"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

The beginning of a country cottage garden

is forming in the back corner of our back yard
When we first moved out here........I was creating large gardens far out 
away from the yard.  It was a lot of work to drag watering hoses
and to keep varmints out.
Plus......I could never actually enjoy the garden's beauty sitting out on the back porch in the afternoon because the gardens were
too far away to see.
I started the garden around the already existing roses bushes. They grow 
and bloom so well here.
I want to grow more roses, Lantana, and Chrysanthemums as well as
Zinna in this space. 

My husband's building is the perfect wind block and this section of the yard can
be seen from the back patio

I dragged the ornamental iron archway from the back garden and 
am using it for the entrance to my cottage garden.
I have a Queen Elizabeth Climbing rose......in the container....
hoping for soft pink roses to soon grow up and over the entrance.
My husband also placed the antique fencing that we found a while back
at a junk store. We had just enough to go around the garden area!

I have been busy removing the grass and weeds.
I plan on making a cement/stone path that winds around
in the grounds

and I have also planted a few lantana.


I had my first visitor.....this large horned toad.......
it has it's eyes closed........playing dead.

Speaking of visitors......the yellow headed
blackbirds have made their annual visit to the 
grounds

They make their loud squawking noises and give us a wonderful
show as they enjoy the feeders.

And we have a temporary house guest......this is Ellie.
She is my daughter's cat.  Ellie will stay with us for 
about a year until our daughter returns for her.
Our daughter has taken a job in Afghanistan......
please keep her in prayer......as a parent......
I worry for her safety.
I hope this finds you all safe and out of harm's way 
from all of the storms that are crossing the country!


16 comments:

Nancy J said...

Your daughter will always be close to you with Ellie right there, she will be loved so much. Lovely to have flowers where they can be enjoyed, that Lantana takes me back to my Mum's garden, not many flowers or bulbs, ( probably when I think about it maybe so very little spare money for what a farmer would think of as luxury items) but I remember that perfume as I crushed the leaves.

lil red hen said...

Yes, your daughter does need our prayers for her safety.
I love your garden and it's so wonderful that your husband is helping with the heavier objects. Could you include some hollyhocks up next to the shed? It seems they always do well backed up against a building. I love them but just don't seem to be able to get many plants going. I've saved lots of seeds and they germinate well, but then die off. I have way too many irises which take up a lot of room.

Henny Penny said...

I have so much to say :). First, I love your header and the verse. Very much! Maybe I've told you that before. Oh my, your cottage garden will be beautiful! I love the archway and the old fence, and the roses are beautiful. Looks like you have picked the perfect spot. I have never in my life seen black birds with yellow heads. Aren't they pretty! I've never seen a horned toad either. It looks a little like a lizard. Hope you will keep us posted on your garden.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love the iron arbor and your antique fencing for your cottage garden. I look forward to seeing how you change the land from what it is to a thing of beauty.

Enjoy & happy spring ~ FlowerLady

Connie said...

I love your cottage garden and look forward to seeing it grow and develop as you nurture it and add to it. I've never seen yellow-headed blackbirds before. Prayers for your daughter that she will remain safe from harm.

Karen said...

Kathleen, I do love your yard and your flower gardens, everything is lovely and peaceful. I also love the toad and blackbirds, we do not have blackbirds here with yellow on them, just plain black ones and red-winged ones.

Your daughter's kitty is adorable and lucky to have you take care of her. I will pray for your daughter, try not to worry too much although that's easier said than done isn't it?

Granny Marigold said...

What a good idea to make a garden area closer to the porch where you can sit and enjoy it. I am not familiar with Lantana and have never seen yellow-headed Blackbirds. We have the Redwing Blackbirds around here ( they are quite aggressive when you happen to get near their nest).
The kitty is sweet. I wonder if she'll be able to be outside with you or be strictly an inside kitty.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

We have a wrought iron arched gate in the entry to our pond area that is fenced to keep the dogs out. I recently bought a wrought iron arbor to put in front of my front deck to hang my birds feeders on. I am not so patiently waiting for the weather to dry and warm so I can work outside. It's getting rather late in the spring for weeding and planting seeds. OUr temps should be 65 but are hanging around 50. As I get older, it takes longer to tend the gardens but it is so worth it when you can sit outside and enjoy the nature that surrounds them.
xx, Carol

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

The beginnings of your country cottage garden looks wonderful. I have every confidence that it will soon be a vision of delight! What a sweet kitty. I will pray for your daughter. It's hard enough for them to grow up and move away. It's harder when they choose to go in the path of danger. BUT, in the center of God's will is the safest place in the world, no matter what it looks like!

Debra said...

Oh yes, I will pray for your daughter....
Your gardens are always such a joy to see-I feel like I'm visiting another country-it's so different from NY State. Especially the critters! I love that toadie. And the birds of course....Your flowers are so pretty.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Those yellow headed blackbirds are so pretty. We don't have those birds here. Your country cottage garden is beautiful. The Lantana is pretty, too. We don't have those flowers here.

Hill Top Post said...

I think a cottage garden is a wonderful idea for the Texas prairie! Why not have roses AND blue bonnets? :~) I have always admired the old antique wire around old farm houses. Great find! I "almost" wish we had horned toads!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Your garden is looking lovely and colorful, Kathleen. I had never seen a yellow-headed blackbird, but only the red-wing variety. Belle looks like she is keeping a watchful eye on what's happening outdoors. Yes, we will keep your daughter's safety in our thoughts.

Sherri Farley said...

Lovely flowers and of course I enjoy your critters. Your daughter will be my thoughts.

Sally said...

Saying a prayer for your daughter. Yes, as parent we do worry, but actually most time I put mine in God's hands as that's about all we can do. So, yes I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Your garden is going to be wonderful. You're off to a great start. We have not had rain here in N. FL in over five weeks. Things are being burned from lack of water. Hopefully, we'll get some soon to help with all the wildfires.

Take care!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Lovely garden of flowers. You're making a great start on your flowers. The cottage garden is a great idea.