July 15, 2011

July GBBD ~ Hunkerin' Down with Annuals and What-Not

Meet What-Not.  He lives in the french drain in the perennial bed adjacent to the front sidewalk.  I nearly stepped on him last night as I walked a friend to her car.  You can see how well he blends in with the sidewalk...plus it was dark!  What you can't see is how big he is.  He's huge...softball size.   {Maybe.}

This is the time of year in Texas when we hunker down.   It's a good time to nest and catch up on things.  I was inspired by a blog post I read (sorry, can't remember where I saw it) about 10 Projects in 10 Days.  It sounded like a good idea and I tweaked it to 10 Projects/Chores in 10 Days.  Nothing huge, just a few things that have been neglected and needed tending to. 

One of the projects was to spiff up my front porch.   I planted some annuals in late spring and they've taken off in spite of the heat and lack of rainfall.  {Y'all tired of hearing me whine about this yet?}


These cosmos are so pretty in the morning light.   Their fiery hue boldly stands up to the bright light of mid-summer.   I've heard tales told of how certain varieties can be very tall and weedy.  This variety has remained small at 10" or so.  I've planted them in an area where they are free to reseed and will be welcome when they do.


The zinnias are tried and true.   I've planted different varieties all through the garden.   The oranges, pinks and greens of the annuals inspired my porch project.



The rockers were given a fresh coat of paint and new colorful cushions and pillows were added to brighten things up.  The table is an awesome gift from an Austin garden blogging friend, Pam who blogs over at Digging.  Austin garden bloggers meet up once a month or so and swap plants and garden treasures.  I felt like I won the lottery when I left Pam's garden with this sweet deal! 



The porch is welcoming and comfortable now thanks to the inspiration taken from the sturdy annuals close by.   Are you finding any inspiration in your garden lately?  If so, what has it prompted you to do?

Be sure and visit May Dreams Gardens.  Carol hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of each month and it is always a treat to see what others have blooming!

31 comments:

  1. The color in your zinnias is such a lovely shade of pink. The porch is so inviting, and I think it was such a great idea to incorporate colors of the garden into your porch pillows. Happy GBBD! (BTW...like the new look!)

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  2. Love your frog! It's really plump and cute! I don't have frogs, only toads but I have taken some photos of strange looking frogs from elsewhere and almost posted them today. :) I am finally back after 2 weeks of rest from blogging.

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  3. What fantastic pillows! They really are perfect for the garden setting. And it was good to meet What-Not. That's a great photo of him.

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  4. I love your cushions and pillows, what a lovely welcome to your home, though I imagine the heat means it is only in use in the evenings? beautiful cosmos too, I always seem to grow the pastel coloured ones, I really should branch out. Happy GBBD.

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  5. Your rocking chairs look so welcoming! kelli

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  6. Your porch looks so fresh and inviting and cool! I love the pop of the pillows.

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  7. Getting used to the new look, whimsey. My wife cleaned the porch yesterday also, the slider chair was dusty. I started my new "Austin" garden.

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  8. Your front porch looks very welcoming and I love the colors in the pillows...picks up the colors of your beautiful blooms. I think it is so nice that all you Austin bloggers get together! What a fab idea! Btw, I love your new look. I think it is good to change things up once in a while to challenge ones creative side. Great idea!

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  9. Aha! I was wondering why you Austin gardener bloggers all seemed to know each other -- I'll have to look into something like that in St. Louis. I feel a bit isolated.

    Love the toad! You Texans have all the best reptiles and amphibians.

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  10. Love What-Not!! What a great guard dog! Lovely photos as always Cat.
    Happy GBBD :)

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  11. I love your porch project. It must be so restful to look out at your pretty garden. I really like your pillows, especially the one in "fiesta" colors!

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  12. There's an idea - flower pillows handle the heat and lack of moisture without losing their color! Porch is looking good. Happy GBBD!

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  13. Oh, I'd love to sit a spell on your front porch and visit with you -- when it cools down some :-) I read a quote somewhere that God made rain so gardeners can clean their house. But in Texas, we can say God made 100-degree days so gardeners can clean their house -- or tackle some other projects. I'm whining right along with you, so don't feel bad.

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  14. aloha,

    i could sit there and view your gardens also...love the colorful pillows :)

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  15. I love those pillows - and your porch. And your new look!

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  16. Yes - do like the new colours! I can linger over your photos, without battling to skim the text.

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  17. Your blooms looks beautiful and I want to sit on your porch! Love your What-Not - I have several of his relatives in my yard.

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  18. Cosmos and zinnias thumbing their noses at whatever we get in Austin. As you know I don't mind weedy things so I have plenty of these too. A wonderful job on the patio-I'll bet even in the heat you enjoy sitting out there. very inspiring as usual.

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  19. Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a cosmo that color--I don't blame you for hoping it reseeds. I've never seen a toad that color either, come to think of it! We have the same softball-sized ones in our yard, but they are just your average, everyday, toady green/brown.

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  20. Liking the 'what-not' and the porch looks very inviting! Larry

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  21. You've inspired me!! In Nebraska it is now Texas weather...upper 90's for the next week! UGH! but hey, what a great time to think 10 projects/chores! I have some in and out that need doing. Now that enjoying the garden is on hold due to the extreme heat it's a great time to do other things! Thanks for the positive outlook on the crappy weather! I'll post improvements in future blogs! Thanks again!

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  22. Cat,
    It is hot and dry here too. We haven't had rain in about 2 weeks now. Your rocking chairs look super with their colorful pillows. When it is hot like this, I actually take a break from creative projects. We take little trips and wait for the weather to cool. Have a great weekend!

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  23. I love your porch. And I love What-Not (once I got over the surprise).

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  24. I love your porch and specially rocking chairs. They are my dream, to have a porch where you can be even it is raining and just rocking there and watch life goes on:)
    I like your design change, it so much easier to read with a white background, thank you:)

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  25. I love it all Cat, new blog, new porch and those beautiful sunflowers, Frances

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  26. What a great project! It looks gorgeous and so comfy. And your flowers are just amazing. I love What-not too. He knows just how to hunker down!

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  27. I love the new blog!! Love it!!! Cute photo of What-Not. haha Inviting porch. I am sure many a day is and has been spent sitting out there.

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  28. What a lovely front porch you have, so inviting and happy! The cushions are delightful and I love that you pulled your inspiration from a flower in your garden...love it! You've inspired me to do a make-over on my porch ;)

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  29. I absolutely love the newly painted chairs and pillows for the porch. The black makes the pillows pop.

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  30. The heat index is 110 right now so all my garden has ispired me to do is go inside! This is the time of year when I take a hard look at what problems have popped up and try to figure out solutions for them. Two beds that were disasters last year are fabulous this year, which motivates me to continue my problem solving approach. Your rockers and porch look so inviting! :o)

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  31. Cat - great idea: "10 projects/chores"; L.O.V.E. your new porch table (among everything else)! Your friend's garden blog is very cool - I added it to my blog roll!

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