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Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Destressing at the Garden Center

Bon jour Mes Amis!
Hubby and I just returned from a week of camping in our motor home in northern Michigan. We had such a great time, and Katie loved it too!  I neglected to take any photos, other than a visit we took to a beautiful garden center that's just a few miles from the campground we stayed at.  
Not only do they have some gorgeous plants and flowers in their huge green houses, but they have really neat gift shops, a cute little cafe, and lots of display gardens to enjoy and inspire.

 Isn't this angel serene looking among the blooms?
 I wish you could have seen the hydrangeas, they were stunning!  I am in love with these gorgeous blue ones!
 I thought this was the neatest table, in the patio outside of the cafe.
Notice the center?  They built a "trough" and planted it with herbs.  How fun!
Hubby and I split a really yummy sandwich for lunch on the patio.
What a great setting for the cafe.
 I was loving all of the water features.  I would love to have one of these fountains at home!  The sound of trickling water is so soothing, I think.
 This pine topiary was so neat, and must have been over 6 feet tall.
 Another water feature, below.
 Just look at this darling little garden fairy village!
 The stone like homes were made of concrete, and were just the cutest ever!
 Beautiful astilbe.
 It'snot showing up well in the photo, but below is a cute little bike planter.  I love the metal sunflower stake next to it!

 I was drooling over the cosmos, spider flowers, and purple salvia!
 Cheery sunflower.
 This cute little metal fence featured pretty hibiscus at the top.
 This clematis was even prettier in person than my photo could capture.
 How about this friendly looking squirrel planter?!
 I love lavender!
 Also on the property is this cute little blue guest cottage that you can rent out.
 In front was the biggest hosta plant I've ever seen!  It's much bigger than it looks here, it came nearly to my chest, and must have been almost 8 feel across!
 I loved this pretty statue, below.
 Notice the sign, hanging above moi?
It truly was a stress free environment!
And let me tell you, it was so needed!  With our house on the market for nearly 2 months, the stress of not knowing when, if or where we will be moving, along with other life challenges, really got the best of me, in all honesty.
It was just so good to veg out and decompress on our camping trip.
 Another pretty fountain.
 Pretty window boxes greeted you as you walked in the front door of the main greenhouse.  I love the vibrant colors of these pretty orange begonias.

 And I thought this window box was so cute with the gnomes!  Notice the gazing balls inside?
 Here is a view of the outside.  It's much larger than I could get in one shot!
Thanks for joining me on my little tour, hope you have a great weekend!

11 comments:

Ordinary J said...

Beautiful flowers!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh Donna, what a nice get away. The flowers were stunning and all the lovely art pieces for the garden. I love my fountain in the garden - the falling water is so soothing.
I hope your home sells quickly. people are buying now before school starts, so hopefully it will sell.
Cheer up now - everything will work out. Whats to be will be and God will not let you down.
Glad that Katie is better - give her a big hug for me.
Mary

Susie said...

I love going to garden centers. They have so many things to choose from. Hope you had a fun camping time. xoxo,Susie

Musings from Kim K. said...

What an amazing garden center. You'll have to send me an email and tell where you were at. I love that trough idea in the table and I'm convinced I need some of those concrete houses. Have a wonderful weekend!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, what a wonderful garden center and so many great ideas for displays. I can see this being the perfect spot to relax and be at peace. Love the herb table and all the statues. What an amazing Hosta. I am in love with those stone houses and would love one in my garden.
So glad you had a great time.
Happy Friday!!
Hugs

Okio B Designs said...

Welcome back! Love the fairy gardens. I would love to do one in our yard but I think the boys would trample it. Lol =) Come over when you have a chance, I'm having a giveaway!

Jeanine

Debbie said...

I'm sorry you are feeling stressed, Donna. So glad you got away from it all tho. It looks like the garden center was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some lovely sites. Love the little fairy village...so cute! Where did you find this neat place?
Did you buy anything for your gardens?
Have a great weekend, sweet friend.
Debbie
xo

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful gardens and lots of ideas that I could use at my home! Hope your stress is relieved soon. I sure do know how it takes a toll on you.
hugs,
Linda

Okio B Designs said...

Hi Donna! You won my giveaway! Shoot over your mailing address to jeanineb4ety(at)yahoo(dotcom) and I'll get the prize out to you right away - congrats!

Jeanine

john said...

what a wonderful garden centre Donna ...I especially love the angel surrounded by blooms...glad you had a good holiday ....Gail x

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh Donna, what an enchanting garden center! It looked like the perfect place to unwind for sure. The water fountains alone must have relaxed you quite a bit. And that fairy village....awwwww...so cute!
Glad to hear you enjoyed a getaway.