A Secret Garden

There is a shady little strip of land

at the side of my home. It isn't seen by many so I like to think of it as
my secret garden.

I've decorated it with odd little pieces of yard art. Because of it's less than ideal location,
plants struggle to grow and what plants do grow
become dinner to the snails that live there.But it is still a favorite little spot of mine,
to sit and ponder, or simply to walk through and smile.

Backyard Bargains

With the heat of the summer upon us, I was feeling the need for a gorgeous summer centerpiece. Not wanting to spend any money, I walked through my backyard to find what was in bloom. I grabbed my clippers and nipped off a few blooms from my butterfly bushes, then added some grasses for filler. Now I have a wild, bountiful, beautiful, and free bouquet.Since seashells evoke the feeling of summer, I thought I'd add one into my seasonal vignette. Of course, I couldn't resist giving the backside a glitzy little makeover

so that it would be as pretty on the outside as it is inside. Then I finished the setting with a little ceramic bird candle holder,
adorned with an old key tied on with rope.It gives me a thrill to add beauty to my home
without spending any money!

Bountiful Blooms

An enormous bouquetcompliments of my own backyard.Can you believe the size of this bush?Am I the only one that has a burning desire to have
a snowball fight with springtime blooms?

Lilac Love

My lilac bushes are abundant in blossoms. I thought I'd bring some of that beauty and aroma indoors.

I found that the blossoms last longer if you hammer the ends
of the branches so that there is more surface to drink up the water.

I pulled out this old thing to help weight the vase down and camouflage the stems.

You just can't beat a homegrown bouquet!