After all this hot weather, the cooler temps of fall will be welcomed! I have enjoyed my garden areas this summer but it gets to a point the constant watering…and now mosquitoes…gets tiresome. And so it is with the interior summer decor…I want a change. I visited Hobby Lobby last week and spent some time walking around enjoying their fall decorations. I have plenty of my own fall stuff but some of their sunflower items inspired me to create a seasonal decor transition between summer and fall.
I bought a couple sunflower table cloths at Hobby Lobby…one to use on the dining room table and one to cut up into smaller runners to place on other furniture pieces. My miniature needlepoint samplers have been in storage (actually stacked in a corner of the bedroom) and I brought these out to place on display. I am quite happy with the new seasonal look!
For over 30 years Beulah Hargrove has operated her business, Grand Oak Herb Farm, located near Bancroft MI, offering afternoon and high teas, garden and floral workshops, a greenhouse nursery of organic plants, and lovely gift shop.
A few years ago Beulah decided she wanted to sit once in awhile and enjoy being “at tea”, and share fellowship with her guests instead of always being the one serving the teas. So she created the “Grand Oak Herb Farm Tea Society”.
For the Tea Society, Beulah offers the use of her family’s heirloom “tea barn”, provides the china teacups and hot herbal tea…free of charge. Those who come to the Tea Society bring a dish to share and take turns to host providing a theme, table decorations and tableware, and sometimes a program or project. David and I have been a part of the Tea Society since its beginning, hosting on several occasions over the years.
The last time the Tea Society met was November 2019 due to COVID-19. Last Saturday (August 21) twenty gathered, including Beulah, in the tea barn to enjoy a wide selection of tasty food provided by the attendees, and their fond fellowship. It was wonderful to be together again, enjoying Beulah’s gracious hospitality and the ambiance of Grand Oak Herb Farm.
Entrance sign along the main road The tea barn nestled among the trees at Grand Oak Herb Farm. This barn belonged to Beulah’s family on another property and was moved here for Beulah’s use and preservation.One of the several decorated tables for the Tea Society’s August gathering.,.decorations and tableware provided by one of the Tea Society attendeesEach table’s centerpiece highlighted a nautical-mermaid themeThe table David and I sat atA close-up of our table’s centerpieceThe inside of the tea barn…such a lovely setting for Beulah’s many functions…including the Tea SocietySoapy has been warmly welcomed and included to all of our Tea Society gatheringsDavid loves coming to the Tea Society gatherings…he so enjoys the food!Our food contribution was a tiered server of Roasted Grape Tomato-Pesto-Feta Cheese-Brioche Baguette CrostiniMy plate is filled with the wonderful assortment of food from the Tea Society attendees…both savory and sweet…including a homemade salsa from garden-grown tomatoes (in the foreground)After our Tea Society gathering a visit to Beulah’s Gift Shop is a mustThe inside of the beautiful Gift ShopThe Gift Shop is filled with vintage items, garden decorations, floral arrangements, assortment of potpourri, and Beulah[‘s own line of productsA parting view of the Grand Oak Herb Farm on a warm August afternoon
I became aware of a sunflower farm not too far from our home through posts made by Facebook friends who recently visited this special place. David had taken an afternoon off from work this past week so we gathered up Soapy and drove to the Munsell Sunflower Farm located just south of Fowlerville MI to see the sunflowers for ourselves. It was glorious…fields and fields of bright yellow sunflowers as far as our eyes could see!
Before we left, I cut a few sunflower stems (.50 per stem/honor system to pay in box provided) to take home and display on our dining room table…a beautiful reminder of a breathtaking late summer outing.
I am studying Sogetsu Ikebana with Ilse Beunen (Belgium) via Zoom. Besides the formal study lessons, Ilse offers “workshops” with a particular theme also via Zoom to participants from all around the world. I have joined several of these workshops even though I am still very much a “novice” Ikebana student. The skill and creativity of most of the workshop participants is amazing and I love seeing their work.
Here are my arrangements for Ilse’s Spring and Summer workshops that I was a part of.
“Inspired by Easter” – a workshop incorporating egg(s) as a part of our design
For my design I chose to use an ostrich egg as my vase which I purchased through a vendor on Amazon, the blue pottery stand I found at EtsyTo hold water I needed to seal the ostrich egg with a sealant spray since it was porous, the blue hydrangea blossoms were cut from an Easter hydrangea plant, then I added curly willow for interest and height
“Inspired by Nature” – a workshop incorporating nature in some way in our design
I created my own nature-themed vase using Campbell’s soup cans and bark piecesMy floral materials consisted of crabapple branches and grape hyacinth blossoms from my yardI cut openings into two soup cans, glued them together to create the “vase”I covered and glued the cans with pieces of barkI used a kenzan inside the bark covered soup cans to hold the fresh materials. The “vase” was not as watertight as I hoped but it worked well enough.
