Some Fall Decor

Confession: I decorated for fall before summer was even over!  For once I was motivated.  Keep in mind my decor is still lacking - as in, this is just a start as we finally settle into our house several years later!

Sorry, the vase in the middle is a little off-center...I have also added another frame.  Candle sticks are from the PB Outlet in Lancaster.  Candles are from Target.  Vase is from Target.  Stones are from Target.  Berries are from Target (recent).  Brown twig stuff is from Michael's (recent).  Frame is from PB Outlet. 

 

 

 I love these candles...and not just because they smell so lovely.  

And one photo of my pretty mums...plus look - my hydrangeas are still blooming!!!

Weeds or Flowers?

I love to garden.  Rather, I love to enjoy the results from gardening...who doesn't?  Beautiful and fragrant flowers...wonderful!

The only thing is, we don't have much room to work with for our garden.  Our HOA is super strict and we are only *allowed* to plant in our gated courtyard.  So you could say I have gone overboard and it looks like we have some kind of tropical oasis in our tiny courtyard.  Yes, one fall Mark and I planted about 300 bulbs.  Too bad the chipmunks found them and only a few flowers bloomed in the spring.  That was three+ years ago and since then I have planted more bulbs, flowers, and plants.  Perennials, annuals...I'll take either (though I prefer perennials obviously since it's the gift that keeps on giving!). 

That takes me to my predicament: what plants are flowers...are they actually weeds?  Aside from digging them up to look for a bulb I don't know.  Leaving the little identifier that comes with the already growing plants doesn't help since the lawn people go crazy with the mulch and well we had a few blizzards this year!

First case study...weed or flower?  I think it's a flower of some type...guess we'll wait to see!

Second case study...weed or flower?

 Third case study...weed or flower?  I'm 90% sure this will bloom...I think it's a peonia?!?! 

But in closing, here are some flowers!

Carnations!  Sorry, it looks a little bright...photos taken with my BlackBerry.

My lovely hydrangeas!  These are my favorite.  Three years ago I bought a branch of a hydrangea and planted it...nothing happened that spring/summer.  Next year, nothing.  Now this year, it has just flourished and is blooming up a storm!  They are turning pink.  

These flowers expanded by 10 fold from last year!

I have many lilies that are getting ready to bloom!  They are going to be gorgeous!