Mosaic Monday

It's another fun Mosaic Monday over at Mary's Little Red House!
Go there to see all the beautiful & creative mosaics!
I seem to be a little obsessed with painting water lilies ... as you can see.
When I saw the latest watercolor challenge on here on flickr, I knew I had to
give it a try and thought of painting it in moonlight.
Thanks for visiting my painting room today!

Water Lily

Just when I was looking for the next "something to paint",
I saw this photo and decided to paint for the challenge.
My water lily is in moonlight.

Red Hollyhocks

watercolor on cold pressed

What's in bloom inside

Yesterday, I posted what was blooming in my garden. I have a few blossoms inside, too.
I'm trying another ivy topiary...they usually don't survive with me!

I also don't have much luck getting African violets to rebloom. These are new.

Last week at the produce market, they had peonies. Peonies in July!! Peonies in July for under $3 for this whole bouquet!!! I have been mesmerized by them all week & they are just beginning to wilt.

My orchids are reblooming. Phals are so easy to grow!

They can bloom for months at a time.

I think they're incredibly beautiful!

Thanks for visiting!

What's Blooming

I just love lantana!

The hydrangeas are doing beautifully this year.

When I looked into the chaste tree, there was a surprise... a busy bee... and a busy mama bird!

Mosaic Monday: Old Westbury Gardens

My adventurous daughter and I visited the Old Westbury Gardens in New York.

The mansion, on 200 beautiful acres, was completed in 1906 and was the home
of the Phipps family.

The inside is beautifully furnished, but we were not allowed to photograph
the rooms. I thought I'd share the exterior of the house and the lovely grounds.

The portico was glassed in, but we imagined it being open and airy.

There were so many pretty places to wander.

It was a perfect summer day.....

and fun to imagine living here once upon a time.

Look at this wonderful walk through arbors of roses.

A little cottage is tucked away on a path and surrounded by perennial gardens.

We peeked in one of the little windows to find a table set with blue & white porcelain.

Another pretty path to meander...

A beautiful garden to discover.

I do have a thing for waterlilies!

Can you picture sitting here in your walled garden?

...or lounging by your pool?

I'm sure someone would be handling all the indoor chores

and keeping the outside perfectly manicured.

Then you'd have plenty of time to make fresh flowered garlands!
Thanks for visiting today! Remember to check out the beautiful mosaics here.