On Garden Pond...

Remember when I was pondering a few months ago?

These are the ugly 'befores."

We had to move a pond due to another project 

and I was definitely  not  "all in" on the work involved.

My husband reallllly wanted a pond at this end of the porch still 

(there's another little one at the other end of the screened porch)

where he could hear the trickling water sound from "his" chair on our beloved porch.

So I grumpily began moving the liner and pump from the previous location.

I was determined to use what we had laying around.

After a few changes in layout plans I hit my stride and it went together very quickly. I had to build a small 'retaining wall" from some pavers we had hauled home years ago when a house nearby was having a concrete driveway poured to replace the creamy gold pavers that had been there for over 40 years. 

They gave them to us and we have used them for so many projects.

Then I filled the area with dirt left from the Boules Court project (here)

and here (the lights make it!)

I used the pavers from the previous pond and a firepit project. They are not exactly the same color. As soon as it cools off a bit I will paint them with a buttermilk concoction

 and try to grow some moss on them. 

I love moss in the landscape and I think it unifies different finishes and things that look too new.

I had the two large pots and the one in front hanging out in my potting area. I divided some hostas and a few other plants and started planting.

I also bought a few plants from the  clearance area in the Lowe's garden Center. (No sponsorship here. Just a tip that they mark plants down to a dollar or two and all they need is some water and maybe a little fertilizer)

I bought the butterfly bush from in front of my Kroger for $4.99 and put it in the largest pot. It has doubled in size. 

I couldn't plant until I got back from my mission trips and things have filled in quickly.

#gooddirt

So this pond barely cost a thing to install.

Bargain plants filled in with some TLC.

And the trickling sound is relaxing when we sit on the porch.

So if you are pondering installing a small pond, I say go for it!

Lookin' Up.

We have needed a bit of a ceiling fan refresh round here.
This was not just a design decision...

(Although I knew I wanted a bamboo one!!)

A while back I was snoozing on the couch in the family room and a weird crashing sound woke me up, the dogs barked like crazy, it was dark in the room and I went back to sleep. 
Turns out that one of the blades on our ceiling fan broke off- the brass part not the wood- went flying through the air and  crashed into the wall... 
 barely missing my favorite painting in the whole house -whew!

So to be sure that none of us is decapitated by a ceiling fan blade in the near future, we have been checking them out and replacing any that, in addition to circulating air on a warm day, might act as a guillotine.

( I want this one in my entry way. In my beach house. On an island!! #keepdreamin' )

 We live in the Deep South and they are necessary almost year 'round!

For instance, it was 72 degrees on Christmas day here.

Warmer than usual but we still needed a little breeze.

The are an actual survival item when it's 90 degrees plus for days on end 
during the Summer.

Ceiling fans often get a bad rap on shelter blogs and Pinterest. 


via


And they are not as beautiful as many light fixtures, but again, it's the South. 




Not bamboo but I love the old fashioned vibe!! 
It reminds me of the fans in old beach dives!!

via
 And how about this beauty of a beachy fan???
It reminds me of the amazing fans at the beachfront bars and restaurants in Hawaii!!
( Think Dukes Waikiki or Hula Grill Kaanapali - two of our faves!!)

The top 3 images are from Lowes, we bought one very similar to the first fan pictured at Lowe's*, and bonus - ceiling fans were on major sale every where I looked.
So check your fans (seriously!!) and maybe you can find a great sale 
before it gets hot and sunny!!

* I am not compensated by Lowe's in any way. Just wanted to share our scary fan blade story so you can check yours and buy one on sale if needed!!