Vining Black-eyed Susan

Thunbergia alata, also known as vining black-eyed Susan, is one of my favorite annuals. If you're like us, the frequent heavy rains have slowed your planting efforts a bit this year. I thought I'd mention this showy, strong performer in case you are still digging in the dirt and would like to try it. 

This delicate-looking, fast growing vine requires sun. Although it comes in orange, white and yellow, I always seem to gravitate toward the latter because it reminds me of sunshine! 🌞

For about a dozen years, I have filled a basket that hangs on our gate with vining black-eyed Susan, but this year I opted to plant them in the driveway concrete planter instead and we put sweet potato vines on the gate. We will see how they do. The mini trellis is from Dollar Tree and is an exceptionally thin gauge wire. It's the equivalent to a dry cleaner hanger, so would never adequately support a sturdy vine. Since I wanted a low trellis, though, I thought it might do the trick. Time will tell!

In the very near future, these vines will erupt into a mass of yellow blooms and I look forward to that!

I hope you had an awesome day!

A Patriotic Lantern

My lantern on the landing is ready for the summer months!

The faux geraniums seem even more festive with my new string of red, white and blue stars. The lights are available in with the patriotic merchandise at Dollar Tree and are battery operated. Although tough to photograph, I think you get the idea from the photo below.

I was able to wrap the stars around the blossoms very easily to add a little pop of color and interest. With the lantern door open, you can get a better look.

Have a bright evening! ✭

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's patio tablescape highlights one of my favorite trees. See it in the background?

Our Japanese Tree Lilac, overshadowing the table, is in full and glorious bloom right now! 

I just had to use some of the beautiful white clusters for the centerpiece.

This lovely crackle vase depicts several varieties of butterflies and was a recent birthday gift from my cousin. She knows I have had a fondness for the winged beauties since childhood! 

I placed the vase on my wooden slab and added a new kitchen towel, which was a recent surprise from a friend. Doesn't it match well?

White rectangular plates, woven placemats, natural napkins and green glasses finished the table.

Our humidity dropped and the temperature was delightful this evening for dinner on the patio. I wish you could have joined us as we enjoyed the lovely weather, the sweet blossoms and the butterflies.

Remembering Those Who Served

Happy Memorial Day weekend! This special time is set aside for Americans to remember the countless men and women who served our country in an effort to keep us free. For this reason, today seems the perfect opportunity for me to share pictures of Missouri Military Memorial in St. Louis. Nestled on the grounds of Jefferson Barracks County Park, this was erected to honor all Missourians who gave their lives in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It was dedicated on Memorial Day in 2017. 

This wall stands about eight feet tall and is made from black granite panels. Actual photos were etched by computers and depict armed equipment and battle scenes from those three wars. 

The three star pillars show actual photographs of the men and women KIA. 

Benches, like this one shown below, dot the memorial to serve as a resting place. On each, displayed lists show individuals who lost their lives stateside, through PTSD or other war-related circumstances. 

Part of the Missouri Military Memorial is the Gold Star Pavilion. It is meant to represent all Gold Star families. They are the ones, of course, who lost loved ones serving the United States of America.

The person responsible for spearheading this effort is the mother of a young woman (21 years old) who was killed in Iraq. Over a span of nearly ten years, her vision became reality. The entire process represents a great deal of commitment and coordination. Drawings were produced, land was obtained, funds were raised and roadblocks overcome. In all, the committee raised $600,000 so that Missouri Military Memorial could be built for all to enjoy. The company that fabricated the granite panels from Ohio, stated that this was their largest project ever! When they traveled to St. Louis to construct it, many of the workers were moved to tears by the significance. Many individuals donated time, money and effort. It just so happens, that one of those volunteers lives with me! My husband joined the effort in 2012 and used his landscape architectural gifts to generate all of the design work (walls, stars, benches, sidewalks, pavilion, plant material, etc.) and he considered it an honor to donate his time and services.     

To see another related post, click here. It shares Flags of Valor which was on Art Hill back in 2016. 

Let's make time this weekend to remember those who are serving or who have served so that we can have the privilege of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. 🦅

Flowers and Dragonflies!

I recently changed our door swag from spring to summer florals. Roses, hydrangeas, daisies, peonies, lilies, poppies and other seasonal flowers are now welcoming guests to our front porch.

We already have three little visitors!

My sister-in-law recently gave me some colorful dragonfly magnets and I thought they would be perfect for the summer swag! Strategically positioning three (use odd numbers when decorating) of them on blossoms, I placed a washer beneath the flower petal to anchor each magnet. The blue, red and yellow winged "guests" are plastic, so they should hold-up well even outside. 😉 Even though these are not real, ordinary flowers and dragonflies make me smile and I hope they do the same for others.

