Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Peonies, Some Vintage Goodness, and a Surprise in the Mail!

Thanks to Claudia's Trader Joe's tip-off and inspiration, I now have this beautiful bouquet of pink peonies gracing my dining room table. I've never bought peonies before, and when I saw those beautiful flowers on Claudia's blog post, I just had to have some. They're so... feminine and sweet! And she was right-- they smell divine!
As the sun beamed through the window, they started to open up in minutes. I just love how frilly they are! Have any of you ever grown peonies? I think I'm in love with them. I would love to grow some. If you have any advise, please let me know!

Besides Claudia's inspiration, this is the other inspiration for the splurge-- these vintage table cloths. Don't you love the giant pompom trim? I do, but I've always felt it needed some kind of overlay, so when I was out shopping in the foothills this weekend I found this wonderful vintage tablecloth. I laid them out on the table, and looked around the house for something to put in the middle of the table. I think the peonies are perfect!
Okay, do these look like real cupcakes or what? (Okay, you'd never see a real cupcake shrink wrapped, but you know what I mean!) These arrived yesterday-- a wonderful surprise from my wonderful aunt, Alice! These cupcakes are actually bath fizzies-- they're amazing! I think they may be almost too cute to use... almost. It was so fun to receive such a random, sweet, happy surprise in the mail. Thank you so much, my dear Auntie Alice!
Hugs,

16 comments:

Claudia said...

So glad you bought some peonies! Aren't they incredible??? As far as growing them, I know many of them need a hard freeze in order to grow. There may be other kinds, like tree peonies, that can grow in your climate.

Love your tablecloth and I have some of those cupcake bath fizzies, too!
Your peonies are opening faster than mine!

xo
Claudia

Elyse said...

hi jill,

the post is packed with pretty! love the peonies, the tablecloth is awesome, and i thought the cupcakes were real! so sweet!

enjoy all of your treats, real & faux!

xo
elyse

Anonymous said...

The cupcakes made my mouth water and the peonies are stunning!

rosanna said...

I was certain that the cupcakes were real! I could never use them, just too cute. The peonies are beautiful. Enjoy them Rosanna

Anne said...

Spring 2009 {Vol 18, No2} Country Garden Magazine {BH&G} features an article on pg. 48 regarding Peonies grown in Iowa. Your local library may have back issues. Great pictorial for ideas, layouts, garden specimens, etc...

I noted the articles reference to EASY... Really depends on the gardners skills, ZONING... Check your e-mail for more, Jill. {wink}

Your cupcakes remind me of the RUBBER fruit most young children attempt to bite into. Ingenious person who developed these cute bath fizzies.

{-A-}

Gemma (Gempo) said...

I like more the cupcakes so real, and peonies beautiful the spring is here. Best wishes

Kathi said...

Beautiful!

Kim said...

Jill- your table setting is so beautiful! Love the vintage tablecloths, love the peonies, love the "cupcakes"- I thought they were real!!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Hi Jill! I just saw your post above mine on Claudia's and went to visit you. Your peonies are lovely, too! Really look nice on the table. My only advice is to let them have sunlight. We grew them in our last house (they were already there when we moved in) and I miss them so much! We had light pink and white. They were perfect!

The peonies also match your blog background! Anyway, best of luck with the flowers!

Jillian
Bella Rosa Antiques

Dogwood said...

I saw your blog on Mockingbird Hill Cottage and decided to come over. Oh, my...I am so glad I did. Your blog is absolutely wonderful. Your peonies are so pretty. Oh, yummy cupcake but I know they are bath fizzies.

I will be back...

suzitee said...

HI Jill! Love those peonies, I don't know that I have ever seen them IRL...must keep a lookout :) I too thought those cupcakes were real...they look delicious!

sophia said...

Wow, what a gorgeous tablescape! I must admit I usually never pay attention to such details myself...but just a few little touches makes such a diffference!

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Hi Jill,

Oh my! Those peonies are gorgeous! I have some in the yard, but haven't cut them to bring inside.
And the cupcake bath treats...so cute. :-)
What a lovely gift!

Kimberly

Teresa said...

Peonies are dreamy. Truly one of my favorites. They definitely need a cage...their heads are so heavy. Mine are filled with ants!!! so I hesitate to bring them inside. I just enjoy them in the garden.

C said...

Hi Jill, Yes peonies are wonderful AND easy to grow. We had them in our garden in Austria where it got to -20 degrees celsius in the mornings. And here is Ireland they still flourish. The only golden rule is never try to move them once planted. They really do not like being moved. Stake them early in the season and cut them back to 3" above the ground in late autumn!!

Love your photos. Gorgeous. Love, Carol :)

Kelee Katillac said...

Hi Jill!

Can not get over the color of the peonies! WOW!

And Hagrid did an amazing job on the giveaway!

I think he could work for Powerball!

Thanks for popping by and your blog is as cute as ever!

love, kelee