Vintage Mary Garden Statuary and the Flowering Cherry Tree

I'm sharing mostly photos of our cherry tree today...

...because before long, the blossoms will be but a memory.

The yard is carpeted, as it is every year, with pink cherry blossoms.

Just a couple of days ago there wasn't a single blossom on the ground.

What a difference a day or two makes.

My beautiful vintage Mary garden statuary stands under the cherry tree, watching over our small backyard and all the creatures who visit; in this instance, the Sammy who is up on the deck and the male hummingbird on the feeder.

Some ground cover that we planted last year has come to life.

Spring is such a beautiful time of year.

Here's Sammy visiting the bird bath.

From the street leading up to our house, you can see the flowering cherry tree spreading out over the stockade fence.

The oak trees always take a bit longer to leaf out.

You can easily spot the cherry tree from the DR window when it's in bloom.

The pink is more striking than it shows in these photos.

This past winter, I wasn't sure if we'd ever see green again.

(photo altered using watercolor filter)

Welcome, beautiful Spring!

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home this week for Show & Tell Friday.

Donna

All birds welcome...

"I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs."

(Joseph Addison, 1672-1719, English Essayist, Poet)

(Joseph Addison, you are a kindred spirit)

Nothing attracts a wide variety of birds to our garden more than the abundance of fresh water we offer in our small backyard. A variety of birdbaths hang from trees, sit on stands or tables, or rest on the ground (after all, the Chipmunks, Squirrels, and other wildlife also need water). Let's take a little walk around and I'll show you.

This small bird bath (shown in the first photo) hangs from a tree next to our deck. In the photo above, a mourning dove was enjoying a cool drink during our hot weather.

Also on the deck, attached to a rail, is the heated birdbath. It gets plugged in during the winter months, providing fresh water all winter long.

I've had this tiny little shell birdbath longer than I can remember. It is chipped and doesn't hold much water, but it's a favorite of mine.  And would you look at who is watching me take these photos!! This little bath sits on the "haunted" carpenter's bench on the deck.  

The last birdbath on the deck is this fountain. They say the sound of running water attracts birds. I also love the sound of it.

See the little bubbler on top of the fountain, where the water runs out? I was absolutely mesmerized by Sharon Lovejoy's post showing a mama hummingbird laying on top of her fountain's bubbler! See for yourself! How I'd LOVE to find a hummer bathing on my bubbler!! Okay, let's head down into the backyard and I'll show you what we have down there.

This little mosaic birdbath sits on the ground in front of the swingset deck we built last year.

On the other side of the swingset deck, a makeshift birdbath sits on a wire table. I have several of these baths in the backyard.

Here's another one sitting on an old milk can on the patio.

 These are inexpensive, $1.00 chip bowls from The Christmas Tree Shop. They are the perfect size for the birds and at that price, I can put them all over the yard!

Here's yet another one, sitting in a small concrete pedestal birdbath in between two of the paths we just put into the garden. The concrete developed a crack and doesn't hold water so the large hydrangea CTS bowl was the perfect solution.

Another source of running water is this small waterfall fountain on the backyard patio.

Again, you can't beat the sound of running water for attracting birds and wildlife to your backyard.

Across the garden paths is another large Christmas Tree Shop bowl. This one is quite deep so I put rocks into the bottom so the birds aren't afraid to hop in and take a bath. (Please excuse Mr. Bunny who seems to be wearing mulberries!)

Now we're heading over to the cherry tree, where my beautiful vintage Mary garden statue watches over all the little creatures and birds who visit our yard. It seemed fitting to place this gorgeous blue and white bowl over by her.

 I love the hand painted pink roses and sponged gold border. The birds love the generous size!

 Hanging from the cherry tree is this small decorative bird bath.

The 'secret garden' bird bath is a favorite with the birds because it's a bit more secluded than some of the other baths...

... and this little gazing ball bath is a favorite with the many Chips who frequent our yard because it's low to the ground. They stand up on their little back legs and drink out of the bottom tier.

This is the ugliest bath in the yard (its twin sits in the front yard). So why do I keep them both? The birds all LOVE them. They seem to be the perfect size for small, medium, and large birds. They're just large plastic drip tray bases for huge planters. Maybe some day I'll try to do something decorative with them (yeah, right!)

Now we're heading toward the gate that leads to the front yard. This dove birdbath sits just inside the backyard next to the gate.

Bye Bye, Birdie! We're heading out front now!

Okay, so let's see what we have out here...

Right outside the gate, another of the CTS hydrangea bird baths sits on a table under the old window and flower box...

... while a little cherub birdbath hangs from the old stockade fence.

And we end our birdbath tour with the ugly twin that sits under the hoppa crab tree (which has started dropping leaves at an alarming rate with the 90+ degree temps we've been having lately!). So, I think 19 birdbaths should be enough to keep my little feathered and furry friends happy!!!

I'm linking to Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday. Till next time, I hope you are all staying cool wherever you are!!!

Donna

Serenity...

"Leave room in your garden for angels to dance."

... and bunnies to frolic...

... and flowers to bloom...

 

Amen.

I'll be linking up to Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday.
Wishing you all a lovely week,  Donna

Midnight in the garden of ....

good wood gone bad...


Okay, I may have exaggerated slightly about the midnight part (it was actually closer to dusk)...


... but the pictures don't lie. Just look at the condition of this wood.


Now don't get me wrong. I love old wood... and I love rustic...


... but this might be a little too rustic and worn...


Want a bird's eye view of the garden? (literally)... Let me show you what it looks like from the inside looking out...


Here is my beautiful vintage garden statue of Mary, always watching over the little creatures who visit our yard...


And over here is the front gate, the garden angel, and one of my (many) birdbaths...

Through this window is a glimpse of one of the bistro chairs....

...and through the arched door you can see the swingset deck/garden project we just finished, Mr. Garden Bunny, our vintage birdhouse planter, and the honeysuckle vine... So that is what birds would see if they built a nest inside. On a few occasions they've started nests, but stopped when they realized there is "predator" access from just about every side of the house. They do, however, love to perch on top of the house!


And speaking of weathered wood, sitting over here on a well worn wood bench is an old window...

...but I have to say that I think the window is a case of good wood gone better (although the bench could use a good cleaning!)... So there you have it...


And in case anyone is wondering, I have pulled up one of our blue Adirondack chairs in front of the bee balm... I am determined to get a photo of one of the hummers who visit it.... And I'll stay out here until I get a good shot, or until the mosquitos get the best of me!!!

In case I don't post again before the holiday, HAPPY 4th of July everyone!! And now be sure to stop by to see Cindy, My Romantic Home, and all the other Show & Tell Friday participants!!!... Donna