A Fairy Garden. . .

I had seen many decorative Garden signs that read. . .
"Leave room in your Garden for the Fairies to Dance".

I envisioned 'Tinker Bell' fairies aglow liken to fireflies
using the grass area between the Northern fence 
with The Children's Garden and leading South 
towards The Herb Garden as their Ballroom for dancing. 
Then, I realized On Crooked Creek was without 
A Fairy Garden!

Do you see the "Tinker Bell"
resemblance in the fairy's shadow???

So~o~o. . .
April of 2011, "Mr. Ed" and I began A Fairy Garden 
at the back of the house where the fairies 
would have ample space to dance!

In the beginning, 
I started with a petite wrought iron bird bath,
and a resin fairy seated on a tree stump.

To the existing Autumn Sedum, 
I added a Maiden Hair ornamental grass gifted by our son,
Yellow Yarrow from the Garden Center 
and planted from seed Purple Salvia.

This past Winter, I added a carefree impish fairy.
During Christmas, I was gifted a rustic bird feeder 
featuring an iron and stone hummingbird!

Perfect additions to the Fairy Garden,
these accessories allowed me to extend the Fairy Garden.

At the Northernmost edge of the Fairy Garden, 
I began by keeping irises original to On Crooked Creek!

Next, I added Autumn Sedum,
purchased at our local Annual Garden Club Plant $ale.

Bright, almost neon light, yellow snapdragons
were added to draw our eye to this dainty Garden!

Dainty soft buttery yellow yarrow returns each year.

This year, I added a petite vintage garden gate accessory 

to enhance its appearance.

Varying hues of purple salvia keep the tranquil theme
and give needed height as a backdrop for the Fairy Garden.

Evening shadows . . .
from a distance of A Fairy Garden!

A Fairy Garden,
a much welcomed addition On Crooked Creek,
brings subtle hues and gentle movement to the Gardens.

A Fairy Garden. . .
Lush and green. . .
                            with ample room. . .
                                                           for the fairies to dance. . .
On Crooked Creek!

Until next time. . .

A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Retirement affords one with the gift of time!
For many years, 
I've wanted to do something "more" for Flag Day!

This year, On Crooked Creek,
I'm paying tribute to our Grand Old Flag 
along with honoring two of my former students 
now serving in the U. S. Marine Corp.

I've chosen the Entry Hall On Crooked Creek
for A Grand Old Flag themed vignette.

I began by decorating my Victorian chalkboard
with the Red, White and Blue and a phrase dear to my heart
from the lyrics to You're  A Grand Old Flag.

Red and white gingham checked ribbon, 
blue faux hydrangeas and a 4~inch American Flag 
greet our family and friends upon arrival On Crooked Creek. 

To set the tone for this Flag Day vignette, 
I angled a small American Flag with a slight drape.

Then, I placed my white lidded urns
atop the flag to ground the vignette.

Since both of my students photos are the same size,
I chose "Mr. Ed's" copy of Book Of Worship For U.S. Forces,
as a riser to vary the heights.  

A vintage cream ware USA vase 
holds an arrangement of red faux hydrangeas
and three 4~inch U.S. American Flags.

Having recently received my male students photo

upon his graduation from Boot Camp, 

a quick shopping trip was needed to find a suitable frame.

Using a beaded napkin ring,
I added a decorative touch to the sconces.

The photo above is an heirloom from "Mr. Ed's" Grandmother.

I adore how the couple 'giving thanks' for their bountiful harvest

looks down upon my students photos.

For an added touch of blue, I place an acrylic paperweight 

next to the vintage counter check holder.

This is the view of A Grand Old Flag tribute On Crooked Creek 

as you enter from the Kitchen to the Entry Hall.

A visual reminder for me to pray daily for

Matthew Bradley, my favorite male U. S. Marine. . .

and for Kaley Binford, my favorite female U.S. Marine. . .

as they serve our Country striving daily to make this 

"The home of the free and the brave",

under A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Until next time. . .

The Children's Garden. . .

In preparation for an upcoming Garden Tour Tea,
"Mr. Ed" and I have been completing some
forgotten projects and beginning some new ones
here On Crooked Creek.

Before. . .

Recently completed, The Children's Garden, 
is the view from my Northernmost windows.

It began with cutting out overgrown shrubbery
when we arrived, nearly 11 years ago,
and has been an on~going project ever since.

. . .After!

This is the view of The Children's Garden
On Crooked Creek since its completion!

This past week,
"Mr. Ed" installed the concrete block edgers
to contain and showcase all the plantings!

The Children's Garden!

As you can clearly see, 
bald spots are still evidence of two years of drought. 

This rambling climber rose bush is original.
The addition of a new trellis, purchased at the end of the season,
adds stability and has aged nicely 
to harmoniously blend with the fence.

The "Man in the Tree",
was a past Father's Day gift to "Mr. Ed" .
He resides on a Cottonwood Tree at the far West edge
and keeps careful watch over The Children's Garden.

While clearing his garage of unwanted items,
this deteriorating two~step ladder of my father's,
joins us On Crooked Creek and now resides 
at the base of the tree. 

Under the care of "Mr. Ed",
the irises have flourished and spread 
to nicely fill the West side of The Children's Garden.

Continuing along to the East side ,
are the Mother's Day Rose bushes gifted from our children,
thus giving this Garden its chosen name.

Petite Red Tea Rose.

Pink Tea Rose. . .
now has turned to a
Soft Buttery Yellow Tea Rose.

Double Fuchsia Pink Knock Out Rose.

Pink Knock Out Rose.

The bird house is original On Crooked Creek,
but was moved to The Children's Garden
when the interior fence separating our yard was removed.

The Children's Garden.

The Children's Garden is one of  six
featured On Crooked Creek's Garden Tour Tea.

I do hope you'll return soon
and join us as we continue our Garden Tea Tour. . .
On Crooked Creek!

Until next time. . .