Score 1 for Sammy Squirrel...

... and a big zero for the flower boxes...


Up until yesterday, this is what my backyard flower box looked like. I had to photograph the front yard flowerbox this morning because....


THIS is what the backyard one looks like now. Nary a plant left. And why, you might ask?

We are in the middle of an extreme heat wave/high humidity weather pattern here in the Northeast, not fit for man nor beast. As a result, I went out to refill bird baths a few times yesterday as they're quickly going dry from the constant bathing and drinking going on (the little creatures, not me)...

Anyhow, while refilling the birdbath down by the backyard patio yesterday afternoon, I noticed that my gorgeous flower box was EMPTY!

Or was it???

Upon closer inspection, I spied Sammy (even though he was trying his best to hide behind the one remaining vinca vine!)

As I got closer, he got a little skitterish... But with the weather being as blasted HOT as it was, he could muster only a few steps before collapsing at the other end of the flower box. I'm certain his little squirrel-sized brain was thinking, "Maybe if I drape my little paw over the side and look adorable she won't be angry and cut off my peanut supply."

You know what, Sammy? If I was a squirrel, I'd have done the exact same thing as you... That cool soil is a necessity on days like today.

So Sammy got peanuts tossed to him (I always have them in my pocket when out in the yard) and I made the decision to just leave the 'dirt' box like it is for the rest of the summer. The Sammy's need their cool soil more than I need my flowers in this unbearable heat...

And no pictures of the hummers yet. Whenever I spot them, I don't have my camera handy. Whenever I have my camera handy, I don't see one. But the chair is still parked there and if I have any spare time I'll try to plunk myself down and get a photo before the bee balm is done blooming (it's already started the downward turn!)...

Hoping you all have some way to keep COOL if you happen to be going through a heat wave like we are!

Now head over to visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday!

Donna

God bless America...

... land that I love...


Happy 4th of July to all my blogging friends!!!

I'm linking to the Patriotic Party at Common Ground!

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

A heavenly day, sunny and DRY...

Hooray! The muggies have left! The air is crisp and clean rather than feeling like it weighs a ton!


When I walked around the corner of the kitchen this morning, the shadows in the family room caught me off guard. The sun was streaming in, a soft breeze was blowing the trees, and their shadows were dancing all around the room as they swayed to and fro outside. Unfortunately, none of that beautiful movement was captured in my still photos.


Same shot, different camera/light setting... And can you guess what I did as soon as I took these photos? I turned off the air conditioning and threw open the windows! Heavenly!!!!

Seeing red...

The bee balm is absolutely exploding with color...


We planted red and purple monarda last year (or was it the year before?)...


...and it has grown and multiplied beautifully...


... calling to all the little hummingbirds who might be flying overhead.

The red blooms first. The purple will bloom later.

They're doing pretty darn good despite the fact that they are sun lovers who live in the shade...

... of the mulberry tree, cherry tree, and hemlocks...

Our garden is still a major work-in-progress. We hope to put down some temporary bark mulch paths around the plants within the next week or two....

And hopefully I'll be able to snap a photo of a hummingbird at the bee balm to share with you some time soon!... Donna

Thrift store bowls and platters

We love salads and I serve most of them in the bowls and platters I've picked up at thrift stores...

Tonight we had a simple tossed salad, served in this large glass bowl. Perfect for salads - wide but not too deep.

On Father's day we had a hummus, artichoke, tomato and romaine salad with black olives and mozzarella cheese...

... served on this gorgeous blue and white platter.

I love the gold trim and design against the blue and white. The fact that it's worn is a bonus.

Bon Appetit! Be sure to visit My Romantic Home to see Cindy's gorgeous Show & Tell post and to find a list of all the other bloggers participating!! .... Donna

The Chip Whisperer....

(A photo of "Back Yard Chip." All of our Chips are named for the locations of their little holes/dens. It is Backyard Chip that appears in the following video)

A sweet little video of Amanda, home from the city for a few days, feeding Back Yard Chip out on the deck this week...
I think it was my good friend, Claudia, who used the term Chip Whisperer in a comment she left in one of my previous "Chip" posts. Love it! haha Bless the beasts and the children... Donna

The welcome committee....

The seasonal decor may change on the front stoop...


...but the welcome committee never does.

During the spring and summer, colorful blossoms sit on the old bench... In the fall it's pumpkins and gourds, and in the winter it's outdoor poinsettias...

But Mr. and Mrs. Bunny are always peeking through or over whatever is placed around them...

They're our offical "welcome committee."

Last week our elusive bunny made an unexpected mid-day appearance.

We hadn't seen him in weeks, so we were quite excited to see him back again.

I think Mr. & Mrs. Bunny have a lot to do with attracting Mr. Wild Bunny to our yard. Twice he's been caught hanging out by the front stoop with these two. Neither time did I have my camera with me. Now that would be a picture!

Now hop on over to see Cindy (My Romantic Home) where you'll find a post on her beautiful new bed crown as well as a list of all the other bloggers taking part in Show & Tell Friday!

Donna

A new use for an old box...

I've had this box in our family room for years now. But up until a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea this box once had a specific purpose!

Recently Claudia (Mockingbird Hill Cottage), posted about a beautiful pink floral glove box that she had purchased out in California. The size and shape is so similar to mine, I concluded that mine must also be a vintage glove box!

Now my little box has definitely seen better days. The quilted satin covering is very snagged, but that doesn't detract from its vintage charm... It was obviously used often and well loved.


And besides, with my little white dove perched on top of it, the snags aren't even noticeable. (The white dove was an old Christmas decoration that I liked too much to banish to the basement come January, so he has lived upstairs year-round for as long as I've had the box.)

I wonder what the previous owner, who lovingly stored her gloves in this box, would think of the current contents? As you can see, the box is the perfect size for the unsightly remote controls.

And now that they are stored in this beautiful box, they're so easy to find (unless they have been left behind sofa pillows or buried between seat cushions... the guilty parties shall remain nameless... you know who you are :)


Sweet little dove, you have my permission to peck the guilty parties until they return the remotes to the glove box!
Please be sure to visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for her Show & Tell post and a list of all the other bloggers participating this week!

Donna

Another bird cage planter!

In my last post I showed you what I did with my birdcage planter this summer.

I put it in our new swingset garden, using the same rusty white table that I've used in the past.

But this year, I broke all the home garden decorating rules and put (collective gasp!) FAUX ferns inside....

Last year, when it was up on the deck, it was filled with colorful flowers. (Here are the instructions on how I made mine.)

Ro Magnolia left me a comment that she had created her own birdcage planter after seeing mine. You must visit her at Soft Winds and Roses to see the birdcage planter she created out of this GORGEOUS old bird cage. Just look at the domed shape on top! An old beauty for sure! You'll love the transformation!!!

Donna