This has been a tough summer so far hasn't it? Too hot, too cold, too wet, too humid - seems like very few moments of Just Right! But, even with Minnesota weather extremes we love to be out in our yards. We thought you might enjoy taking a peek into some of our yards and gardens to see how we use our own "junk" to decorate our outdoor areas! This spot is in Barb's back yard - don't you just love it? What a nice spot to sit and dream!
At the back of Barb's house she has a spot with two Adirondack chairs - they get a new coat of color each year - this year she likes the bright yellow/orange shades. I think the idea is great - what a great way to add some fun color to your yard!
I love this screen door frame tucked into a corner - and below it is a very old wheelbarrow that belonged to Barb's father!
Barb has a great front porch - it always says "Welcome - come on up and sit a spell!" But this year she bought outdoor fabric and made drapes to frame the entrance. What a great idea that can be used on any porch or deck or patio or gazebo!
In Barb's backyard - grapevine entrance. So charming and old fashioned and homey!
The door into Barb's garage! How inviting is that???
Barb has this great industrial metal table set up in the back yard with multi-colored chairs! What a fun picnic spot! I think those burgers and salads would taste even better setting here!
Rose used a baker's rack in her garden. It is against her garage and fills up that big empty space so nicely! You could do the same with great outdoor hardy artwork or plants or use it as a buffet for your outdoor meals! Most baker racks are metal so can handle the rain and sun - so move them outside!
Rose made this piece of garden art out of 1 x 12's, bicycle wheels, metal rings and a gazing ball. It is topped off with a fence post cap - a pretty easy project!
An old grinding wheel stand - minus the wheel - makes a great piece of art and plant holder in my shade garden!
A pump in the garden is kinda standard - but it looks so nice don't you think?
I picked up this faucet at an auction and just hammered it in the ground. I love that it looks like it is watering my garden!
Windmills make a great trellis! This one is covered in Clematis and Rose's. I have another in my vegetable garden with beans growing up it, and a third with Sweet Peas wrapping around it. Only this one has the actual fan blade at the top - the others were missing it - but as a trellis that was just fine!
Part of an old barn door hinged to a couple of posts makes a great entry gate. Mine has Honeysuckle growing up the side.
This Red Wing crock was in a junk pile cuz someone had dropped it and a good portion of the bottom was missing. I just dug a hole, stuck it in, and filled the crock with soil. I never take it in over the winter and plant fresh annuals in it every year.
Another faucet of sorts - this long pipe was part of some kind of well. I like it in my garden over the birdbath!
This is another well pump. It was about 10 feet tall - we cemented it in the ground and it became the post for the fence/railing up to my front door!
The back of our property is our work area and vegetable garden area. It is all fenced in with various old barn doors, gates, and fencing sections. Other than this one section, I painted all the rest red so that even tho each 4' section is different - they are all uniform in color! Then I had to have some fun with this little section!
Barb's front porch - with more of her reds and yellow/oranges! It is so cheerful!
So.............did you get any ideas for your own yards and gardens? Or are you itching to share photos of your favorite spots? Drop us an email with pictures - we WOULD LOVE to see how you decorate your summer areas - be it yards, gardens, decks or cabins!