“Inspired by a Bird’s Nest” – a workshop creating a feeling of a bird’s nest but not simulating one exactly in our arrangement
Hosta leaves created my “bird’s nest”, the Siberian Iris represented baby birds flying from the nestMy Siberian Iris patch showing up this past Spring in all its glory along with the many Hosta plants
“Inspired by Abstract Art” – a workshop reflecting a vision of abstract art in our design
After looking at images of abstract art on the Internet, I was inspired by a “black and white” theme and the geometric shape of circlesWhite hydrangea blossoms with deep red roses are held in place with a kenzan. Black and white painted embroidery hoops are glued together to create their interlacing shape. A curly willow stick is painted to compliment the overall color scheme and bring height interest to the design.
“Inspired by the Color Green” – a workshop using only fresh green materials in our design
I used several types of ornamental grasses growing in my garden this summer to create this green-only Moribana upright design with kenzan Zebra Grass, Prince Tut plumes, Hakonechloa Macra and one more grass than I have forgotten its name
“Inspired by Weeds” – a workshop incorporating weeds in the design
I needed to use “weeds” somehow in my arrangement. The best I found were spent flower stalks of “ditch” lilies that I have in my garden. I used the flower stalks to create structure and a framework for the gorgeous yellow-orange dahlia blossoms that are starting to bloom in my garden.This is a side view to see the tall bud stem in the back. In Ikebana this is called the “depth” branch”. It is meant to take the eye to back of the arrangement. I used my shallow black vase with a black kenzan for this Moribana arrangement.
This wraps up the workshop offerings for Spring and Summer. In September Ilse will offer a new selection for Fall and Winter. Looking forward to joining in!
The stone marker for our Mother’s grave was finally placed last week. We had ordered it soon after Mom’s passing in February but it took all this time for the special granite stone we had chosen to arrived from India. Kevin, owner of Royal Monument in Springport MI, did an exceptional job with the ordering of our selected granite and the engraving work of the design we worked with him to create. The porcelain heart-shaped picture of our Mom as a young woman will forever remind us of her young-at-heart spirit.
On Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 2:30pm, the Sweet Shalom Tea Room served its last formal Tea and we were there. After 20 years of providing so many special tea experiences, each month a different theme and selection of savory and sweet food offerings, owners Sara Velasquez and Chris Kruse are finally going to take a break and put their feet up so to speak. They deserve it!
Sweet Shalom Tea Room Co-Owners…Chris Kruse and Sara Velasquez
I admit my emotions are teary. Going to Sweet Shalom has been our special outing each month for more years than we can remember. Even during COVID when Sweet Shalom was serving their teas as take-outs only, we were there enjoying the boxed savories and sweets with hot tea in our van in their back parking lot.
One last look at the Sweet Shalom Tea Room. The house has sold and a new business will move in.
I think Sara and Chris know how much David and I love them, and how deeply appreciative we are of their friendship, hospitality and inclusive natures. So it is with David and my heartfelt fondness that we wish you all the best as you venture into the next chapter of your lives. As Bob Hope famously said…“Thanks for the memories!”
Here is the final formal tea at Sweet Shalom Tea Room…the theme “This Old House”.
My personalized menu with its theme “This Old House” featuring the yellow farmhouse that is the Sweet Shalom Tea RoomOur beautiful table for twoThe pretty floral centerpieceDavid looking over his menuPot of Hot Tea and Cream Scones with Butter and Lemon CurdMy scone lathered up with butter and lemon curdAlong with a cup of hot black teaSavory Summer Garden Vegetable PieTiered server of bite sized savories and sweetsLower tiered plate of savories…Angelique Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches, Broccoli Snaps, Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, Stuffed Baby TomatoesTop tier of sweets…Peanut Butter Cookies and Decadent Fudge TartsMy plate of the tiered server offeringsFinial dessert…Kashmir Cream with CherriesSweet Shalom Co-Owner Sara Velasquez giving her final program…talking about the house that was home to the Tea RoomA special presentation and gift given to Sweet Shalom Co-Owners Sara Velasquez and Chris Kruse…a celestial star named in their honor!A last look at the front main room of the Sweet Shalom Tea Room after the last guests have goneThe beautifully decorated fireplace mantle which complimented each month’s themePurchases of a pretty Sadler teapot and an assortment of favorite Harney & Sons Teas (Paris, Boston and Selah) as parting mementoes from the Sweet Shalom Gift Shop
Yesterday (Saturday, August 7, 2021) David, Soapy and I traveled to Flushing, MI to enjoy a take-out meal from Homeboy Barbeque. This was our second visit to date. Our first visit was on David’s birthday…May 28, 2021. That day was unseasonably cold and blustery…both of us needing our winter jacket and hooded sweatshirt. Saturday was just the opposite…beautiful with warm temperatures in the mid-80’s and sunny skies.
The roadside sign of Homeboy Barbeque in Flushing, MI
We decided to have a tailgate picnic at Homeboy so we loaded the van with table and chairs, along with tablecloth, plates, napkins and utensils. We had ordered in advance our selections and all was ready when we arrived at 2:30pm.
Our table full of good eats!
We ordered the “Family Special” which included two BBQ Half-Chickens, a full Rack of BBQ Ribs, three large sides…Southern Slaw, Redskin Potato Salad, and their competition winning BBQ Baked Beans, Cornbread and Chocolate Brownies. We ate only a portion of all this food knowing we would be bringing most home to enjoy for more meals. I brought cold packs to preserve the food.
