A Carpet of Snow in December

Drifts of snow white blanket the cottage garden in December. On a sunny winter day, the few remaining pollinators buzz among the blossoms. So far undaunted by frost, Sweet Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow' still flourishes.The honey fragrance of the blooms makes it nearly impossible to resist picking a stem to deeply inhale the scent. Braving the cold morning, I snapped a few photos of the alyssum, just before the sun warmed up the garden.

Sweet Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow'
(8:00 am, December 3, 2011)

Alyssum with burgundy leaves of loropetalum.
(December 3, 2011)

I sow seeds the tiny seeds of Sweet Alyssum (lobularia maritima) from October through March. Known as a cool climate annual, the small investment in seeds was worth the effort here in zone 7b of North Carolina.My cottage garden is a micro-climate more like zone 8a.

The alyssum patches spread remarkably wider in 2011 compared to 2010 and I believe this is due to some self-sowing.  The height is relatively low, less than twelve inches. Beginning in April, the fresh and new alyssum sprouts bloom and they gradually spread over the next few months.

The focus of my mass plantings is an edge of the cottage garden path that is seldom seen until September. The heaviest blooms crank up from September until...we shall see!

During the hottest, scorching months, I grow taller annuals and perennials to shade the south side of alyssum. The blooms take a break on the hottest days, but the foliage is still lush until re-bloom. I've found the annual to be remarkably drought-tolerant and rabbit resistant. Given that the rabbits haven't touched the alyssum, I've sown seeds outside the fence in deer territory. I'm optimistic that the annual will be deer resistant.

I am so enamored by alyssum that I have already sown seeds in a new cottage garden bed that is based upon white with nandina 'Alba', phlox 'David' and a few other favorites.

Alyssum is the perfect plant for hiding the stems and ankles of taller plants. I've given thought to growing this versatile annual in so many spots! It is a wonderful companion for annual dianthus and verbena 'Imagination' as both are still blooming on this December morning.

With the low cost of seeds, the many months of blooms, fragrant scent and food for pollinators, Sweet Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow' has earned a permanent place in my garden.

Annual dianthus, verbena 'Imagination' as companions.
(September 2011)

Alyssum and tender perennial/annual salvia 'Victoria'.
(August 2011)

Alyssum blooms are fewer and smaller in the heat of July.

In the beginning.
The first white blooms of Sweet Alyssum in May 2011.
(Lower left hand corner)

Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. Deer and rabbit resistance varies based upon the animal population and availability of food. All company or product or patented names mentioned are registered trademarks, copyrights, or patents owned by those respective companies or persons.

The most beautiful fairytale in the world Part II

Good morning, to all my fellow "believers in make believe and fantasy worlds that really might exist"
If you are just now joining us and didn't see part I you must click here to be taken to part I and understand just how this journey came to be, by reading part I you can catch up with us here!
OK, so if you remember correctly, we last left off by you having  select from one of two uber charming and picture perfect "cottages" (cottage being a very relative word). So now that you are settling into your cozy cottage that you will have to be forcibly removed from a the end of the weekend, you decide to change into something more comfortable and are meeting the girls in 15 minutes for the next adventure, of which you have no idea what it is! You cannot imagine anything beyond what you have already seen but are more than willing to see what lies ahead. Dressed more casually, the small group of old friends reconvene near the barn where the horses are kept, where a lovely table has been set up for afternoon coffee and tea. Leave it up to ______________(your friends name). No stone has been unturned!

Where there are a bevy of pastries and coffees and teas to delight every palette....

Soon after you have had a chance to catch your breath amidst much reminiscing with your gal pals, _________________(your hostess with the mostest) suggests you all go for a ride through the countryside.....I am in! The stables are like none other that you have seen.......

As charming and beautiful as you have dreamt of your own house being....

Before long your mount is all saddled up and you are ready!!

My horse, Pride was a real beauty.....a former dressage champion!

The journey begins...friends under the warm afternoon sun without a care in the world

We frolicked through acres and acres of magnificent perfect green meadows and open fields.....it was truly a dream, the landscape made my heart beat faster....

