The kids and I are spending the week visiting my parents, so blogging will be a little on the light side. When we’re here in the summer, I’m always in awe of their backyard. It’s my dad’s favorite hobby, and he knows the name of every flower, where (or who) it came from, and how it fared last year compared to this year. It all sounds like a foreign language to me, but it sure is pretty to look at. He just finished two little projects that I thought you might like to see.
He’s a fan of using these garden orbs in different spots:
(And, so is my two-year-old, apparently. . . )
I was with him several weeks ago when he bought some old bowling balls for a dollar each at a yard sale. He sprayed one with this textured spray, and the weight of the ball is perfect for the outdoors.
He has also used his old bicycle beside the back porch, and added a bicycle basket as a planter:
He also started a hummingbird vine growing up the tires:
I love that this bicycle is in their backyard, as it involves one of my most vivid childhood memories. I thought it was traumatic at the time, but now it seems funny. We used to always ride our bicycles through a nearby cemetery (weird?!). I was probably six and on my own bike, and my sister was two, sitting in the back seat on my dad’s bike. I’m not completely sure what happened, but I can still see my dad wrecking, and my sister go flying out of that seat and bouncing on the paved path in the cemetery.
In my six-year-old mind, I thought for sure they were both dead. (And, in such an appropriate spot!) Fortunately, they made both made it, but I’m not sure if my mom let him take us for many rides through the cemetery after that. . .
Oh, I love the yard! The orbs are fabulous. We also used to ride through our town’s cemetery.
Love the bowling ball idea. Have fun.
Looks like you’re a chip off the ‘ol block! Like father, like daughter in the creative department! Enjoy you family time ;)
The yard is lovely! Great job to your dad :). I love the bowling ball turned orb trick – good idea!
Terrific yard – love the pond! What are the bright pink flowers in the second picture?
Thanks,
Sheila
He thinks it’s a type of trailing petunia.
Well now we know where you got your eye and creative gene! Lovely yard that looks just perfect for kids to spend a summer week–enjoy and don’t work too hard while on vacation!
What a wonderful spot to relax, after all of your Dad’s hard work! Just lovely.
The apple does not fall off far from the tree….:-).
I love your father’s garden. And your sense of humor.
Gorgeous yard! What city or state do your parents live in? Weird question, I know, but my husband and I are thinking of relocating long-term, and being a Phoenix native, I am always curious about places that are so green!
Lisa, they’re in Kentucky. Lots of green here! But, they’re going to Phoenix for vacation later this summer :)
The flowers in the bike basket…so beautiful. IYou two are a decorating duo to be reckoned with :) your mom is so lucky to have a decorator and a gardener on call (ha!)
Wow! What a talent your father is. So creative! Also — loved your funny memory of the bike mishap!
Looks like I had the same thought as everyone else. Your dad has a great eye for design. I’m trying to picture my own father decorating a bicycle like that….it makes me laugh. It’s beautiful as is the whole yard. Enjoy your time with your parents.
Beautiful! Your father has such a great style in design and you must have got that from him :) I love the way he decorates the yard with the pieces that hold precious memories of the past. Reading this post makes me want to go outside and do some gardening!
Simply a beautiful & wonderfully creative property!!