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Friday, July 13, 2012

IN THE GARDEN

Let's take a peek at what's blooming in the gardens this week!
After being cooped up inside all of last week because of the 100+ degree temps, I've been playing in the dirt, EVERY DAY!
Before we head out to the gardens, let's look at the little bunting that I made for the back porch. Normally, I leave my patriotic decorations up all summer, and especially since 9/11 the old red white and blue didn't get put away until the 12th of September. But this year I decided to try something new. The bunting is made out of the same vinyl tablecloth that I used to make the bunting for the picket fence.
I even made some little flags for the window box! I can't wait to find some cute Fall and Halloween tablecloths, because at this point, I'm addicted! What's so great about making bunting out of vinyl tablecloths? Well, they won't fade, and they can take a beating from the rain. Rain? What rain? Who's getting any rain? Certainly not me! At this point, I'm trying to decide which is cheaper: Watering or buying new plants to replace the ones that died in the drought. 
The Stargazer Lilies are starting to bloom, and boy does it smell heavenly every time I pass by them!
Purple Coneflowers. Not only are they a beautiful, but in the Fall they're literally covered with Goldfinches, eating all of those seeds!
Black-Eyed Susans. These have been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. They grew profusely along the dirt road that my grandparents lived on, and each day I would bring back a small bouquet of them, along with other wildflowers, and put them in a Ball jar to use as a centerpiece for the kitchen table. One of my fondest memories! 
Forgot to share this shot of the Sweet Williams (Dianthus) blooming a couple of weeks ago.
A Red Meidiland Rosebush. This thing blooms throughout the summer and into Fall.
Meet my new friend Chip. Chip The Chipmunk! Do you know that in all of the 17 years that we've lived in this house, I've never seen a chipmunk here? The past few days I've seen him running around the gardens, and I think that if I see him again tomorrow, I'll try to make friends with him. Maybe toss him some peanuts. He's SO cute that making friends can't possibly be a bad idea, can it? Or am I asking for trouble?  NEXT WEEK: Garden Junk!

23 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

Hello, oh my, love the bunting,sweet porch,would sit there all day. Your flowers are simply beautiful,my favorites to, Coneflower and Black-Eyed Suzies.Little Chip is so cute,thanks for the In The Garden post,enjoyable,Blessings Francine.

My Vintage Mending said...

Okay, now wait a minute. I have been dead heading my purple cones for years way too soon. What a shame I am missing the birds. I bought the green variety this year and it is so slow. I don't even want to see my water bill. We have three chips and love them. Those vinyl buntings are super never thought to do that....smiles...Renee

The Glamorous Housewife said...

What a fantastic idea to make outdoor bunting out of vinyl tablecloths! Genius. Beautiful garden.

Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife

craftyles said...

Carol, your flowers are so pretty. How do you do it, especially with no rain? I love the banner, but the little garden flags are adorable. Let us know what happens with Chip. Have a nice weekend digging in the dirt!

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Carol,

So nice to meet you and visit your charming blog and beautiful garden . . and to meet Chip!! Thank you for your nice comments about my blog.
Blessings, Erin

Tammy's in Love said...

I went looking for that tablecloth to make the bunting! You did such an nice job with your landscaping, I'll come take a walk in your garden! My goodness, love the colors in the red!

Nancy Jo said...

Hi Carol,
Cute chip chip. And cuting up a vinyl tablecloth, now that seems like a pretty good idea.Be nice to find a red white and blue one, you could make thousands, "well you know a lot anyway", little flags.Banners, chair cushions, small hammock. Ok maybe not a hammock. But you are so creative I'm sure you already thought of all these things.Oh and a superman outfit.Its possible I've had to much coffee again.
Yes the heat has been a bit much. I live North and its been in the 90's, that doesn't usually happen here. We really need rain.
Love all your pretty flowers.
Nancy Jo

JunkStuffTreasures said...

Your flowers are beautiful! I know your dilemma- the drought is tough on gardens this year. We have lots of chipmunks, they love the birdseed that drops and fruit (the tops of strawberries, an orange section). So cute!

acorn hollow said...

I love the bunting idea a great thing to thrift.My favorite is the cone flower you are right even when they stick through the snow the little birds are eating the seeds.
Cathy

Andy's Attic said...

All your flowers are lovely. I must remember not to deadhead my cone flowers this year. Thanks for that tip. We have a chipmunk (or 3or 4) that we call Chippy.They are adorable but we don't feed them. They do come and eat the bird food I put down for the ground birds. So far Chippy has been no problem, just cute.

Mecky said...

The flags are cute. So is the banner.
I have never ever seen a chipmuck around here. I hope that you aren't asking for trouble by being friendly.
About 2 hours ago the temps went from 99 to 87 with a great breeze. There was rain out n/w of us and I thought we may get some. But it is going south and is missing us. POOH! We need it here, too. Things are turning brown.

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Your flowers are just gorgeous. Love the black eyed susans best. Your garden must be gorgeous in person! Aw~sweet little chip. We had a chipmunk befriend us when we were camping once and we fattened him up with nuts. Have never seen one in my yard. Keep us posted! Pam

Barbara said...

I would love to capture some of the chipmunks who live here and send them to someone who would appreciate them more. They drive me nuts. (hahahahha)

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

oh I love the buntings and made with vinyl..I love that idea and I have a fall vinyl table cloth I think I am going to cut up..I love your home and I think you should make friends with that little chipmunk.;O) have a great weekend.:)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I never got to plant this spring since I was in Texas and now everything is so dead I'm just hoping to have a fall planting for my deck garden. I love the vinyl banner and flags, now I'll buy those cute tablecloths I find on clearance!! Oh don't get me started on chipmunks...we have been over run with the cuties and they have dug under our house, our hot tub, our AC pad....big trouble for us. Hope your one doesn't turn into dozens like at our home. Hugs, Linda

Tammys Vintage Finds said...

Carol, you're garden looks so nice, and I love your use of vinyl tablecloths to make buntings! I find the tablecloths still in the wrapper at the thrifts all the time, and they are really cheap. I may just have to start picking some up for craft purposes. I would love to see chipmunks at my house , but my two Jackk Russells wouldn't stand for that.

Martha said...

Everything looks so pretty! I love your new friend too. I've spent all weekend digging through boxes and looking for fun finds for your surprise package along the way. I'm back to work tomorrow so further digging must wait until next weekend. I want your surprise package to be perfect for you :)

Musings from Kim K. said...

I've been addicted to your vinyl bunting since you first showed it earlier on your blog and love the idea of mini flags too. Totally brilliant. Beautiful blooms. MI is desperate for rain.

Sentimentally Me said...

oh my goodness that is BRILLIANT! Using a plastic tablecloth??? I've got a red gingham one still in the pkg, so I know what I'm doing tomorrow! :) love it! THanks for sharing!

ps: Chip is adorable :)

SueLovesCherries said...

Hi Carol! We have lots of chipmunks around - they live in the stone walls and are fun to watch. The cats keep their population in check! ;)

I am now officially on the hunt for a cherries plastic tablecloth! Then I can have a banner outdoors to go with my indoor one!

Kranky Granny said...

Just keep in mind that chipmunks like squirrels can carry rabies. So you do not want to get to close.

I just got my water bill today and it was triple what I normally pay this time of year. But, replacing my dead plants would be more costly because I live in a small town and most of the plant sellers have closed out their inventory for this season. I would have to travel to a bigger town to purchase more.

Dorothy Prudie Vintage said...

Love the chipmunk. I think it is a great idea to use vinyl tablecloth fabric to make outdoor bunting...I would have never thought of that. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing...love the porch.

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