were waiting for them with great anticipation and then the tornado came thru...but then i visit to see what vicki and the girls are up to and there are iris and a beautiful garden to delight me. you bless my heart!!!
samantha
Posted by: samantha | May 24, 2008 at 10:18 AM
how lovely...i would love to step right in to this garden just for a few minutes...our neighborhood was hit by a tornado here in greeley colorado and everything is a mess and all the landscaping is destroyed for miles. what you share on your blog has comforted and delighted me many times over the last two years. can't thank you and your girls enough.my neighbor who lives behind me has masses of iris that were just about to bloom,we were waiting for them with great anticipation and then the tornado came thru...but then i visit to see what vicki and the girls are up to and there are iris and a beautiful garden to delight me. you bless my heart!!!
samantha
Posted by: samantha | May 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM
LOve your blog! Just so pretty!!!...Heidi :)
Posted by: heididevlin | May 24, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Your garden is amazing...but all I can see in this post is that cupcake. It totally makes me want to rethink my "no wheat" diet. lol
Posted by: Michele | May 25, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Thank you for sharing with us. Your blog is lovely and I do feel like a welcome guest.
Posted by: Chris | May 26, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Everything looks so lovely! I love those daisies too--that's one weed I don't pull...
Posted by: victoria | May 26, 2008 at 08:59 AM
What a lovely view of your yard.
Posted by: Rosanne - Firefly Nights | May 30, 2008 at 07:48 AM
WOW, those light blue and pink Iris's are gorgeous! I have some very pretty and extrememly hardy pale light yellow ones.. if you ever have extra to swap! : )
Blue is my favorite color.
Posted by: Michelle | June 02, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Hello ~ Your yard is a piece of Heaven on earth. Just glorious!
I loved the May '08 RH issue, too and the bit about bloggers. That is my all time favorite magazine right now. Always something beautiful with each turn of the page.
:)
Becky
Posted by: Sweet Cottage Dreams | June 08, 2008 at 09:02 AM