antlers + plants = plantlers?

With the day turning grey and a high of -4f forecasted for today (-30 to -40 with the windchill...what?), I decided to thumb my nose a bit at ma nature and bring a little green into my day.

My friend Karen, who is remarkably talented, sent me this awesome crocheted jute and antler pouch for Christmas.  Jute and antler?  You know how much I love this, right?

I had planned to (and might still) use this as a purse but I couldn't resist having it out where I can see it every day.

I snatched a few succulents from their pots and fashioned a liner out of plastic bags.  I filled the bottom of the bag with charcoal and styrofoam peanuts (those awful ones that don't degrade...lighter than pebbles), and then filled it up with potting soil.  In went the plants and just like that I had greenery hanging on my wall.

Isn't it lovely?

It really has brightened my day.

Now if we can just do something about warming it up.

Extra cocoa for everyone!  Stay warm out there.

How My Garden Grows

I've been working on wrestling a small garden out of the grip of a nasty patch of weeds.  I'm afraid that with all of the rain we've been having the weeds are making a bit of a comeback but even still, this little garden is one of my favorite spots in the yard. 

The oak that stood here had died from wilt but the creeping virginia that had climbed up the side has remained.  The ferns pop up all on their own like weeds.  I keep some but they'll quickly overtake the garden if I let them.  I like that the stump is producing shoots and leaves...how's that for determination?

If you look closely, you'll see a little iron nuthatch, purchased from this shop on Etsy.

At the base of the stump is a patch of hens and chicks.  The hens are making chicks like crazy!  Look at all those babies tucked in there.

My tribute to Margie.

Behind the stump stands my birdfeeder that I adore from Joe Papendick.  It plays host to a number of different birds...nuthatches, finches, blue jays, woodpeckers, and sometimes some of these guys:

a yellow-shafted Northern Flickr.

The toads and garter snakes tend to linger in here and our new flock of chicks and guinea keets like to play here as well.  I think it must be the art that draws them in.

The lilacs and irises have bloomed and gone, the daylilies are doing their thing, and soon the hydrangeas will bloom.  I've been feeding them coffee grounds and hope to have some lovely blue blooms again this year.  I'll share photos when they're up.

How is your garden growing?  Do you have a special place where the toads play?