Friday, April 29, 2016

That's A Wrap!

What began with a trip to our local Home Show mid~February,
ended with a NEW Front Porch (here) that far exceeded our expectations!



First,
"Mr. Ed" demoed our existing front wooden deck. (here)



Next,
Cement forms were made and concrete was poured. (here)



Then,
custom hand railings were discussed, 
measured and order. . .and finally installed!



Nine weeks in the making, but totally worth the wait.



The concrete new front porch, easy (lazy) stairs and custom hand railing
bring a much needed update to our 1970's Ranch Style Home!

Guided by the experienced, knowledgeable and skilled contractor,
we ordered a bronze powdered coated, vertical view angled railing 
for On Crooked Creektt's porch and stairs.



Our main concern and need for hand railing, is the steep 24" drop~off 
from On Crooked Creektt's Front Porch to the driveway below.



The rounded steps needed a post to keep family, friends and guests

from walking off the front porch possibly causing injury.








Both "Mr. Ed" & I couldn't be more pleased 
with the completion of our new front porch, stairs and custom hand railing!




Welcoming our family, friends and guests
will now be more stylish and safe, as well.

On Crooked Creektt. . .



That's A Wrap!


Until next time. . .


On Crooked Creektt will be joining



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As you visit the above host and hostesses,
may you come away filled with inspiring ideas
for use within your own home décor.
Please leave a short comment
to let each of them know how much you enjoyed their link party.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Plant Stand. . .

While awaiting notification of delivery of our custom hand railings 
for On Crooked Creektt's NEW Front Porch (here),
"Mr. Ed" and I designed and completed an update to our plant stand.



Purchased approximately five years ago for less than $20.00,
this plant stand was originally black wrought iron.

"Mr. Ed", armed with a can of Almond Rust~oleum spray paint,
graciously changed the hue from dark~to~light and once again, won my heart.


Autumnal 2015 Plant Stand Decor.

The first shelf that "Mr. Ed" made came from 1/4" scrap pine boards
and didn't hold up well under my decorative vignettes.

So~o~o. . .
after a few executive meetings, a visual and the recognized need
for a more sturdy shelf, "Mr. Ed" cut 1/4" X 4 inch scrap pine boards
and nailed to a sturdy wooden board base.







The pine boards used were rough,
so, "Mr. Ed" first ran them through his Sears Craftsman joiner / plainer
to make a smoother appearance and so that they would accept the paint finish.


















For the plant stand lower shelf,

"Mr. Ed" used a 1/2" pine bed railings from his scrap lumber pile.




Believe me, this plant stand is now one sturdy piece 
ready to withhold all the heavy decor pieces for my front porch vignettes!

Now that the design was complete,
I could begin the creative paint finish that I was wanting!






Using a variety of soft Spring hues,
I varied the colors from board~to~board.




Left~to~Right.  .  .
Sauna, Valspar; 
                            MidSummer Dream, Sherwin~Williams; 
                                                                                                  Winter Blue, Americana.






This sturdy plant stand, subtle in hues, 
will hold many decorative Garden accessories On Crooked Creektt 
for our Spring, Summer and Autumnal vignettes.




Until next time. . .

* * * FYI * * *
Dear Ones,
I already have a few Garden accessories on our sturdy plant shelf,
however; Mother Nature keeps our temperatures, 
here on the Prairie, on an ever-changing scale.
So~o~o. . . 
it will be a while before I bring those tender plants out to enhance
On Crooked Creektt's NEW Front Porch.(here)
Soon, very soon, or so I'm hoping!
Fondly, 
Pat




On Crooked Creektt will be joining



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As you visit the above host and hostesses,
may you come away filled with inspiring ideas
for use within your own home décor.
Please leave a short comment
to let each of them know how much you enjoyed their link party.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Fairy Garden Walk About. . .

I stand all in awe and amazement at the onset of Spring 2016!

Usually, in April, here On Crooked Creektt,
we are just beginning to see a blossom on the Ornamental Bradley Pear,
Ornamental Cherry, Ornamental Plum and Red Bud Trees.

Ornamental Cherry Tree March 5, 2016.



Ornamental Plum Tree March 5, 2016.

Our temperatures have been all over the mercury 
and still are not our normal temperatures for Spring.

I was able to cut back our Ornamental Grasses in 
On Crooked Creektt's Fairy Garden in March, instead of May, this year!






























And what to my wondering eyes should appear?

But new growth of purple salvia in the Fairy Garden, no less!

Purple Salvia new growth March 8, 2016.

Followed by wintered over Dusty Miller!

Dusty Miller, March 2016
that was planted in Spring 2015!

Sedum that is nearly as tall as the irises!

Autumn Sedum March 8, 2016.

On Crooked Creektt's Fairy Garden Spring Cleaning 
has been completed for 2016.

The Fairy Garden, March 8, 2016.


The Fairy Garden, March 8, 2016.

Even through On Crooked Creektt's Easter Snow, 

Easter Snow March 27, 2016.

Easter Snow March 27, 2016.

and the unstable temperatures, the Fairy Garden is somewhat protected 
by the Ornamental Cherry and Ornamental Plum Trees.

Ornamental Cherry Tree March 8, 2016.


Ornamental Cherry Tree March 8, 2016.


Ornamental Plum Tree March 8, 2016.

Ornamental Plum Tree March 8, 2016.

I'm excited to be visiting our local Garden Center soon 
for some Fairy Garden Annuals 
that my personal Master Gardener, "Mr. Ed" will gladly plant.


The Fairy Garden, April 8, 2016.

A Fairy Garden walk about On Crooked Creektt,
in early Spring, refreshes my soul and renews my spirit!


The Fairy Garden, April 23, 2016.


The Fairy Garden, April 23, 2016.


What better way to enjoy my Fairy Garden On Crooked Creektt
than by visiting the lovely Gardens of others in a Garden Party!

A special thank you to these amazing hostess for an invitation to join




And. . .


Please join us, won't you?







Until next time. . .


On Crooked Creektt will be joining



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As you visit the above host and hostesses,
may you come away filled with inspiring ideas
for use within your own home décor.
Please leave a short comment
to let each of them know how much you enjoyed their linky party.