A Walk Through the Garden

After a wonderfully delicious early crop of tomatoes followed by unseasonably high temps, our tomato plants literally bit the dust. While searching for new heat tolerant tomato bushes to replace the ones we lost, I discovered a garden center I had never noticed before. The lush setting was a feast for my eyes.

My attention was immediately drawn to this gnarly tree trunk with ferns and other plants growing on it which brought an impression of life back to it.

Just around the corner was a bird bath with a bikini clad frog frolicking in the water.

Colorful yellow plants were blooming at the bases of tall pines while other blooming plants encircled the trunks. Off in the distance a French door was propped against a bush. Beyond that was an unclothed mannequin which sadly I did not get a picture of. Gotta love a garden with touches of whimsy.

A rusty winged cherub adorned this fountain.

This replica of the famous Bird Girl sculpture from the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” functions as a plant holder. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you may be able to see the pink and white hibiscus on the left that I bought for my garden. And they had heat resistant tomato plants so with any luck there will be more tasty tomatoes in my future.

Thank you for joining me today.  I hope you enjoyed walking through the grounds of the garden center.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks…John Muir

Marlee

I am linking to the Outdoor Wednesday party at A Southern Daydreamer.

 

 

Two for the Money

Last weekend I went to a yard sale which to my surprise turned out to be an estate sale also.  It was the second day of the sale but I still managed to score quite a few items for the low, low total of $10.00.

My found treasures included 2 garlands, 2 tables, 2 mirrors, 2 baskets, 2 glass floats and 2 candle holders.   It’s the Noah’s Ark of home décor!

One of the tables has already been painted and will be featured in a future post.    Here is a sneak peek at the original top and a glance at my turquoise painted toe nails.  Anyone care to guess what color this top got painted?

The other table (plant stand?) I left just as it was because I liked the look.   It is unique in that the wooden and iron top comes off to reveal an X shaped frame.

This adorable little table found a home next to the stairwell.   I placed a framed watercolor print on it and a small aqua colored hurricane jar that I purchased at Old Time Pottery for 99 cents.    The fake ficus insisted on being in the picture.

To check out more thrifty treasures and all sorts of other goodies, please visit the Thrifty Treasures party hosted by Rhoda at Southern Hospitality, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday hosted by Linda at Coastal Charm and Potpourri Friday hosted by Honey at 2805.   You can find me there!!

Thanks for dropping by.   Hope to see you again soon!!

Marlee

I always liked the story of Noah's Ark and the idea of starting anew by rescuing the things you like and leaving the rest behind…
Zach Braff

 

A Simple Coat of White Paint

Happy Memorial Day!   Please take a moment to remember the fallen who fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

My Memorial Day has been spent with my sister painting a couple of pieces of furniture that were screaming for a make over and my husband wanted me to make sure and mention that he was outside in the scorching sun painting the back deck.     So, being the obedient little wife that I am, I did.   Happy honey?

The bookcase belonged to my parents.   They gave it to me many years ago and I painted it when I was going through my “sponge paint stencil everything in sight phase”.   Lovely, isn’t she?

Using left over white paint, we transformed her into a beach house beauty.

The vintage two piece vanity table which we believe is from the 20’s has been in the family for as long as my sister and I can recall.   We painted the table section before I remembered to take a before picture.  Luckily my memory returned and I took a picture of the mirrored section before painting.

And here is the after of the vanity table.   I really love the look of a simple coat of white paint.

Total cost of these two thrifty transformations was $0.00.   You can’t beat that!

Have a wonderful week!

Marlee

I am off to party at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday hosted by Linda of Coastal Charm. 

From Birds to Herbs

Before I tell you about all the thrifty treasures I found this past weekend, I want to give a big shout out to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality.   She recently featured my post on the Adirondack chairs I rescued from the side of the road.   Thank you, Rhoda!

On my way into work Friday morning, I saw a yard sale and naturally had to stop.   For the low price of $5.00 I came home with an assortment of goodies most of which will be future painting projects.

Oh how I love birds!   I can’t wait to clean and paint this iron wall hanging.   I have just the spot for it on my sun perch I mean porch.

While we are on the subject of birds, here is an almost See Rock City birdhouse.    Someone quit painting right in the middle of the O.

This piece reminded me of the tool boxes and other types of boxes I have seen fixed up real cute on several blogs.

Another item I have seen people decorating with is vanity mirror trays so I snapped this oval shaped one up.   I was just about to spray paint it when I discovered I was out of spray paint.    How could that happen?   I usually have a better supply of spray paint than Home Depot.

Here is yet another bottle to add to my ever growing bottle collection.    A bottle tree is still on my wish list.   It will need a lot of branches if I keep finding these at yard sales.

I came home with 2 sets of small shelves.    The wooden set has plate holder notches.   I guess I didn’t take a close up of the other set I bought.

And last, but certainly not least, I bought two books.     One will be a good beach read and the other I couldn’t resist because it is a cook book full of recipes using French herbs.

The cover of this book had me at Herbes de Provence!

Lots of fabulous pictures adorn the pages.     I seem to be more drawn to the ones of French architecture than I am to the ones of food.

Maybe I will channel my inner Julia Child and try creating the Petits Coeurs de Crème Aux Fraises des Bois Et Aux Fleurs de Sureau.     Doesn’t that sound divine?

“The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appétit. ”
― Julia Child

Oh, how I miss that woman!!  Thanks for visiting!

Marlee

I am joining the Thrifty Treasures party hosted by Rhoda at Southern Hospitality and Nifty Thrifty Tuesday hosted by Linda at Coastal Charm.