Share Your Cup Thursday #11

Hi and welcome to Share Your Cup.  We have had a busy week here at our house.  Our fire pit is finished and we had a family wedding.

The gardens have received a lot of rain, but the sun came out and shone for Memorial Day.

Looking forward to seeing what you have to share this week.  I want to thank all of you who have faithfully been sharing with me each week and welcome the new friends.  You are sure making it hard for me to narrow my features down to just a few.  I just wanted to mention that there were a couple of links that I considered featuring, but they did not have a link back to ‘Share Your Cup’.

As much as I enjoyed their post, only those who link back to the party will be featured.  I don’t mean to sound cruel, just think it’s a respect thing.  I am sure it was not done intentionally.  Just over looked.

Now for this weeks fab features:

These first two features were ones that tugged at my heart strings.

Nicole from The Old Fashioned Housewife shared a few of her favorite things while on vacation.  One of them was she loved how her little one took to water.  Just look at that smile.  I will be doing a guest post on Nicole’s blog Thursday.  This all came about even before she knew I was featuring her.  Here is the link to my guest post. Touched by an Angel.  I would love if you would visit me and Nicole at her blog.

Zuni at Chickadee Home Nest shared this wonderful Memorial Day post.  This little one may have the wrong hand on her heart, but she certainly touches mine!

Chris from Perfectly Printed recovered this small ottoman.  Look how cute it is with her blue chair.

I love how Lady Farmers Garden took a barn display shelf that she had and turned it into a birdhouse.

Look at these sweet bottles created by Geneva from My Hearts Song

And last of all, I love all of Tracie from  Fishtail Cottage outdoor planters.  I have had a urn fetish for a while now.  She has some fabulous ones.  Tracie has a Garden linky party on Thursdays.  She would love for you to hop over and link up a garden post.

If you were featured, please grab my button.

Now I can’t wait to see what has filled your cup this week!

As usual, a few party rules:

1. I would love for you to be a follower of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

2. Link up a particular post and not your entire blog.

3. Please have a link back to this post. That way others will know where the party is. Feel free to grab my button on the sidebar if you’d like.

4. Please find time to visit at least a few other participants. Each week I discover new wonderful blogs.

Inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. . .

A few years ago hubby and I vacationed in N.C., S.C., and Virginia.  One of the highlights of the vacation was touring Colonial Williamsburg.

I loved the quaintness of the village and both hubby and I love history.

One of my favorite things were the rustic walkways and entrances. And of course, let’s not forget their garden shop.  Absolutely fabulous!

When trying to decide exactly what I wanted to do in our fire pit I happened upon this picture in yes, my favorite magazine; Country Gardens.  The article was actually about how the paths were created in Williamsburg. Made from old and broken pieces of brick.

Right then and there I was back in Williamsburg and knew that this is what I wanted to do.

I had planned on doing it myself.  With hubby’s help of course, but then my body had a different plan.  I tore the Meniscus in my right leg and knew that I would not be able to get down on my knees to do it.

This was a blessing in disguise.  I called a brick layer.  Yes, a brick layer, not a landscaper.  I thought he would have more of an eye for designing the brick.  Turned out I was right.  Sure hope I don’t fall over patting myself on the back. lol!

I showed him the picture and young 25 year old Jason was willing to give it a try.  He said he had never done anything like this, but how different could it be than building a hearth?

He was a little nervous at first and asked me to hang close by in case he did something I didn’t like.

I had gathered brick and a few pieces of flagstone from 4 places.  My friend Joyce, my sister Jeanne, cousin Betty, and roadside trash.  He began by laying a few of each brick here and there throughout the fire pit.  Close at hand ready for him to start his magic.  He said it was like, “building a puzzle”.

Wait till you see his creation. It’s exactly what I had invisioned!

I love the flagstone here and there and pop of yellow.  That brick came from an old fireplace.

My son that bought our Highland home called me and said, “Mom I found a brick you need to put in your fire pit.  Oh yes! This brick came off of the old Jr. High and was given to us at our 20th reunion.  Always true to the White and the Blue, GO VIKINGS!  If I didn’t have a bad knee I would do you a cheer.  Now that’s a scary thought.

For now I put in this bench that I already had for seating.  The faux log seats I bought at Smiths Marketplace.  What do you think, like them?  They have even smaller ones.  I thought of buying two for my 2  year old grandies‘

We will be trying out our new pit next Tuesday for hubby’s birthday, can’t wait!

I’d love to hear what you think about our new fire pit.  Jason did a fantastic job don’t you think?

Hugs,

Jann

I am so excited to say that Angie from Knick of Time featured my chicken feeder on her Knick of Time Tuesday Party.  Thank you Angie!  Please hop over and visit her and see the other wonderful features.  I am sharing my fire pit with her party this week.

I will also be sharing with:

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

Debbie Doos Copycat Challenge

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday

My Turn for Us for Freedom Fridays

Honoring those. . .

This Memorial Day weekend I would like to dedicate this post to those who served or are serving our country. . .

For those men and women who answered the call of duty from Uncle Sam. . .

Who left their homes and families. . .

As well as the comforts of their own beds. . .

Who traveled on land, air, and sea. . .

To fight for Liberty and Justice. . .

To defend our rights and freedom. . .

May it forever be recorded in history. . .

And for those that have passed on we will forever be grateful. . .

(my step father in his uniform on the bottom right)

For those who are still serving. . .

May we always leave a light on waiting for their return. . .

To them we will forever be indebted. . .

You are a reflection of a true hero!

God Bless America!

Pictures of the Pleasant Grove Cemetery where family members are buried.

 

Hugs,

Jann

I will be sharing with:

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Birthday Flowers. . .

I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date!  How could I forget Pink Saturday’s 4th birthday?

The Birthday party is now over, but I am sharing with Alison from Polohouse for Favorites on the First , Jennifer Rizzo's Garden Tour Party,, and Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday

Here are some flowers for you dear Pink.

Peonies

rose

Clematis

Foxgloves

Jupiters Beard

Bleeding Heart

Soapwart

Snapdragons

Sea Thrift

And last of all, Pinks!

I have only been sharing with Beverly and Pink Saturday for a year now.  so happy to have found her.

These pictures were taken this morning from my garden to say ‘Happy Birthday”!

No matter what shade, shape or form, PINK is just pretty!

Hugs,

Jann

Sharing my Pinks with:

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday's Fourth Birthday

If I have to weed. . .

If I have to weed, let it be in the herb garden!

This picture shows my shade garden with my herb garden starting beyond the tri color beech tree.

After all, weeding is ‘mint’ to be fun.

I really don’t mind weeding, just something about getting my hands into that dirt.

Hubby doesn’t share the same passion. And can’t quite understand mine.

Weeding in the herb garden is an aromatic experience.

Chives, Nepetia (catmint), Thyme, sage, and Comfrey all greet me with a wonderful scent.

I keep my mint in an old mop bucket to keep it from playing havoc in the garden.

Lemon Balm and Marjoram have almost completely buried my old hand plow.

Do you think my Rhubarb is a bit seedy?

Best get busy making a pie or cobbler don’t you think?

Hugs,

Jann

I will be sharing with:

Cozy Home Scenes for Cozy Home Party

Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Garden Party

Funky Junk Interiors for Unusual Containers