Decorating at Wallace House



Wallace House

One of the fun events my Garden Club participates in each year is Christmas decorating at Wallace House.  It is the home of the President of Francis Marion University and  Garden Clubs from the area gather early in December and decorate a room or area.  My club was fortunate enough to be able to work in the dining room. 

This year we used an inspiration photo from last year's White House Christmas Magazine for our centerpieces and we made two for each end of the large banquet sized table.

They turned out gorgeous and will serve wonderfully through out the Christmas season for all the festivities that go on at Wallace House.  We used only live greenery and fresh fruits to work with the atmosphere and period of the house.

We added a silver bowl of greenery and fruit on the sideboard.

It just reflects beautifully off the silver tea set and mirror. 

My favorite arrangement has to be this one! Actually we created 2 of these beauties to nestle on top of the corner china cabinets. This arrangement is so reflective of South Carolina with the use of the palm fronds (we are the Palmetto State!), magnolia leaves and blooms surrounding a pineapple (representing hospitality) and a liberal ring of Spanish Moss in a silver bowl.  It is speaks my South Carolina love language.

This is a gorgeous arrangement made by one of our talented members. She stacked cake plates and then used fruits, magnolia leaves, boxwood and cranberries to complete it. I just love the use of fresh fruits and greenery in decorating.  The greenery was all gathered from the campus of Francis Marion University. 

Hydrangeas and Where Have I Been?

I can't believe it has been over 2 weeks since I last updated!  Where is the time going???  As is our norm, when May arrives it seems my family kicks into over drive in the busyness department.  Between baseball, Spring football practices, end of the year school programs, The Taste of the Symphony (which I will share more about in another post!) and all the yard work that we find ourselves doing it seems to be our busiest time of the year...yes, even busier than November & December! 

So, for a quick post I wanted to show you my hydrangeas! 

They are putting on quite a show this year.

I am enjoying them in the yard and filling vases inside as well. 

Last week my Garden Club celebrated the end of our year with our Annual Garden Hat Luncheon.  As is tradition, we all create a hat or corsage using fresh flowers to wear.  This is a peek at mine (yes, it was quite difficult to take a photo of my hat, while wearing it by myself!!!)

I used peonies (my favorite!)

The Garden Club Luncheon!

Today was the end of the year luncheon for our little Garden Club.  The theme included wearing floral hats (no "fascinators" in this group!)  Most of the girls created their own floral arrangements for their hats from the offerings in their own gardens!  The food was delicious and the lunch was held in the pool house of one of our sweet members which was the perfect setting.



Love those Garden Club Girls!



My sweet neighbor, Joyce and her sassy orange attire!



Moi!

What a fun day!

The Garden Club Luncheon!

Today was the end of the year luncheon for our little Garden Club.  The theme included wearing floral hats (no "fascinators" in this group!)  Most of the girls created their own floral arrangements for their hats from the offerings in their own gardens!  The food was delicious and the lunch was held in the pool house of one of our sweet members which was the perfect setting.



Love those Garden Club Girls!



My sweet neighbor, Joyce and her sassy orange attire!



Moi!

What a fun day!

Moore Farms Garden Tour

On Wednesday, my Garden Club was given a tour of Moore Farms in Lake City, South Carolina.  Trust me when I say there were literally 1000s of photos I could have taken and we had the most perfect Spring Day for the tour.  Moore gardens are a private botanical garden which is filled with established plants that thrive in South Carolina and also serve as a study program for students.  Check out their website for a great plant database, complete with photos.


Native Azaleas.  What we have come to generally know as azaleas are not natives but imported plants.



Amaryllis, yes...here in SC they do thrive outdoors!

False Indigo

I love iris!

Old fashioned roses, I have to add some of these to my yard!

Is there anything more beautiful that a field of daisies?

These beautiful glass orbs hang in the loft of the Spring House, which is complete with thatched roof!

Fence designed with sticks found around the property

The perfect setting for a visit with friends.

Tobacco!  It is used in their annual borders for its beautiful blooms...who knew?

I am seeing a birdhouse in my future...yes, I am!

After the tour, we had a wonderful lunch at Foodscapes, located at the very not big airport in Lake City!  It was wonderful and I can't wait to go back.  I had the best chicken salad I have had in ages followed by an Almond Joy Cookie!  Not to mention the amazing Collard Green Dip served with Pita Bread...yum!

To see the entire album of photos click here: 

Moore Farm Garden Tour 2011