Posts Tagged ‘Garden Decor’
Fairy Tales
Do you ever see things that remind you of the fairy tales you used to hear? Maybe you might see a wee little stuffed mouse in a store and think of a tale involving a cat and a mouse. You might see a picture on a book or in a frame that made you think of characters in the stories that were read to you or the ones you read to your children or grandchildren now. It is fun to hear what the little ones say when they see a character depicted that they remember from the tales they have heard.
Sometimes these character are on garden items that are used for a purpose or just something we might buy from our local stoneware store. They might be on a table, part of a statue, or even a sundial. Wherever they are, it is a joy to see them being recognized by children that have heard the stories about them.
Giving Your Garden a Theme
Gardens are outdoor landscapes that have been designed, created, and maintained by humans, representing a harmonic marriage of nature and civilization. Gardens have existed in almost every culture since the beginning of civilization, and as such, there are several different styles. For example, an Asian themed garden might feature bamboo trees, large boulders, a koi pond, and bamboo wind chimes. While a Mediterranean garden might feature an herb garden, flowering plants, and an ornate garden statue. Designing your garden to fit into a cultural theme will allow you to enrich yourself within that culture.
In general, garden stores will feature a variety of statues, fountains, and plants that can be utilized to create a different kind of garden. If you can’t find what you want in a garden store, online is a great place to find everything you could want.
Weather or Not
I don’t believe it! Just as I thought spring was here a huge snowstorm is in the forecast. We had just begun to put away the winter clothes! We were invited to a birthday party for the new one-year-old in the family. Now that is supposed to be the worst day of the storm! And I can’t do a thing to stop it! I think I will just put out the Holiday Garden Sign 
that says “Spring” and close the doors, pull the blinds and pretend. What harm can that do? We can’t stop the storm, we can’t drive in a blizzard, but we can heat up the fireplace, curl up on the couch and drink hot chocolate. Oh well, we can take the baby’s gifts another day and it really will be spring.
Observing
Today was a beautiful day here and it made me think of the birds. Soon we will be seeing them come back and make their nests and raise their young. The only fowl that have stayed around are a large flock of geese. I know this is mainly because we have a large pond and they stay near it or on it. They are not very afraid of any of us, but they fly before we can get really close to them. They have figured our that our dogs can’t get out of their large dog pen so they can search for bugs or whatever pretty close to the fence.
One thing that we can enjoy right now are the birdhouses
. Most of the ones I like are too nice to let the birds have because for some reason they do not understand housekeeping! The latest one I have really liked looks like a little mobile home. We used to go camping in a small trailer and this brings back memories. Get out your binoculars so they can be ready and watch for the birds when they come. You may even want to put out a house for the birds even though they do not understand housekeeping!
Just for Fun
A new year is well upon us. Some of us are “suffering” from an unusually cold winter. We wanted it to be spring when January came, I guess. In our case, the snow melted , but now we have fog. Sometimes it lifts and we are so happy! The geese have stayed on the pond, but the small birds are all gone. Still we think of the nice, warm spring time that surely is just around the corner. We are making plans for what we will do when “the weather clears up.”
At least at our house, the garden catalogs are not arriving yet. The big lawn mower started, so that means things are warmer. We sometimes think of those decorative birdhouses and the pretty little birds we might expect them to attract. It is still too wet for our little next door neighbor children to be out playing and coming over to see our dogs. Those are all things we can look forward to when the cold gets us down. If you love winter, enjoy it for a few more weeks. Us lovers of spring are standing here waiting with our garden tools all ready to go!
What Should I do?
What shall I do today? The list is so long that I can’t decide where to start. It is time to do the household chores. Should I do laundry? Maybe I had better clean house. Should I decorate for fall? Maybe I had better do the paper work that has been piling up. Some shopping really needs to be done. The dogs have to have their monthly meds today. Are the treats ready for the Trick-or-Treaters? Tomorrow we have to go to the college to help get some things done. Maybe I had better get ready to go.
What is that in the corner? Our new holiday garden sign
? On yes! That needs to be put out with the current season displayed. Should it be out by the road or up by the house? Maybe just out in the yard somewhere. Now, I have to contemplate a while to really choose the right place. That will take some time. Then I will go out and try it here or there. Maybe I can get that done by noon. It will really look nice out there. Well, I will get busy. I can put that sign up and by then maybe it will be clear to me what else to do today. Decisions, decisions! What a day!
Thinking of Fall
This is the time of year that people are putting out pumpkins, Halloween decorations, bales of hay and other things that make us think of fall. The flowers that have the yellow and auburn colors are also used. The trees are turning and their red, yellow, and brown leaves may be what started the ideas of using those as fall colors. I think because God knew we needed a little uplift at this time of year, we have those beautiful reminders that make us feel contented.
There are some statues around our town that bring back thoughts of other times and places. Some are colorful, some are plain, but signify a thought that maybe the person who made the statue had in mind, or maybe it is our own private feeling. Garden statues that we can have in our own yards also can be uplifting or inspirational. They may bring back thoughts of other times or just happy thoughts in general. Enjoy these works of art wherever yours may be - at home or in town or on your travels.
Waterfalls
Waterfalls are beautiful to watch. It is enjoyable to watch the water come cascading down the mountain with a trickle or a roar, depending on the size of the falls. When we are fortunate enough to have a cabin or a tent near a waterfall, the musical sound can put a person to sleep at night. It is truly a wonder of nature that is enjoyed by many people around the world.
Sometimes we try to duplicate this view and sound with a tabletop fountain
or a garden fountain. Often stores have replicas of waterfalls. They are also beautiful to watch and hear. We used to visit a sporting goods store that had a large inside pond with a waterfall. It drew customers, especially children, to the glassed-in area to watch the fish and hear the falls. For a moment in time it took me back to the real thing in the mountains. At home, we can just relax and enjoy our own version. We can keep that fountain and turn it on and off as we please.