PLEASE FORGIVE ME.....

Hi All....

I've received many emails wondering  if I've disappeared from the face of the earth....  The answer is no.  I'm still here, just crazy busy.

My life has been a world wind of change since I last posted (hint hint .... a new love).  We had a busy spring at the store, which then led to a pretty quiet summer.  Quiet is good sometimes.   It gave me a chance to spend some lazy days in the garden at home.  Summer all too quickly came to an end, which then led to the glorious planning of my son, Tim and lovely new daughter in law, Lara's,  wedding on September 12.  You may view the photos on Facebook, if you wish.

So here we are again.... another holiday season approaching.  Things are getting busy at the store once again,  as it usually does at this time of year.   

Miss you all...... I promise to be a better blogger, and I look forward to sharing all of the upcoming holiday festivities with you again once again.... that is...  if you all forgive me!   

I'M BACK.....

Hello Dear Blogging Friends....

This past month has been a whirlwind of events, happenings and some wonderful and unexpected surprises.... I can barely catch my breath. The good news is that our Spring Event at Meadowsweet was a huge success.  In the coming days,  I will post photos of how a landscape design transformed our parking lot into an outdoor living area/garden.... all for one weekend! It was truly amazing.... I tried to convince them to leave it...it was so beautiful.  But, as of this morning our old parking lot was turned back to its original form, and looked as if nothing had ever happened there.  Even the postman thought he was seeing things.... It was amazing!  

And, remember my sleeping tulip bulbs.... well they have exploded into a river of pink!  I will share those photos as well!

Just need a little time to regroup!  I have so much I want to share with you all.... 

                                                                                                             

HYDRANGEAS......

Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Easter....

From my family to yours.....

SENDING YOU FLOWERS.....

DEAR FRIENDS....

I didn't want you to think I had forgotten you.... I have been up to my ears in preparation for our Spring Event at the store.

So.... I'm sending this huge bouquet out to all of you and wishing you 

a beautiful weekend!

I promise, I will try to be a better blogger soon.

Oh, if only there were more hours in a day!

A FACELIFT......

We have been busy little bees here at the store, as we prepare for an event on May 2 and 3 when we will partner with a local landscape design firm and throw what we have entitled " A Spring Swing".  Our parking lot will be transformed into a summer garden and all are invited.  So if you are in the Northport area drop by and say hello!

 Over the past few months, Meadowsweet has undergone a bit of a facelift.  She has been freshly painted in a rich Buttercream, and a very lively Spring Green!  In addition, she has undergone some renovation with a new storage room added off the back.  All the while we have been open for business.  Yikes!

From time to time, I post pictures of various items in the store, and some of you have emailed me requesting to see what the inside looks like.  Well.... here she is with her new do!

Next phase....

Meadowsweet's new little sister will undergo major reconstruction later in the season.

She did receive some landscape work last fall just to lift her spirits a bit!

Stay tuned.... I will post photos as she undergoes her transition.

A BIT OF GREEN.....

Happy St. Patrick's Day 

to all.....

Isn't everyone just a wee bit Irish today?

EGG HUNT......

No need to look very hard for Easter eggs around here.....

The Easter Bunny has hidden them here, there and everywhere

at Meadowsweet......

Hope you all have an "Egg-citing" Weekend !

(sorry... I couldn't resist!)  ;-)

SWEET TWEETS...... take a "peep"

SOME CUTE CHICKS...

This is my favorite..... these two vintage cuties supporting an egg filled 

with a Victoran Tussey Mussey

And these two peeping among a bunch of wild violets....

And these little babies nestled among some blooming forsythia.....

We're in full Easter Splendor and ready for Spring at

 Meadowsweet!

HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL.....

It may be cold and snowy on the outside.....

but it is definitely Spring on the inside at Meadowsweet!

May I introduce to you...

 Mrs. Peter Cottontail

Isn't she just adorable...

And she's wearing a hat! 

 A rabbit after my own heart.....

Keep watching.... she's not the only "chick" to arrive!

REALITY CHECK.....

This is today......

This was yesterday.....

And all of the days before......

Please Clarence....

Take me back, I want to go back!

IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE!

THE HALF MOON IS CALLING MY NAME......

Just about this time every year I really, really start craving some sunshine, flowers and warm breezes..... and so, I'm leaving!  Early tomorrow morning, I'll be on my way to Montego Bay in Jamaica for one solid week!  Don't worry though,  you're coming with me.....  We'll be staying at the Half Moon in Montego Bay.  So pack your things.... don't forget the sunblock!  Last one in the pool...... a bathing suit?....  Yikes!  :)

                                                                                                            

KAHLUA AND ICE CREAM SANDWICHES..... OH MY!

