Why are vacations always so short?

Vacations just seem to fly by these days. I take one day off of work, and it takes me three to recover. And now it is already Wednesday??

BUT, it was definitely worth it...

These are the pictures from Alys Beach that I promised.

The above picture is a fire pit at a community area in Alys Beach. There is an amazing lighting fixture hanging above the fire; it is hanging by chains from four palm trees. I unfortunately do not have a picture of this, but I will try to get one to post soon.

Every house has private court yard areas within the walls. A lot of them have these gorgeous pools as well.

The entire community is tied together with the rhythm and repetition of these gorgeous planters filled with tropical plant material.

There are so many creative design details in every aspect of the entire place.

You feel like you are in the Mediterranean rather than on the coast of Florida.

And, they have a great play ground for kids.

How creative is this? Fonville hill. It is a spiral mound made of grass for the kids to play on.

I am already ready to go back.

Check out there website for even more fabulous images!

Escape.

Wouldn't you love to throw on some spring clothes, hop on bike, and just escape right into spring?

Well, I am going to try. I have had enough of this cold weather so I am taking tomorrow off. My mom, sisters, their little girls, and I are going to Seaside for a girls weekend.

With the forecasted highs at 61 degrees for the weekend, it may be too cold for beach time.

*picture for Watercolor Beach

But, it will not be too could to bike from town to town and see all the wonderful communities.

Along Hwy 30A there is 10 mile stretch from Grayton Beach to Rosemary Beach that includes about ten different new urbanist beach side communities full of wonderful design elements.

* picture of Rosemary Beach

Seaside.

Watersound.

Alys beach.

This mediterranean style community of Alys Beach is the one I am most excited about! I will do a whole blog on it when I get back.

I cannot wait to get on the road.

I hope that you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend!

Winter.

Just as the groundhog predicted, it is still winter outside and will be for a few more weeks. It was nice over the weekend when we were able to play in the snow, but now that the snow is melted and it is still freezing outside, what are we to do?

There are some colorful plants that can brighten up your winter garden, and help you hold out for the spring blooms.

Beautiful pansies and violas are always a wonder pick for the winter, and they look great in pots all by themselves.

Snapdragons are also a great choice and look wonderful as cut flowers in an arrangement as well.

Ornamental kale is a plant whose color intensifies in the cold, but will last all the way into spring. It is great for massing in beds and also looks wonderful in containers.

And one of my favorites, paper whites. They always look great, and are a fun center piece for arrangements.

Most of these winter blooms are on sale in nurseries now so it is a perfect time to go buy a few and brighten up your containers until spring.

Herb-icious

Nothing makes a recipe better than cooking with fresh herbs.

It would be easier to do if you had these adorable herbs pots on hand.

They make great decorations and are of great use in the kitchen.

This one is perfect for a table top...

Two of these would be gorgeous flanking an entry door.

All of the pictures above have been rosemary, but lavender is also another great herb with many uses. And it also comes in these adorable cone and topiary pots.

OR you could just get the mini assortment of several herbs.

This mini assortment would look wonderful hanging in a window seal.

These pots do not come with the herb plants, but are so adorable, and would be easy to plant yourself.

dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 3.5

dimensions: 11.5 x 4.5 x 3.5

dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 2.75

Successful Show

The Southeastern Flower Show was a success. There were many beautiful gardens, arrangements, and exhibits, AND I had the honor of having a couple conversations with Vince Dooley.

He stopped by our booth twice over the weekend, and he is quite an interesting character.

Not only does he have a national championship, 6 Southeastern Conference titles, and 25 years as UGA's athletic director under his belt, he is also a remarkable gardener.

Here are some picture's of his beautiful 5 acre garden in Athens, GA.

A bridge over "Weeper's Creek." A name Vince jokingly gave it because after a loss he would stand over the stream and weep. I love the weeping trees that cascade over the bridge into the stream.

He also has quite a collection of container gardens where he experiments with Japanese Maples, Bonsai Trees, and Azaleas.

How gorgeous is this drive?

Lined with camellia sasanquas and a beautiful canopy of shade trees... how lovely!

Vince told me that he often sits in on UGA horticulture classes given by Michael Dirr and Allan Armitage. Above is a picture of him standing by the Dooley hydranges, named after him by Michael Dirr.

So stunning! I hope to see it in person one-day.

Pictures found here.

Sneak Preview

The Flower Show opens today at 10am, but here is a preview of all the wonderful things in store.

Photos of Dargan Landscape Architects show garden.

My mother and I worked on the arrangements in the two beautiful planters.

Don't forget to stop by and put your name in the drawing for a autographed copy of Timeless Landscape Design.

This is an adorable retail booth just beside our show garden. They have so many cute finds for your home and garden!

Need any seeds for your vegetable garden?

Or books for your collection?

Or some eye candy for inspiration?

You will find it all at the show.

There are some really beautiful exhibits that are definitely worth the ticket price.

Remember these pictures were taken while people were setting up, so the best is yet to come!

Hope to see you there!