The Hummingbird Lady

While I was looking for hummingbird photos yesterday,

I came across one that took me by surprise

because it showed a woman feeding hummingbirds out of her hand.

The lady's name is Abigail Alfano; she and her husband live in Pine, Louisiana.

Mrs. Alfano has gained a reputation as "the hummingbird lady"

because of this photo:

photo, www.abigailsings.com

She and her husband explain in an online article

how she was able to gather the hummingbirds to her.

Read her story here:

http://www.abigailsings.com/hummingbirds/
and see if you might have the same talent.

It's an amazing account, and I can't help but think 

that Mrs. Alfano must be one of those gentle spirits

that birds and animals know they can trust.

Nice to know there are people like that out there.

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Hummingbirds

This morning I was having a cup of coffee on my deck.

I was listening to the water in my garden fountain and writing in my journal.

Suddenly, a small hummingbird flew up to the pink ivy geranium plant

which was about five feet in front of me. 

www.openingsacredspace.wordpress.com

Now I had seen the little one out there a time or two this summer.

But this morning its arrival brought a surprise.

A day ago, I was thinking about my husband's mother

who passed away ten years ago. 

We still miss her terribly.

The twilight of a summer day sometimes make me melancholy,

so I had been thinking of her, feeling the loss,

wondering if her spirit was still near.

www.morguefile.com

She always had a great number of hummingbirds at her front porch feeders,

and many mornings we had coffee together there and watched the hummingbirds.

So when I saw the hummingbird this morning, 

I wondered if it was a sign from her that she was still with us. 

I immediately dismissed the idea as wishful thinking.

But a moment later, the hummingbird veered away from the geranium blossoms

and flew right at me and hovered there in front of me

within several inches of my forehead.

Too close for comfort, really.

I could feel the vibration from its wings.

For a second, I wondered if it could have seriously mistaken me for a flower 

and my heart pounded as I waited to see if it was going to go for my head.

www.audubon.org

But after what seemed an eternity,

the little hummingbird flew off and lit on an oak branch nearby

and preened for several moments.

I turned back to my journal, 

looked again, and the messenger was gone.

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Flower Pots and Planters Gone Wild

Yesterday I shared some images of beautiful garden pots and planters

filled with exquisite mixtures of flowers and greenery

set within manicured gardens.

Of course, most of us end up with at least parts of our gardens that remain untamed,

often because we give way to indifference or self expression. 

Self expression sometimes includes finding creative uses for discarded items

instead of following the rules of formal garden design.

So here are a few that you may--or may not--want in your own gardens.

One of the first that caught my eye 

was the use of tires as planters 

as seen in this photo by "Recaptured Charm":

photo from www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

I would say if you have committed yourself to going the tire route,

than you should consider decorating them a bit like these:

painted, stacked and horizontal:

www.outdoortheme.com

How about using discarded drawers

as in this photo by "Queen B and Me"?

photo from www.blog.namebubbles.com

Using old chairs seems to be a common choice.

A careful combination of chair, pot, and flowers like these

does lend a certain charm to a cottage garden:

www.greenchildmagazine.com

Here's one from "Cottage at the Crossroads"

that re-purposes an old grill:

photo from www.eclecticallyvintage.com

It seems people will use anything as a planter 

as long as it has an empty space to fill with soil. 

Including old books:

www.ideasforflowerpot.info

But other planters I found on line: volley balls, chicken feeders,

old shoes, boots, baskets,  old toilets, kitchen colanders,

wheelbarrows, wash tubs, and even an umbrella:

www.shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk

I would say some of these "upcycles"

end up looking clever and cute and others don't.

It reminds me of an admonition I once heard:

 even though we can, it doesn't mean we should.

Regardless, it's fun to see what other people come up with.

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Flower Pots and Planters

I grow a lot of flowers in containers, pots, and planters

because we have poor soil, heavy shade, and dry conditions around the house. 

If I were a more accomplished gardener,

I would devote more time to developing the soil, 

but that idea seems to be forever in my "one of these days" column.

My potted plants are pretty enough, 

but lack the spectacular lushness I've seen in photos on the web.

For example, this combination, 

which includes violet and white wave petunias and bright pink cosmos,

wouldn't fail to garner extra attention:

www.guzmanlandscape.com

Here's another with pink wave petunias, chartreuse sweet potato vine

and a tower of red geraniums. I wonder how they got those geraniums so tall:

www.guzmanlandscape.com

I love this one too. 

The tiny flowers and mounding habit give this arrangement a refined, yet casual feel:

www.deckvspatio.com

I've read that the key to a successful flower planter 

is to have a tall plant, a medium filler plant and then a trailing plant.

