vintage flair in the garden

 Check out my 1970 green Schwinn bicycle!

This was my first "real" bicycle. I got it for my 8th birthday.

My best friend had the same one, so of course I had to get matching.

This bike has followed me (almost) all my life. It's been hanging in my garage

for many years. I've always loved how people take old bikes and prop them

up against trees or fences and put a lovely basket of flowers on the handlebars. 

I had Brian take down the bike today and I plopped it right between the hostas

and tiger lilies. I'll like it much better when I can find a bicycle basket - preferably

a vintage one - and the tiger lilies grow taller and start to bloom.

 My mom came out for a visit today and we went to a couple of our

favorite little shops. I found this great vintage butterfly ~ perfect for

hanging on the fence!

A little side note: this isn't our fence. It's the neighbor's fence that borders our

property. You might remember that this was the neighbor that had a very old,

falling down, rotting fence. And let's put it this way: she is not a nice person.

We can't talk to her, so we finally had to write a letter to our village Public Works

department about the condition of her fence. Wanna see how bad it was?.....

Can you believe it?! She left it like this for about a week and then her "fix"

was to push that first panel up as far as she could, and secure it to the post

with a bungee cord. I kid you not.

 But I digress. Back to more pleasant talk. This crib frame was from the crib that

my boys slept in! We couldn't keep the crib - it was from 1988 - so I at least kept

the frame, knowing I could do something creative with it. I've seen a lot of great

ideas on Pinterest. You can use these frames as a trellis in the garden - like what

I'm aiming for here. That's a Columbine plant in front of the frame/trellis. When the

gardening season is over (I don't even want to think about that...it's just begun here!),

I'm most likely going to hang the frame on a wall and pin photographs to it with

clothespins. I'll probably spray-paint the frame, too.

Are you upcycling anything to use in your garden decor, or using any

 vintage things for a unique, pretty look?

Join me this week at The Farm Blog Hop!

feeling at home

I haven't ventured out of my house in two days except for going to

yoga class, and that's just fine with me. As much as I like going out and

doing fun things and being with friends or certain family members, I also like

days at home, with nothing planned except for what I feel like doing at the time.

I take pleasure in creating a home that's welcoming, beautiful and relaxing

for not only myself and my family, but for those who visit, as well. 

 I don't think puttering is a waste of time and energy; I think it's soothing and relaxing

but yet energizing at the same time. Whether it's creating a new vignette, placing

fresh flowers in a vase, fluffing the pillows on the couch, putting clean sheets on

the bed, setting a beautiful table, or even sweeping the front porch of all the storm

debris from the previous night, it's all like a moving meditation.

Don't you find that creating a home is a form of self-expression? Or, dare I say,

even an art form? 

 

There is a saying that eyes are the window to the soul, and perhaps that's true.

But I also think that our home is a window to our soul. You are the one who

made your home what it is; what it tells other people. If your home is constantly 

cluttered and messy, perhaps your mind is cluttered and bogged down. 

If you appreciate art and things of beauty, your house will show that, too.

 

 It doesn't matter if your home is a tiny cottage, a look-alike house in the suburbs,

a modern loft, or a mansion by the sea. If you nourish your home with loving energy,

you will feel it. You will walk in your front door and feel at peace. 

 You should have objects of beauty and interest in your home; things that make

you smile. They don't have to cost much money; for example, everything you

see in the vignette below was from a thrift store ~ except for the "beautiful" picture, 

which I made ~ and the bottles of perfume.

 Even something as simple as a little plant by a sunny window can add

interest and cheer to your home.

 So, tell me...what does your home say about you?

 I hope that your home is your safe haven. I am praying for those who have

tragically lost their home in the Oklahoma tornadoes. 

Linking up to Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday

beauty all around us

 It's amazing how, when spring gets going, plants seemingly grow overnight and

bushes and flowers burst into bloom. The cilantro in my herbal fairy garden is already

taking over much of the pot! And I've even clipped and used some in my cooking.

