Saturday, May 22, 2010

I've Been Busy...

May 22 already, I've missed you all!  Spring has totally sprung and summer now appears to be possible. I was beginning to wonder about that with the many frosty nights we had in the last 2 weeks.

Update: the robins have hatched! Ugly--a look only a mother could love! The nest is tilted and falling apart. Hopefully they will fledge before the demise of their home. I will try for another update later, though the pictures depend on my petsitting jobs there.


I've spent many days filling my huge flowerpots with dirt, mixing the dirt with compost and peatmoss and planting annuals, perennials and seeds. I'm still looking for the perfect shrub for the biggest pot. I'm leaning toward hydrangea, though a compact blueberry bush has come to my attention. Soon there will be Sweet peas growing up trellises against the wall. I will eventually add sweet potato vines and other pretties as the pansies fade and get leggy. I found that the volunteer pansies that came up in the mulch are much more compact and flowerful! I will try to save more seeds this year and start them myself.


I've cleaned up my porch and assembled a round glass-top table for dining. I've been working on my "screenporch" which is part of my workshop with a loading dock garage door that I've screened off. The retaining wall perennial garden is taking care of itself with a little water, when I get a chance. Lots more to do, and nothing is very photogenic yet! Today is dump day. So much trash to pay to get rid of!

Speaking of trash, yesterday, driving through a neighboring town, I saw a free sign and found a lovely pile of junque on the side of the road. I was careful and didn't take it all, but look what I got! Does anyone know what that bottle-type thingy is? I love old tools that have been mended and used. The small piece of wood will be a sweet backing for an art piece, and the larger one may be the top of a crate table on the porch...


Well, I'm off to a memorial picnic for my friend Trisha's Uncle Ray. He was a bluegrass musician, and all the musicians will be there to perform. It promises to be a lovely day with lots of music, friends and good food, a fine tribute to Ray.

Linking up to Linda at Coastal Charm.  Stop by and see her great blog-great stuff!
Enjoy the weekend!

16 comments:

  1. Great finds! And your pansies are so lovely...

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  2. WOW! I have been away way too long!!! You've got a new blog design and oh my whiskers, the posts that I've missed!!!! How have I missed all this activity? I usually don't sleep that deeply when I take my afternoon cat naps, but someone has definitely sprinkled sandman dust on me! I have had a grand time catching up - almost as good as chasing a fat mouse....I am loving your posts (especially the Fairy Petmother and the new baby birds)and your new blog design - beautiful!

    So glad I stopped by!

    Purrs.

    Romeo and "her"

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  3. I've had such a nice visit with you this morning--catching up on your postings and reading your prose. I love the new "look". We have a nest of wrens in a hanging fern on the front porch. Every time I go out, the mother flies over to the crab apple tree and gives me a tongue lashing!

    I can't wait to see what you do with Ralph's photos!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. You go, girl! What a haul! And all freebies! Pays to have an eagle eye, doesn't it! LOL!
    Happy Sunday!
    Diane

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  5. Wow, you have been busy! Cool finds - I have no idea what the bottle thingy is!
    Hope you are having a great weekend!
    Zuzu

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  6. The photographs here are gorgeous. Your pansies are simply beautiful, I love those flowers.;)
    You indeed found some interesting items, I have no idea what that bottle like object is, it could be a container of some sort.;)
    I love your new blog design.;)
    Have a lovely Sunday, hope you enjoyed your picnic.;)
    xo

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  7. Sherry,
    I can't believe you found those cool treasures on the curb! I'd pay good money for that lot. Your pots are so pretty, makes me want to go to the nursery. I love your new banner, but I miss seeing your awesome photograph. Creatures of habit. LOL Lisa

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  8. Your garden is looking great!! Love the old tools- something I'm sure my father would have loved to get his hands on! He collects them, although they're mostly woodworking tools.

    I bet the memorial was great- I owuld love to hear some bluegrass!
    Thanks for the update on the baby birds! I hope that nest doesn't fall apart!

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  9. Lovin' all your flowers...HAPPY NTT!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  10. Hi Sherry. What lovely photographs! The pansies are simply fabulous! I've been away from blogging for awhile and look what I've missed. Girl..You've really been busy and everything has come together so beautifully. I sure hope the baby robin is going to be okay..

    Hugs & Summer Sunshine, Terri

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  11. hi sherry,

    beautiful pics and lots of fun going on here, as always!

    xo
    elyse

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  12. Sounds like you had a lovely mother's day. Your meal sounds fantastic. Love the story of the ladyslippers and your father's ashes. What a lovely way to remember him. Those Robins eggs are amazing, aren't they?!! I found a little dead bird on one of our balconies the other day. It was severly dehydrated by the time I got to it -- and I mean, jerky style. I know, that's awful -- but I just can't imagine where the birds are making their nests as there are no trees on the roof and I have found little fragile bits of bird eggs too. It's amazing the places those birds can find to build a nest. Hope you had a great picnic! Best wishes for a wonderful Wednesday. :) Tammy

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  13. Hi Sherry! Could you come by and drop me an email?? I would like to ask you a question. Thanks sweetie!
    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

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  14. Hi Sherry,
    Oh those poor little things,in the nest, hope it will stay there, untill they can fly!!!
    And I must say ,you was lucky, just being able to put those wonderfull things in your car, and take it home,-love old tools -too.
    Have a wonderfull evening.
    Hugs, Dorthe

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  15. The birds in their nest are precious.
    Hey, i've got some sweet peas growing up, too. And, I do love pansies - yours look so pretty. I do love the "volunteer pansies". We had some come up thru the bricks in our patio (they were little Johnny Jump-ups, actually). Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend~

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  16. my goodness,,,what treasure you found, It looks like the thing has a lid,,,is it a lantern???
    As we were sitting in the yard watching the robins the other evening, I told my husband about the robins nest, where it was etc. I am glad you commented about Patrica R. as I ment to come back for an update. I think there must be more to the story, so I will back post to see.
    Love planting flowers,,,best therapy on earth, next to lace and chocolate.
    Wonderful post!
    Love
    Marcie

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