Window Boxes

Do you envy those wise women (or men?) in  your life who can point to and name nearly every flower they come across? (Mom, Jerianne)

A recent issue of Better Homes & Gardens offers helpful tips and suggestions on planting gorgeous window boxes, which is something I have been scared to attempt (I have had several new plants dry up in this heat and need to do major research before investing in window boxes!) But there are so many plants to choose from! (And weird names..."Creeping Jenny," "Pink Panther," "Royal Glissade," "Gay's Delight"...how do you remember them all?)

I have been excited thinking about what I would plant in my charming little window boxes and went overboard using Charleston's eye candy to help me brainstorm.  I guess the color, size, and shape of the plants you pick out depend on your unique home and window size.

A few of my favorites:

(Charleston has a little unfair advantage on the architectural front... Its hard to make anything look ugly there.)

Do you notice all of the delightful iron work adorning the gardens?

When I went to Governor's School in Charleston one summer, I had the opportunity to meet Philip Simmons at his workshop in Charleston. I never let a piece of iron work pass my eye in Charleston without wondering if it was his!

Browse his website if you have a moment. He was a fascinating fellow.

The trip was lovely and I recommend the following for your next visit:

Boarding--The Planter's Inn

Dinner--FIG

Lunch--Cru Cafe

Breakfast Goodies-- Baked

Pardon the long post... despite Charleston being the mecca of humidity and skanky tourists, it is always an inspirational and beautiful place to visit.

Van did very well with his grandparents and now officially calls G-Diddy- "Diddy." Evans and I are extremely refreshed, relaxed and ready for the week. Van is back to his normal routine of a morning spy on the neighbors:

And crawling into wookie holes...

Hope you've had a great weekend!

Summer around here:

began with a Memorial Day parade

+ tons of fresh strawberries!

...a picnic in the Rose Garden



Father's Day

The best three dads! (+Sophie)



Sneaking hummus for crackers...



sipping on citrus water ...

(Or bathing in it...)

Eating too many chocolate eclairs...

(With eyes closed)

(Notice most recent shiner on forehead)

(too hot for pants)

Fresh Herbs

Lots

of

flowers!



...enjoying our front porch delivery of NC-grown summer produce (and recipe ideas) from The Produce Box

Hoping for a nice, relaxing weekend in Charleston with Evans!

I'll miss you, bud!

Van's Vans!

Yesterday Van and I officially became buds.

Evans wasn't going to be home until late (and it had been a long but fun summer day) so I decided to make pizza and poured Van and myself some chocolate milk.  We sat down next to each other to eat and Van "cheers'ed" my glass and gave me the sweetest smile (as if to say "its just us tonight mom!!"), then took a huge bite of pizza.

Did you miss us? False alarm, I guess. I would be a fool not to get some of these special photos/memories uploaded into writing. For example, yesterday we were shoe shopping and found the perfect new pair of kicks for his outdoorsy adventures...(he still rocks the Thomas boots but they are finally starting to get a little snug).

I love his Keens, but they get stinky quickly without socks so I wanted to find some shoes he could wear with socks. Van ran straight to the back wall of the shoe store and pointed to some shoes that just happened to be on sale...

Hello Van's Vans!

A nice fit, wouldn't you say?

I may sound redundant, but I love this child and 20 months might be my favorite age so far. He is starting to talk to us, knows his animal sounds, and surprises us with new words every day. Most recently, his favorite word is "pool" and "pop pop" (emphasis on the "p" sound). Whenever we are in the vicinity of either grandparents home, he points at the window and repeatedly says "pop pop!!"

Just this morning, Evans commented that it seems as though Van grew an inch overnight.  We stood him up against his make-shift growth chart and he has grown a 1/2 inch since last month!

(Wish I had started this sooner!)

It has been a busy but chill summer so far. We spend most days outside either in the sandbox, at the pool, in the swing, at the park, or playing with friends.We welcomed the most recent addition to our family, Emma "Zephyr" Mayhew Bergman, last month and I had a nice quick surprise trip to Vermont to visit:

I am in love. I never knew a tiny human being could be so perfect. She is just an angel and I know she has already changed so much since I held her.

Before I get too mushy, I better go! We have an overdue anniversary trip to Charleston, a week-long beach trip with family, and a few other vacations planned in our near future.  Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!

Peace.