We had so much fun over the weekend and the fabulous weather made being outdoors just perfect. Seeing my long time best friend who's also from England and lives in California, is always wonderful - we catch up somewhere across this vast country at least once a year - and have a ball. We even let our dear hubbies join in the merriment.
Homemade carrot cake was demolished at teatime in the gazebo - birdwatching and taking photos included.
Some new containers for the deck were hastily planted ready for outdoor dining - I love Hydrangeas and have several in the garden - thought I'd try a new Endless Summer (flowers will be blue eventually) as they bloom continuously on old and new wood. The pot was large enough to mix in some Wave Petunias and variegated Ivy.
This iron basket contains a Coleus, purple Wave Petunias and a green something or other - forget name but it's pretty and will trail!
For our our table I found these gorgeous Sunflowers on sale at a local grocery store last Thursday - they are beautiful, still fresh and perky today. Later I set the table with my Italian hand painted ceramic dishes so it was very colorful and attractive for lunch.
On Sunday afternoon we spent time downtown at the annual Artsplosure festival. Booths displayed a myriad of handmade items from jewelery to these beautiful vintage looking birdfeeders..........and I couldn't resist one for my garden. The dish is an upturned old silverplated lid from a serving bowl. This local artist threads vintage silver lids, bowls, gravy boats (even tea and coffee pots to hold flowers) with heavy copper wire which she curls and attaches copper leaves to. There are small drainage holes drilled in the bottom. This morning on looking out the window I was greeted by a tiny Chipmunk sitting in the lid munching birdseed, followed by a Carolina Wren and a Nuthatch who scattered when the first of many squirrels appeared. This is going to be a popular hangout I can see!
Have to feed our feathered....and furry....friends!
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You have so many beautiful things in the photos...the cake says "Yummmmmm". Great post!
ReplyDeleteYour weekend with your friend sounds wonderful. The carrot cake looks delicious :-} Carrot cake with cream cheese icing is one of my favourites.
ReplyDeleteI love your new bird feeder ...perfect addition to your gorgeous backgarden!
What a cute idea for a bird/chipmunk feeder! I've never heard of the Endless Summer variety of hydrangea. I will have to look for it as I am always so sad to see the end of my hydrangea's blooming season.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you had such a good weekend...that cake looks soooo good! I love all of your planters and new pretties for your garden, too. Those sunflowers look like one of Carolyn Brady's watercolors...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMary, it all looks so inviting!! The flowers are gorgeous and the cake looks delicious! The weather here has been so nice lately...I just hope it holds out so I can keep working in my yard (well, maybe with a little rain...after all, we could use it!).
ReplyDeleteD~
Love the birdfeeder! And everything looks so lovely around your home. Makes me want to get back to remodeling and decorating.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful things that you shared here
ReplyDeleteOh My! Your cake looks wonderful. And what gorgeous flowers you have planted and photographed. The bird feeder is so unique, and I really like it. I'm sure you've had a wonderful weekend with your friends. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYum, Carrot Cake, love it!
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are wonderful. It sounds like you had a delightful time, with your friend!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
That bird feeder is really great! I may have to try fashioning one of those myself.
ReplyDeleteThat carrot cake looks like it's got lots of icing on it - just the way I like it! Glad you had a great time visiting with your friend.
ReplyDeleteI have a few Endless Summer and they're great. My only problem with them is that they are slow to recover from that last surprise freeze we had in April.
That's a great birdfeeder. I wouldn't have been able to resist it either!
Manuela
What a super neat bird feeder! Oh and squirral feeder too:) Posted a vistor to our garden today. Also tagged you for the Alexa blog award. :) Hope you are enjoying your guests.
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