Monday, June 16, 2008

A little of This and That!

These first few photos unveil the mystery with which I left you earlier!
Remember this photo?
Have you pondered??? ;-)


Remove the rocks and old beach towels.
Remove the plastic underneath.
Turn over the new "creation,"
and leave the pile of sand for awhile.

This is what you would have carefully turned over,
so as not to break any edges.
A dirty turtle shell, you ask?
Absolutely not!
Give it a scrub...

Now, what do you think???
Voila!
They call it a birdbath. It doesn't matter if it doesn't hold water...
Isn't it great?
:-)
You start with a rounded, mound of sand.
Cover with plastic wrap.
Place a nice, big rhubarb leaf face-down,
on the plastic wrap.
Mix dry concrete mix (sand-mix) with water and
place and smooth over the entire leaf... near, but not over,
the edges.
Check out the rest of the instructions here!
Click on all the various helps!!

The rest of this post contains "happy items!" Enjoy!
Giant Swallowtail on Catmint.

Below is the pièce de résistance! ;-)
The wrens chattered and chattered Sunday morning.
I hung this wren house from a furnace exhaust pipe of some sort a few years ago.




The Wrens

She chattered long and lustily,
trilling up and round.
He responded ever candidly
perching lightly near the ground.

They called to one another,
"Is it rightly perfect, do you think?
Should we bother moving in?
Oh, what if it should sink?"

It seems they found it suitable,
and carried to and fro,
that which they were capable;
deemed necessarily so.

Oh! How this pair delights my soul
and how I love to hear
their lovely conversations
so pleasant to my ear.

by me
:-)
6/16/08

I hope you approve and enjoy my efforts, but
Please don't copy this poem.
Thanks!

15 comments:

Iowa Victory Gardener said...

Hi Shady! So that was a birdbath? Wow, I just thought it was a bunch of junk (sorry!) and couldn't really tell from the photo. That's a very cool idea and I'll have to copy that link for future reference.

Do you do those videos with your cell phone or your camera? My new cam can do video but haven't tried it out yet, but I should soon, if for no other reason than to take some of Pepa cavorting in the yard. :-)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi IVG! I take my videos with my camera. You really need to try it out... you'll love it! I end up taking videos for many different reasons (sometimes just for the sound!) I'll watch for Pepa. :-)

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Do you think the butterfly knew how great it looked with the blue flowers? I really like your "birdbath." It will look great in your garden.

Iowa Victory Gardener said...

Hi Shady, I was going to try the video tonight, but Pepa was more in the supervisory mode, but next time she's acting up I will. She does, however, have her own post up now showing her "at work" earlier tonight. :-)

Shady Gardener said...

Pepa looks as though she enjoys the attention! ;-) I'll keep watch for your video, yet.

Tera Rose said...

wow, I really like this idea- I don't have rhubarb though- maybe it will work with something else? I've gotta make one now!

great blog here...

Unknown said...

Oooh... how fun! Are you going to paint it, or leave it that color? And do you have to let it "cure" for a while?

Nice poem, too. You have lots of talent all around, I see--gardening, birdbath-making AND poetry!

Shady Gardener said...

tea-rose, Check out the link... you can use any leaf of any size. :-)

Kim, My intention is to attempt to add some color. I may have to make a few more of these for gifts, as the myriad of color combinations are too varied!! ;-) Thanks for the compliment. You do, too!

Shady Gardener said...

FYI to anyone... I really did nearly write, in the second stanza, "Should we bother moving in? What if it should stink?" (stink instead of sink). ha.

Anonymous said...

Loved it all... the "fossilized" rhubarb leaf, the butterflies and the poem. Thanks for a most pleasant visit! ~ Deb

Linus said...

The leaf turned out great!

Cheryl

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Deb! Thanks for visiting!! :-)

Cheryl, You'll need to try it! Want to send me pictures of the stepping stones?? I FORGOT!!

Leedra said...

I think this birdbath is the most neat thing. Great gift for any gardener. (Aren't we all at heart?)

Shady Gardener said...

Leedra, I agree with you... we are all, at heart. It's also not hard to make! :-) Thanks for stopping!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

I have wanted to try that type of concrete art for so long.....now I MUST try it soon, great job.