A Love of Wrought Iron Garden Fences and Gates
W rought iron garden gates and fences are definitely some of my favorurite things. The detail, the intricate squiggles, swirls, and the repetition all appeal to me. But mostly, I like how you can see through those widely spaced, but not too widely spaced bars. They allow for light, and view to pass into and out of the garden, but it still frames the elements and says this is a special place for someone. It also states that someone has taken thought and consideration into accenting their outdoor living room. They seem to be a timeless element, and I hope and pray that they are always corralling rose bushes, freesia and birch trees. Some of the nicest wrought iron that outline’s a garden in my opinion is always the sort that has a portion that mimics something...
Light Up Your Garden For the Holidays
W hile I am not a huge fan of outdoor holiday decorations, such as inflatable snow globes the size of a car, or a sea of flashing decorations that annoy next door neighbours, I do look forward to a certain decoration. I love the way it looks after I line my garden fence with little white lights. I also taking things one step further by stringing more lights along the scalloped garden edgers. With the edgers being so close to the ground, they provide much appreciated additional light for the walkway. When things get icy, or that ice melts into puddles, we want our visitors to be aware of what they are walking towards. Plus, the small lights look smashing, outlining the garden area like candy does a gingerbread house. If you are interested, it only requires the...
Flowers That Are Both Beautiful and Strong
I hold flowers that are not only beautiful and fragrant, but off putting to predators in the highest esteem. There is something so remarkable about a flower that produces glorious delicate blossoms, and simultaneously fends off enemies. This is precisely what I found in the “Baby Moon” daffodil, thus it has become one of my favourite of things. If we start with the name, we will learn that originally the term baby moon meant the time parents spend bonding with their newborn babies. Nothing is sweeter, and more endearing that a newborn baby, and it is positively one of the all time least imposing things. The flower too appears just as delicate, and vulnerable, but with an surprisingly strong fragrance. The surprise lies in the fact that this flower, which...
The Tradition of Adorning Our Gardens With Summer Houses Lives On
M y mother in law has been a source of inspiration for me in the garden since I first set foot into theirs over thirty years ago. I have known my husband’s family since childhood and spent numerous hours during the summers growing up in their garden. Mostly, I think that the items that originally caught my interest were the summer houses. I imagine they would appeal to nearly every small boy or girl, but as I spent more time in the space I grew to cherish so much more of their well manicured garden. I simply fell head over heels in love with the main summer house that was left wide open during the days of the Spring and Summer months. To me the size of the structure was so perfectly suited for someone my size that it charmed me. The fact that it was decorated...
Making Seasonal Door Wreaths a Family Tradition
I imagine that I get my admiration for seasonal wreaths from my grandmother. As a child she never failed to have a decorative wreath on her front door. Depending on the time of year, you might even have found one on a garden wall, in her kitchen, or even on the backdoor. No two were ever alike, and the one word that comes to mind to appropriately describe them is abundant. This too is the word I would use to illustrate her love for her grandchildren. Thus, it is no wonder that I try to carry her tradition on the best that I can. My first wreath of next season will be what I call lavender fields. It will be made of Caspia, Rice Flower, and Larkspur to ring in the dawning of spring. I will have my daughter assist me as I put it together as always. Hopefully she will...
The Most Wonderful Handcrafted Pull Toys
I recently found some handcrafted pull toys made by the Amish in primitive workshops. They are made in the same fashion as they have been for many generations, while they continue to fulfil their duties of farming and working the country fields. The Amish believe in living life the simple way, and their products reflect that approach. They build duck, lion, lamb, pig and horse pull toys in a country style that is both plain and beautiful. What I like about these items is not the thought of sharing them with the children in my life, but in using them in my holiday decorations. They come in unfinished wood, and thus I am able to paint them to my liking. This has enabled me to create a montage under the Christmas tree of toys from a day gone by when all of the world...