Monday, August 25, 2008

Stump Art

During winter we lost several trees to the soggy winter storms. We had one tree that came out from the bottom up which left us with a big ugly stump half out of the ground. Also at about that time I was reading on Ellis Hollow about people using stumps and making lovely artsy stuff out of them. I wish I would have kept the specific date and post he had about this. I apologize for not doing so. It was so long ago and my computer has since crashed so I have to tell you I don't have the exact information. But anyway... my Dearly Beloved and I were inspired to create something with our stump. As you can see it involved a load of soil.
Can you see anything yet?
Here is looking at you kid. Just goes to show what you can do with a little soil and a lot of inspiration.
We haven't named him yet. He certainly is a nice little surprise when you walk around the path toward the Casa. We have already surprised some friends that came to tea the other day. The back side of him doesn't look too bad either. Hopefully it won't be long before the ferns fill out in the back and the ivy at the bottom fills in. He sits in the middle of the new flower bed I made this summer. I will give you a better tour of it later.
Talk about some whimsey in the garden. He sure does fit the whimsical description. So every morning when I open the patio door curtains I will have this cheerful face to greet me. I hope he makes everyone smile as much as he makes me smile.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Casa Pantalla

Our old arbor had lived its life to the fullest and it was time for a big change. I have always wanted a screened area to be able to be out in the garden this time of year without being eaten alive or just other wise annoyed by bugs. So the opportunity has presented itself. We had to enlarge the brick floor and take down the rotten logs that held up the decorative parts of the arbor. Of course when it came to the brick floor the "we" part was only my Dearly Beloved that coaxed the miriad collection of bricks that I have accumulated over the years from several different sources into a suitable, strong base for the Screen House. Some of those sources included friends that gave up some of their precious stash for this project. Those dear friends know how thankful I am. I can't say thank you enough.
As to the brick floor,the existing part had to be torn up and leveled as well as enlarged. My Dearly Beloved out performed any expectation I had. Thank you, thank you a hundred times thank you Dear.
Our little Cassa Pantalla in the garden is appreciated by everyone in the family except Luna. She just isn't quite so sure it wasn't meant to keep her enclosed. She usually only wants inside if we happen to be eating there. This is the picture I took when we first tried to get her to enter. She was having none of it at first. She is slowly warming up to it. As I say a little food is a great persuasion for her.

I really wouldn't mind if she didn't go inside. She hasn't quite figured out that screen is all around. After all screen must be difficult for her to see as she ran through the patio door screen three times, which is why we gave up having a screen door on our patio doors.
A little more landscaping along with a few adjustments to some things and all will be paradise. Meet you at Casa Pantalla for a frozen Margurita anytime.
Thank goodness my computer is fixed. I missed reading everyones blogs. It will take me some time to get caught up on my reading and responding. I want to thank everyone for their comments of concern. I missed you all too. It is good to be back.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Another Surprise

The Ladies are back in town and I am happy to report they are fully dressed or at least they have their fancy hats on. It is always such fun to walk out into the garden and find that they have returned in all their spendor. What ever you want to call them 'Naked Ladies' or 'Surprise Lilies' they are fun to have in the garden. In early spring they send up this thick daylily like foilage which you can see on the left of the bottom photo just beyond the Iris foilage. It stays around for quite a while then dies back and I totally forget about their presence. Then like a few days ago I saw the sword like, naked stems popped up. I thought come one ladies, at least put your hats on, I see you blushing over there.They obliged me by popping on their hats. I think they are a fun addition to any garden. They will stay around now for some time before bedding down for the year. I hope you have some of these lovely visitors to your garden.



Friday, August 1, 2008

Garden Bloggers' Muse Day - August

Carolyn over at Sweet Garden and Home Chicago has started the poetry circle of Garden Bloggers' Muse Day. On the first day of the month. If a muse takes hold of you please join us by posting on your blog a poem and then go to Carolyn's blog and leave a comment so we can all enjoy your muse.

When I see this ocean of lavender monarda I am so entertained by all the bees, wasps, butterflies that are drawn to it as I am.
Emily Dickinson must have had such a muse. She always has something to say about most everything in the most interesting way...


South Winds jostle them-



Bumblebees come -



Hover - hesitate -



Drink, and are gone -






Butterflies pause



On their passage Cashemere -



I - softly plucking,



Present them here!

New Blogger, Old Blogger

     All I can say it is difficult to deal with change. This new Blogger format is not as user friendly in my opinion. I guess I will get us...