Sunflower Summer

This summer is flying by...Once 4th of July is over I like to pack away all of the patriotic decorations and move to sunflowers.  I love the change since all the red/white/blue has been up since the week before Memorial Day.  

The lantern above was a purchase from Aldi years ago...I used to have it on our screen patio, but decided to move it to the foyer.  I added the bow and sunflower for a little color and like the way it turned out.  It continues the theme of sunflowers on our front door - 

We keep the Ukrainian flag on our wreaths all the time until the terrible time is resolved, and it goes so well with the sunflowers, too.

I like to have something seasonal in the foyer to welcome guests - 

and thanks to a many bloggers who make printables available I can always find something that is seasonal to put in a frame.  This is a new frame that I found at Goodwill....very heavy and good quality.  I was using inexpensive frames that looked nice but would not stand up straight.

Simple white enamel pitcher with sunflower like flowers, my battery tapers, and a white ceramic ball from Dollar Tree.

These flowers are so pretty...the photo does not do them justice.  I bought them a few years ago at JoAnn Fabrics - they were expensive but on a rack for 75% off - and I love them.  They look very realistic and I don't have to water them!

Just a touch of sunflowers in the hutch - a plate from Dollar Tree and some Dollar Tree sunflowers in a coffee carafe I bought at the Pottery Barn outlet.

I switched out my wine bottle lamp for this little one from Target - I like the touch of black.  The tray is old - from Kohl's - and stays as a background all the time.  The little bowl and the mug that says "you're the bees knees" are from Dollar Tree.

Some sunflowers and bee items - plate from Dollar Tree, honey pot from Target Dollar Zone - and not sure where the ceramic lemon came from but it adds some color.

Sunflower bottle was a gift and when I found this wine with the sunflowers on the label I thought it was perfect.  Hah - I always joke that I buy wine by how pretty the label on the bottle is !

Some simple green balls, a plant  - both from Amazon - an old green candle and a little bird.  Just enough for our coffee table.

The beads and votive holder are from Dollar Tree.

All of the plants are faux as we get a lot of light, but not a lot of sun to help things grow.

Like to have a book open on the side table...most of the time it is open to Annabel Lee by Poe - I change it to The Raven in October!

Van Gogh sunflowers pillow - we picked up this cover when we went to the Van Gogh Experience a few years ago.

Found five of these sunflower chargers on a big sale at Hobby Lobby a few years ago, so I use one as a table decoration on the porch.

And a sunflower pillow from JoAnn Fabrics many years ago brings the sunflower feeling to the porch.  This is where I am heading with my cuppa tea when I finish this post.  Love sitting out on the patio and reading a good book.

All of this sunflower stuff will stay out until Labor Day...then I will add in a few fall leaves until it is time for a full autumn decor.  I have been trying to discard items I am not using and pare down all of my seasonal decorations.  Not having too much success with that - but trying to simplify.

How about you?  Do you decorate for each holiday/season?  Have you simplified any of your decorations?  I would love to hear from you - please leave a comment below!

Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista - have a fabulous day!

 

History Road Trip

We recently returned from a road trip to visit several Civil War Battlefields.  Despite the hot weather we had a wonderful time and learned SO much!

We checked into Inn Boonboro - a wonderful place not far from the Antietam Battlefield.

Maybe you have read the Nora Roberts novels about the Inn?

I did, several years ago - we visited once and I knew we had to return!

Nora Roberts, New York Times bestselling author and a longtime resident of nearby Keedysville, watched the slow demise of The Boone Hotel and mourned the decline of the dignified old building. Each room would bear the names of literary lovers – who found their happy endings. The list included Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice; Jane and Rochester from Jane Eyre; Marguerite and Percy from The Scarlet Pimpernel; Titania and Oberon from A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man; and Roberts’ own Eve and Roarke from her JD Robb In Death series. Each guest room would reflect the style of the story’s era.

We stayed in the Jane and Rochester room this time and it was fabulous!

Lovely bed...thank goodness for the step stool to get in!

We did not need the fireplace, but it was lovely.

The framed doilies were belonged to Nora's mother.

Fresh flower arrangements in each room and all over the Inn.

Bathroom was AMAZING...

Deep tub, robes, slippers, and bath products with special scents for each room...

and a "magic toilet" !

A journal for the room, chocolates too!

Each evening there is a wine and and snack reception - we met new friends and chatted for a long time before heading out to dinner.  Two restaurants nearby made it very convenient. 

Breakfast was served in the dining room...

I loved this chandelier!

Fruit and yogurt to start...

then an omelet and croissant - and coffee.  And each room has it's own special blend of tea, too.  During there day there are cookies and scones and cold drinks available, too.

