Painted Patio Rug!

Now that it's done

I can say,


"It's really pretty but,

Oh my aching back!"

I painted this 'rug' directly on the concrete!

My House & Gardens ~ Part I

I know for my followers that it seems as if I have fallen off the face of the Earth.

I promise you that I am still here and feeling a bit guilty for not posting.

So what have I been doing?

I have been spending as much time as possible with my new granddaughter...


and doing a ton of my favorite thing...YardWork!

Can you believe that I love it? Well it shows and I thought I would share the front yard with you first, then in Part II, I will share the back.

The Re-Roofing of my Cupola

Remember seeing this beauty?

Well, two things happened.

Glimpse of my patio and yard

It has been brought to my attention that you have not seen much of my yard and gardens this summer.

 
 So with that in mind, you can get a glimpse of the yard while I am showing you our new patio furniture.

From Fountain to Pond

Remember this homemade bubbler fountain,

 right off our back patio?...

I made it by sinking a huge plastic tote in the ground, covering it with three barbecue grill grates and topping it off with rock and a rock-looking fiberglass form. 

For the love of pavers!

When something gets in

 my Hubby's head,

It's got to be done!

Whatever IT is!!

He has an attraction to old street pavers...

Lavender Harvest

If you are like me, you love the smell of Lavender! I have one plant that has grown very large next to my driveway...

I cut it back and get loads of this...

Garden Whimsy & Fairy Garden

Sit back and enjoy a bit of my 2013 garden whimsy!

Hen in the work boots is about to bloom!

Garden Teacup Chandy

Do you remember this teacup CANDLEIER that I made and did a post on last year? No?

Watermelon Slice Anyone?

I found a great piece to go with my famously painted Watermelon Propane Tank...

A Living Fence!

Several years ago, we planted some honeysuckle next to our back fence row. We purchased it from Lowes and it's called Hall's Honeysuckle and it's known for it's wonderful old-fashioned smell.

Lavender and A Cardinal

It's harvest time here for my Lavender!

Circle Garden Seating

If you haven't noticed...I have been gone from my blog, on vacation to Kansas and Oklahoma to see my son, and two of my sisters, one has a winery! But I am back now and thought that you might enjoy this...
I enjoy my yard so much. I love to be out in it when the days are warm and sunny. I like to see how many of the flowers are blooming, how green the weed-free grass is and I even love to mow, albeit  it's easy since I have a riding mower!

I have yet another brick story! When the new garage was built and bricked, there was some left-over brick. I didn't want to just stack it at the back of the yard, but use it instead.

I have a quaint area near some pine trees that is shady and cool in the summer with a sweet little table and chairs. So, I decided to get creative and plant a circle pad of brick for this table and chairs to rest.

Hummingbird!

Okay, I am going to confess two things...I love hummingbirds and I have not been drinking!

Why would I confess such crazy things? Well, this evening, as I was washing dishes, (yes, I have a dishwasher but sometimes still handwash) I looked out my window and saw a hummingbird on our Thundercloud Plum tree. I ran and took this picture.

Nature's Bounty II

Begonias & Coleus

Earlier this week I posted garden beauty around my yard and called Nature's Bounty. You can see that post HERE.




This is a continuation of that post with more of the awesomeness that nature brings...

Black Eyed Susan's

Nature's Bounty

Nature's Bounty on this Hot July 31st. Happy Birthday Sis #4!

Yellow DayLily

Garden Art Totem

I have been collecting glass pieces for making a Garden Art Totem from garage sales and thrift stores, plus some at antique stores. And I finally got just the right pieces and am overjoyed with the outcome. It came out much taller than I had imagined but with the sky as my ceiling, it doesn't look overly tall. First, I put it out by my cupola...See it yet?

Sundial Surprise!

I was surprised and so pleased when I opened the Mother's Day box from my boy!

Well, my boy is going to be 30 years old this summer and he is a Machinist.

I did mention to him that I would love to have a sundial for the garden...and it worked. He made me this for my Mother's Day gift. Isn't he sweet?
And it really works for telling time!!!

He said that he put four holes in it because he didn't know how I was planning on mounting it and thought I would need to screw it down. Right now I just built a brick pillar and have it setting on it.  What you can't see are the numbers that he put on it. Thanks Son!

NOTE: You should be able to click on most of the pictures to enlarge to see further details.
These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Creative Blogger's Party @ Homemaker On A Dime
Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle 
Twice Owned Tuesday @ House Of Grace
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Time to Shine Tuesday @ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Trash 2 Treasure @ Sassy Sites
Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @  Primitive & Proper
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
100 Ideas Under $100 @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn 
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 
Before and After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Porch Post Birdhouses

In one of my Diamonds In The Rough! posts, I purchased two new wooden porch posts and told you that I was going to make bird houses with them. Well, I did just that. I found one birdhouse at our church garage sale for $2.

After, It's already in use!

Before on Week 3 Diamonds In The Rough!

Attached to Painted Porch Post!

Porch Posts Before

This birdhouse I purchased on eBay then painted. It's already in use too!

Attached to Porch Post and set up in the garden.

I already had made this one, so now I have three!

NOTE: You should be able to click on most of the pictures to enlarge to see further details.
These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Creative Blogger's Party @ Homemaker On A Dime
Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle 
Twice Owned Tuesday @ House Of Grace
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Time to Shine Tuesday @ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Trash 2 Treasure @ Sassy Sites
Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @  Primitive & Proper
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
100 Ideas Under $100 @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn 
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 

Mid May, Views Around The Garden

Sharing some views from around my gardens for you to enjoy! I just love Spring!!!

 

All God's Beauty!

NOTE: You should be able to click on most of the pictures to enlarge to see further details.
These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Creative Blogger's Party @ Homemaker On A Dime
Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle 
Twice Owned Tuesday @ House Of Grace
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Time to Shine Tuesday @ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Trash 2 Treasure @ Sassy Sites
Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @  Primitive & Proper
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
100 Ideas Under $100 @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Cottage Flora Thursday @ Fishtail Cottage
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Look What I Found Friday @ Vintage Revivals
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn 
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 
Before and After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick