Let's Cool Off

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Of course it's beastly hot here. Oh it's been hotter...so I'm counting my blessings.

Only 101 today. 

I'm working on my hutch turned potting bench...painting it. 

Hope to reveal next week.

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I thought I'd post photos today of pretty cooling fountains.

I don't have a fountain in my backyard but so wish I did.

My friend Petra called me Saturday and said she now has a pool in her backyard.

I posted about her yard here.

This is Petra's pretty little backyard.

I feared that the pool would take over.

But it's placed out of range of this photo...to the very back of the yard.

It's a large blow up pool.

I had to immediately go over and see.

She said they were on sale for $39.99 at Ace Hardware and that she and two neighbors

each got one. 

I guess the heat has gone to their heads!

On Sunday she was in and out of it all day pretending she was on vacation.

She had drinks and music and was having a very good time all by herself.

It was like she was at a redneck resort.

The things us single middle aged women do to entertain ourselves!

At least we don't need any approval to do such silly things.

She warned me she didn't think it a good idea for me to get one with all my dogs.

No worries...I wasn't tempted. 

It looks like this - sans kids.

Crazy! Good thing she got it after she was awarded yard of the month.

I teased that we were going to revoke her award.

Anyway...back to my potting bench...

which looks like this...now.

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but will look something like this when done.

The walls of my house are even the color of the walls in the photo.
And since my potting bench will sit against the walls of my house...I think this will be nice.

I had been thinking of painting it this shade of blue green but when I found this image...
I knew for sure.

Back to fountains...

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All that green coolness surrounding

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I did have a wall fountain but filled it with plants last year.

It was doing beautifully but is struggling now in the heat.

This is a bit of it here.

The creeping jenny is now growing way down the sides.

But the flowers are not so pretty.

They'll come back though when this heat subsides.

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I'd love to feel the splash of this water.

I bet the dogs would too.

although....

A few years ago I bought the weenies a mister thinking they would enjoy the 

fine mist cooling their little bodies.

Nope...they hated it.

They blinked their little eyes against the mist and ran inside.

They wanted nothing to do with it.

silly dogs

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I love the look of this formal garden.

Ok, back to painting for me.

I hope you are staying cool.

Do you know anyone with a redneck resort in their backyard?

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Garden Whimsy

A little fun in the garden

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a whimsical path of grass under a shocking pink tree creates 

a Seuss-like landscape

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These homeowners must have a sense of humor with these silly sculpted bushes

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How about a stream of blue glass?

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creeping jenny splashes out like water in this birdbath

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a simple gazebo frames one perfect topiary

Do you find humor in your garden?

My crepe myrtles are blooming. 

They always make me so happy to see their color in the summer.

I'm thinking I might plant one in the front yard and let it grow into a tree.

I have one in back that is tree sized.

I resisted when my neighbor offered to cut it back a couple of years ago.

I like them big like trees, not kept as bushes.

How about you?

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Pink Double Impatiens

Pink in the Shade

I planted these pretty pink double impatiens the other day in my little

wall fountain. It's mixed there with creeping jenny that 

weathered just fine over the winter and came back with gusto.

Don't they look like little roses?

I'm sure I'll have many more blooms soon.

I only bought one little pot of these but think I need to go back and get many others.

They are very very sweet.

Just wanted to share their loveliness today.

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and
Happy 4th Birthday to How Sweet the Sound's Pink Saturday!

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Into the Garden

Today, my friend Deidra and I went to one of our favorite shops in OKC.

website here

I remember going here for the first time about eleven years ago when I first moved back

to Oklahoma after living in Georgia for a long time.

I was so missing all the beautiful garden stores of Atlanta and a friend suggested

I check out this one.

As soon as I stepped inside I knew I was in an oasis in the middle of the city.

The weather was absolutely perfect today.

So they had the place wide open with the big garage doors open.

This building use to be an auto repair shop years and years ago.

That is why there are two big garage doors to open the store to the outside.

A wisteria covered courtyard greets you through the gate.

This wisteria has already bloomed and gone while my wisteria at home is now in 

full bloom. But my wisteria always blooms later than many.

I'll show it tomorrow.

Fountains and larger pots fill the courtyard.

So many things I'd love to have in my garden.

Deidra wanted the little gnome but she resisted.

I'd be very happy with this fountain in my backyard.

I do wish I'd gone by when the wisteria was blooming.

They have these precious hand made cottages perfect for fairy gardens.

Now, moving inside...

Inside, looking out to the courtyard.

It smells wonderful in the store. Lots of candles and french soaps add to the aroma.

I'd love to look out at this view everyday.

The Wilshire Garden Market began fifteen years ago started by a mother and daughter team

who were unhappy with the quality of garden decor they found in Oklahoma.

They've definitely raised the bar by far.

Lots of candles and soaps and gift items here too.

Oh...I forgot to mention...you can order online through their website.

Pretty outdoor pillows

New pots that look vintage in colors I adore.

How about this for a fountain?

Yes....yes.

I want those big cement mushrooms.

birdbaths

There is much more to see. They have lots of pillows and outdoor furniture and outdoor rugs.

Just a lovely place to spend a spring afternoon.

After Wilshire Garden Market, we went across town to The Feathered Nest.

Deidra bought a table after saying she wasn't going to buy a thing.

Then we hit Whole Foods for a salad and then went to the new Anthropolgie. 

Deidra bought something there too after she told me not to let her buy anything.

I reminded her that I was suppose to stop her...but she got quickly hostile.

That is how it goes.

Of course as soon as we get in the car, she starts in on 

"You are such a bad influence on me." 

"I always spend so much money with you."

"I told you not to let me buy anything."

I didn't buy anything....oh I saw things I wanted but I cannot buy right now.

At the beginning of her day she said..."I didn't even bring cards or money because

I'm saving all my money to go to New Orleans next week."

"So, don't let me buy anything."

"Ok", I replied.

Then she sees a table she can't live without at Feathered Nest and I remind her she's saving her money 

for New Orleans and she has no money with her.

She snapped back, "I've got credit cards in the car!"

And off she went to get them.

Next time we shop she will remind me that I made her spend money,

and I should not let her spend any this time no matter what.

And then she'll spend some more.

It's a vicious cycle.

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Flowers in the Fall

I barely had flowers all summer.

But now that fall is here, I have plenty of them.

Yes, now that fall is upon us...everything is finally lush and green.

My grass is even growing back.

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Garden Gate Antiques

Statuary in the Garden

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I think a little statuary is very pretty in a garden. 

I like just plain old concrete aging naturally over time.

I went by Garden Gate Antiques last week and browsed their large collection of

new and old concrete statuary. 

I found several things I wanted to drag home. I have a fondness for floral and fruit filled urns.

I have three of them on the front porch pedestals of my house.

There is one of mine on the far pedestal. 

These urns were one of the very first things I added to my house.

I've trimmed the ivy way back since this photo was taken.

I love ivy but this is a bit much. I prefer it less wild.

My little wall fountain planted with impatiens, money wort, ferns and vinca vine is doing very well.

See how the vines mimic water overflowing. 

I'm not caring for the spikey plant however. 

I think I'll pull it out and plant it with something else...it detracts from the flowing water feel.

My first thought was that it would look like splashing water but I think it would work 

better in a different sort of container.

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I found some truly lovely container gardens.

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Especially like this one.

I'm very successful at growing ferns on the backside of my house. 

They love the northern exposure.

Still lots that needs to be done back here in the yard...but I've been busy in the kitchen.

I'll show tomorrow. It's a work in progress. 

I guess I'll just show as I make changes. 

The big one was the tile but I added something today that I think just added so much. 

And am painting some things tomorrow.

Moldings planned to be added too but that will probably be next week or the next.

This photo just to remind you how much better it looks than it did. 

Don't forget my 

linky party is still going on.

It's so fun to see how you all have mixed things up in your own homes. 

Just click on above button to go there now.

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