Summertime....the livins' easy

I finally got berries!!!!!

and for whatever reason, it makes me immeasurably full of joy!There is just something about growing and making things for yourself.... its a feeling that doesn't come from purchasing items in a store....i felt like i was 12 again, only better because this time i was picking and cleaning the fruit with glee....i never understood why my mother wanted to garden until this very day. i would think things like....why cant we just buy our food at the store like everyone else? While I spent what seemed like hours weeding and picking while my friends were playing.....i not only helped feed my family, i learned things that you need to know in life....like a work ethic, like pride in a job done well, and the rewards of that hard work- like a beautiful cherry pie with a handmade crust, filled to the brim with sweet, beautiful yellow cherries or homemade fried zuchinni..... and now that love has come full circle as i  seek to gain that life i had for my own children...natural and homegrown and straight from my heart to theirs! I observe this joy on my childrens faces as they devour the raspberries(after i washed them) striaght from the bowl!

 my reward this morning, fresh organic berries to go on top of my organic vanilla yogurt

 and p.s. i am working from my "office" today! my worn wicker sofa is a perfect spot to work and enjoy these lovely summer days~ and its practical too, because the boys are playing in the yard and actually LETTING me work!!!!

 the beautiful banner- I bought from my friend Carol- check out her facebook page- vintage shack- which just happened to match the pillows I already had out here

i just had to share a few pics of my flowers blooming- i am so loving this summer

whats inspiring you this summer? 

Peonies

 After spending 1/2 an hour pinning pictures of peonies on Pinterest, I decided a short little post with a few pictures of the peonies in my own garden.....i love this vibrant shade of pink!

 When we moved into this house in early spring 6 years ago I said that I wanted to plant two things here, peonies and hydrangeas' and lo and behold, when everything popped up from its winter slumber, i already had a peony bush and 4 hydrngeas'!

 I made a tiny bouquet to fit perfectly in with the centerpiece in my dining room by adding just a few sprigs of thyme and lavender <3

and last but not least, Sierra and I went to get pedicures Saturday and i found the perfect summer peony color for my toenails....I'd say I am obsessed!!!!

next up will be my dresser remake,( i made a storage shelf out of the red dresser picture in my prior post) 

P>S> the original winner of the contest for a gift certificate to MimisSuitcase asked to forfeit the prize sooooo..... with the help of my son, i picked another random winner.... congrats to Cheryl!!!!! 

Fairy Garden

 my father in law gave me this cute chest of drawers when he moved recently, it is kind of rickety and the drawers didn't stay in place very well, so I decided to take it apart and remake it...i decided to finally make the fairy garden I have been wanting to make in one of the drawers....i will show what I will be doing with the empty set of drawers in a future post....

 I asked Mr. Jackson to drill about 10 to 12 small holes in the bottom of the drawer for drainage. I also spray painted the inside of the drawer to help keep the wood from rotting as quickly....

 I first selected one big and several smaller plants that I thought would look good, filled the drawer with organic potting soil and planted the flowers

 time to fill in all the little lovelies that i found at a local greenhouse and also at Walmart!~

I am in love with my fairy garden, and the kids love glancing in from time to time to see what the fairies and gnomes are up to. thinking about changing it around so that maybe they think the fairies are moving!!

p.s.... wanna win a necklace from my etsy shop and some other goodies? check out my friend Susans' blog she is having an awesome giveaway for her blogaversary: www.mustlovejunk.blogspot.com