Oh, how interesting this is that my last image is titled Windy Mummy...On such a windy night as this! Hope you all had fun on Halloween! And btw...since this has been such an odd year - please don't be surprised to see Christmas images before Thanksgiving. In fact...my next blog entry will have a new image for a challenge provided by Cynthia who I met through the digital group...and it just so happens to have a Christmas theme to it. : ) 
I love the natural simplicity of the above choice. Unfortunately the marble was discontinued. This only took me five or so minutes to make a decision on, so - go figure...it would be the choice I couldn't have, right? Do you know how difficult it is to find a replacement for something you really wanted to begin with? Well, I found out. There wasn't anything to compare it with so we really had to just start over.
Although this is a beautiful pattern and color combo, I was really hoping to find something a bit more feminine and perhaps swirly. AND if I couldn't go "natural" tones then I wanted to find something in a soft color palette. Oh, and just so you know...the more solid color samples are for the floor of the shower.
And here is the final decision. It is a yellowish cream background with dark brown, tan, yellow, and blue veins running through it. It is really growing on me now and I'm looking forward to decorating the bathroom when it's completed. If this was your bathroom, how would you decorate? Would love to hear some suggestions from you all.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the cabinetry! The vanity, mirrored medicine cabinet, and cabinet need to be ordered but they are in an oak finish. I do think this choice for the counter will look nice with the oak cabinets. I sure hope so because I really don't want to have to go back to the drawing board again. AND there is one more decision I need to make. What will the sink look like? I'm sure I will be able to find a standard sink - I'm just not sure from where or what size/shape yet.
I will be so thrilled when this project is finished. I hope to take some time off for the fall/winter holiday season that is fast approaching. All the other reno's will have to wait till spring as far as I'm concerned. Hey... a girl can dream, right?
Here it is...another week gone by and another Pink Saturday missed!?!
I've always been very fond of dianthus and these are certainly lovely in their multiple shades of pink! If there are any fairies on my property, I think I would find them buzzing around these dainty flowers from time to time. Perhaps I just don't spend enough time outside to see them yet. They would have to be very careful showing themselves though. I'm not sure what all the four legged creatures would do if they saw them. One could only hope they would all get along.
Ahhh...my pink geraniums! Another flower I would think fairies would like. I know the hummingbirds like these as well as the dianthus. The tiny little birds gave up on their feeders for these tasty treats! With summer finally here...we can expect this to keep blooming for quite some time. I am sure the hummingbirds will appreciate that.
I hope you all are enjoying your weekend, that life treats you well, and that you had a fantastic Pink Saturday with many more to come! I actually have a plan for next Saturday! : )
Here is a look at what the upper cabinets look like. They are constructed of maple and stain finished in hazelnut. They really are beautiful cabinets. I had no idea that there would be crown molding at the top until they were installed. What a lovely added feature, don't you think?
Almost everything under the counter top is drawers. These drawers are solid, dove-tailed, and have a self glide system. The drawer pulls are brushed nickle with a slim rope edge...just enough to give a very slight Southwest charm. You can also see some of the counter top and flooring in this image. Since the cabinets are light, we decided on a darker stone finished tile and counter.
Here you can see the earth-tone carpet which ties in with the masculine earth-tones of the kitchen. There are flecks of burgundy, dark green, and dark brown to spice it up just a bit. And...our new reclining sofa which my grandson told me to purchase. Little to say, he didn't have to tell me that twice although it took me two trips to the furniture store to decide for sure. It really does look great on the new carpet. Can you tell I'm trying to ward off others from enjoying the comfort of the sofa? Or did you just miss that snake curled up on the corner? Oh, don't worry! It's not real! LOL
Ok, so now it's time to go outdoors, don't ya know? It's mid summer and the garden isn't finished yet. It was about time we did something about that so first we found some lovely hanging baskets. My daughter actually found these for under six dollars and believe me...they are huge! What a deal! I found one for under six dollars too but she beat my deal by 49 cents.
It was also time to start filling some of the deck planters. We found a few unusual plants at the nursery and added them to our better deals from the local stores that were closing out their garden centers. I just can't pass up the few plants that need a bit of TLC...ever. I think everything deserves a home, don't you? So here are a few of the many planters we filled.