My lilac bush is blooming now and the fragrance is heavenly. Outdoors, that is.

I have allergies and if I bring the blooms indoors, it makes my schnoz very unhappy.

My fern plant unfolds a little more each day.

 This wicker rack is on the patio. I'm not done with it yet; I'm still filling it

in with plants and decor. See the three flowered pots in the blue wooden box?

I got those at the Dollar Tree yesterday.

I was hunting around in the garage for other items I could possibly use outdoors

and I found this wicker stand. It was faded with wear, so I spray-painted it 

bright blue to liven things up. I only had time for one coat yesterday though.

Still needs another coat or two. And more plants too, of course.
I got this pretty pot at the Salvation Army thrift store. If you're looking
for plant pots, thrift stores and dollar stores are the way to go! I couldn't
believe how expensive plant pots are even at Wal-Mart.

 I like how the wicker stand adds dimension and interest to the flat ground coverings.

Will be even prettier when those day lilies by the fence start to bloom!

I went to water my hanging fuschia plant a few days ago, and was surprised to find

that a bird decided that the plant would be a good place to build a nest!

It was still muddy inside....mama bird was obviously still building. No nesting

material inside the nest yet.

Well, imagine my surprise and delight when I peeked into the nest today and found

not only the nesting material, but one blue egg, too! A robin's egg!

There's a big lake only a few blocks from my house and I was down there the

other evening with my camera, so I was able to capture a couple of beautiful

photos. I'm not sure what kind of tree this is (I'm terrible at remembering names

of trees and plants), but it sure looked pretty, especially with the cat tails in the 

background.

And then I was able to capture this photo of a lone fisherman.
So peaceful and serene, isn't it?

Linking up to Sunny Simple Life Blog Hop

bursting with newness

 New arrangements, new pretties, new drop-leaf table.

I hung two plates by the mirror...the mirror was just too plain and needed

a little something more.

And I'm still playing with that darn arrangement on the kitchen wall!

I forgot I had these little metal shelves. What do you think? I like the 

arrangement, but not sold on all the little tchotchkes, especially on the 

metal shelves. I can't tell you how much I've "played" with stuff on the

shelves to make it look right. Giving up for now!

Found this trio of adorable egg cups in a  home decor consignment shop

by my house. (Bringing them lots of stuff for consignment tomorrow - yay!)

Couldn't resist these cute, colorful measuring cups and chalk-paint labeled
jars from Michaels, especially at 50% off.

I've been looking for awhile for an antique drop-leaf table and can you 

believe my mom just now remembered that she had one in her garage?!

She had started to prime it and never finished. She said I could have it.

I was hoping it'd look beautiful in front of my living room windows with

chairs flanking its sides, but sadly, not meant to be. The table is too small

for this space. But I love this table, so I will find somewhere to use it! I

obviously need to finish priming it and then paint it. 

 PS - this photo was taken just a few days ago when it was actually cold

and we had the heat on - hence, the kitty (Clementine) lying under the table

on top of the heater vent! Yesterday was 90 degrees. Go figure.

Linking up to Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday (even though it's Wednesday!)

who believes in you

 We all have our support systems ~ family, friends, coworkers...perhaps neighbors

or those that are in a like-minded group we belong to. Those who support us and

believe in us, no matter the path we choose.

But there's nothing quite like the love and support of mom - if we're blessed to

still have our mom in our lives. I'm still blessed to have mine, and as a lot of the

world chose to celebrate Mom yesterday on a "Hallmark holiday", I enjoyed a visit
 with my beautiful mother at her house. She just got home from a two-month
 stay in Kentucky, taking care of her 97-year old father who suffered a heart
attack. She is always willing to jump in her car and travel eight hours to take
 care of her dad, putting her own needs aside. That's just one of the things I love
 and admire about my mom!

