Herd in the News: The Deer Went Over the Mountains

To: Gail
Location: Clay and Limestone, Tennessee
RE: Cease and Desist

Dearest Gail,



I showed "my deer family" the photo and documents that you posted. As you can see from the photo, they were ecstatic to learn that their relatives have made the trip safely to Tennessee.

According to Ms. Jane Doe of North Carolina, her brother, John, went over the hills to Tennessee when they heard of a new "land rush" where squatters have rights. That's Jane's sister-in-law, Bambi II, in your photo.

John hired a "big bucks" attorney, Mr. Antlers, a renowned "gouger" to assist with the "filing" of the proper paper. Being environmentally conscious, the paper was milled from local tree bark, therefore saving the cost of buying paper from a foreign source. Our hidden camera snapped this shot of Mr. Antlers and his secretary lurking in the way, back backyard at Arbor Lea.



Jane is concerned that the formal documents may have rubbed you the wrong way and wants you to know that the Doe family is usually quite polite and casual.

Jane exclaimed that if Tennessee is that beautiful and so full of uneaten perennials, perhaps she and the rest of the extended family should start their journey before the snow gets too deep in the mountains.

When Jane learned that you are also an avid gardener who "fawns" over your perennials, she was greatly encouraged.

I shall send you advance warning if the members of the Doe family inform me that they are going elsewhere for the holidays this year. From the latest sighting, it looks like they may be heading in your direction.

Sincerely,
Cameron
Location: North Carolina

Petite Perennial: Scutellaria suffrutescens

Such a pretty, petite perennial deserves a better nickname than "pink skullcap." Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose' is a cute little thing that blooms almost non-stop by my front garden gate. The snapdragon-shaped blooms are a beautiful, deep rose color.

'Texas Rose' is a tough little cookie, too. She tolerates drought and fends for herself without any pampering, making her an excellent plant for xeriscaping. If you're a gardener who has a "no whining" sign hanging in your garden, you may want to consider adding 'Texas Rose' to a full-sun location.

Since scutellaria is in the mint family, she repels deer and rabbits. Planted around the stone column at my garden gate, she is constantly abused by the opening and closing of the gate. This variety is hardy in zones 7a-10b.

Even in the cold winter months, she is evergreen in my zone 7 garden, making 'Texas Rose' the perfect perennial to greet my guests all year round. Standing only 8 inches tall and spreading 15 inches wide, she makes a great edging plant for walkways and sunny borders. Tuck her into a rock garden and she'll add blooms almost all summer and into autumn.

Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose' can be grown from seeds sown in the fall, or by propagating herbaceous stem cuttings. Rose has been in my garden for two years. She has passed the test for front yard beauty and toughness, so I plan to extend my plantings of Rose along my front walkway. 'Texas Rose' is definitely a keeper!



Story and photos by Freda Cameron

Cute and quirky gifts for the home

If you like to give gifts that get lots of giggles, look no further than Fred Flare! I hadn't even heard of the store before, but I used to live in their neck of the woods and might stop by to pick up some Christmas gifts for my sisters. They also have mens' and womens' clothing along with home accessories.


Pinecone candles! - would look super cute lined up in a row

Salt-and-pepper shaker sparrows


Jonathon Adler Christmas ornament set






Cupcake stand! Even comes with a fake cupcake until you bake 'em

Flowers in a can - for the windowsill gardener



Love this photo calendar idea!


Ice cube tray makes your cubes into fun "jewels"



Pretty Jill Bliss mini journal set!



Gorgeous file folders might make organizing the bills not so bad


For the unorganized ones in your life

For the possessive bibliophile


Girly I know, but I love their jewelry collection!

Go to Fred Flare for more.

Corkscrew Willow Provides Indoor and Outdoor Decor

The deciduous corkscrew willow provides lush foliage in the summer months and interesting, curly branches in the winter. After the leaves have fallen, I prune out the overlapping branches to use for decoration in a vase.

Out in the fragrance garden, I use this small tree to provide shade and add texture. Other companions include a Kousa dogwood, sweet bay magnolia, buddleia and gardenia. In the summer, colocasia and monarda surround the willow. This fast-growing tree also provides privacy by screening our back deck.

