Random Snaps Of My Day READ HERE

Just a day in my life. An ordinary day. But every day is special in some way.

The water gardens are doing great. We've had a ton of rain. So they keep getting very full.

Some changes have been going on inside.

The mums are budding out. Soon they will bloom. Then I'll cut them back. And they will bloom again come fall.

The peach colored cone flower has bloomed.

My Art, My Masterpiece, My Gardens READ HERE

I'm cooking a roast in the crock pot. The apartment is filled with the aroma.

It tastes better if I take it out of the crock pot, and then put it in the Breville for an hour. That somehow makes it more tender.

That and some veggies and iced tea will taste good tonight.

The raised garden bed has filled up quickly. I love to bring different colors to shade garden, for few flowers will bloom here.

A little further down in that garden, where it gets more sun, the herbs are doing well.

"All gardeners live in beautiful places, because they make them so." - Joseph Joubert

            

Look at this flower that appears to be tucked inside the angel's wing.

The geranium plant is so elegant. At first the blooms bow down, as though at the end of a play or performance.

Then suddenly in a day or so I'll look again, and they will have turned the blooms to face the sun.

I became a gardener at an early age. I've never stopped being awed by the seasonal changes nature bestows upon us. It is a gift that keeps on giving.

I am not an artist. I can't draw worth a darn, or paint landscapes. But I can create a garden.

He sits out here to remind me to pause and relax. To sit down and gaze out at the patio and the gardens I've created. 

And to be thankful for what I have.

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece." - Claude Monet

Sunday On The Patio READ HERE

We've had lots and lots of rain and thunderstorms lately.

The configuration of my outdoor room got changed slightly. I kept tripping over the bigger coffee table that matches the iron chairs. So Israel helped me swap it to a location farther out on the patio.

I hung up some painted frames I had in the closet.

And soon I'll have fresh tomatoes for my veggie burgers. I can't wait to taste them!

What's going on in your gardens, patio or deck space this weekend? Is it warm enough to plant seeds or seedlings yet?

Something New On The Patio & A Patio Tip READ HERE

There is something new on the patio today, courtesy of Wayfair. Thanks, Wayfair!
See what it is?

A solar bird bath for the patio birds. The last bird bath I had, a squirrel tipped the top over and broke it. This top screws in to the base, and therefore won't be easy to tip over. Plus it's quite heavy.

See the cute little turtles on each side. They came separately with a spike that goes in the two holes where they're situated. 
My objective is to a have a natural wildlife habitat in the city on an apartment patio. And it can be done.
I've also got a tip for you if you have cement gaps in your patio flooring. Whenever I'm watering I'm always hitting that and dirt comes up and makes a mess.
Here is my answer...

The flat marbles I've collected over the years and brought from Texas are a temporary fix now, as they aren't yet glued down. I'll get to that later. But this will keep weeds from growing up through this long gap.
Notice how I arranged the marbles so it looks like they're spilling out of the driftwood?

To get a better idea of how big this patio is, and some of you have asked me about this, see how much concrete patio there is before you even get to the gazebo by the back patio doors.

See the edge of the gazebo? So there's at least ten feet back once you see that. The gazebo is 10 feet by 10 feet. Not sure if that is from pole to pole or not.

While I was digging around for my box of marbles, I came across this little glass jar of beads. I brought them out here because the colorful beads are pretty when the sun hits them.
Well, hope you have nice weather and can enjoy some gardening this weekend!
Also I wanted you to know that Primitive Star Quilt Shop is having a giveaway for Mother's Day, so you should go over there and enter here.

Sunday On The Patio READ HERE

We've been having fairly regular rain showers here lately. After all, "April showers bring May flowers!"

I just love watching flowers start to unfurl. Every new bit of growth is exciting to see.

This photo is a bit out of focus, but it's where Abi sits while I'm rolling around on my little cart tending to plants.

Goldilocks (the name I gave this cement head last year) is starting to sprout hair/golden pennies.

My metal lady is always "up in arms" over something. 

Alyssum is keeping the patio fragrant with its unique perfume. I just love these tiny little flowers.

What's happening on your patio, balcony, or in your gardens today?