This next planter seems to confirm that advice:

www.creativetouchlandscaping.com

I love the vivid colors in this next planter,

but I have a feeling it takes a real green thumb 

to achieve this kind of gardening success:

www.lawnpatiobarn.wordpress.com

Of course, the flower pots and planters in these photos

are at home in their manicured surroundings.

There is a sense of order and style.

But what happens when flower pots and planters venture to the wild side?

We'll look at those in tomorrow's blog post.

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Creative House Number Ideas

Yesterday's blog looked at using garden pots

for house numbers.

But it turns out, a lot of people take the creative spark

a little further, all the way from unusual to truly unique.

Here are a few of my favorites from around the web:

If you are old enough to remember front door handles

with back plates such as these, then this house number idea

might be for you. However, I would close the gap between each 

and put them all on the same level. I find numbers on a diagonal unsettling.

www.pinterest.com

This next one would require some skill with a hammer, 

but it's pretty cool if you are able to keep all the nails the same height.

I fear it might turn out to be an exercise in frustration for some of us:

www.bystephanielynn.com

If you've got a green thumb--or maybe access to artificial grass--

this one may be to your liking:

www.pottedstore.com

I like this one because they've used the written house numbers

as background for the numeric ones:

www.kojo-designs.com

This is truly unique, but if you take a nap and mess up the pillows,

you might wake up and think you were at another house:

www.blog.arieladesigns.com

If you like wine and know someone who can fuse glass,

this one's for you:

www.glasswithapast.com

All in all, these are a bit too "out there" for my house,

which is a two-story mash-up of the Federal and Colonial Salt Box styles.

But sometimes knowing what won't work

gets  you half way to what will.

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Creative House Numbers

"House Numbers on Garden Pots and Planters"

For most of this summer's blogging,

I've explored garden arches and arbors, paths, and gates.

And in searching for images to share,

I came across so many crisp and creative front doors and entryways.

 I also found something I hadn't expected:

creative ways to display house numbers.

And it seems painting your house numbers on garden pots and planters

is a very popular choice.

This first photo is on multiple web sites:

This next one is a bit more lighthearted.

I love the yellow  marigolds:

www.thestir.cafemom.com

If a long line isn't appealing, how about two levels?

www.smalltalkmama.com

Some people stack them instead:

www.pinterest.com

This small planter set on a plant stand is simple

but the stylized white lettering really stands out from the black:

www.pinterest.com

While I was looking at all these creative house numbers on garden pots,

it occurred to me that I need to rehabilitate

my own house numbers.

The brass ones on the mailbox have been covered by the Madison jasmine;

the painted ones on the curb have faded with age.

So I'll be exploring more ways to post house numbers.

Join me tomorrow for some house numbers 

that make painted ones on garden pots

look downright conventional.

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Most Popular Front Door Colors

Most popular front door colors--

and what they say about personality

I'm not sure when the color of one's front door

became so important to home fashion.

In past decades, it seems very little attention was paid 

to front doors and entryways beyond their functionality.

As long as the hinges didn't squeak, all was well.

But now the front door is also the doorway to personal expression.

And paint companies have devoted lots of research 

to popular door colors and the psychology of those color choices.

For example, some say that yellow front doors symbolize that the owner 

favors mental clarity, intellect, and sociability.

www.fromunderthewillowtree.com

A 2012 article on the Dow web site

"Five Popular Front Door Colors and what they (might) Say about You"

describes the Paint Quality Institute's research results

for the five most popular front door colors and how those color choices

symbolize one's personality.

Here they are, beginning with the fifth most popular.

#5 Brown

www.folsomgranitebayrealestate.com

The Institute says a brown door can be read two ways.

Brown can symbolize warmth and homey-ness

or a brown door can signal that the homeowner

 is isolated and wants to be left alone.

Good to know.

#4 Red

www.yourdecoratinghotline.com

A red door is said to convey passion and energy.

Apparently people who choose red doors 

are supposed to have a lot of excitement in their lives.

I have a red door, but I don't know that I have a particularly exciting life--

I guess it depends on your definition of excitement.

If it's being awakened by barking pekingese who want breakfast,

then yes, I have plenty of excitement.

#3 Black

www.streetwisedecor.wordpress.com

According to the Paint Quality Institute, a black door

says that the owner is sophisticated, intelligent, and worldly.

It is also supposed to signify power and importance. 

But to me, black is also a very "yin" energy color, 

meaning it is a color of slumber and winter.

Regardless, I do like the look of a glossy black door.

#2 Green

www.lushhome.com

A green door is said to signal safety, comfort, and health,

so it is a positive message. When I was searching for green doors,

I found few dark forest green doors, and only one or two spring or Kelly green

as in the photo above. It seems the favored green for a door

is actually a chartreuse or electric lime green like this:

www.uptownacorn.blogspot.com

And the #1 paint color for front doors in the USA?

It's blue:

www.homesessive.com

Why blue? The Paint Quality Institute

cites numerous studies showing that blue front doors

symbolize tranquility and calm.

Serenity--always a good choice for a home.

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A Front Door of a Different Color

Depending on where you live,

you may have to follow homeowners' association rules 

about what color you can paint your front door--

which is the case where I live.

If you are a follower of feng shui, the art of  arrangement 

for achieving good energies,

you may adhere to the rules for front door color  based on compass direction,

thus limiting your choices.

But some people have no restrictions on the colors they choose.

They go with their hearts, and that results in some unusual color choices 

on front doors out there. 

What about a baby blue front door? 

This seems like a good choice for a beach house:

www.thisoldhouse.com

Maybe grape is your thing:

www.pinterest.com

On the other hand, perhaps pink tickles your fancy:

www.judysturman.typepad.com

What about tree-frog green?

www.startribune.com

An orange door definitely says individuality:

www.home2s.com

When you just can't decide,

go for true artistic expression:

www.casasugar.com

Tomorrow, the most popular choice for front door color in the USA

and what your door color might say about your personality.

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Front Doors and Feng Shui

Feng shui experts place great importance

on the color of front doors.

They say that the choice of paint color must take into account

which direction the house is facing

if there is to be positive or auspicious energy for the house.

Deep yellow gold is said to be best for a door that faces southwest:

www.fivestarpainting.com

When I look out the front door of my house,

which is on a cul-de-sac, 

I see front doors painted deep red, blueberry blue,

deep forest green, Williamsburg blue and glossy black.

My own front door is a bright cardinal red,

a common paint color choice for front doors in the south.

I didn't really choose that color for feng shui reasons,

but I do like the energy of a bright red door.

www.avirginiashire.blogspot.com

However, according to the feng shui for front door page

on the web site about.com, red is not the most auspicious color 

for my house because it faces northeast.

The feng shui recommendation would be an earth tone or even pink

(that's definitely not happening)

neither of which sound at all appealing to me.

Blue tones are said to be good for a southeast facing door:

www.123rf.com

This spring green door would bring good energy to a house facing east:

www.theinspiredroom.net

To me, the most amazing front doors are the ones 

painted in colors that reflected  unique combinations

 of personality and architecture, regardless of compass direction.

Tomorrow, we'll look at some front door paint colors

that are one of a kind.

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More Window Boxes

Houses are built to live in and not to look on:

therefore let use be preferred before uniformity.

                                 --Sir Francis Bacon

I once read a book written in the late 1700s by a single woman

who decided to move to the Massachusetts countryside and

start her own chicken farm.

With a bit of humor and the wisdom 

 that comes from viewing one's life in retrospect,

she recounts the frustrations of being taken seriously

by  her neighbors, the merchants, and workmen of the time.

 At one point, she decides she is going to fix up the outside of her house

with bright paint and colorful flowers to show the country folk

how to bring a little beauty to their plain, unpainted houses.

So she succeeds in making her little home a colorful jewel

 there along the main road--but to her chagrin,

travelers keep mistaking it for a bordello.

Fortunately, nowadays we are free to decorate and embellish our houses

with any paint color or flower that strikes our fancy.

And window boxes have to be one of the ultimate expressions 

of fanciful house decor.

I tried a winter window box once with a miniature spruce

and Irish moss. The spruce got too big and the moss died, of course.

But it was pretty for a while.

I love this casual window "box":

www.shelterness.com

Sir Francis Bacon didn't know what he was missing.

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Window Boxes

When I lived in Missouri,

there was a little cottage in the old part of our city

that completely captivated me.

In a row of Victorians with gingerbread trim,

this little craftsman-style cottage at the end of a long, narrow lot

provided a respite from the architectural noise around it.

And what I liked best about it: its window boxes

filled with flowers and trailing vines.

So today, window boxes.

Here are two from This Old House. 

Simple but inviting. 

www.thisoldhouse.com

I love the blue and violet flowers in this one 

from the Simple Details blog. 

I think they must be a mix of lobelia and maybe verbena:

www.simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com

It's unusual to see orange shutters on a house,

but they look great with the flower box 

filled with geraniums, petunias, and sweet potato vine.

I would love to see what they do with the box for Halloween and Thanksgiving:

www.hudsonfurniture.wordpress.com

I don't know which I like better here,

the tall black shutters or the window boxes full of flowers:

www.southernliving.com

I find this next one really appealing. 

I love black and green together. 

The tiny orange flowers add a nice pop of warmth:

www.twodoorsdownblog.blogspot.com

I have always believed that there should be beautiful views 

outside every window of one's house. 

Window boxes are a good way to achieve that.

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