Garden Art and more....

I've still got gads to yikyak about at my outing at La Casa Verde. No surprise I know, but I am with the utmost resolve going to do it in portions more easily to digest.(not a promise though) I am what I am.

So just a couple sights to share, the first this whimsical pair of birds from recycled garden implements that I am sure any self respecting farm has laying around in rusty piles. I was really inspired to find myself a welder and get to it.

Hmmm.. I have all these elements on hand, but I wonder how much work goes into removing layers and layers of rust, or would I just forgo the paint and leave the years old rusty patina intact? Oh whirly whirly!

I visited this cottage three times. I was just magically drawn to it. You think because I live in a cottage just slightly bigger and it made me feel at home maybe? Maybe. First visit I browsed at the eclectic collection of vintage finds. The second, I munched on an apple and browsed some more. Third visit I bought a new but old potato masher. The heavy gauge wire masher part was wider and appeared more durable then my plastic handled one at home. And the worn red paint on the wood handle? What's not to love about that.

I love this! This old truck represents all those faithful and rusty farm relics you are likely to find on most farms. A vision of days gone by. This one was faithful to it's calling and now stands sentinel here. It's pastel and rusty colors are beautiful to me. And of course the little signage on the door. ooohh....

do I like a little signage?

Let's just say me, a piece of chalk and a rusty old Chevy. Simpatico!

P.S. Gads more to come ;)

Great Starts

I am feeling under the gun here to get seeds started for spring planting. Using my own el primo cheapo seedling soil I make by scratch that you can find right here, I have three flats of tomato seeds started. I will only use a few mind you. I'm not completely nuts, yet. But it's so great to share starts with friends and gift someone with a nice heirloom tomato variety like Brandywine or Stupice. Since most of us give in to that innate sense of nurturing and coddling over youngun's, who can resist a fresh green tomato plant with all the potential it holds for splendid summer meals or canning. Just one sniff of a young tomato plant and I know I am hooked. Here what was happening in my laundry room a few weeks back. These babies are now relishing life in my new greenhouse, while basil seeds are taking their place in the laundry room.






The necessary cruelty of thinning out the newly sprouted tomato plants.


And I didn't stop there like maybe I should have. I cleaned up some houseplants and now have young starts taking root in water on my kitchen window sill. No, I haven't gone totally berserk. I have enrolled in a basket weaving class at a local farm with a well respected craftwoman in the art, so I am hopeful I will produce my very own wares to contain these new little plantings.







I deviously stole some time away in my shop in all this spring hustle and came up with this little sign using scrap wood, some rusty plumbers tape, rusty wire, and a little paint.





That's right baby, finding time to do something just for fun so it's not all work. Have a Splendid Spring. Happy planning and don't forget to take time to have a little fun too.