In addition to the painting I've transplanted a bunch of stuff such as 'Nickle silver' dyckia into the old rusty farm piece.

My hope is that someday I'll get every plant in the right place and quit moving them around. Ya' think that will ever happen? ... lol

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In case you haven't noticed I collect bird cages ... :-)

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The plant stand on the left is over 80 years old. My dad developed the formula for and smelted the iron from which it was manufactured ...

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Some of the smaller pieces of 'yard art' as well as many pots have been removed and what remains has been rearranged. This is about a third of the things that are going to new homes ...

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Continued next post ...

For the dog lovers out there this is my new baby girl Jill, five months old and holding her own as a playmate for Alfie ...

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She likes to help 'mommie' move pots ...

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Both are rescues. If you are looking to adopt don't overlook the common little tan dogs. I've been involved with pure bred dogs, bred champions, and exhibited at AKC dog shows in years past. It was fun and I made a lot of friends, but I'll have to say these two are probably the smartest and sweetest dogs I've ever owned, as well as being very healthy.

What are your winter projects; winter sowing, new veggie and flower beds, new shrubs and trees? We'd love to hear about it. Post photos if you have them.

They almost look like they could have been siblings from the same litter! So cute.

Yaaayyy to rescues- the only type of dogs I've ever owned. And those two are adorable.

Roselee you've been busy! Looks like you've been watching Marie Kondo. Your wrought iron pieces are beautiful. I need to paint the fence around the garden, but need a few days to get it done.

Lisa

Buttoni, they do look alike, but have very different personalities. We are having so much fun with them. Dogs are like grandchildren who never grow up.

Lisa, ditto on rescues! My daughter fosters for Tracy's Dogs so I'm constantly reminded of what wonderful pets rescues are.

I don't know a lot about Marie Kondo, but I love her phrase, "Does it spark joy?" or as we used to say on the rose forums about how to decide what roses to keep, "Does it make your heart sing when you look at it?". That question has been the driving force in deciding how to streamline my garden for easier care and more enjoyment.

What is 'sparking joy' for y'all these days? And what isn't? Tell us.

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P.S. Had to come back and tell you about a new purchase that 'sparks joy' for me; the Dyson cordless vacuum! It makes cleaning up the stuff the dogs and I track in from the yard so easy! It's right up there with the cordless sweeper, hedge trimmer and string trimmer.

What is 'sparking joy' for y'all these days?

our goldfinches have returned.. en masse! They add so much joy to our garden!

Love your photos and pis of 'grands'

Ragna your garden and projects are to die for, as usual luv the pups, too.have you ever thought about planting your bird cages? This photo is kind of dark

As far as "Sparking joy"...I have a new little distraction. She is Camila Grace, my first grandbaby. I have only 2 son's, so this baby girl has us over the moon! She is 12 days old here. She was born January 10, 2019

Congratulations on your first grandchild! What a beautiful baby girl!!!! ... :-)

Yes, I grow various vines on most of the bird cages; things like Love in a Puff, and Passionflower.

Okay Ragna, you have got me stirred up. I need to get out there and get some projects done. Love your new puppy. What a compliment to Alice.

A new generation! WOW! What joy could be better? This beautiful baby is a gift from God and life! Congratulations to all the family!

This week we did some winter sowing at the Wood County Arboretum - we had such good success last year that I rounded up a dozen or so volunteers and set up an assembly line. At home I'm sowing in half-gallon milk jugs - I don't need that many of any one plant so I found the half gallons perfect.

We also just finished planting the latest bed we rebuilt after the hognado of '17 - a mostly-heirloom rose garden. I had a 'plan' of what we wanted, which included a repurposed length of split rail planted with old blush, like this one a ARE, then saw a Don Juan in bloom at Chamblee's Roses, and couldn't pass it up.

Old Blush

Lesli, here are pictures from years past of some of the bird cages with vines

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The bird cages do look better with clothes on!

Thank goodness ...

Lesli, I saved a few seeds if you or anybody else wants them.

The first two photos on [this post [(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/little-successes-mean-a-lot-dsvw-vd~2190986?n=11)show the seed pods which contain little black beans with a white heart, hence the name.

Ragna, we would like some seeds. too.... if you have extra.. We will send postage. Thanks.

I just reread my post, spellcheck renamed Alfie to Alice. Tell Alfie that I’m sorry. Congrats on a lovely new baby girl to Lesli.

June, in this day and age of spell check and voice messages transposed into script we all knew what was meant. Alfie says he doesn't care one way or another. He just likes to play ... :-)