The color purple. . . . . . . . . .

At the weekend I carried home bunches of purple stock, white daisies, and some

smokey greenery, all from Trader Joe's and less than $10.00 total. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . bringing loveliness to the dining room table.

I added stems of dill flowers from the garden - the perfumes mingle gently

 and the colors are cool and refreshing on these sticky, humid August days.

Summertime in the south, especially the month of August, you just have to

 grin and bear it knowing that Autumn can't be too far away.

Did you see that purple is becoming the 'it' color in decor - yes purple is definitely

 in the air. I do love the cooler purple hues, such as a deep periwinkle blue-purple,

 rather than the warmer shades such as fig with more red - and of course 

true blue-black aubergine purple is always my favorite.

Flower power. . . . . . . .

For a pretty weekend display on the dining room table I was able to keep some 

of last week's Trader Joe 'wildflowers', also a few of my garden tulips from the previous

arrangement.

A quick stop at Trader Joe's on Friday found me battling a 

small crowd in the floral department for these amazing sweet smelling

 purple stock. I love these flowers but, unfortunately, have never been able 

to grow them successfully here in Summer because it's too hot. They require 

temperatures below 65F.

 This beautiful bunch of five stems of stock was just $2.99!

I then cut a few more of my double tulips and a tall spray of variegated

privet to finish the arrangement.

I know many of you do not have a Trader Joe's nearby - but hopefully

you will some day! Their flowers are so wonderful - always fresh and reasonably

 priced. One of the employees told me they actually have professional florists buy

 flowers daily from the shop for their own arrangements.

I do love to have fresh flowers in the cottage.

This Spring I'm enjoying mixing some from my garden with others from the store.

Good news:  The predicted below freezing temperatures did arrive 

overnight BUT thankfully all in the garden looks unharmed this morning.

Perhaps the brilliant sunshine from around 7 AM assisted in warming

the chilly air and saved the blooms and buds from damage.

Hope your area is now welcoming Spring in all its glory.