April 17, 2013

The Day My Ugly Turned Interesting


You'll notice I didn't title my post The Day My Ugly Turned Pretty.  This isn't about pretty... at this point though, interesting will suffice.

We all have them, I think.  The frustrating spots in our gardens that just don't ever look the way we envision them looking.  I plant with the expectation that this new plant will be the plant that will finally adapt to the treacherous spot I scathingly refer to as the cemetery.  Nothing thrives here for various reasons ... too shady then a long, scorching blast of late day sun, too dry, too near the fence where our dog likes to gossip with the wildlife {read trample whatever is planted} ... yada yada.

But oh, how my recent trip to Warrenton, Texas, changed all that.  Antique Weekend happens not too far from Austin ... half way between here and Houston off Hwy 290.  Twice a year treasure seekers scour hundreds of booths searching for the perfect finds.


At the booth of a favorite vendor who is sadly retiring from the show, I discovered this most fascinating of treasures.  A mask of some sort that makes the most ugly of cemetery corners into the most interesting of corners. 


He sits atop an antique ladder, also found in Warrenton.  Together the two pieces give the height, texture, color and interest I've been searching for.  And the best part was that it wasn't a planned experience ...  completely serendipitous!  The ladder was meant for another purpose and the mask, well, the mask was a total impulse buy.  I knew I'd find a place for him in my garden. 


He now sits gazing across the garden adding tons of personality and character.  He is seen from the kitchen window giving me a whimsical, half grin looking somewhat like he knows my secret.  The secret of how a chance encounter at an antique booth far, far away turned my ugly into awesome.



28 comments:

  1. Great find Cat -- I'd love something like this in my garden! I'm afraid it wouldn't be enough to make my worst areas "interesting" though.

    One concern: is it fastened down in some way? Seems like the kind of thing that could "wander off" in the middle of the night. At the very least be knocked down (and dented?) by raccoons.

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    1. It's stable. And fortunately, I haven't had raccoons so far. I'm hopeful that we won't but never say never. Bunnies I have by the dozens ... ugh..

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  2. Wow, it really brings a certain intrigue to your garden. There are certain areas in my garden that have taken me several years to figured out the right purpose. Sometimes things just fall into place when the time is right. Love that this guy spoke to you and found a place in your garden.

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  3. I love this guy's personality. He is definitely in control of that problem corner, and he knows it. Great find!

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    1. Thanks, Laurrie! Maybe he will keep the bunnies away?

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  4. He definitely adds some personality to that spot! I have a few of those spots in my garden, and I've put off purchasing garden decorations lately with college expenses for the kids. But I have some fun ideas in mind, so I hope to add a few whimsical touches soon. Enjoy your new find!

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    1. I feel your pain with the college expenses ... we are deep in the middle of that season too :)

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  5. You're spot on about those icky spots we all have in our gardens. Your solution is something with loads of personality though. Good find!

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  6. Love the mask! I've never seen anything like it, but it has such personality. You just can't help but smile when you look into his immortal eyes. By the way - did you try on the mask? I think I would have just had to!

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    1. Oh, you know I've thought about it, Holley! It's too small for my head but funny story ... the vendor said that another woman had just been considering the purchase but decided against it for fear her kids would be wearing it all the time! My gain!!

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  7. Love faces in the garden. I'm always on the lookout for interesting ones to tuck in among plants here and there as if they were rocks. I like ones on the order of your guy - intriguing expression! Also love old ladders and shutters in the garden, so your post this morning is a treat. I planted ox eye daisies smack under my ladder, which I also put in the "impossible" spot. It supports their long stems in the wind and the blooms peeking out through steps and sides are interesting. Great Warrenton find!

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    1. The ladder was a coup as well! I was looking for a smaller ladder but this one is perfect. It has ropes instead of braces for supports. Something I've never seen before. I've planted a passion vine nearby and I'm hoping it will crawl up the ladder and give it some flower power!

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    2. Cat it was great seeing you today! I love your garden find. The passion vine is going to look great climbing up the ladder. What a great idea!

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  8. I love it. And those insulators on the fence, fabulous. Sometimes you just need one thing to make the whole thing work. I have a bunch of insulators I keep trotting around the loft wishing for a spot. Now I am going to look outside in the loft garden. Hoping the neighbors will be respectful of my treasures.

    Have been reading but not much time for writing these days. Hope your days are a little lighter, although there will always be a whole. Take care.

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  9. I'm a garden junk fanatic. I can never have enough. My one criteria: it has to make me smile. But, that doesn't mean it has to be funny looking, although I'm a sucker for goofy animal faces. Sometimes the stuff that makes me smile is just the memory of the day I bought it.

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  10. What a fabulous find, love his quizzical expression. What a great way to transform a problem corner.

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  11. I love when I find something interesting that can be added to the garden to really spice it up. This guy certainly does just that.

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  12. He truly is awesome, what a sweet and interesting face. Garden art is the perfect antidote to spots that just won't work otherwise.

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  13. What a great find. Here's hoping he reigns over that problem corner for years to come.

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    1. Yay! So glad you are now able to comment :) I always miss you when you're away. You're a bright spot in my blogging world.

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  14. Cool. Looks like an Aztec art with a combination of Roman and Thai culture. Beautiful and vintage.

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  15. Sweet. I love to go treasure hunting. What makes it totally sweet is when I actually find a treasure to bring home. You need to name that little guy.

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  16. What an interesting find. In a way the ladder has become its body. This is a perfect way to give a problem spot personality.

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  17. What a good find! It definitely adds character to your garden. :)

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  18. I love this! The irony is that he's sited in the cemetery even though he's given the space new life. Excellent!

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