a sunflower garden . . . and end-of-Summer zinnias

The little ones and I wrote an "end-of-Summer bucket list" . . . a list of things that we all want to do before school starts in early September.

Our list is simple . . . and includes things like . . .

decorate small frames with the seashells that we found at the beach a few weeks ago

stroll on the pier with corn dogs and lemonade (done!)

plant sunflowers (done!)

make fresh strawberry lemonade (done!)

and enjoy hot cocoa on the beach at sunset

It was our oldest daughter who asked if we could plant sunflowers.  They're her favorite flower . . . so it makes me happy to think that we could have a sunflower garden for her to admire into Fall.

Knowing that it's a little late in the season to plant them, I thought we would get a jump on this item first.

I'm so glad that we did, because we searched and searched for sunflower seeds . . . and had a difficult time finding any. We finally found 1 packet (the last one!) at Home Depot. The packet actually contained 4 varieties of sunflowers, which was perfect.

Everyone was able to pick their favorite sunflower (including me), which made this task even more fun.

The little ones and I prepped the dirt near the back fence with new soil and flower food, in hopes of giving these seeds a fighting chance.

They patiently helped . . . and LOVED dropping their seeds in the 20+ holes that I made for them.

We planted the seeds based on their height, in hopes that the sunflower garden will appear more lush and colorful.

While shopping for sunflower seeds, I found these beautiful zinnias!

Their colors remind me of the end-of-Summer, EARLY Fall. I've planted several around out patio and back yard . . . and just adore them.

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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end of Summer harvest table . . .

It' so hard to believe that it's already September.

In a few short weeks we will welcome Fall . . . and its humble beauty and cooler temperatures (hopefully!). 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I embrace the end-of-Summer.

For me, my thoughts naturally fall towards a time of harvesting . . . vegetables, like eggplant, asparagus, yellow squash, and zucchini . . . and fruits, like berries, apples, pears, and plums.

I dream of simple, delicious meals . . . and desserts.

Sunflowers.

Apples. Beautiful apples.

I make plenty of salads through the end of Summer.

And along the way, I discovered dandelion greens.

I add them to our salads for their unique flavor and health benefits.

 

Eggplants . . . Summer's most beautiful purple fruit.

Did you know that they come in all sizes, shapes, and colors?

The smaller eggplant (seen below) is called Italian Eggplant. 

I love to slice them in discs, and then bread and bake them. They are wonderful added to pasta dishes, and atop salads (instead of croutons)!

Hello, strawberries!

                    Our kids LOVE them!

I buy up to 5 baskets every week, year round. 

I will share, however, that they are best in the Summer . . . and the most affordable at the end-of-Summer (smile).

Ahhhhh . . . . asparagus.

I tried it for the first time last Summer in a beautiful ribbon salad.

Since then, I've ventured into new asparagus dishes.

My favorite way to prepare them is simply sauteing them in olive oil  . . . and then dressing them with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and shaved Parmesan. So light and delicious.

Aren't they beautiful?

Stone fruits, like yellow & red plums and peaches have been exceptionally sweet this year. 

What a treat!

Each season brings forth its own unique fruits and vegetables.

And although I'm excited for the variety of squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes brought by Fall,        

I am so grateful for the bounty brought by Summer . . . and its end.

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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end of Summer inspirations . . .

The end-of-Summer is the one time of year when our home decor "unwinds" from colorful and vibrant . . . and shifts to soft neutrals.

It's a peaceful way for me to transition our home into Fall decor in September and October.

I love cotton boles. They are incredibly beautiful, especially in the Fall when paired with pumpkins, berry twigs, and other natural elements.

I bought this stunning wreath while on vacation with my mom and sister here.

White hydrangeas are always a part of my decor, any time of year. 

                   They are my year-round favorite flower!

I have seasonal favorites too . . . like Black-Eyed Susans and sunflowers ~ July through November. 

I especially love sunflowers throughout Summer, especially at the end-of-Summer.

Their golden hues are a warm welcome for Fall, one of my favorite seasons. 

 

There are even simple desserts, like a slice of warm Butter Poundcake and fresh sliced peaches, 

that seem to taste the best at the end of a long Summer season.

Towards the end of Summer, I tend to decorate our family room, dining room, and kitchen in more neutral hues.

I carefully pack away my bright and vibrant Summer colors and patterns, and exchange them for . . . beige, grey, and whites.

I find that this soft and muted canvas allows me to 'dream of Fall,' and all its beauty.

For me, it's a peaceful and pleasant way to transition into a new season.

       

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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Do you do anything special to prepare your home

for a new season?

Summer inspirations . . .

Summer is a quiet season for our family.

For us, it's about . . . relaxed and lazy evenings and weekends, simple and fresh dinners ~ al fresco, feasting on an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, spur-of-the-moment trips to the beach, and long, leisurely visits with friends and family.

Our home takes on an equally relaxed feel.

 

Last Summer our home was filled with cool greens and blues . . . 

                   and this Summer its about navy blues, warm reds, yellows, and cool whites. 

~ easy-to-make Summer bunting ~

If you follow my blog, then you've probably noticed that Chevron prints have made their way to our dining room table quite often. Like here and here.

Although I fell in love with this navy blue and white Chevron print, I wanted to pair it with a simple, warm-colored fabric.

So, I trimmed a basic burlap with burlap trim for a table cover . . . and then made a simple runner with the navy blue and white chevron print fabric.

What I love most about this combination is that it's OLD meets NEW . . . 

                    warm, old-time burlap meets new, modern Chevron. I quite like it!  

 

 

My mom bought me this beautiful blue and white pitcher 20+ years ago while antique shopping in a small town in Kansas. 

It typically finds a special place in my decor during the Summer months. 

Whether brimming with vibrant flowers, or filled with sweet lemonade, it's a charming beauty. 

I love that it came from an antique store deep in the country. If it could speak, I'm sure it would have many stories to share.  

I wrote in my July inspirations post, that daisies and sunflowers always remind me of Summer, so they tend to find their way in bouquets around our home June through September.

I love the whimsy, fun-feel of daisies . . . the bright sunshine-feel of sunflowers, and the formality of white hydrangeas. 

White hydrangeas can dress up a simple daisy and sunflower bouquet, beautifully.

Ahhhh, lemons . . . (lemon zest, in particular) 

They find their way into many of my Summer-inspired recipes, sweet and savory.

    Lemon zest adds vibrancy to dishes. 

So you'll typically find 2-4 lemons on my kitchen counter at all times, especially through the Summer months.

Staple flowers in my home, no matter what the season, are white hydrangeas. 

You'll find them in bouquets around our home, year round!  

~ photos from our family room ~

 

Fresh herbs are often a part of my Summer decor too. Farmer's Markets sell huge bunches of them for 25 cents!

They're so green and full and lush . . . perfect little bouquets, so why not buy your favorite ones and display them on your counter-top!?!

I think that displaying them is not only attractive, but they serve as a reminder to add them to your dishes. 

Did you know that you transform an "A" dish to an "A+" by just adding fresh herbs on top!? It's really that simple.

Well friends, that's about it for now. I hope you're enjoying your Summer.

            Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you come back again soon.

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