Monday, June 18, 2012

All the King's Horses and all the King's Men...

... couldn't put the birdhouse together again. 

But we did!!!

When planning our little backyard garden, I wanted the three gravel paths to lead to a focal point; in this case, a decorative birdhouse on a pole.

And although we had a fairy mild winter here in New England,
we had one particularly windy storm that blew the birdhouse off the pole.
This is what we were left with in the center of the garden.

Not a pretty sight.

And when the old, distressed wood birdhouse hit the rock solid frozen ground below,
it broke in almost every place it could, and then some. It looked like a goner.

I salvaged what I could of the pieces and after staring at the bare pole for six months, 
hubby and I finally decided to tackle this project last weekend.
Now this was a VERY inexpensive birdhouse to start with, but I just loved the look of it
with the windows and door on all four sides and the decorative cupola.
Hubby wasn't so sure it was worth saving, but I assured him that the rustic,
distressed look would be just fine with me!

And so here it is, in all its weathered glory.

With L brackets, screws, a nail gun and glue holding it together from the inside.

Once again standing proud in the center of the garden, just in time for the blooming salvia that I planted around its base several years ago. I also tucked a little vinca vine pot inside each window and door. By summer's end, it will be touching the ground for sure.

Maybe next year we'll have a bit of extra money for the additional bark mulch
the garden sorely needs!

But that minor detail isn't stopping us from enjoying our little garden!
Hubby and I enjoyed feeding our little Chips last week and I'll share photos 
and a short video of that very soon!

 Summer 2007
 I still can't get over the transformation in our little backyard over the past 5 years. Our above ground pool once sat in this section of the yard, right off the deck so I could easily watch the girls when they were young. But by 2007 they had outgrown the pool. It was hardly ever used, so we took it down. It was at that point that I dubbed our backyard "Roswell" because it looked like a flying saucer had paid us a visit!

Summer 2012
Fast forward five years, and here's a pic of old Roswell as it looks now, taken from the same vantage point up on the deck. What a difference!

I hope you're all enjoying summer in your neck of the woods!

This week I'm linking up to:
 White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

Donna

11 comments:

Anne said...

Donna what a beautiful trasformation. I would love to have a backyard as quaint as yours. I also love how you used the canopy. It looks really nice with your wicker furniture tucked under there. Oh I almost forgot..I agree, the bird house was worth keeping. Love what you've done with it.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh my, that's quite a difference! I'd love to have that yard. I can't believe you put that birdhouse back together. Looked like a goner!
Brenda

Susan said...

Wow Donna. That was a great yard transformation. Holy Smokes. You guys have done a great job. And I love the little birdie house. Amazing you could save it. Take care and keep up the good work! Next year, bark mulch for the yard for sure! (My arched rose arbor is in the same category.)Susan

Number Fifty-Three said...

What a fantastic transformation! I love the bird house! Great job gettingit all back together. Found your link on Faded Charm.

mariondee-designs said...

Hi Donna, I love what you did with your backyard! It must give you so much joy sitting out there now. I love your birdhouse too and I would have fixed it too as it's too nice to throw out! take care, Maryann

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You've done a wonderful job on your garden. And, a great job with the birdhouse as well.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Donna, hopped over from fishtail Cottage. I love your rustic birdhouse! I'm afraid if my hubby had seen that pile of pieces that he would have said it was trash for sure. Luckily he is easy going and I may have been able to convince him as you did your hubby. Your yard truly has been transformed into a cozy retreat. I would love if you would share this with my link party, Share Your Cup Thursday. I am now following you.
Hugs,
Jann

Larry said...

Great bird house and reclamation after the damaging winds! Larry

Liz @ Sit With Me In My Garden said...

I love that you salvaged the bird house! I hope it last many years into the future!
Love the "Roswell" garden! That's funny! Something similar happened here after we took down a pool. I got the idea to use the flat area we had created for it to make a patio....suddenly we were putting in a flagstone patio and the rest is history! Your space looks great and I appreciate this kind of creation as I know just what goes into making it!

Unknown said...

Love our humor, Roswell indeed! We used to have an above ground pool and I love how you transformed your 'Roswell'circle. You did a great job in saving the birdhouse, it is lovely and just make the garden.

Fishtail Cottage said...

in love with that bird house ~ so glad you were able to piece it back together! it's wonderful!!! thanks so much for linking up to this weeks garden party! love it! (finally just got my own post up) lol oxox tracie