After a hearty breakfast we headed out to Antietam - 

The Park Ranger talk was a good overview of the terrible battle.

Then we took a driving tour of the battlefield - 

Such a bloody battle over the now peaceful farm land.

We headed back to Boonsboro and the Turn the Page Bookstore...where I bought the first in the JD Robb series...

Another great happy hour

then across the street for margaritas...

and shrimp fajitas!

After another great breakfast we headed out to Harper's Ferry to explore and learn about John Brown's raid.

A beautiful spot

and lots of history. 

Headed out for Haymarket, Virginia - the next Inn and the Manassas Battlefields -  

but somewhere along the way our left rear tire started to lose air and the pressure kept going down.  We were on back roads and could not find a gas station with air quickly - so we stopped at a Fire Station, they directed us to a garage...who put in air but could not fix the tire.  The air got us to another garage - which only worked on 4x4 vehicles, but put in MORE air and directed us to a tire repair place.  The GPS got us there, but they were filled with work and could not take us...so MORE AIR until we finally got to Ron's Used Tires.  The guys there were so nice - saw that we picked up a nail or some metal and patched our tire - we were on our way!

The Inn at Evergreen was so nice !

Built in 1827 it was the perfect place to explore the area because the owners fought in the Battle of Manassas - and the house was used as a hospital after the battle.

A large, airy room - and I loved this chair.

Nice bathroom...but no "magic toilet'!

The Inn is located on the Evergreen Country Club so we ate dinner at the club restaurant -

Delicious!

We arrived in time to tour the Visitor Center before a Battle Walk with a guide.

So moving to see the faces of the men  - many young boys - who fought there...

This man was from a town not far from us and he perished in the battle.

This sign made me smile as I remember the many Field Trips I helped chaperone in my career and the trouble wrangling students out of the gift shops!

Our guide for the First Battle of Manassas was an intern from Gettysburg College and she was FABULOUS.  She really brought the battle to life as we walked across the fields...

We watched the film about the two battles in the Visitor Center and our Inn - and our room - were filmed as the hospital scenes.

After some snacks we took another Battle Walk for the Second Manassas ...

Statue of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson - Manassas is where he got the nickname - ""There stands Jackson like a stone wall" 

This battle also raged over several miles, so we drove to the other sites...

Including another stone house that was used as a hospital...soldiers carved their names in the floor as they waited to be treated...

this young soldier was only 17 and did not survive!

Very moving to see these names there so many years later!

It was a very interesting, but long and hot day - luckily the pool at the Inn was open and we had a refreshing swim before dinner.

And got to enjoy a wonderful fireworks show from the back porch of the Inn!

4th of July had us leaving Virginia for Gettysburg, PA

We stayed close to battlefield at The Inn at Herr Ridge 

After the last two places we stayed this was VERY historical, but not as luxurious.

Breakfast the next morning was lovely...

and we were fueled up to take on Gettysburg!

The Visitor Center film and museum are so interesting...and the restored Cyclorama ( no photos allowed ) gives a great overview of the battle.

This time we took a 2 hour bus two with a licensed Battle Field Guide because it was a very hot day.  Here we are looking out at the battlefield from the Confederate view on the day of Pickett's Charge.

Wow - Our Inn was mentioned on the battle plaque.  We had heard it was also used as a hospital and that the place was haunted.  We did not hear or see anything...but in the room journal some guests did!

Wise words...then, and now.

After the battle tour and a quick nap back at the Inn we headed to the Gettysburg National Cemetery for a walk with another Park Ranger - She did an amazing job of explaining the overwhelming job of the aftermath of the battle and Lincoln's visit and famous address. She did a great job of walking us all over the cemetery and stopping a various graves to tell the story of the person who was buried there...reading from their letters and diaries.

We quickly headed over to the Pennsylvania monument - here is John Reynolds from Lancaster, PA - killed on the first day of battle - 

and got ready for 100 Nights of Taps.  Each night from Memorial Day to Labor Day a volunteer plays taps to honor a soldier who died at Gettysburg.

After a long, hot day we ran into these Confederate soldiers who recommended the Irish Pub we were heading to...

Peach Bourbon Sweet Iced Tea - hit the spot !

We enjoyed fish and chips - 

Sweet apple pie to end the day...

and a walk around Gettysburg to enjoy the evening.

It was a wonderful trip and we learned so much!  Now we are thinking of other historical places to visit and on the look out of some more great inns!  Any ideas?  Do you enjoy history?  Road Trips?

I'd love to hear about your adventures - please leave a comment below because I really enjoy hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista !