Garden Decor Archives – Strength Of The Small

Snowfall Winter Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Weather Nature High Desert

Wet & Cold Winter

By JM PerezFebruary 26, 20231 min read620 views

The past months have been very cold here in California. We were so grateful December for the rainfall after such a very long period of dry weather. Since then, it has been cold, extremely cold. On Saturday and Sunday, we had our first heavy snowfall of the year. This morning as well, we had some light snowfall.

California is colder than usual at this time of year, and it appears that Mother Nature is done with us. Still, we are grateful for every bit of rain we get.

Plants and trees were covered in snow, and as a result, we had a few broken branches.

Sculptures and yard decorations alike were covered in snow; it wasn’t until the following morning that we all stepped out to clear the driveway and let the kids build a snowman.

*Sculptures & Decorations covered in Snow.*

Indeed, snowfall makes everything it touches and covers look beautiful, and brightens the World. The flip sides to this beauty can be quite damaging and devastating: road closure due to massive flooding, debris, cracks, fallen trees, fallen electric poles, mudslides, rockslides, erosion, etc.

As I anticipate the arrival of Spring, I wish everyone a warm and safe Winter.

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By JM Perez

Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Home Decor Gardening

Beautiful Garden Statues

By JM PerezFebruary 7, 20231 min read1.2K views

If you are one of those individuals who enjoy spending time outdoors, then you surely agree that garden statuary and sculptures make great addition to a garden; they breathe new life into any outdoor space. I love beautiful sculptures. I have a few inside my home and a lot more in the garden.

What style are you aiming for? The zen garden, shabby chic, country feel, fairy garden, Alice In Wonderland, Prayer garden? What I like about garden sculptures is that they come in different size, form, shape, color, tone, texture, value, materials, etc.

The following are a few of my favorites …

*Muse with Harp by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Flora, Divine Patroness of Gardens by artist Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Magdalene the Danish Milkmaid.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Dione, the Divine Water Goddess.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Ascending Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Hebe, the Goddess of Youth by Bertel Thorwaldsen.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*St. Francis in Nature’s Sanctuary.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Harmony at Ease.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angel of Patience by artist Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Reflection Reader by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Jessie and Her Balloon.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Little Girl Reading.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Finishing the Eighteenth Hole.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Back to Back Brother and Sister.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Monteverde Angel by Giulio Monteverde.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Striving for the Heavens by Evelyn Myers Hartley.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

PRAYING ANGELS

*Divine Guidance by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Quiet Countenance.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Constance Conscience.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

GUARDIAN ANGELS

*Kneeling Madonna & Child.*
*Source: Rosary.com.*

*Blessed Mother of the Heavens.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*The Risen Jesus Christ by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Guardian Angel Child’s Prayer.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Queen of Angels, Guardian of Children by Salvatore Gallelli.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Heaven’s Guardian Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Heaven Free Fall by Evelyn Myers Hartley.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Garden Angel with Children.*
*Source: Shop.CatholicSupply.com.*

*Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

BIRDBATHS AND FEEDERS

*Surrounded by the Wings of Love by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angel Bearing Gifts.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Summertime Reflections Cherub.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angelique’s Garden Splash.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Tranquil Guardian Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

ZEN SCULPTURES

*Thai Teppanom Beautiful Being.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Serene Mira Bai.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Guan Yin, Goddess of Compassion.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Meditating Shy Yogi of Bali.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Rodin’s Thinker by Auguste Rodin.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Buddha of the Grande Temple.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

Happy gardening!

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By JM Perez

Insects Garden Decor Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening

A New Season

By JM PerezOctober 7, 20222 min read650 views

“Gratitude for the turning of the seasons. May we attune our hearts to their enduring message of renewal.” — Kristin Granger

It’s a new month and a new season, renewing and refreshing …

The weather has been bearable; however, between work and the kids, I haven’t had enough time to enjoy gardening. A couple of days ago, I dug out all of the Russian Sage in the front yard and disposed of them. I loved the plants, but they were spreading too fast and looking more like trees than shrubs. I have been wondering if it had something to do with the fact that they were in partial shade? Perhaps growing tall was the result of reaching out for more sunlight? The Russian Sage I planted in the backyard in full sun around the same time are growing at a normal rate.

Trees are starting to shed their leaves; the rose bushes and Texas Sage shrubs are full of blooms.

Last week I spotted a strange looking insect, similar to the Desert Camel at a first glance, but looking like a cricket.

The Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatus Fuscus), also known as Potato Bug, Child of the Earth, Skull Cricket, Stone Cricket, and Sand Cricket is a large slow moving, six-legged flightless insect with a large orangish head, tiny eyes, and antennae spreading apart. It has humpback abdomen usually with black and yellow stripes. The insect is native to the western United States and Mexico, as well as semi-arid and dry climates. The insect feeds on smaller insects, decaying plants, and vegetation. They communicate through vibrations by producing a hissing noise due to the absence of ears.

It is said that the insect is not poisonous but can bite when provoked, resulting in moderate, short-lived pain (sores and skin rash). Their sharp and strong jaws can cut through fabrics and thin plastic. They are most active at night and during the day they burrows beneath rocks, logs, or in sand. According to ocvector.org, in order to find a mate, adults strike their abdomen on the ground (this behavior is called drumming). The vibrations travel through soil and are used to locate each other.
Click here for more information.

Happy New Month and Happy Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Garden Improvement Garden Decor Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Little Pleasures

By JM PerezAugust 1, 20222 min read646 views

It’s a new month and a new leaf has been turned …

It’s hot, it’s scorching hot! It’s a huge relief to know that we have had less brush fires since the start of Summer, and I hope it stays this way. What we really need now is a good rainfall. It rained last night; it rained for less than five minutes, but it rained hard. The downside of Summer showers is the intense heat the next day; but still, a good rainfall is always welcomed.

We visited a few places these past months. We let the kids loose at Knott’s Berry Farm, we enjoyed a peaceful walk at the California Botanic Gardens, we went to a couple of Lakes, and we are planning to have some fun at the Disney California Adventure Park this Fall, when the weather cools down.

I didn’t know how much Gophers love the Gopher plants, until I lost a few in the backyard; I lost everything from the side next to the fence, I lost one plant in the front yard and started seeing holes around the other plants in the front yard. The fix was simple at that point: I got rid of the remainder of the Gopher plants. They came looking once and haven’t disturbed my garden since. What I have learned fighting rodents for the past fifteen years is that they end up winning when they set their eyes and incisors on something.

Most of the succulents are blooming …

I also got rid of all the Salvia Greggii around the Horsetail Reed growing in barrels and my husband spray painted all four barrels white. I got rid of all the Creeping Myrtle planted in the ground, and left the potted one untouched. I think having less plants in the front yard will make it a little easier to maintain the garden.

Happy New Month and Happy Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Coastal and Nautical Repurposing Upcycling & Recycling Shabby Chic Garden Decor Home Decor

Wicker Wall Hanging Baskets

By JM PerezJanuary 19, 20221 min read1.4K views

I love wreaths and I have a couple for each season; however, I have been thinking about making some changes in the decor style. I thought about an item I have in every single space around the house, and the majestic wicker baskets came to mind. I have so many storage wicker baskets in the house, in various sizes and colors. They are really neat, great for displaying items, organizing as well as keeping things out of sight. They are so versatile and make great accent pieces.

Not too long ago, I rekindled my love for wicker wall hanging baskets. I am enamored with the idea of stuffing them with flowers and hanging them on doors and walls, like the ones below: