A Rosy Note

Home & Garden

Freshening Up and Summer Fun

by

A bouquet of peonies and some pears in a bowl.

Hi everyone!! Oh, how I’ve missed you.

On the off chance you’ve been sitting around, wondering to yourself, “Gee, where’s Tricia?” let me tell you that my computer decided to quit working. And since I have a lame phone and no laptop, I’ve been in a state of limbo since my new computer arrived, which it finally did. Yay!!

Anyway, since I wasn’t spending time online, I freshened things up around my house a bit instead. I’d been keeping a watchful eye on my neighbor’s peonies…waiting…waiting…waiting for them to bloom so I could talk her out of a few. She happily obliged.  

I actually took more than a few. I filled a big bucket full of blooms for my living room and then once they started to fade, I thinned them out and moved them into the dining room. Oh, aren’t peonies such a pretty flower?!

Okay, just so I can pretend this cute photo of my son is somehow related to all the other pictures in this post, I’ll tell you that the window to the dining room is right there behind him. See? Now it fits in with all the others.

A boy holding a black cat

Oh, I added one new thing the dining room…our summer fun list. After I saw the one that Tara at Between You and Me made, I decided that we needed one too. My daughter sure loved that project. She was coming up with totally random things that had nothing to do with fun though…like that her brother couldn’t eat any apples. What? In her mind, he eats way too many apparently. A lot of the things on our list did seem to involve food. Doesn’t a s’more and picking fresh strawberries sound good?

peonies and pears
Well, people, that’s that.  Hope you’re having a stellar week!

 

xo

I’m sharing my post at:
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Tulla and Catie says

    I ♥ peonies! Unfortunately my peonies in the garden do not come into blossom, so I had to buy some…but it's worth it :-).
    I like your summer fun list, that is a good idea to motivate.
    Have a nice week,
    Barbara

    Reply

  8. Alice says

    Beautiful photos Tricia! I love peonies but have never grown any. When our kids were young we used to have a jar that held slips of paper for things to do–some involving work, and some just for fun. Otherwise the kids would lay around all summer. But now they are all grown with the youngest being 15 years old, and all she wants to do is hang out with friends.

    Reply

  9. Susan says

    So glad to see you back, Tricia! I love the peonies.

    I didn't know you had a son! I think that's the first picture I've seen of him 🙂 – I've seen your lovely daughter in a number of your posts, but this was a first!

    Your pictures are gorgeous, as always!

    Reply

  10. Vickie @ Ranger 911 says

    So glad you're back! I was missing your gorgeous photos and you didn't disappoint me today. I've got to plant some peonies in our yard. I left them behind at our old house and I think they were mowed over. Who does that?! Your sone is adorable holding the black cat, which ties in nicely with the black chalkboard. Now I've got to go back to look at your pretty pictures one more time. :@

    Reply

  16. Sylvia says

    Such a beautiful, positive and invigorating post, Tricia! I hope you feel the same way. Gorgeous photos and charming son 🙂 Good luck getting the activities on you summer fun list all done!

    Reply

  17. Butterbean Row says

    Beautiful peonies! Your photos are fantastic…next best thing to being there. I have peony envy. LOL The two corms that I planted have yet to be seen.

    I love that you included your handsome son in your post.

    All the best,

    ♥charlotte

    Reply

  26. Lisa Gordon says

    I was indeed wondering where you were!
    Ugh, computers! Isn't it amazing just how much we come to depend on these little things??

    Your dining room looks beautiful, and what a handsome young man your son is.

    I love the idea of a summer fun list. The kids must be so excited.

    Gorgeous photographs as always Tricia! xo.

    Reply

  27. hootnonny says

    Too bad about the computer, but isn't amazing what one can accomplish w/o it! The peonies are beautiful…I particularly like the little peony holding the cat!

    Reply

  29. Deanna says

    I think we could all get a lot done if we stayed away from our computer's for awhile. Look what you accomplished!! Those peonies are stunning, ours are long gone. You always have such lovely vignettes.

    Reply

  30. Amy Kinser says

    Your flowers are gorgeous. Your dining room is gorgeous. Your photos are gorgeous. Your son is totally handsome!

    We did a similar summer bucket list that I posted on a couple of posts ago. Such a fun project!

    Reply

  32. Liz - Imageremix says

    Well, you little break turned into a great post. I love that you worked in your son by the dining room window! What a cutie. I'm glad we got to see him. What a smile he has. A charmer for sure. All your images are intriguing. Such great photography! Hope you'll stop over and see me at Quirky Vistas. I'm following now.
    Liz

    Reply

  34. Ellie says

    You are right these peonies are really beautiful. What a nice neighbour you have :))
    Your home looks really nice – I love all of the white and lovely light you have there.
    So glad to hear you have a fully functioning computer again. Happy blogging :))

    Reply

  41. Fresh Vanilla For C says

    Hi Tricia~~ Your home is so beautiful and I just love all your photos. Those peonies are to die for. They dont grow here and they are one of my favs. They come to our market once a year and everyone is ready to grab them.
    Have a wonderful night and welcome back
    ~Cheryl

    Reply

  42. Keeping it Cozy says

    Every time I see your dining room it looks even lovelier! The peonies are gorgeous and I imagine the entire house smelled wonderful. What a darling picture of your son!

    Reply

  43. Tiffany says

    Beautiful Tricia….how about a trip to the new house to spruce things up for me:) Great to see a picture of your son and the sweet kitty! Hope your Summer is off to a great start.