Now then...it was time to clean up and fill the largest garden, which I call my kitchen garden, since I can view it from the kitchen. The first pic shows the placement of the plants while the second shows them all planted. I can hardly wait to see how they will all merge together in time.
The large projects are finished. It's summer and it's time to have a little fun. Although we always ask for warm and sunny for an outdoor party, you never know what you might get so we set up our mosquito-proof gazebo just in case it should rain. It also provides a great place for all the food. Well, it can't be a fiesta without food, right? And there will be plenty of table space for the enchiladas, chimichangas, taquitos, chili, chips and dips (SW, of course) And the margaritas! Ole'! So now all that's left to do is decorate for the Fiesta! We have red hot chili lights, a glittery red chili to cover the outdoor light, some umbrella lighting, sombreros to wear for fun, and some decorations for inside the house.
Here are some of the decorations set up in the house. Beautiful flowers from my son-in-law, a miniature pinata, some maracas, and the ceramic sombrero to hold the salt for the margaritas.
Unfortunately, this image did not turn out well. The dancers didn't have time to flatten completely by the time I took this picture...but I'm sure you get the idea, si?
I do hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek into the festivities going on here. It has been quite a journey for us and I am ever so thankful this part is finished. I will be even more thankful when the remaining rooms are done and I can return to my art therapy. I sure miss that as well as all of you amazing creators out there. Hope you all had a terrific weekend! 
Lovely Summer actually started out as an ATC background painting. I then decided to make a collage over it but only got as far as the paper cuts for the top and bottom. I then scanned it to photoshop where I used custom shapes, filters, and a fun font to embellish into a digital collage. I used the original prints for a swap but of course, I always save my creations for a make-over later. So...here is the new version in pink! This was a fun one to make-over using a new pattern for the flowers, adding an additional butterfly, and changing the color tones.
If you are interested in digital art, you can find the group by clicking on the image from my blog sidebar. Doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro...there's something for everyone there.
I just couldn't resist adding this to my blog in response to my friend Jude who recently had a bear encounter in good ole PA...right at the edge of her driveway! She was lucky to have a camera close by and snapped a quick pic...from the safety of her home...thank goodness! I don't think she'll mind if I send you to her blog to see her bear so here's the link:
Welcome to my Pink Saturday collection starting with these lovely watered ivy geraniums! I think the ruffles on the blooms are so inviting. And the glistening water drops give such a refreshing look, don't you think? I do believe this is one of my favorite photos captured over Mother's Day weekend. I must say - I do love my digital camera!
I found this to be quite unusual in a collection of pinks at the florist and just couldn't resist taking a photo. Can anyone tell me what the large flowers are?
Oh, these I know very well. Kalanchoe and Calla Lillies! In some areas, the Kalanchoe can grow outside as well as inside. For us, we keep them indoors. I read that many of these are thrown away once the blooms leave as the owner thinks the plant has died. So sad because the blooms can return so if you ever own one...don't throw it away! Give it time to bloom again.
Now for some fun! Just a few of my favorite things! Really...who doesn't love frosted animal crackers? AND Almond Roca? Even if they are with cashews instead of almonds...they are simply delicious! And the three little mice just added to the fun!
"Three Mice Snackin"
Finally, I am ending my Pink Saturday with these very large hydrangeas. I hope to plant some of these this year when my large garden is ready. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your Pink Saturday and if you would like to see more, all you have to do is go to:
A loving sentiment straight from the heart
I just may have to go back to purchase this whimsical cat planter! It's so cute!
Same image as below with a few enhancements. Which do you like better?
I just couldn't resist snapping a pic of these pink, glass vases.
Aren't these azaleas beautiful? You probably can't tell - but they are in a basket with the handle providing the most lovely flower arch! I may have to go back and purchase one of these too!
A Sure Sign that Spring has Arrived!
The barn has a new coat of paint this year. It looks like a dark carnation color. And there are always hanging plants just in time for Mother's Day! Doesn't that look wonderful?
Here are some local flowers to add color to your garden.
My daughter and I spotted these beautiful rhododendrons while we were running errands and we just had to stop and take some pictures!
I wonder what color the rhody will be that hasn't bloomed yet?
Now wouldn't these flowers make the perfect Hawaiian Lei?
In closing, I wish you a Happy Birthday Pink Saturday and a Happy May Day to everyone else!
View more of Pink Saturday's Celebration at:
