Fall Color Map, and Fake Flowers!
I'm that blue dot!
Like all animals, Laydee and Susie have a circadian rhythm that functions like an internal clock, remaining constant over time. They thrive on habit and routine. Last night, they were ready for bed at 8:30 PM and started acting up at 4:00 AM!
Once my mind punches in - I'm up. So, my husband got the coffee started, and we were all up as a family! Maw, Paw, and the two critters!
Mondays often mean I have to return to the store for items I forgot on Friday, and today was no exception. I woke up early to beat the crowd, but I quickly realized I wasn't the only one with that plan, which made my trip take much longer than expected.
When I came home, I saw that my husband had put up a few of the metal pumpkins -
My house faces south, exposing it to intense summer heat with temperatures over 100 degrees daily. I've been facing challenges growing flowers in the garden boxes on my fence. The soil dries out quickly from the sun, and my flowers die. I gave up this year from trying to grow flowers in those boxes this summer.
Recently, we were at a restaurant on a scorching day; I spotted a whiskey barrel decorated with beautiful flowers. Upon closer inspection, I discovered they were artificial, though some heat-loving succulents were cleverly mixed in with the faux blooms, adding a touch of real.
So I decided I was going to cheat, too!
A couple of weeks ago, I used green florist foam to secure fake flowers and planted them with heat-loving succulents that only need watering every two weeks. I have three planter boxes on the fence, mixing in more succulents for a natural look.
I've come to terms with the fact that I’m cutting corners, but honestly, I’m beyond caring at this point. In my area, artificial green lawns have become quite the trend, and I can completely see why. Although they're expensive and have to be professionally installed for a natural look, we won't be installing any fake lawn. But With the soaring summer temperatures we've been experiencing lately, maintaining a lush, vibrant lawn just isn’t feasible anymore. The sheer amount of water needed to keep it looking fresh is no longer justifiable. We have dry summers - so we have to water and water is expensive and precious.
We decided to transform our backyard significantly through the years to adapt to these changes. We've paved and bricked about three-quarters of the space, creating a functional outdoor area. This reduces the upkeep and provides a great space for gatherings.
We’ve left just a small patch of real grass.
(for the dog to potty on in between walks)
Welcome little flower...
Now here is my little flowering succulent
in the box of fake flowers.
Yesterday, we took out all the containers but couldn't find one. I told my husband to forget it for now, and we'll look for it when we dig out the Christmas decorations.
I decided to donate my old Halloween jack-o'-lanterns since I haven't displayed them in years and no one wanted them. I'll also add a few other items to the donation bag.
Finally I am decorating for Fall
I have displayed only a few fall items; the painting behind me was my mother's. With the missing container, I didn't find much, other than little pumpkins, gourds, and similar items. Since none of them hold sentimental value, I will donate them.
I'm officially done!
Until Next time
Debby
I want to see your yard, and the boxes with the artificial plants and real succulents!!!
ReplyDeleteGinny, you missed it. It’s on this post! 👀
DeleteI like the flower box on the fence!!
ReplyDeleteThanks I do too.
DeleteI can so relate to this post. Our backyard is about 75% cement and pool. Very little to mow. And...I had the large river stone rock brought in and placed in my flower beds. No more watering there. I have large pots filled with Texas sage and other large succulents in them...Little water there as well. I was so tired of having a huge water bill and the Texas Heat beating down on what I had planted. Getting rid of items that we haven't used in quite a while is what needs to happen...I need to do this as well. Your flower box is very pretty and who would know if the flowers are fake or not. It is the beauty of the colored flowers that people see..You did a wonderful job. The map of colors for California is big and I know that there are some gorgeous areas from these Fall Colors. Thanks Debby for sharing your great ideas for keeping so much beauty around your home.
ReplyDeleteO would not call that cheating but being practical. We had to turn our clocks back last weekend, but our dog did not know that. He is still on regular time going outside. LOL Janice
ReplyDeleteI could not tell the flowers are not real. it looks beautiful. once we went to Savannah to visit my parents and it was in January,, brrr cold, no leaves on trees weather. her azalea bush out the kitchen window minus most of its leaves was in full bloom. I said OH NO MOTHER what did you do? she had wired pink very fake plastic flowers all over the bush. she had a sight problem and to her they looked beautiful out her window.
ReplyDeleteyours look real.
bob and I are both routine minded and early risers. when we both worked we got up at 4, after retirement over the many years since we wake up at 3. the past 2 days I wake up at 2, and Beau does too. we laughed this morning because at 4 am, we were sitting on sofa watchaing news and he stood up and stared at me, and came and put his head on my laptop. I said NOT YET in a firm voice, he knows that means he has to wait. His inner clock said it was 5 and for 3 years he gets a piece of cheese at 5 with a hidden pill in it. the alarm on my phone plays HIS song and he wanted to know why the song did not play.. I made him wait until the alarm went off and he leapt to his feet and looked in the kitchen. he is so entertaining
Me, too! Loving the flower box on your fence, that is. That's a good idea to 'plant' the faux variety -- work smarter, not harder. Right?
ReplyDeleteArtificial flowers are just fine! Nowadays they look so real anyway! I did a very minimum Fall decoration. I'm not having Thanksgiving at my house this year so I figured I would save my energy for Christmas decorating!
ReplyDeleteI think you are clever to have real succulents that thrive in drought mixed in with the fake flowers, Debby. I know that water in parts of California is a precious commodity. You are being good stewards. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing a little of your Fall items. Your mother's painting is a treasure. That's too bad that you get too much heat to grow flowers in those delightful boxes. I hear ya on the grass. I have a huge lawn, and there's no way I can water it. Too expensive and wasteful. I've never cared for those fake lawns - you can totally tell they aren't real; at least the ones I've seen. I smiled when you said you were going to donate some of your jack-o-lanterns. I have a cute one that can be filled with candy, and I was going to donate that as well. That was a nice thought for your husband to put up the metal pumpkins. They look great sitting next to the bird house.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
ps.....you did a nice job on the flower boxes. They really are pretty, and sometimes you can't tell the difference between fake and real flowers.
ReplyDeleteI had to go back and look at your flower box again. Those fake flowers sure had me fooled. Great to put the live succulents in there too was really clever.
ReplyDeleteOur back lawn is really going to pot so to speak. Everything is so dry. I hope we get some rain soon.
Great decor..Mine at this point consists of a fall wreath on the front door and 2 little fall gnomes which I will probably post in a few days. We're not having Thanksgiving at our home this year so I just haven't gotten in the mood.
To answer your question, Dave and I went to a casino near us to have their bargain buffet lunch for my birthday. so I did have a little make it yourself sundae and licked the bowl clean..haha..
I had so many wonderful texts, emails and phone calls yesterday. I am so Blessed.
Sue
The flowers in that planter box are fake!!?! Honestly. Because I had to look three or four times to try and decide. Where did you buy such realistic looking flowers? Congrats on getting your holiday spirit on display:) We have folks down the street who have completely decorated for Christmas - ugh. I'm looking forward to my Thanksgiving things!! Hope those animals slept in a tad longer this morning!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing your planter box 'cheat'.
ReplyDelete