Due to having shingles, it will be a while before I am able to do a new post. 

 

Wordless Wednesday.....

.......Wordless Wednesday in my garden...........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lil' Garden......

.......I have been working hard in the garden and have many, many pictures to show.  But, as with the last post, I have only small things on my mind today......

 

 

 

 

 

 Since miniature gardens became popular, I have wanted one. As if I don't have enough work to do with my big garden!! So, this week I got busy and using several things I already had and a few new ones, I started my miniature garden.

 

 

Isn't it cute!!!  What I didn't have was something to build my little garden in. While in Home Goods, last week-end, I was so tempted by a nice big wooden, rectangular shaped salad bowl. But, it was more than I felt good about spending and was not quite big enough. Later, in Publix, my grocery, I saw this litter pan for $5 and it seemed like a good size and shape. Later, at home, I started looking for something to place the litter pan in. I tried this basket and it was perfect. You would think they were made to go together. The lip of the pan fits perfectly on the basket.

 

So the wheels in my head started turning and I gathered up (from around my house)  everything that I thought might work for accessories. They are probably not necessary but, I put drain holes in the pan. Then filled it with potting soil and made a trip to a couple of stores to see what I might find. At a local nursery, I saw a few things I loved but they were too expensive (boy, those tiny things are priced high!) but I did get the metal fence.

 

 

 

On to Michaels where I found perfect stones to make a path with.  They are real stones and are the only ones, among many they had, that I liked and guess what? Those and one other kind were reduced in priced! So, here you see a garden angel and a duck with an egg - things I had. The "grass" came from the Dollar Tree, the first reindeer moss I have ever seen there. It works perfect to cover up some of the potting soil. It will probably turn brown over time but, I have another $1 bag that has not been opened. I have looked for, but not found yet, the plant called baby's tears to plant for grass.

 

 

The goose with its big egg came out of my printers tray collection, along with most of the other tiny things I used.  They won't be missed there as the printers tray is so fully packed.

 

 

 

I already owned the little chair, chickens and small pebbles.

 

 

The cat came from Mexico, purchased on one of my trips there years ago.  And, look, I had the perfect size mug with my name on it! I did buy the three "trees" that are planted across the back at $1 each and I pinched off little starts from other plants I have growing and planted them in tiny pots and some others directly in the soil. Some of them will also be fairly temporary, I would imagine, but there are plenty more where they came from.

 

I have always wanted some chickens in my garden! And, I won't have to worry about the hawks getting these as this garden will stay on my screen porch. If I were to put it outside, one hard rain would destroy the whole thing. Oh, I forgot to say, I made a trip to Home Depot this morning to buy sand so I could lay a nice walk with the stones. I was going there to get sand anyhow for my real, outside, stepping stone walk to replace what washed away with all the rain.

 

I did splurge last week and paid the price for this martin house which is what spurred me on to get started on the miniature garden. I wonder if any martins will show up to live here.

 

 

The plants in the left corner are creeping thyme, swedish ivy and and can't think of the lighter one.  The walk looks too wide in this picture but it doesn't when you see it for real. The whole thing looks smaller here than it is. It measures 18 x 13 1/2. I am thinking of getting another piece of fence to bring it up both sides. This will probably be an on-going project, just like big gardens are.

Of course nothing is to scale, but it is reasonable enough to look o.k. What do you think?  My lil' garden needs a name. Have any suggestions?

~~~~

Linking to A Favorite thing @http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/

Enjoy the Little Things....

I hope you enjoy little things. Small things in size and small experiences of life.  If you connect the dots between all the little things, life will be fuller and more satisfying. Don't let them pass unnoticed.

 

Some small things in my life lately are more little pillows. If you missed the first ones I showed, you can click here and see the post.  I added this new one with the words and this one......

 

 

.....a red leaf.

 

 

 

 

And maybe my favorite now is this red key.

 

 

The three new ones were added to the big bowl of tiny pillows. It is now a full bowl!  But, I may work in a few more later.

 

 

This scene brought a smile to my face. I love the scattering of dropped petals from the arrangement I had on my front door on May Day. I brought it in to the butcher block table to enjoy inside.  I left these pretty little fallen petals for several days and enjoyed this as much as the fresh bouquet. Do you notice this kind of little thing? It doesn't need to be much of anything to bring pleasure, a small gesture, a small victory like a recipe you try and it turns out perfect or a returned smile from a stranger. Perhaps a little treat you give yourself...........

 

A tradition I have started as a little treat for myself is to get a specialty soda when I go to Millers Hardware store. I am not there often and I seldom drink sodas so this is a treat for me.  They have a wall full of sodas, all in glass bottles. Most of them I never see anywhere else - many bring memories of long ago. Like this Nehi grape. It was so good.

 

 

 

 

And, so was this lemon/lime Bubble Up. I already have my flavor picked out for next time. So, don't forget to notice and ..............

 

 

 

 

There are so many of them! Don't forget to take a smile with you everywhere you go.

Without Words Wednesday.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring on the Front Porch........

..........The thing that gives a big first impression as someone walks up to a house is the front door. It should be a good one. When trying to decide whether or not to buy this house I had the  thought that the front door would have to go.

 

Well, ten years later the same door is still here. It does not give the impression I would rather have but recently painting it black helped some.

 

 

This year's door decoration is this flat-backed basket with a spring, floral look.

 

 

After the birds moved in it looks a little more spring-like.

 

 

 

 

 

To the left of the door is this pretend window.

 

 

It also sports a floral look using that bright chartreuse green that goes well with spring.

 

 

 

 

The Easter cactus was a little late blooming or maybe Easter came a little too early, but it sure has been putting on a show for about three weeks.

 

 

 

 

The front porch is a favorite hangout for the chameleons.  They don't bother me and I don't bother them.

 

 

 

Also hanging out on the front porch for years now, is this rabbit foot fern.

 

 

 

 

Look at all that rabbit fur wrapped around the pot.

 

 

 

 

 

Across from the fern on the other side is Timid rabbit.  But, don't let him fool you. He sees everything and guards the front porch quite well.

 

 

 

So, should you show up on my front porch, I will try to give you a warm welcome!

 

Joining http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/04/162nd-inspire-me-tuesday.html