The Storm Before the Calm!

This is a "BEFORE" post. I hope you'll come back in a month or so to see the "AFTER" photos. 

I know it's barren now but I invite you to use your imagination to see lots of flowers.

***

After a "historic" snowstorm in Denver, the sun came out and melted all that snow, 

making the grass greener than usual with bulbs popping up everywhere like this Siberian Iris. 

Yep, I have spring fever and I've got the sore muscles to prove it.

These tiny Squill bulbs are one my early favorites. 

Before I can do anything fun in the garden, 

I'm taking advantage of our 70 degree weather to do some garden clean up.

First, I have to rake up all the wet leaves and dead plants and bag them for garbage pickup.

We decided to remove a sand cherry that had messy berries and suckers throughout the garden.

It was a job but will be worth it when I plant this area.

Thanks to Ron for tackling this monster root.

Beginner's Tip:  It's a good idea to cut down your ornamental grasses and lavender stems 

to make room for new growth. 

This little tool makes quick work of trimming grasses and it's fun to use.

One of the first things I like to do in the spring is re-imagine my small patio.

At one end of my patio is a vintage fireplace grate that will hold red geraniums, 

some taller plants in the pots and flowers in the galvanized tub.

Watch out for my little photo bomber!

I picture the metal structure wrapped in battery-powered twinkly lights.

You know in Paris how they have tall planter boxes on the sidewalk to define the cafes?

I'm going to try something like a bench lined with lanterns and flickering candles. 

Or maybe I'll ad a small arborvitae in a big clay pot or a flower stand.

Oh no, now they're saying we're going to get snow this weekend.

That's Colorado for you.

Argg!

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After the Rain

A late Spring shower is a bath for our senses.
It doesn't rain here often so the sound of rain is magical.

Like a hum before bursting into song.

We stop what we're doing and listen

as the rain refreshes the grass and bathes the flowers.

Then, after the rain . . . glistening jewels quiver on delicate spider webs.

Pools of crystal beads lie on a leaf like a broken string of pearls.

Everything is fresh, dust bathed away and stale air cleansed.

Birds take shelter, then venture out after the rain, beady eyes searching for worms.

Pigeons splash in puddles like little children; 

chickadees and finches shake the wet from their feathers, then refuel.

The heat of the day evaporates in the cool mist.

After the rain, the earth turns dark -- rich, fertile, moist.

And it sings.

Breathe it in and listen.

***

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Architectural Salvage in the Garden

Recently, I wrote a post about using Architectural Salvage in the home. 

As I was putting it together, I realized I had enough architectural pieces
in the garden and on the patio to write a separate post. 

As they do inside your home, salvaged pieces add texture, warmth 

and a sense of history to your garden and patio. 

This widow's walk railing evokes stories of a woman
watching the harbor for her husband's return from atop her house.

One of my favorite salvaged pieces is this rusty metal arch linking the patio and the garden. 

With solar twinkly lights, it makes the garden feel magical. 

Purchased on a road trip through Oklahoma, I like to imagine
what kind of garden it might have come from.

This ornate fireplace screen adds a historic touch to the patio

while the cement angel is a lovely accessory. 

Old salvaged doors make great outdoor screens.

(This one, an alley find, is hiding the fuse box). 

These metal sconces were electrified at one time.
We removed the wiring and now they hold candles on our patio fence.

I love the look of rusted metal fencing in the garden.

Sometimes, reproduction pieces look just as good as the real thing. 

Old windows are handy inside and out.
Here, I've used one as backing on my potting bench.

This old chimney stone was from my Dad's garden.
I don't know how it came to live in his garden
but now it lives in mine.

Architectural salvaged pieces bring a unique elegance to the garden and patio
with their steadfast beauty from days gone by.

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Bring Spring Indoors

Are you ready for Spring? I sure am. 

This week we had some amazing 70 degree weather and 

I just had to go outside and start cleaning up the winter garden. 

I know we could, and probably will, get a heavy wet Spring snowstorm but I just couldn't wait. 

The end of winter is in sight.
I'm definitely dreaming of Spring and so is Roxy.  

The first day of Spring is only two weeks away!

I love bringing touches of Spring indoors in anticipation of the awakening of Spring outside. 

This lilac bush on my street is sprouting bright green buds . . . 

and tulips are pushing their way up out of the ground to bask in the sun. 

The backyard birds are beginning their courtship dances and building their nests. 

It's the best time for birdwatching. 

Here's a beautiful nest from last season with some faux eggs. 

The funniest cartoon I ever saw was two birds in a nest, the male returning with a twig in its beak. She says, "You're NOT going to put that there, are you?" 

Mine kind of gal!

So, are you ready? Let's bring some of that rejuvenating Spring energy into our homes. 

A green plant evokes nature and warm days to come. 

I overwintered this little fern inside and amazingly did not kill it. 

More greenery with galvanized garden items. I'm so ready to play in the dirt.

Can you believe I found this beautiful Spring pillow in my alley, neatly wrapped in plastic.

I love how it brightens up a room with my little garden frog.

This old sheet music is for a tune called "Chickadee." 

I almost feel like the watering can is trumpeting the song. 

It won't be long before the daffodils are blooming. 

Meanwhile, we can bring Spring indoors with a light fresh touch
of buds and branches. 

Is it Spring yet where you live?

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French Country Garden: Endless Summer

Just when I thought summer was over, 

a new flush of late-blooming flowers burst upon the scene in my French Country garden.

Is it the slightly cooler weather and a bit more rain that gave my garden a second wind?

After an afternoon shower, everything is fresh, dust bathed away and stale air cleansed.

Pools of watery crystal beads lie on a rose bush leaf like a broken string of pearls.

Whatever the reason, gorgeous flowers are sprinkled throughout the garden
that I thought had run out of gas. 

They're even sprouting in the cracks in the sidewalk.

I'd just finished cutting some perennials down to their fresh basal growth 

when I noticed this unexpected flush of flowers.

(The tall pink flower is agastache, my favorite perennial.)

These yellow flowers have popped up everywhere.

Good thing I like them!

(Rudbeckia are easy to grow and reseed themselves.)

I have big trees in my yard so my garden is quite shady.

I don't get masses of flowers
which may be why I appreciate each singular flower more.

(White flowers are garlic chives in bloom.)

The potted plants have taken off too.

These urns have never looked so lush and full.

Can you spot my little garden assistant, never too far away?

Hopefully, my late-bloomers will last through September 

when golden hues paint the aspen trees 

and asters add a soft shade of purple to the garden.

I have learned many life lessons from Mother Nature and I think this time
she is telling me when you feel like you've run out of gas and are ready to quit,

think about these late-bloomers and don't give up. Your season isn't over yet.

Draw on your inner strength and you may get another chance to bloom again.

(Japanese anemone buds ready to bloom).

I'm grateful for this endless summer in the garden. 

Truly a blessing.

Thinking of our friends in Texas, Florida and the Northwest. 

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