Oh how time flies

I feel like time has been flying by this year and it actually hit me today that my birthday is on Friday. With all the hustle and bustle of work, chores, and errands it's hard to take a breather and take note of where things stand and where I actually am in the scheme of things. In just two years it will be time for my 10 year high school reunion. Most of my friends are married with children. I realized at a dear friends shower this weekend we've known each other for 12 years. It feels like just yesterday we were in chorus together as teenagers. But then again I'm so so glad my school days are behind me! Especially when thinking about how school is starting back again, it's all the sweeter knowing I'll never have to do that again!

But anyways. I'm looking forward to celebrating my birthday this weekend with some good friends. I haven't celebrated my birthday in years and this year I'm not about to let it go by without having some fun.

One year we went to Imperial Fez, so much fun!! I would definitely recommend going for a party or just for a fun night out.

I've just started decorating for this weekend. More to come. Also I bought some adorable sparkly shoes for the occasion. Not as fancy as the ones above but I'm looking forward to getting dolled up.

Have a bright day!
b girl

Hydrangea Festival 2011

A few weeks ago Jane had a lovely time touring some beautiful gardens at the Hydrangea Festival in Douglasville, Ga. Here are some memorable snapshots in Jane's photo album.

Jane having a Mad Hatter Tea Party

  

It looks so cozy in here! A lovely retreat.

Jane agrees it's best in show.

There was definitely tons of inspiration in these gardens. What are some of your favorite plants or decor in your own garden?

Have a bright day!

b. girl

Fete Nationale

Happy Bastille Day!

 

I would love to visit Paris for Bastille Day. I've always loved this painting by Monet, maybe I'll get a copy someday.

Be sure to check out Paris Breakfast's blog, she just did one on NYC Bastille Day. Wish I could have been there!

...I think the overall concession is I need a vacation desperately!

Enjoy: http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/07/bastille-day-nyc-2011.html


Have a bright day!
b girl

Independence Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July! Too bad the fireworks were rained out here. Since the whole fam was off on Monday we went for breakfast at the newly moved Douceur de France in Marietta. The new store looks nice so far, they had only been open a matter of days, and I'm sure they are going to get even more business now that they are right on Powder Springs road near the square.

We had a mixture of things, I had their fruity French toast and hash browns. We got some desserts to go and of course got some Parisian macarons to go also.

They have all sorts of grocery type items behind the counter too. Brings back memories of studying abroad. Whilst there I noticed that among their homemade jams they have Confiture des Pirates. Very interesting. Pirate Jam=Rum & Fruit!

Sadly most of the rest of the day I was exhausted and then it rained all evening. So not much else to report. Bennet did enjoy having everyone at home and we cut our lilies for a bouquet. Smells so good!



Napping on the porch



Miss Cookie was being naughty and had to be retrieved from the road. Here she is getting a tour of the garden.

Miss Willow looks very comfortable in that shady spot.


Well we all enjoyed our day of freedom. What did you do to celebrate Independence Day?

Have a bright day!
b girl

...next time an adventure with Jane!

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Fourth of July so far! Unfortunately it is about to storm here, just heard a major clap of thunder and waiting for the rain to start. I'm comfy in my pjs and ready for some delicious food. Ribs, olive bread, squash casserole, and homemade banana pudding for dessert. Mmmmmm.

I hope you're all having things just as delicious and hopefully you're dry and get to see some great fireworks. Ohp! The rain just started falling from the sky.

Well we wish you a wonderful day of fun and good food.

Bennet is feeling patriotic and ready for some riblets himself!

Have a bright day!
b. girl

Summer Harvest

Where has this year gone so far!? I can't believe it's July but I'm excited about starting a new month. A month of renewel and the month of my birth!

Here at Gap in the Hedge we are excited about all the new flowers and plants in bloom and our fruit and vegetable gardens.

Our new blueberry bushes have been very fruitful and so great to go out in the mornings and pick berries for cereal. Yummy!

Our Casablanca Lilies just popped open this week and smell so deliciously fragrant. We'll be picking some for bouquets this weekend.

Adorable Coneflowers join the Lilies

Our Scuppernong and Muscadine grapes are plumping up also. We'll have lots this year.

The Yellow Pear tomatos are ripening up nicely. These will be great in a summer salad.

TONS of basil. I can't wait for some pesto and bruschetta!

A lone eggplant is just about ready to pluck. Eggplant Parm for one?

Our fig tree is getting big and we'll actually have lots of figs this year. Last year we had ONE.

After taking these pictures and clearing a little brush we discovered it's resident!

He was very interested in us.

Our blueberries would be delicious in a Fourth of July dessert! This is so pretty! Oh, Martha.

http://www.marthastewart.com/341913/vacherin-with-whipped-cream-and-mixed-be

What are you planning to cook this weekend? Doing anything fun to celebrate?

Have a wonderful 4th!

And as usual..have a bright day!

b. girl