Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Flowers & a funky, fun project

 

Happy Wednesday Folks ~ Here we are to the middle of another week. January is almost gone and February will be here shortly.

Some of you are really having really nasty winter weather.  I almost feel guilty for writing a post about flowers and fun in mild weather down here in FL. Almost, but not quite. You all have lovely springs and not so bad and short summers.  We have short springs, long, hot and humid summers, with threats of hurricanes, but our winters are rather nice, especially if we get some ‘chilly/cold’ weather, which we’ve had some of lately.  We are having gray skies today, had a little rain already and more is expected throughout the day and tomorrow too. We need it so I’m not complaining.

Monday I got the hair-brained idea to make an arbor using some plastic covered wire shelving we found.  We used some and still have some left over.  I thought to myself, why not? I am recycling and making something I want but don’t want to spend $ on.

I didn’t have to cut anything, just wired, propped and there it is.  I still need to do some tweaking, looking for some pipe in our stash to pound into the ground for extra support. For now, this works.  Once things start growing up and over it I will be really pleased. I then moved potted plants back to this area to surround it and divide it from the parking area, and I love the look.  It helps to soothe my heart.  The caravan is an unfinished project that we were working on, and one of these days I’ll do my best to finish the inside. Paint and paneling and hook up the lights.  I’m planning to use this to store material, yarn, etc. I can sit out there with my lap top and can have tea, do some needlework projects if I feel like it.  There’s a tiny a.c. that we bought and installed and I have an electric one burner for making tea. There’s even a little fridge that will work on propane or electric. Oh yeah, see the little section of picket fencing by the caravan?  I found 5 pickets left over from our fencing project and found some other wood we had, and nailed pickets to that and wa-la! I need to wash it down with TSP or vinegar, then paint it to match the other fencing on the other side.  I think I’ve still got some of that paint left.

I’ve got to clear junk supplies/materials from in front of the work shop to make it all look nicer.  All in good time. One thing Mark told me before he left this planet for his heavenly home, was that the workshop was now mine.  Now that I’m over the truly bad part of grieving, I am thinking about how to make it so I can use it in there for some of my projects.  I still will leave a lot in there as it is tools and supplies that I’m using or can use.  The workshop was a dream come true for him and I love it too.  It is always a treat to go in there.

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This cast aluminum hanger is one of a pair, from my friends Nanci and John.  The are salt water blasted from being at a place on the beach.  They are neat!  I think I am going to paint them the orange trim color, to make them stand out.  I just hung two old hanging pots from them, this is an unknown plant that I got last year, and in the other one is a periwinkle of some sort I think, that hangs and spreads.  I may get something else, but I don’t know what.  Cheap!

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Below is the clerodendrum ~ Shooting Star, it is on either side of the bird bath by the heart patio. No scent that I can detect.

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Tibouchina blooms

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Blanket flower

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African Bush Daisy

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Callisia fragans ~ This is wonderful and fills the air with it’s sweet perfume. There are some in front of the big fish too.

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Cape honeysuckle and bee.  The bees love this.

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Kalanchoe

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Queen Crepe Myrtle looking like fall as it loses it’s leaves.

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Mom-of-millions.  This plant can be very invasive, but I love it because of the blooms.

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Miss Tork has it made this is one of her favorite places to sleep.  The basket was delivered to us filled with edible goodies for our 25th anniversary from Mark’s family, hence the silvery ribbon. Let’s see, how many years ago is that? This Sept. would make it 20 years. Wow!

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A mocking bird, our state bird, taking sips from the bird bath.  I saw a sweet little finch at the bath yesterday, while washing dishes and when I went to get the camera this time, and came back it was gone.

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Red knockout rose.

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This is one of my unknown roses.

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These photos below were take a little while after the other one and it had rained, plus the flower had opened up more.  These are ‘huge’ blooms that smell so wonderful!!

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It is dreary out. I’m glad I had some outdoor time the past two days.  Since Mark left this planet, I’ve stayed indoors way too much.  When he was here, he always knew where to find me, out in the gardens.  He wouldn’t want me shutting myself up inside. I’ve made it through the first year without my Love, and with God’s continued peace, love and strength, I’ll make it through the rest of my life, until it’s my time to depart.  Then what a reunion we will have.

There is much beauty to see and enjoy in each new day. 

There are lessons to be learned and to grow from too.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

29 comments:

crafty cat corner said...

Thankyou Lorraine for an uplifting post. The weather here is abysmal and your flowers cheered me up no end. I love the fish, I don't think I've seen that before.
Mark would be so proud of you, the bower is going to look lovy once the plants get going over it.
Hugs
Briony
x

Anonymous said...

Reading your post was like a ray of sunshine on this very dreary, cold Florida day. You are such an inspiration, FlowerLady!

Hugs,

eli

Val said...

"To everything there is a season." Maybe you just needed a year of indoor time more than outdoor.

The arbor will be great. Mark's proud of you, I'm sure.

lil red hen said...

I love looking at all your garden "things". They give me ideas; if only I could do things for myself as you do for yourself.

The hanging bracket has a lot of character just as it is. The caravan looks almost like a little playhouse.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Don't feel guilty about showing flowers and other warm weather pictures.They help me to make it through our long cold winter.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Yes, you will make it through another year --and another one... You have a great attitude toward life and that helps SO much. Mark would be (IS) very proud of you...

