This little garden gives me enormous pleasure. I call it by various names; the garden next to the dog corral, the narrow garden, the zinnia garden, the chicken wire fence garden. It’s just a little strip of soil that I carved out last year in order to grow some flowers from seed. This year the whole thing is rather late blooming. I think that’s why I like it so much. When the rest of the gardens have declined and I’m thinking summer is over, along comes this little show-off.
The dog corral is made of chicken wire. It’s about as basic as you can get. Planting these flowers along the fence line adds a casual, farm-like feel to the property. This year I added some morning glory seeds and there are buds all over the place, soon to be blooming. But not until I’m back in Hartford, I fear.
Don has instructions to get out his iPhone and take lots of pictures.
I also have a sunflower that will bloom soon. I planted a lot of sunflower seeds and only one came up.
Hello, little guy.
Next year I want to add more of these narrow beds next to the fence line. I dream of morning glories blooming all along the chicken wire fence. It would certainly add a lot of charm to Scoutie’s dog corral, wouldn’t it?
I like old-fashioned plants. Old-fashioned in the best way, of course. Lilac bushes, rose bushes, zinnias, morning glories, hollyhocks. I like gardens that look like they sprang up and went a wee bit crazy much more than carefully manicured spaces. I admire those gardens and love looking at them, but they’re not me. I’m a cottage gal. And that means, for me, a bit of joyous abandon.
Scout and I spent the day together yesterday as Don had to go into the city for a little voice-over work for the American Experience/PBS program. By the way, we think it’s going to air sometime in November. I’ll keep you posted, of course. Anyway, it was a gorgeous day and my little girl and I had a lovely time. She doesn’t eat right when I’m gone and I’m just now getting her back on track. But it’s sort of pointless as I am returning to Hartford today and it will all go out the window. She was so happy yesterday when Don returned and all three of us were together. It breaks my heart to have to leave her again. It’s too much for her, all this coming and going.
It’s too much for me.
Goodbye little cottage and sweet family. It’s back to work for me.
Three more weeks to go.
Happy Friday.
Beautiful pictures again Claudia. Sorry you have to leave today…but at least you’re now down to 3 weeks. Hope your weekend is fun.
Yes, somehow three more weeks doesn’t seem so bad!
Oh, Claudia, I know it is hard to leave your family and home. Your flowers are so pretty and the cottage has that homey kind of feeling one can’t find in any open house not filled with a person’s lovely posessions. I hope the time you are in the city goes quickly for you so you can come home to stay for awhile. I so look forward to checking your blog everyday. It gets me out of my small town life for a few minutes and shows me what others are doing in this big wide world. Having said that we are very much alike in one area and that is our love for family and home. Have a lovely day!
You too, sweet Janie! Thank you for being a loyal reader!
Hey Claudia,
Just a side note, Several areas I know of in Colorado and Utah,Ban the sale of Morning Glory seeds,and some places in Calif, the sale of Four O Clocks! Because the farmers consider them PESTS! Imagine that,but as we well know “One mans treasure”.
Just a thought on Scout,having raised 8 kids and 2 of my grandchildren, it occurred to me when they see Mom go and consistently come back,some how it puts them at ease,after just a couple of times they know you will be back before to long! Maybe that will ease your mind a little until you can get back to her. Your blog is still my first click in the morning! Be Safe. Judy A-
We used to have morning glories all along the back yard fence at the house we rented in San Diego. I know that both plants can be invasive, but so can many plants! Love Four O’Clocks! Love Morning Glories! xo
I had the same thing with Four O’Clocks in San Jose CA. Beautiful! -Judy A-
p.s. I find anything Chicken wire, Charming!
Your house is so cute! I live in an old house, over 80 years old. The older ones just seem to have special features you can’t find in new ones! I envy your garden and the flowers around your house. Out here in California we are burning up. I’ve lost three rose bushes already and I’m worried about some fruit trees. Your three weeks will go by fast and you’ll be back home with Don and Scout before you know it.
I’m so sorry about all that terrible heat out your way, Annette! It sounds horrible and I hate that it’s damaging your plants.
Our house was built in 1891, so it’s 122 years old! Gosh, that amazes me when I type it.