Find joy in the simple things in life!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's tablescape is from a dinner meeting last night, which I enjoyed with some wonderful friends. All 12 of us serve together at church and had our potluck there.  

In lieu of actual placemats, I used sheets of 12 by 12 cardstock. 

I placed the flatware within the pink linen napkin and tied it with some coordinating ribbon I had in my craftroom stash. The clear plates belong to our church.

Using remnants of a beautiful bouquet Randy gave me for our anniversary last Friday, I added white peonies, pink and white columbine and sprigs of ninebark shrubbery from the yard to round it out for centerpiece. 

I hope you have had a lovely day!

Plate Topper

I recently received a nifty gift from my parents for my birthday. PlateTopper is a plastic dome that fits on top of any plate or platter, creating an airtight storage container. Made from BPA free plastic, the clear dome allows you to easily see the contents. Simply applying pressure to the top creates a suction around the pliable plastic rim, keeping out air and preserving freshness. Use of a pull tab allows easy opening when you're ready to serve the product. My PlateTopper is actually inverted in this photo to better share its details.

PlateTopper is available in a few different sizes and mine is the cake one. I am a part of many different groups in which I have occasion to carry-in dessert, so my mother felt it would be a good match for me. Although it's about the same size as my standard plastic cake keeper, I appreciate that this invention allows me to plate my dessert on a larger, more presentable glass tray or platter. It's perfect! Easy to clean after you're finished using it, PlateTopper is top-rack dishwasher safe.

I have already tested my new gift and I must say that this product really takes the cake! 🎂

Muny Memories

In just about a month, another Muny season will begin. For those of us in St. Louis, sitting outdoors under the stars while enjoying a Broadway classic revival musical is a sign of summer...and a wonderful one, at that! To celebrate my recent birthday, we went to lunch and then to the Missouri History Museum to see the temporary Muny exhibit before it closes. 

The display opened last year in celebration of the 100th season of the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater, better known as the Muny. It was interesting learning bits of information about our local gem. This photo below shows the audience of an outdoor performance on Art Hill in front of our famous art museum. Judging by the size of the crowd, this forerunner of the Muny was well-received even in 1914. 

Today's Muny is close to Art Hill and was established between two trees in Forest Park. The initial production, Aida, opened there on June 5, 1917 and the guests sat on folding chairs. Today's Muny has the same configuration and hosts 11,000 permanent chairs.  Of those seats, 1,500 are free and have always been offered to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Not only famous actors frequent the Muny stage. It's also a tremendous opportunity to talented locals of all ages. Known for drawing youth, hundreds of youngsters audition annually for a chance to become a "Muny Kid" to dance and appear in shows.

The exhibit features parts of real sets, such as this glimpse of The Wizard of Oz. Many artifacts, like this camera are also available to see.

People are often curious about the comfort level experienced throughout a two-hour show during hot and humid summer evenings. For us, it has truly never been an issue and especially now. A few years back, the Muny installed large, slow-churning fans atop tall poles which are in quiet circulation the entire evening. I can personally attest to the fact that I do not get too warm and have even sometimes required a light wrap during the shows. The fact that the performances begin at 8:15 is a benefit.

Since there is a glare on the plague, I have copied the paragraphs below.

Many families are fourth and fifth generation Muny-goers. For them, the season isn't nearly long enough. 

When the cast and crew assemble onstage for the final performance of the summer, the audience rises and sings "Auld Lang Syne" with them. This practice began in the first season at the request of Mayor Henry Kiel and has become a century-long tradition.

We are eager for the start of the 101st Muny season! In case you're interested, here is the lineup:

Guys and Dolls (June 10 – 16) 

Kinky Boots (June 19 – 25)

1776 (June 27 – July 3)

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (July 8 – 16)

Footloose (July 18 – 24)

Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon (July 27 – August 2) 

Matilda (August 5 – 11)

If you'd like to see the Muny Memories exhibit at the museum, it runs through June 2. Free parking is available in their lots and there is no charge to walk through this enjoyable display.

I always like hearing people speak of their own Muny experiences. I know of someone who was a "Muny Kid" more than 60 years ago. Another person shares stories of how she and her parents rode the streetcar to the Muny 70 years back and they went in their fine clothes--complete with hats and gloves. I'm sure everyone in St. Louis recalls his or her first trip to see a performance in the largest and oldest outdoor theatre. I have many fond Muny memories from childhood through the present. How about you?