After a few hours of horseback, laughter and reminiscing with each other of days of our youth and innocence, we decided it was time to head back where lunch awaited us, everyone was famished!

___________________(friends name) then told us to not fear, she had a small table of  "various tidbits" to hold us over until lunch was done being set up in the forest! Somehow at this point, even this amazingly well thought out gesture did not surprise me, I was in a dream and anything was possible. What I saw before me was right out of a child's fairytale......

Soon after,  we spotted the elegantly rustic table setting under a canopy of lush green trees that  awaited our voracious appetites....we dug right in!

The elegant tea sandwiches were scrumptious!

As were the beautiful jewel like "mini cakes" that were presented to us for dessert!

Soon it was nearly late afternoon, we couldn't believe we had spent most of the day riding without a care in the world and eating a feast of kings under the canopy of the green lush forest, it was time to head back to take showers and change...so off we trodded towards "home"

Before long we arrived to each of our guest houses and proceeded to enjoy the luxurious bubble bath that awaited us and did I mention a glass of champagne had so thoughtfully be put out by the tub? Boy she really thought of everything!

I loved that beautiful fragrant fresh flowers adorned the bath and a luxurious array of the best French toiletries were laid out for our use....and don't even get me started on the candles and orchids!!

Soon after we were advised to sit back, relax and enjoy a little television in bed or a quite hour to read, this 'alone' time was the perfect reprise after a long but enjoyable day....I spotted the pretty chaise in the corner and decided to start my new book

We were asked to be ready to be up at the main house at 7 for cocktails and dinner....

I reached for my pretty pale pink party dress and changed feeling very excited and anxious about what I knew would be a magical evening ahead of us! Off I ran to meet the others....

I met up with the others  as we were taken via an old fashioned wagon to the main house....

I loved our transportation !

Once again my breath was taken away upon seeing the main house once again...a vision that I had to sure I was really seeing....so I pinched myself to be sure! 

Soon after we greeted each other we were led inside where the magnificence of the main foyer made us gasp......the beauty was that astounding.

  To be continued..........have a beautiful Saturday!

A Flashback

Hello everyone,

     I was going through some of my outdoor shots from last winter and picked out some of my favorites to share with you. We do not have any snow here now as it has been very mild, and  what we did have, is all gone.

The is our front porch last year.

This is putting me in the mood for some snow,how about you?

I am joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound today and also The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Carolyn

Giving Meaningful Holiday Gifts

My family has always been heavily invested in giving gifts at Christmas. It's the biggest outlay of cash we spend all year long. The gifts themselves are sometimes practical, occasionally silly and always carefully planned to please. Finding the right present and watching the happy reaction when it's opened is pretty darned satisfying, even if it can get pricy. I have to admit that in the past

Sparkle and Glitter

Last month, mini pumpkins and fall leaves.  This month pine branches and glittery ornaments.

Today...

Last month....

Simple, easy decorating.  My favorite kind.

Welcome Home,

Penny

Christmas Fluffing

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....every where you go...

Is it looking like Christmas at your house?

Welcome Home,

Penny

A Scottish Flair and Cottage of the Month!!!

Hello and welcome to you all! It is an exciting day for me as our home and cottage are the December Cottage of the Month this month and I have been getting lots of new visitors today from Jennifer's feature at The Old Painted Cottage-I am sure that most of you already know her! You can click here to check it out.

I gathered up some of my tartans today to give you a little Scottish Flair .My husband's grandparents came from Scotland to Prince Edward Island almost one hundred years ago.

I am looking forward to donning those old skates and going skating on our pond-but I will have to wait until it freezes first!

Scottish oat cakes with raisins in my tartan cookie pail.

A Scottish santa wearing his tartan coat.

A Father Christmas that I framed from a Christmas gift bag from Hallmark a few years ago.

I love the tartan bag with 4 charming Father Christmas's.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and if you have time be sure to check out The Cottage of the Month -I am so honored to be featured!
I am joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday and My Romantic Home for Show & Tell again today.
Have a wonderful day!

Carolyn