Ideas: Fairy houses

While there are lots of Fairy Garden things on the market now, there's really no substitute for making them YOURSELF. Bits of driftwood, stones, twigs, moss... a kid would make their own out of whatever was on hand, and it would have its own beauty and charm, and be organic to its surroundings. Something to consider.

That said, there are some CUTE pre-made doors and Fairy Garden furniture on Ebay, Amazon, Easy, and any number of nursery sites. Plus, Flower Fairy figurines!

They're ephemeral, and magical.

And then, there's this: FIREFLY FOREST... WATCH!

Inspiration: Succulents

Found on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/144185625541634844/

OK, so, Pinterest is the hot new thing, and I like it, but it is frustrating. 1.) The pics are generally small. It's helpful that you can click on an image and USUALLY get back to the original post, which might be the company, or the original how-to post, but the size of the pics often leaves a lot to be desired. 2.) Everybody seems to pin/re-pin the same things, after a while. Still, there's a plethora of ideas and perspectives, and if you have time to follow trails, there's a fair amount of backup info.

Privacy is also an issue - but they seem to be solving that. And, of course, there are workarounds.

Houzz is sort of Pinterest for Home and Garden, more specific, and a bit more oriented towards detail and how-to.

I like this place...

◼ SHOP WATCH: CASUALLY CHIC AT POM POM INTERIORS BEVERLY HILLS! Bookmarked the Cococozt blog, she has some fun stuff.

Lilacs are blooming

Christmas

 

red, gold and green

◼ link

Mama and three baby raccoons

eating catfood on the deck

◼ Tips on feeding wild raccoons

Iris 'Frans Hals'

◼ Often called the "Mother's Day Flower," Dutch Iris blooms in late spring, after the Tulips, with glorious, orchid-like flowers. at Wayside Gardens

New pics from Pottery Barn

Whoever is doing their catalogs these last couple seasons is GREAT - the best I've seen...

Robinia pseudo-acacia L. -

The one the wooly bears love.

Bowl of Cream Double Peony

The Bowl of Cream Peony, Paeonia 'Bowl of Cream', blooms in midseason with large, bowl-shaped blossoms of pure white that have hidden golden stamens. The flower width can be as large as 8" wide. The beautiful dark green foliage really makes the flowers stand out. Double. Developed by Klehm Nursery, Hybridized by Roy Klehm in 1963. APS Gold Medal winner 1981.

Large, fragrant, pure white double blooms are displayed on the erect stems of this clumping perennial. Excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or use in perennial or shrub borders. Choice cut flower. American Peony Society Gold Medal winner.

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring. ◼ link: Monrovia

Peonies are herbaceous perennials arising from thickened tuberous roots. Largely invisible, hidden underground most of the year, they are quite spectacular when they emerge. They respond well to a yearly fertilization, and addition of bonemeal. It is best to leave them undisturbed, dividing them infrequently. Botyritus can be a problem during humid spells. Peonies are one of the longest living herbaceous perennials often found in older gardens, for once established they will survive neglect. One hundred year old peonies are not uncommon. ◼ link: backyardgardener

Mature Height 1.5 to 2 feet, Mature Spread 2 to 3 feet, Full sun, Fast grower to 1 1/2 to 2 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide.

2010

Almost summer

Have to get the lawnmower and weedeater fixed. Make plans. Spend the ENTIRE summer outside.

Snow! Easter!

(2011 - we had snow again, this is getting to be an every year thing instead of an every 7 or 8 year thing... snow at sea level, and record cold temperatures all over the nation. Snow in San Diego last night, too.)

Gorgeous day!

Wonderful, sunny, now wind. Daughter home from college - all done actually, 4 years done, graduating early.