Have you visited Libby from Twirl and Taste ?  If you haven't,  you must pay her a visit!  I have bookmarked several of her recipes, but last night I was having a special birthday dinner for my future daughter-in-law and  I knew I wanted a really scrumptious dessert.  Well, I found it in Libby's recipe for XOXO Ice Cream!  I am not a food stylist, nor am I the best photographer, so my pictures do not speak of how delicious this recipe is!  You must give it a try!

Line a baking dish with Ice Cream Sandwiches.  Poke the sandwiches with a fork to create more holes.  Then, are you ready for this..... pour Kahlua over the sandwiches.  Top with cool whip and crushed Heath Bars.  Libby suggests adding the crushed candy to the cool whip before spreading.  I was so excited about making this, that I didn't pay attention.  I sprinkled them on the top..... delicious anyway!  Top with chocolate curls.  Cover with plastic wrap and freeze!  Yummy!

Thank you Libby!

WATER GARDENS.....

  Last summer,  I bought this water blooming Calla Lilly.  I thought I would give it a try and bring it inside for the winter and place it in my conservatory.  I really wasn't sure how well it would do.  But look!  I was so thrilled when I saw these new flowers spiking and then blooming again into this breathtaking Calla Lilly!    

I can't wait for those warm summer days when I can bring my small water garden outside again!

Do I have cabin fever..... or what?

THE WEDDING WREATH.....

A Keepsake.....

When I first started my business years ago, I began designing wreaths from the flowers of bridal bouquets.  This one was just completed,  and will be picked up tomorrow as a special surprise for the bride for Valentine's Day.  I quickly took a picture of it so that I could share the idea with you.   

                                                                                                                

                                                                                

I CONFESS.....

Ok.... so I've been on Weight Watchers for almost three weeks..... and I've been really, really good. My son's wedding is coming up in September and I have to find a dress.   But today.... I couldn't resist.... those Chocolate Covered Oreos in the previous post.... well, they got the better of me!  I had one!  There.... I've confessed!  Now I feel better! :)

ANYONE ELSE ON WEIGHT WATCHERS?

                                                                                                                         

SWEET......

MEADOWSWEETS.....

For all of you Sweethearts.....

Happy Weekend!

TALL ONES..... SHORT ONES....

Do you ever wonder what we did before these?

Uggs..... Could you live without them?

We couldn't! 

CAN YOU GUESS?

Yep.... the UPS man has arrived with just some of the goodies from my shopping trip last week at the New York Gift Show!

Inside these boxes......

.....are just some of the flowers for the Spring and Summer Season...

They sure lose their magic when you see them like this,

Don't they?

Yikes!

I'll post "After" pictures once it's all priced and displayed.....

Dreams Do Come True.....

The Countdown is on for HGTV's Dream Home Giveaway..... You have to be in it to win it!.... as they say......  What would you do with it if you won?  Come on, let's dream!  I haven't been to California since I was 16!  So, I would keep it as a vacation place.....   And you?

   

CHERUBS IN THE MIDST.....

I happened to mention in an earlier post that I love to collect Cherubs..... Angels, too.  But, since this is the Season for Love with all of its Cupids and Cherubs, I thought I would take a little trip around my house and just see how many I have.  It's funny, when you start looking, you realize just how much your collection has grown.  There are several others sprinkled here and there in the garden.... resting on rock walls or sleeping amidst the plants, but.... since it's freezing outside I thought I would just share my indoor collection, and save the outside Cherubs, Garden Angels and Fairies for warmer days.... 

Let's start here with the tiniest one.  This little friend I stumbled upon in a shop while on vacation in Palm Beach.  It is a wine stopper, and since I so love my glass of wine after a long day, he's kept very busy keeping the bottles fresh.  Isn't he just the cutest?

Next, is another tiny cherub perching on a shell in my conservatory.  The shell is filled with glass seashells, starfish, and other sea creatures....

Next is a tiny Cherub which was a gift from my Mom.

Look closely.... she's sucking her thumb.... a favorite

pastime of mine when I was a tiny Cherub in my Mom's

eyes....

This sitting Cherub is perched at the base of a Grandmother clock in my foyer.

This one sits on top of a bookshelf.

Remember these?  This vignette was featured at Christmas.  See the tiny

Cherubs on top of this family photo.  This was a photo taken at

my son's engagement party last September.  One day

I will do a post about the house in the background....

 it belongs to the man that I am dating......

And last, but not least.... this huge wall hanging that sits over

my tub.  It looks like it's made of stone,  but ..... surprise

it is as light as a feather it's made of that faux stone...

I've fooled many people.... especially 

the man that hung it for me! 

 

Love.....Love....Love

What do you love to collect?