Yard Sculptures

Wet & Cold Winter

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read619 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.

Backyard in a blanket of snow.

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

Plants covered icicles and snow.

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.

Beautiful Garden Statues

JM Perez By JM Perez1 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.
Tall “Evellyn”.
Source: Lesera.com.
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.
Confucius.
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!

End of Year Beauty

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.3K views

This will be one holiday season to remember.

The weather has been at its best all year long and I am very thankful for it all. Christmas was wonderful at our home yesterday and this morning, we have been blessed with more snow fall. We woke up to a sublime sight as everything was covered in white (our second snowfall of the year).

Doe and Buck.

Early in the morning after breakfast, I excitedly walked around the backyard with my phone, taking photos of this beautiful winter scenery. Personally, I am quite content with this amount of snow and I am really hoping that we wouldn’t get more of it.

Partial view of my backyard.

My daughter pointed out the palm tree on the picture below, stating that the weight of the snow on some of the fans has transformed the tree into a fancy dress. Can you see it?

Partial view of my backyard.

I love the view from my backyard, which is still a work in progress. I love how snow makes pretty much everything look beautiful, fresh, dreamy and magical.

Partial view of my front yard.

With one or two days of sunshine, the snow will be completely gone, revealing all the lovely green. Before that, we should be able to build a snowman this time around.

Plants covered in snow.

I hope everyone is staying warm and having a wonderful time this holiday season.

DIY: Bare Branch Bottle Tree

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read768 views

Early March of this year, I cut off all the branches from our fruitless Mulberry tree.
The idea of re-purposing the branches came after having removed the leaves and smaller branches and noticing that the branches themselves resembled trees. It was also an alternative to disposing of them over time. We decided to use the bare branches as Bottle Trees (read all about it here).

Bare Branch Bottle Tree.
Bare Branch Bottle Tree.

Materials/Tools Needed

  • Natural Tree Branches
  • Cement Bags/Mixing Tools
  • Shovel
  • Ropes
  • Glass Bottles

Step by Steps:

  • Cut some branches from a Tree
  • Smooth out the tips of the branches to slide the bottles in.
  • Using the shovel dig out a small hole about 12 to 16 inches deep and about 10 inches in diameter to bury the branch base. The bigger the branch the deeper the hole that will be needed.
  • Mix the cement making sure that you follow the mixing instructions on the bag.
  • Pour the cement into the hole and push the branch onto the cement to the desired dept.
  • At this point you will need to use the ropes to secure the branch in place so that the cement can dry.
  • Let the cement dry for 24 hours before removing the ropes.
  • Insert the bottles into the prepared branches and enjoy.
Bare Tree Branches.
Bare Tree Branches. (March 2014)

We decided to place the branches on both sides of a bench to create a beautiful sitting area. The effect is unique and we enjoy it immensely.

Inspire yourself or someone else this weekend with your creativity.

Vintage Little Girl Statue

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read857 views

We took a trip down the Hill this morning to Downtown Pomona after dropping off my Mom to the Airport. We stopped at a Restaurant for breakfast since it was still early for the Shops to open doors.

Our first stop (and first time visit) was at St. John Antiques & Collectibles which is right across Subway® Restaurant.
We were greeted by a friendly and very knowledgeable couple, the owners. As each one of us looked around in search for something old, my eyes locked on a little girl statue. She reminded me of a set I already own and I knew I had to get her home. Weighing around 30 pounds, I realized that my other acquisitions are just a cheap imitation of the one I had in my hands. Cheap imitation, yes, but beautiful nonetheless. Possibly a Vintage 1970’s or 1980’s statue.

Little Girl and a Cat Statue.
Little Girl and a Cat Statue.

The bottom of the statue has a sticker which reads: NanCee’s Originals (La Verne, California).

Without a doubt this statue of a Little Girl and her Cat will make a great addition either in the Patio or the Garden.