 And, as a mother myself, I've always believed in my two sons. One of the things I

always said to them was, "The world is your oyster and you are the pearl." Very sad to

say though, that my oldest son, Philip believed in everyone but himself. Some of you know

that he suffered with depression and God-only-knows whatever other mental demons

and that despite all the love, support, and help we could find and muster, ultimately it

was drugs and alcohol that took Phil's life at the tender age of 21.

 (Phil, me, Tim ~ 2008)

My youngest son, Tim, who is now 22 thanked me yesterday for my patience 

(patience - me?!) and belief and support in him. And I got a couple of long, hard

hugs from him. What more can a mom ask for? He told me that this card said everything

that he was feeling. I was moved to tears.

 My "baby" will be moving out in just seven weeks ~ renting a house with his cousin

and a few other young people ~ and attending university which is a 1-1/2 hour drive away.

 Even though this will be a hard adjustment for both of us, I know we'll both be fine.

 Because I believe in him and he's going to shine and grow and develop into

the most beautiful pearl I've ever seen.

that lusty month of may

Let the planting begin! Outdoor flowers bring me so much joy.

These were the first flowers I planted about 3-4 weeks ago when it was still

quite cold here. I always get so excited when I see pansies at the garden centers ~

it means spring is on the way!

 I went to Home Depot today and bought annuals and more herbs.

I normally don't care for marigolds because of their scent, but I thought they'd

look sweet in this little wooden box, and I was right.

I think this large pot on my patio will end up being my favorite.

It's holding assorted colors of gerbera daisies, a few extra marigolds, and

sweet potato vines - which will be beautiful once they start growing over

 the sides of the container. See those stalks poking out of the ground in the
background? Those are hostas - which grow so huge every year, that they
come up over the patio.

Dianthus and more basil...

A hanging basket of gorgeous begonias...

The awesome beauty of an unfurling hosta leaf...

My lilac bush is ready to burst into bloom...

OK, technically these are weeds in my lawn. But, aren't they pretty?

We obviously don't use any chemicals on our lawn.

In case you were wondering where the title of my post came from, it's

from a poem by Sir Thomas Malory (an English writer in the 1400's).

The month of May was come, 
when every lusty heart beginneth
to blossom, and to bring forth fruit; 
for like as herbs and trees bring 
forth fruit and flourish in May, 
in likewise every lusty heart 
that is in any manner a lover, 
springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds.  
For it giveth unto all lovers courage, 
that lusty month of May.

Partying at Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
and Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday

how to create a fairy herb garden

 Have you noticed that things like fairy gardens and terrariums are all the rage right now?

I planted some herbs (dill, cilantro, basil) in a big pot yesterday and since I've been
wanting to create a fairy garden, today the idea came to me:

Why not combine the two?

I added a white garden fence with decorative moss in front, then an arbor with a rake leaning against it, marbles as stepping stones leading to the arbor, a small glass cloche with a decorative rock under it, a sweet bird hiding under the cilantro, then a couple of miniatures: a red tricycle and a plant pot with a tiny ceramic bunny peeking out.

 If you can find small, flat rocks, you can use those as a path. I went with what I had on-hand today, which was marbles.

I love the little red tricycle.

Creating a fairy garden needn't cost much. I was at a garden center last year where they had a display of all kinds of things for making a fairy garden. And they were so expensive! It's interesting to see how places can charge more money for miniatures because they categorize them exclusively for fairy gardens. I found the arbor and rake at Goodwill. The white fencing was from Hobby Lobby and it was 50% off (keep your eyes on the sales), the moss was from Wal-Mart, the tricycle was in a package of miniature Christmas decorations at The Dollar Store, and all the other items were "shopped from home". Interesting to note that the tricycle alone at the garden center was $4!

I will probably play with this a little bit more as the plants grow and I find some other things around the house. I'll probably also spray paint the arbor turquoise.

 Linking up to The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop and Tweak it Tuesday.