Soapy and I enjoying our tailgate picnic! My picnic plate full of delicious eats…I could not eat it all so it got packed up and brought home.
The food is absolutely delicious! The chicken is the most tender chicken I have ever tasted. The ribs meaty. All the sides very good. David particularly enjoyed the BBQ Baked Beans…definitely a winner!
Soapy teased for his “fair share” of chicken. David giving him pieces with no BBQ sauce on them.
After we finished our tailgate picnic at Homeboy Barbeque, we drove west to St. John’s, MI to the Phillips Cider Mill for fresh Michigan peaches. First week of August is the first week of peach season!
The outside entrance to Phillips Cider Mill just off of I-127 north of St. John’s, MIRacks of freshly picked peaches from their orchardsDavid and I shared a tall refreshing cup of Apple Cider Slushy. Brain -freeze alert…sip slowly!!We brought home a quart package each of the three currently available free-stone peach varieties… Red Star, Lucky 13, and Red Haven.
Over the years I have had one particular clematis in my back yard garden area – “Jackmanii” Clematis. It is a purple flowering vine that has faithfully shown up each year. I have several of these climbing my fence at different spots…some in shade and some in sun…all producing their beautiful blooms late June into July.
This is my oldest clematis in the backyard garden…Jackmanii Clematis…it grows along the back fence in the shade. I cut it back each spring and it rebounds beautifully. I love how this Jackmanii Clematis is vining its way through my hanging light fixture!Another Jackmanii Clematis vining up along a different section of the fence in between bushes of LimelightHydrangeasActually there are two Jackmanii Clematis vining together behind the Limelight Hydrangeas
In the last few years I have added other types of clematis to add some vertical interest and color around the garden areas. Some are blooming well and others will take a few years to mature. Here are the ones that showed up well this summer…
A small in statue but bold in color Solidarnosc Clematis growing up a small obelisk trellis in a potThe large deep red-purple blooms are so vividThe Solidarnosc Clematis with more open bloomsThis Crystal Fountain Clematis‘ smaller vining nature fits well on this section of the backyard fenceThe Crystal Fountain Clematis is an early bloomer…the first clematis to show up in early summerThe Crystal Fountain Clematis is a beauty with its frilly blooms of iridescent lavenderThe unusual bell shape of the Roguchi Clematis is an eye catcherEach year this Roguchi Clematis is more and more prolific in its size and bloomsThis year I added this extra tall trellis to the front porch for this clematis beauty… unfortunately I do not know it nameThis clematis grows straight up the trellis about 7-feet tall Its lovely soft purple flowers create quite a show at the top of its vines
Next year there will be more clematis to show…blue CopernicusClematis, white HenryiClematis, pink Duchess of AlbanyClematis and deep red-pink Sunset Clematis. I have them planted but they are just too young for this year’s blooming.
At the start of this year I became a faithful follower of “Garden Answer”…a YouTube video blog hosted by Laura and her husband Aaron from Ontario, Oregon. David and I actually visited this part of Oregon a few years ago when we were there for a family wedding. Watching Laura’s videos invigorated my enthusiasm this year to try some new things in my garden.
I thought all petunias were pretty much the same but watching Garden Answer I learned there are quite a few varieties. Proven Winners has a variety called “Bubblegum Supertunia Vista” which grows like no other petunia! Early in the Spring I was at Walmart just after they received a shipment of these petunias. In my enthusiasm I bought way more plants than I needed…but gratefully I managed to find a place for all of them around my back yard.
Along my gated side of my back yard fence I planted these petunias in baskets secured to the top of the fence. They get a good amount of sun throughout the day and I have managed to keep them watered fairly regularly. I have not been able to give them a regular dose of liquid fertilizer as recommended due to the heat and mosquitoes but they seem to be doing just fine. I did plant them in fresh soil with some slow release fertilizer in the beginning so that seems sufficient so far.
So come join me as we walk around the back yard to see these blooming beauties…
We start our tour at the backyard gate with a basket of Bubblegum Supertunia Vista outside the fenceOnce inside the back yard three larger baskets of Bubblegum Supertunia Vista line the side fenceI love how these petunias cascade over their baskets and the fenceIn the foreground are pots of dahlias getting ready to show their bloomsDahlia pots filled with “Lovie Dovie” petunias, another Proven Winner varietyLooking into the rest of the back yard garden areasPots of Bubblegum Supertunias with “Singing the Blues” Salvia in the corner of this island garden areaDaylilies and coneflowers fill in the spaces around the pots of Bubblegum Supertunia Vista and SalviaThree pots filled in together to create one continuous displayA large pot of Bubblegum Supertunia Vista filled in nicely within the orange lily gardenA view of the tea garden and gazebo with Limelight Hydrangeas coming into bloomThe gazebo with pots of Bubblegum Supertunia Vista and Prince Tut Grass plumesA peek of the basket petunias over the back side of the fence as we conclude our tour
