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

The haunted carpenter's bench...

... has been moved back out to the deck. Not because it was haunted, (see this post)...


... but because it really belongs outside.


It's quite happy to be back among the clay pots and summer blooms...


I love old wood, and clearly this old bench has weathered many a storm and many summers of blazing sunshine... But now it's like an old work horse who has been put out to pature to enjoy its remaining years. No longer is it being used for heavy work. Its purpose now is to provide the perfect spot for flowers to bloom and garden tools to be stored...

All my little garden essentials fit nicely into this old crate on the bottom shelf....

... which is then covered by yet another old crate. Hidden away, but oh-so-handy when I need them.

Dad wanted me to say THANK YOU to all of you who left him such lovely comments!! I took this photo of him this morning as we were heading out to run errands before the thunderstorms moved in. He is holding onto a branch that he named "Harvey." We only have a one-step front stoop, so there are no railings. Dad always grabs this branch for support when stepping down onto the pathway. So this weekend when we trimmed back the shrubs a bit, we made sure to leave "Harvey" intact. When not in use, Harvey just gets tucked into the shrub. Dad was very glad to see that his friend survived the hedge trimmer!

Note: It's now several hours later and the storms are moving in! Wishing you a wonderful day filled with sunshine or rain, whatever your heart desires!

Donna