IN THE GARDEN

Let's take a peek at what's happening in the garden this week!

I can't believe I almost forgot to put the pink shroom in the garden! I got these at an estate sale a couple of years ago, and they're one of my favorite garden decorations.

I planted a bunch of Asclepias, or Milkweed in pots. It's food for the Monarch Butterflies, and the caterpillars.

The bane of my existence. Or Campanula Americana Tall Bellflower. It was here when we moved in, and it will be here long after human life ceases to exist. If I can help just one gardener today, let me tell you this: Do Not Plant Tall Bellflowers!!!!


The other bane of my existence. Gooseneck Loosestrife. It's such a cool flower, but again, it's got a mind of it's own and WILL take over!

This hydrangea has only a few blooms on it. Some years it doesn't bloom at all, so I guess I just need to be pleasantly surprised when it does bloom.

Monarda, or Bee Balm. They look like fireworks, don't they?

A bee diligently working away on the Monarda. I have to say, it's a good summer for bees. I've noticed what seems to be alot more than usual, so I guess I better be careful, because I'm allergic!

I think it's been about 2 weeks since we've had rain, so I've had to do alot of sprinkling and dragging around of the hoses. In my frilly two-piece, of course! So what's blooming in your garden this week?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! and More Patriotic Decor

I thought I'd share the rest of my patriotic decor today. As I said in an earlier post, this all stays up until after 9/11, so really, if I wanted to, I could just continue to decorate, couldn't I?!

I was just able to finish this bunting before my sewing machine went haywire again.

Here's a close-up of the fabric I used.

One end of the porch swing.

The other end. I really want to paint the swing. But I don't know what color. A chippy white would just blend in with the house, wouldn't it? Any suggestions?

BIG SAM, which I made several years ago. He's as tall as I am!

Old Glory Cottage front porch, all decked out. I made the Sam & Libby up there too. And I see that the birds have been using Lady Liberty's hair again for their nests!

An old star quilt.

Some treat cups that I made last year.

The dining room table, with a vintage red, white and blue tablecloth.

I love all of these books, especially Long May She Wave. If you're crazy for Old Glory like I am, then it's a must-have!

A Mary Engelbreit garden flag. There's actually more red, white and blue that I never got around to taking a picture of, but you get the idea! Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July, as we celebrate our country's birthday today!

IN THE GARDEN

Let's take a peek at what's happening in the garden this week!

Something BAD happened in the garden yesterday. I had Petunia Pearl and Viola Rose out there with me while I gardened. They love being out there, and they chirp up a storm! I don't know how it happened, but somehow they got out of the cage. Thankfully Viola's wings had been clipped, so she can't fly and I was able to get her back in the cage. Last time I saw Petunia, she flew up into a tree. Viola sat outside in her cage for hours, awaiting Petunia's return, but she never came home. I miss her!

So here's what's blooming this week. Garden Loosestrife.


A lovely pink lacecap hydrangea.


Sizzlin' hot orange lilies!

And white lilies.

Several years ago I made a bunch of these cast cement leaf birdbaths. They aren't perfect like the ones you can buy, but the birds and squirrels and cats don't mind at all taking a sip of water from them!

I used big rhubarb leaves to make them.

A variety of sedum has even taken root inside one!

So that's what's blooming in the garden this week. I guess Viola and I will sit on the porch again tomorrow and wait some more......

4th of July Decorations For REDNESDAY!

I just love this graphic that Sue made last year, don't you?!
Well, I thought that I'd share some of my 4th of July decorations. I've gotten a really late start, because of vacation and the gardens.

But wait. WHERE DID I PUT THE 4TH OF JULY DECORATIONS LAST YEAR?!?!?! That looked just like me, for about 20 minutes, while I looked high and low, trying to remember what I must have been thinking when I put everything away. I knew that I wanted to put them somewhere safe, and apart from all of the other decorations. After some hyperventilating and counting to 100, I was able to remember!

I haven't gotten very much done, but that's OK, because it all stays up until after 9/11, so I've got time. The garland was super duper easy. I used coasters from the $$$ section at Michaels and cupcake liners from Hobby Lobby! Also up there is my Statue of Liberty collection, a Lincoln bust and an old bank.

Here's the top of the bookcase that I always decorate.

July birthday angels.

An old lunchbox.

A vintage Uncle Sam bank.

An old S&P set. Betsy Ross and the Bill of Rights guy.

Old postcards. The Statue of Liberty one in the upper row is my favorite!

Some of you probably already saw this Old Glory print from my vacation finds, but.......it's OLD GLORY!!!!

I got these vintage corsage bows from Joan last year. They need to go in a frame, and I could say that I've been looking for one for a solid year, but that would be a lie! Do you do that too? Pack stuff away, knowing that something needs to be fixed or changed? I hate when I do that!

American flags, Made In Japan. I always have a problem with things that are so obviously American being made in other countries. But these are vintage, and like alot of my favorite things, they are also MIJ, so I can make an exception!
If you would like to see lots more reds, and I'm betting some white and blue too, go visit Sue, our hostess for REDnesday, over at It's A Very Cherry World. I need to get off the computer and go decorate some more!

MY WEEKEND FINDS

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of My Weekend Finds, the continuing saga of one girl's quest for more junk!
I finally hit a pretty decent estate sale. I was #23 on the list, which didn't please me very much, but I got in with the first herd of people, so I was happy!
An old McCoy planter. For 50 Cents!


Two boxes of Santa mugs, $1 a box.

These ornaments are by no means old, but they're still pretty and I'm determined that THIS is the year that I will make an ornament wreath!

Lots of old Halloween and Thanksgiving diecuts.

I don't get along with real squirrels, but these diecuts are pretty darn cute.

50 cents for a bag full of these old valentines.

Lots and lots of vintage Dennison seals.

I think this sweet little witch diecut is my favorite find. When I found her in the Halloween box, I didn't even bother trying not to squeal with delight. I held her up for all to see and said, "Isn't she SO cute?!". All of the dudes checking out the fishing poles did not share my enthusiasm!

Some vintage Avon goodies that I remember from my childhood.

I've come to a conclusion that I know alot of you have also come to. That you can't possibly keep all of the great things that you find at sales, and have to start selling it. So starting very soon, I'm going to do some major decluttering, via Ebay. I'll put a link on my sidebar when I get started. It's going to feel so good to be unburdened by so much stuff!

My other favorite find. A Fortune Telling Birthday Book.

It was published in 1938, and if your birthday is June 27th, here is your fortune.
I hope fortune smiled on you over the weekend, and you found some treasures too!