The Start of Spring.......and $100 Home Depot Gift Card

It's finally Spring here in Chicago. It felt like winter was going to last forever, but we have finally thawed out and I think the freezing weather is gone for good (or at least until next winter).

I love the beginning of spring, don't you? I get all these great ideas of things I want to do in the yard, flowers I want to plant, landscaping to be done. I don't usually get around to all of it, but I always make time for planting flowers on our porch.

Several weeks back I was asked if I would like to try some new Premium Plants from Miracle-Gro that were being sold exclusively in Chicago Home Depot's. Well, they didn't have to ask me twice for that one because I was just about ready to go buy my flowers for spring planting anyway.

I always use Miracle-Gro potting mix for my window boxes and pots on the porch because I really do see a difference in the flowers in comparison to the years where I just used the regular stuff. These Miracle-Gro Premium Plants are supposed to have extra nutrients in the soil and be set up for a great growing season. And if I'm really honest, I always seem to do great with my gardening those first few months or so, but then the weather gets really hot and the mosquitos come out and I start to lose steam......so I can use all the help I can get. And since they have a 3-month money back guarantee......I'd say I'm good to go through mid-August.

So guess what I'll be doing this Mother's Day weekend? Planting my new flowers on our front porch. I'm excited to see what these plants do this season. I'll have to give you an update later into the summer. Will they still be going strong? I'm going to guess so, since Miracle-Gro always seems to do the trick, but only time will tell.......

How would you like to go buy yourself some Miracle-Gro Premium Plants (if you're in Chicago) or something fun for spring?

How about I give you $100 Home Depot Gift Card so you can go buy some of your very own? 

All I need you to do is leave me a comment and let me know what is your favorite thing to plant in your garden each year and what region of the country you live. 

There will be one winner selected and the giveaway is open until Sunday, May 12, 2013 at midnight (CST).

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The Cottage Garden ~ May 2012

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you all have had a wonderful time this weekend celebrating all the men and women who have done so much for us and our country in the line of duty.  And to any of you reading this who have served our county, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do or have done.  You are truly selfless human beings and are courageous beyond belief.

We have been lucky enough to have my dad visiting with us in from Italy this weekend.  I think I've mentioned that he lives over in Tuscany, but in case I haven't, he lives about half way in between Florence and Rome.  It's been about a year and a half since we've seen him and this was his very first time meeting Mr. Caspian Finn.

My dad has the ultimate green thumb.  I'd say he's probably the best gardener I know, so he has been helping us get the cottage garden back into tip-top shape.  We have been so busy traveling as well as with work and the kids, that we really hadn't gotten a chance to get out in the yard much.

You might say my dad has a mild obsession with gardening.  I can remember many, many weekends as a child spent in our local garden centers.  He always took such loving care of our plants and yard and I was very proud to have my friends come over to our house and spend time outside.  I don't consider myself to have a green thumb quite like him, but I love being able to have him here sharing a little bit of the knowledge he has gathered over the years.

Memorial Day seems to mark the beginning of new growth here in Chicago and it's when we can rest assured that we probably won't get another freeze.  Here are some pictures of a few of the wonderful things that are happening around the cottage garden........

Peonies are blooming.

'Savannah', our peach tree, is showing signs of producing lots of fruit this year.

My absolute favorite flowers, the hydrangeas, are starting to bloom.  Slowly, but surely.

New little apples on our apple trees.

Hops growing up the side of the coach house.

The blackberries changing over from flowers to berries.

Grapes are starting to grow on our grape vines.

I just love this time of year.  There are so many magical things happening all over our property.  We have had a wonderful time with my dad and are so thankful he could be here to meet our new little guy.  And a BIG thank you to him for all he has done for us in the yard.  It really feels so great to have our yard nice and cleaned up and ready for summer! 

Savannah is done with her first year of preschool (which flew by way too fast) and we will be traveling to Florida in the coming weeks for a much needed long vacation.  It will be my kids very first time at a real beach.  I can't wait to see their reactions......I'm quite certain they are just going to love it!

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  

Did you spend any time out in your garden?

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The Beginning of Summer at The Cottage Home

I love my home, I really do, but I'm not going to lie...........I can't say I don't long for a garage, an eat-in-kitchen or a laundry room that wasn't in, what I call, the dungeon.  But would I trade The Cottage Home, with all its history and charm, for any of those things?  NO WAY!!

Today my husband, Brett, was home and we spent this late afternoon outside planting our vegetable garden and taking in the beauty that surrounds us.  And wow, I feel more blessed than ever to be the proud owners of this 1930's cottage!

Here's a little tour around The Cottage garden.........

Strawberries

Getting ready to plant our vegetable garden.

We have had our apple trees for 3-4 years and this is the first year we have apples!!

My hubby brews beer (I've mentioned that, right?)......anyway, here is one of his many hop plants that he grows to use in his homebrew.  It's growing on our coach house.

Pretty flowers in the window boxes on the porch.

The very beginning to our wine grapes - we make our own wine too!

Pink peony - I love this flower!

The chives have gone wild!

More pretty flowers.

And finally.........The Cottage Home.

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