    Tiffany

    No peonies in my new yard…just ordered a catalog to pick a few out:)

    Reply

  44. Heaven's Walk says

    Seeing your beautiful peonies make me miss mine soooo much, Tricia! I cut my last ones last week. 🙁 But it was a wonderful year for them and I had them in every room of this old house. ♥

    xoxo laurie

    Reply

  45. Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com says

    Oh I'm so glad you're back. I hope you were able to enjoy your technology break. Your home looks so pretty. I love your shelving unit in your dining room. Is that new? I want one, I just don't really have a place for one 🙁 Never apologize for adding sweet photos of your children. They always fit in. He looks like a sweetheart. Have a great weekend.

    Reply

  58. Mira Crisp says

    I love, love peonies! I wish I could grow one in my front yard but they don't seem to do well in Florida. Did I tell you recently how much I love your photos? They are wonderful!

    Reply

  59. BECKY says

    What absolutely lovely peonies! Your photos and styling are just divine, and your home is simply beautiful and so refreshing! Such a delight! I know it is a joy to you!
    Thank you for sharing your loveliness!
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Blessings,
    Becky

    Reply

  60. Rosemary Aubut says

    Oh how I love peonies! You have captured them so well! What a treat to visit here and experience such beauty! Thanks Tricia! Your son is so handsome! Have a great day!

    Reply

  63. Privet and Holly says

    Beautiful pics, Tricia,
    and I need to get a
    chalk marker as I do
    have a couple of chalk
    boards and I can never
    write that small with
    regular chalk. Your
    son is a cutie!!

    xo Suzanne

    Reply

  68. Georgianna says

    Hi Tricia! Well, this post and your beautiful photos are certainly adding fun to my list! The peonies are so perfect in your dining room – don't you wish you could have them all year? I wish I had such a neighbor, I must admit!

    Thanks again for stopping by and wishing you a lovely Sunday.

    xo

    Reply

  69. A Cozy Cottage in the City says

    Oh Tricia my dear! No matter how long I am away from blogland, your blog NEVER ceases to amaze me with your lovely photos and home whenever I stop in to visit!!! What can I say that I haven't already said…truly, truly BEAUTIFUL and inspiring! And I too have had "pretty pink peonies" on my mind. They were in my wedding bouquet when I got married in June, so whenever June comes around…I look for them at Trader Joe's bc unfortunately, I can't seem to grow them here! lol Anyway, you've now inspired me to have a vase full of these pretty blooms! Wishing you a lovely Father's Day weekend with your family!!!

    Hugs,
    Jessie

    Reply

  70. June says

    What a gorgeous post Tricia! As always, your photos make me swoon and seeing into your home is such a treat! Your home is amazing and when I get to see a new view I take it ALL in.
    I love peonies (as you know 🙂 and will be snapping away now that they are finally in bloom. I sure wish they bloomed at least twice a year.
    Your son is such a doll! I think his photo fits in more than perfectly.
    sending hugs…

    Reply

  77. Sandi says

    Beautiful photos of stunning peonies! I sure wish I had better luck growing them. I had ONE bloom this year. HA!
    Never heard of a chalk marker…you can write on a chalkboard with it?? Cool!!
    Blessings~

    Reply

  78. Dear Lillie says

    GORGEOUS peonies! How lucky you are to have such a generous neighbor =)…I want to move in nearby! I always love seeing shots of your dining room. And your son is adorable! Don't you just love those chalk markers? I have become addicted to them – haha!

    Reply

  79. Debra @ Common Ground says

    Hi Tricia! so many things to love, especially that chalkboard! But I have a thing for black kitties, so that's such a great shot with your son, black kitties and cute kids go with any post. So glad you joined in, I'll be featuring this post on Vintage Inspiration tomorrow, xoxo

    Reply

  80. Donna says

    I haven't been around much either…life does get in the way, doesn't it?!!Hahaaa
    LOVE Peonies and your Son is So handsome!
    Happy Wednesday!
    hughugs

    Reply

  82. jacqueline says

    Dearest sweet tricia, this is such a beautiful post and everything just make me smile!! I love all your gorgeous photo and also that really adorable photo of your son!! 🙂 Oh wow i love that Summer fun list in that gorgeous chalkboard!! LOVE LOVE LOVE. Happy summer sweet friend and love to you!

    Reply

  83. Cheryl says

    Your home is beautiful and I love all the WHITE…the pink is very pretty also. Peony's are my favorite spring flower so I'm with you on this one.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog…I'm just getting started and I really need to put more time into it. Time is what I'm lacking though…LOL
    Have a great day.

    Reply

  85. Cindy Garber Iverson says

    I LOVE peonies!!! You are so fortunate to have a neighbor that grows them! There's just something about them that's beyond the beauty of other flowers. And them look so fresh and summery in your gorgeous dining room. BTW your son is so handsome and the kitty is super cute.

    Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

    Reply

  86. Katherines Corner says

    I'm so very happy you are back. I'm swooning over these lovely images too. I planted peonies this year and we had three lovely blooms. I look forward to a full flowering bush of them.Computer stuff…yuck…glad things have worked out. I featured you on a post on Friday 🙂 xo P.S. the photo of your son and cat is precious too

    Reply

  87. Hayley says

    Love Peonies, they always make me think of my Mum because I remember how excited she was when the would bloom in our garden when I was a child.Your pictures are always so inspiring……….you should put together a coffee table book.I know it would always be on my coffee table xx

    Reply

  90. Lynda Naranjo says

    Love, love, love those peonies! I wish they lasted longer but they're beauty makes up for it. Loving your chalkboard and the summer fun list! Thanks for brightening my day, Tricia! xo

    Reply

  92. Between You and Me says

    I've been horrible at visiting this month….it's been all I can do to post halfway consistently…I guess that's what summer is all about!

    Thanks for the shout out…I pinned your summer list.
    Next on my list???? A chalk paint marker!!!!

    It looks so CRISP!

    Reply

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