Fountain Fairy Garden

They left a note and told me three fairies were looking for a new home.

(Clicking on the pictures will enlarge them for more detail).

After seeing options at the garden centers in Brush, Fort Morgan, and Denver, my budget allowed for only the basic greenery. I had to use what was already at home and decided to use this fountain that had fallen over and broken, most likely during one of our windier days. I drilled drainage holes, covered them with some glass "jewels" because the real rocks I have were too big.

Covered that with a cloth to keep the dirt out and then added the soil. The pipe sticking up in the middle was too tall to cover but it made a perfect spot for one of the fairies to sit upon.

I did splurge on three plants that make the garden pretty. The one is hiding behind the pansies I found at a thrift shop and will "out-live" all three plants. They will still remain the same size and be "blooming" in the middle of winter ;-) when everything else is brown and ugly. They were just too cute not to include!

I also used the sea shells a student had given me and the cores from some sort of drilling.

Here is the wee one right in the middle using the fountain pipe keeping her cushion in place.

I found my "missing" bag of magic stones this evening so I may be adding a few to the garden. Now all that needs to be done is add a sign that says "NO CATS allowed" as I'm thinking one of my kitties might think this is the perfect place to nap. Happy gardening!

Puttering

It was 98 or 99 yesterday! May 22!!

Today was MUCH cooler and a good day for being out in the yard.

My columbine are getting sparse and changing colors on me. I need to start over with seeds because the ones for sale in town are past blooming for this spring. 

This single petunia plant will grow and spill over the sides with blooms.

Was happy planting about 15 pots today.

I'll need to do about 20 more.

My mini roses are starting to bloom.

The white one is full of buds.

My early pots of pansies are so sweet.

Below is some of what is left that needs to be planted.

I think I spent about $100 and got between 55 - 66 six packs, although some were vegetables and may have been 4 packs.  Plus a few single plants like spikes. All for my mom, Sarah & Alex, and me. I know it would have cost more than twice that amount at the green house or garden centers.  Our Future Farmers of America in Wiggins do an outstanding job of growing almost all of the plants we need! The students are "hired" to take care of the green house and all the ag students work on opening day of the sale where people line up early to get these bargains. In a small town of 1,000 or so!

Lots to catch up on - especially pulling weeds and grass out of the flower beds. With our wind, there is no way to be weed free.

The E.N.D.

I've learned that as the oldest teacher at my school:

1.  I have the most "stuff" to put away!

2.  It takes me more time to do it!

And now,

  Three more piles to sort through, piece by piece.

On the final day with my Third and Fourth graders, I set out a Tea Time for them. The boys drank more tea and liked it better than the girls! I read a delightful story the day before so it was fun to plan this surprise for them. And yes, it was hot tea that the boys liked.

Our menu included:

Chocolate Eclairs

Lady Fingers with strawberry jam

Tiny tarts with Lemon Curd

White cake, thanks to Little Debbies, sliced in half!

Cucumber Sandwiches

 I gave the students recipes for scones and making lemon curd. There just wasn't any time to bake the night before. Our menu was super easy and just right for kids.

Nothing fancy, but a nice 

The End Activity!