Just think Claudia..today you are headed into the home stretch..Yay!!
Home stretch, but still a wee bit daunting.
I guess we should be blessed to have a home we love so much we don’t want to leave.
I love the old flowers, I always plant zinnas, cosmos and hollyhocks. I have never had luck with sunflowers either, I think the birds seek them out!
I think you’re right. Some of the zinnia seeds ended up in my barrel planters and I didn’t put them there. So I think the birdies availed themselves of those tempting sunflower seeds.
The last sentence makes my eyes tear up, and squeezes my heart Claudia. It can’t be easy leaving such a beautiful place each time…
Your little garden is lovely, and I can imagine it next year, it will be even lovelier.
Jen
It isn’t, Jen. But once I’m back in Hartford, I try to handle everything with some grit and grace.
just a quickie
saw in previews your guy Jim Parsons is going to be on Who Do You Think You Are – genealogy program on this coming Mon or Tues – forget which on TLC
Thanks for letting me know. I may be tied up in rehearsal. I just spoke to him recently but he didn’t mention it!
Your little dog corral garden looks great and yes, it will be gorgeous all covered in old fashion flowers!! I love hollyhocks but have never tried to grow them. Glad you’ve had a good visit. Remember, only three more weeks!
Travel safe!
Judy
I grew some hollyhocks the first year we were here and in the garden of the house we rented. For some reason I haven’t grown them again. They are supposed to be biennials here but they never came back!
I enjoy your garden and doggy pics. You and I are so similar in our (amateur) photography. I quite love the very same things! (I included my blog link in this comment, if you’d like to take a peek. I’m in the process of moving it…it’s utterly pathetic and embarrassing and I rarely share the link!)
Three weeks sounds like an eternity… but it will fly by and you’ll be home before you know it! I truly feel your pain. Hugs, girl!
~Kelli
Kelli, I will pop by and visit you very soon! Thanks for leaving the link. Thanks for the hugs, I sure appreciate them!
I think flowers feed the soul.Smiles, Dottie
Thanks, Dottie!
At least it’s only three weeks! Glass half full and all that! Love those late blooming zinnias..very pretty coloring! ;)
I love zinnias!
Oh Claudia my heart breaks for you and your family. Sometimes life is just too tough.
My brother left his boat here a very long time ago. A few years ago it was flattened by a tree during a bad storm, which happens when you live in the woods. Next year I am going to drag that boat out of the wood, prop it up on it’s side. Then I will fill it part way with dirt and beautiful field rocks, and plant flowers in it. Your chicken wire garden today reminded me to tell you of this plan. I have been meaning to all summer. Also, my experiment to planting vegetables in children wading pools is an unqualified success. There are pictures if you want to see them.
One more thing Claudia, A while ago you mentioned something about the proper way to use it’s and its. Could you explain it to me please. I hav asked many people and no one seems to know anymore than I do about the proper way.
I’ll go look at your pictures, Trudy.
Okay, I’m not a grammarian, but as far as I know. It’s is a contraction of’ it is’ or ‘it has’. So instead of saying ‘It is hot outside’ I can say, “It’s hot outside.”
Its is used as a possessive pronoun, as in ‘The day old cake is losing its flavor.” or “The dog chased its tail.”
Hope this helps!
I love visiting your cottage/home, Claudia. That is going to be a long three weeks this time of year. I know you want to be home enjoying Fall- xo Diana
Well, actually, I want to be home enjoying SUMMER! I’m not at all ready for it to leave yet, and fall doesn’t start technically until Sept. 21st or so. xo
I know you will be so happy when the three weeks are up and you can get back to your sweet cottage and family, Claudia. xo Laura
I love how all the flowers are growing along the wire fence. Like you, I prefer the “wilder” cottage look instead of manicured. Sorry you have to leave your home and family again. Must be so hard.
Hi Claudia,
Your cottage garden is truly a blissful place! I dream of such laid back spontaneity, a kind of shabby chic foliage of colour and texture and pattern. Relaxed, but always ready for tall cool glasses of ice tea, a good read or, even better, great conversation among friends and family.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Poppy
You can do three weeks standing on your head! You’ll be home before you know it.