Corkscrew willows are available in different sizes and are suitable for zones 4b-8a, depending upon the variety. My willow is planted on the southeast side of the house where it receives sunlight most of the day. Willows like moisture, but this little tree was a tough survivor during our 2007 drought.

If you plant any willow, make sure that it is nowhere near any underground pipes, especially ones that provide moisture. Willows can be short-lived, but they are fast-growing and inexpensive. You can easily propagate the corkscrew willow from hardwood or softwood cuttings. All parts are poisonous.

When I prune out the sprouts that cross the inside of the tree, I bring the best branches inside to use for year-round decor. I don't put the branches in water, I just use them dry as they come in from the garden. Just a quick wipe with a cloth to remove any bugs or dirt is all you have to do.

Our family room mantel has a marshland theme based on the painting by a North Carolina artist. The bronze frogs are appropriately named "Show Off" and "Social Climber." The willow branches are placed in a North Carolina pottery vase that is embellished with dimensional frogs, lilypads and lotus. The willow branches fit in well with the marsh theme while providing height in a room with a high ceiling. I have no art of my own to add to the mantel, but at least I grew these willow branches in my garden!



Photos and story by Freda Cameron

Thank you Sarah!

Last week, a photo in this post had a painting on the wall of Dorothy. I really wanted to know the artist, and it turns out it's the work of photographer Magnus Hastings. I have Sarah of Spiderbite Boutique to thank for the great cyber-sleuthing. If you're looking for an adorable and unique hand-crafted gift for a little one on your list, or anyone for that matter, you must check out her Nightmare journals!

Private 20% off code for you! Lighting discount from Beach Dwelling

Enter code: LIGHT20, Save 20% on all Lighting through December 4th!
Beach Dwelling offers simply gorgeous accessories, furniture, linens, and vintage items for your home. I've had a long-time love affair with their pillows, but their terrarium lamps are pretty tempting, and affordable.

*love love love* this mirrored console








Go to Beach Dwelling to see more!

Evergreen Herbs for Gardens and Cooking

On a cold November day, I go out in the garden to cut fresh herbs for the kitchen. Sage, rosemary and thyme are evergreen here in my zone 7 garden.

On frozen mornings, I wait until the early afternoon to harvest my herbs. I place the stems of rosemary and sage in a glass of water on my counter until time to prepare the evening meal. I often store these herbs in the water up to a day in advance.

Sage leaves are great for poultry, stuffings and dressings for poultry. Sage provides a nice flavor for autumn dishes that also include butternut squash or pumpkin. Sage officinalis grows in zones 5-11 to a height (in bloom) of up to three feet in full sun with well-drained soil. Just one sage plant in my garden is now about three feet wide in its second year of growth.

I use rosemary for roasted vegetables, roasted chicken, Tuscan beef stew, Italian sauces and breads. Rosemary and lemon work well together for roasted chicken. Rosemary and tomatoes for the Tuscan beef stew. In zones 6 and colder, rosemary can be grown as a container plant. Rosemary grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. As with many herbs, it benefits from trimming.

Thyme grows right by my front steps in a micro-climate that is protected from frost. The thyme stays fresh and fragrant into the cold months. Because of this convenience, I pick the thyme right before preparing a meal. I like to use thyme with rice to add just a little flavor. Thyme grows in zones 4-9 in full sun or part shade.

Aside from the culinary uses, rosemary, sage and thyme are great garden plants. All three bloom, with sage providing the biggest color show in mid-April. Cascading rosemary has been blooming for several months now in my cottage garden. The rosemary bloomed off all spring and summer as well.

Thyme makes a great, low groundcover and spreads rapidly. Upright forms of rosemary work well mixed in a border with perennials and shrubs while cascading rosemary works well on slopes and above retaining walls. Sage is a nice edging plant and provides soft leaf textures among perennials. However, it can be short-lived and has to be replaced every few years.

These herbs are also great for container gardens on decks, terraces or balconies. All three of the culinary varieties of these perennial herbs are deer and rabbit resistant as well as drought tolerant. For the best varieties for your zone, check with your local nursery.

Story and photos by Freda Cameron

Relax with these tranquil holiday home images- and get some good ideas too!

Adorable feminine vintage style - love the colors here

candles on the stairs - a fave

*drool* *drool* A shaker loom!



I love both of these bedrooms, even though they're so different!








Images via Country Living

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!! I will see ya on Friday!