Bridging The Seasonal Gap!

Previously, 

I had the opportunity to work as a $ales Assistant

in a local Antique Gift Shop. 

During that three year period,

I capitalized on my employee di$count to make home decor purchases.

This week On Crooked Creektt,
I've been using some of those past purchases in new and inventive ways 
to bridge the Seasonal Gap from Summer~to~Autumn!

The bird's nest garland branch with its limey leaves and red berries
is one of my favorite Spring~to~Summer decor pieces.

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *

So~o~o. . .
by adding the leaves from two Autumnal Aspen hued sprigs,
I was able to continue bridging the gap from Summer~to~Autumn!

I simply popped off the individual sections of leaves (usually 5~7 on each sprig)
and then slid them among the garland to make an Autumnal burst of color!

I had originally thought that two sections
would work on the left side of the garland,
however I actually used four sections. . .nearly one whole sprig!

To the right side of the garland, I tucked in four more sections.
I adore how the greens of the original garland 
and the Autumnal Aspen leaves blend harmoniously together.

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Another Seasonal change to this vignette 
is the addition of vintage books with warm Autumnal hues 
of deep green, gold, red and a touch of black.

This pair of golden birds atop orbs on walnut pedestals
nearly went to our local Thrift Store a few Seasons ago.

They are truly a versatile decor piece. 
I'm thrilled that I realized this pair fits perfectly in my Traditional decor!
Notice that I used the remaining sections of the Autumnal Aspen leaves
around the base of the birds to complete my 
Bridging The Seasonal Gap vignette.

Since retiring, I appreciate "no cost" decorating!

Before. . .

. . .After!

On Crooked Creektt. . .
by using what I already had "in stock" in a new and inventive way,
I've bridged the gap from Spring~to~Summer~to~Autumn!!!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

Yvonne @ StoneGable for Tutorials Tips and Tidbits!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these linky parties

for you'll come away inspired to try

new and inventive ways to decorate your own home!

The Heirloom Garden. . .

One of the last Gardens to bloom here On Crooked Creektt
is The Heirloom Garden.

The plantings in The Heirloom Garden 
were already mature shrubs and bushes 
when we arrived On Crooked Creektt.

There's ground cover growing in a broken, rusted wheelbarrow,
a red rambling rose bush and my favorite. . .
the soft pink hibiscus bushes that grow along the perimeter of the fence.

Barberry and honeysuckle are off to the right 
as you enter through the Garden Gate.

Due to our "above average" amount of rainfall, here on the Prairie,
each hibiscus bush was a profusion of blooms throughout July and August!

As you can see. . .
these were my favorite to photograph, as well!!!

Aided by the Master Gardener, "Mr. Ed",
I was able to share the size of these beautiful blossoms!!!

Just beyond the wheelbarrow, 
the rose bush and the hibiscus bushes,
"Mr. Ed" and I planted a single Shasta Daisy plant 
when we arrived On Crooked Creektt. . .

and a friendly neighbor gave us a single Purple Cone Flower!

The Shasta Daisies were planted On Crooked Creektt
in memory of my beloved maternal grandmother.
Grandmother gave "Mr. Ed" a 'start' of Shasta Daisies 
from her own flower garden when we purchased our first home 
on the other side of the Prairie,many, many years ago.

I have divided this Shasta Daisy Patch once already 
to share with my son and  daughter~in~law
when they built their new home. . .
and they will be divided a second time this fall!

This years division of the Purple Cone Flowers 
have been promised to the newlyweds 
from our July Wedding Reception tables.

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This Summer, one of "Mr. Ed's"  honey~do list items
was to make a Garden Gate to camouflage all of his Garden "stuff".

Day 1 of the Garden Gate. . .

Ladders for cleaning the gutters and trimming the trees. . .
extra fence boards to make needed repairs. . .

White plastic barrels. . .
promises of an upcoming "Rain Barrel". . .

the work has begun. . .

and here is the Garden Gate complete with new hinges!!!

Nicely done, "Mr. Ed"!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The back half of The Heirloom Garden 
carefully trimmed, edged and ready to bloom!

The vintage ladder was a gift from my Dad!
The vintage plow an heirloom from The Family Farm.

Using artifacts throughout our Gardens here On Crooked Creektt,
gives something pleasing to the eye for viewing year 'round.

On Crooked Creektt only has one other Garden in our backyard,
The Container Garden is purely experimental this year.

The Container Garden is located to the left of the walk path as you exit.
Due to its experimental nature,
we are not allowing views for this Season.

I, truly hope that our drought, of the past two years, is behind us
and that the days ahead will be as green and lush
as they have been this year On Crooked Creektt!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch forMetamorphosis Monday!

Be sure to visit for inspiration in your home. . .

be the inspiration for your interior or exterior decor!

Let's Dish. . .Summer Fun!

"Mr. Ed" and I have had a full and enjoyable Summer
this first year of my retirement On Crooked Creektt!

I've enjoyed participating in many activities 
that otherwise would have not been possible 
given my previous employment schedule.

Cuisine Kathleen has created another challenge @ Let's Dish! 
This one is titled Let's Dish. . .Summer Fun!

While vacationing with "Mr. Ed" in Weston, Missouri this Summer,
I found this adorable cauliflower tea pot! 

Of course, it was 'love at first sight'
because I knew it would co~ordinate beautifully 
with all my existing Majolica collection!
(To see more of my Majolica collection see Autumnal Hues. . .here.)

While staying @ Glick Mansion in Atchison, Kansas,
I made the purchase of the two lidded white urns @ Nell Hills.
These three pieces combined together make the centerpiece for 
my Garden Tour Tea here On Crooked Creektt!

Using vivid hues,
 in the flowers collected from three of On Crooked Creektt's Gardens,
I filled two white scalloped bud vases to extend the centerpiece.

I began with a single creamy ivory hued
petite Tea Rose from The Children's Garden,
Gingersnap Rose bud from The Front Rose Garden,
and accented these two prominent hues with 
purple Salvia from The Fairy Garden.

Scrunching and tucking a square ecru embroidered table topper
beneath the centerpiece helped to ground this Garden themed arrangement.

Each place setting was anchored with an orange floral scalloped place mat.
Using my everyday white porcelain china 
creates a cohesiveness throughout the tablescape.
Everyday beaded stainless flatware 
and our everyday clear bubble glass water goblets
combined with etched rose crystal stemware 
reflect the light coming from the Gardens.

Using a Triple Pocket Fold (here) that I borrowed from
Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch, 
I slid our menu for the Garden Tea within the pocket,
which also served as a place card.

By extending our circular dining room table,
I was able to seat six comfortably in the dining room
where we could enjoy the view of the Gardens beyond the patio doors.

Thank you, Kathleen, 
for another tablescape challenge @ Let's Dish!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Cuisine Kathleen @ Let's Dish for Let's Dish. . .Summer Fun!

And. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

Be sure to visit both of these parties

for inspirational ideas for your family's dining!