Your blooms are so pretty... Thanks for sharing them with us. We have had some wicked weather this month --and I'll be glad to see some milder weather (hopefully soon).

Hugs
Betsy

happyone said...

Your flowers are so pretty.
Don't feel guilty - some of us like snow. : )
All the more reason to appreciate spring when it gets here.

sharon said...

dont dare paint that wonderful patina on those brackets
!!

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

The arbor you made turned out great! What a good idea that was. I can just envision it covered with some lovely vining plants.

Your flowers are so pretty. Your rose photos are excellent. Seeing pictures of your flowers and pretty yard cheers me up. Winter still has a long way to go here in St. Louis. I can only dream about roses and pretty vine covered arbors.

Karen said...

Dear Rainey, Don't feel guilty about posting your beautiful flower photos, gosh, I needed to see that right about now. I spent the day skiing and putting block heaters (a heater to warm an engine) on the tractor so I could plow snow. Not a very productive day, and as you said, January is almost over and February is coming soon. It has warmed up finally, supposed to hit 25 above tomorrow, but also six inches of snow are predicted. This has been a truly tough winter.

I love your new arbor and am so proud of your accomplishments. In your shoes, I doubt I would be doing as well as you are, I'm sure it's due to your strong faith.

I know Mark is proud of you, too. Hugs to you, dear Rainey.

Gary said...

Good morning Lorraine,
You are so resourceful in the way you use whatever is at hand to create such lovely things. I love all of the little outhouses you two created together.The kitty looks cute, but tell me, why the name Miss Tork? Take care

BernieH said...

Great work creating the arbour. It helps define the area wonderfully. The caravan will be terrific as a special creative space for you.

Loved seeing those fabulous Roses and that lovely Clerodendrum.

Over here we're waiting for a cyclone to cross the coast. It's expected to cross somewhere a little south of us tomorrow morning. So far it's only a Category 1, but the wind is certainly picking up. Of course, we're all appreciating the soaking rain at the moment. Hopefully the cyclone will pass without too much damage.

Sunray Gardens said...

Lovely blooms. Always enjoy looking at the Roses.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I adore your property, its a photographers dream. you have so many rustic cute things to see, and your use of found itmes. You do have a creative mind. WOW on that caravan!!!! I want that in my yard but the HOA here would not be happy. That is one place I would not want to leave it and have to come inside. That is a perfect spot to daydream and gather ideas.

Susan said...

I love your funky little arbor. Great idea to use the left over shelving. You are very creative in finding ways to repurpose items. I'm working on trying to improve in that area. Glad you're getting some of this rain, too. I don't care for the gloomy skies but we definitely can use the rainfall. Have a great day and enjoy your little arbor!

M.K. said...

What a reunion you WILL have -- and for eternity! Never to be parted again. That comforts my heart when I brood on the knowledge that either Adam or I will have to go through that loss. Your blooms here soothe my heart too -- so warm and full of sun and summer. I think your caravan is so adorable, the color, the shape, all the decor around it. You're doing a great job on it!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Lorraine - I love this idea for an arbor and the pictures of your flowers, are, as usual, just beautiful! You are so creative - I would just love to see your garden in person. have a good weekend-to-come!

Rebecca said...

I can't believe how time has passed! I can hear the optimism and fresh hope in your words...

The arbor is such a creative project! You are a true artist and I admire your work.

I'm keeping my eye on your caravan updates :)
♥ Rebecca (we are spending an extra night in Charlotte since our flight was cancelled and we can't get home....)

Sandra said...

I always enjoy your posts and your beautiful flowers :) Your funky arbor looks adorable :)

We've had horrible inversion here for 3 weeks, no sun at all, but finally today it let up which was a nice change. Unfortunately it's short lived as we get more cloudy skies and threats of snow tomorrow LOL

Have a wonderful night my friend,
Sandra
xoxoxo

Annie said...

Beautiful flowers and great wisdom. I love the shooting star. I also love creating things from what I already have lying about.

Darcie said...

I love to come over to your blog in the winter time, and remind myself what warm weather looks like. :-) Keep sharing your sunshine, flowers...life.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Your post reminds me of Spring.
Yesterday so beautiful and 60 and now sleet is falling :)
Take care...

Balisha said...

I have a new blog address...
http://simplybalisha.blogspot.com/
Come visit so I can see if it's working.
Balisha

camp and cottage living said...

Lorraine
What a beautiful flower garden and yard you have!
Even your hubbies shed is so cute. I can see why he was proud of it.
I can only imagine how hard it has been this last year for you with out him. It's a good sign that you are happy to get out in your garden again...
I lost my Mother a year ago yesterday, it's not the same as losing your husband, but I sure miss her too.

sweetbay said...

You have hellacious summers, you deserve nice weather and your beautiful flowers in winter!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Thank you for stopping by and thank you for the beautiful, colorful photos and thoughts from your gardens!

Sending love,

Sharon

Val said...

I hope you're doing well, Lorraine. I keep checking for a new post. ♥♥

KathyB. said...

You are so creative and I like what you've done with the caravan.

Flowers, what lovely flowers. It is icy here, and only indoor plants are blooming, but blooming flowers are appreciated anytime.

I look forward to seeing the plants & vines you will have growing up and around your new arbor.

Skeeter said...

Your new arbor looks awesome! In time it will be filled with blooming beauties for sure! Speaking of blooming beauties, the ones you post today are so Oh La La to my eyes! I want to snuggle up with Miss Tork until Spring has sprung for me!