Oregon Grape, Mystery Flower & Corn Dishes

Hello there, thanks for stopping by!  We have had 2 nice days.. so I went out to see how our garden was coming along.  Our State Flower is "Oregon Grape" - here it is below in bloom.  The leaves are so much like a Holly - but these stay in shrub size and in Spring have these bright yellow flower clusters.

A close up of the flower clusters.

Then I noticed the arrival of these adorable tiny flowers but I have no idea what they are.  Anyone?  They're about the size of a little finger nail.  So pretty and they're all throughout the grass.  I'm sure that people who pride themselves on their manicured lawns would be horrified at these blooming in the grass, but I just love them.

 Below is our lemon mint (or is it Lemon Verbena?) coming up along with the yellow irises here.

I think you're noticing a theme -- our garden is wild as a March hare!! :-)

Above is our rickety old arbor that needs replaced framing my stand of black bamboo.

The red azalea will burst open soon!

The Trilliums are turning lavender and get quite purple before they're done flowering.

My beloved white lilac that I planted right beside the white azalea, this will be it's best year for flowering as I've only had it in the ground for 4 years or so.  I also have lavender lilacs and dark purple.

I took these photos the other day when the late afternoon light was illuminating the living room.  On the right is my antique oak secretary and on the left is Dayle's mother's beloved china cabinet that her husband surprised her with on an anniversary - it was an antique even then.  I've filled it with my collection of Shawnee King Corn pottery collection.  Have you ever seen this design?  

I have most of the collection, but not the cookie jar or tea cups.  The calico teapot was my grandmother's.  See the little individual casseroles below?  Those are rare.  And the corn "rollers" where you put your ear of corn and roll it in butter?  I have 3 sets of the nesting mixing bowls.  I know, a bit obsessed I am. :-) 

Want to hear the story of why I have so many pieces of corn ware?  Well... my mom had one piece, the large casserole, and she'd tell each of her 3 daughters, hmmm which of you should I give this to?  But she never gave it to any of us!  So, I was visiting her sister in Oklahoma and told my aunt of mom and her teasing us with the one dish - so my Aunt Susie said - we'll fix that! And off she took me to an antique store and right there was a corn casserole.  So, I bought it and brought it home - and that started my obsession and my collection has grown to where it is today. :-)

Above is our mantel... we are sailors and so I've collected some seafaring things such as the old brass ship's lanterns - they really light!  And the print is by "Captain Lars" a nautical artist.  I've enjoyed seeing other blogger's mantels so thought I'd share ours with you.

I hope you've enjoyed visiting the farm today.. can't wait until the lilacs bloom!!  And thanks again for the lovely comments, they just make my day.  ((hugs)) Teresa