Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Part III


As we continue the tour of the
 Northwest Flower and Garden Show
at the Seattle Convention Center, 
the first garden we will explore 
is called the 'Steampunk' Garden. 

You can find an explantion 
of the term 'Steampunk', 
 Here

This is a growing movement 
in Seattle (and elsewhere) and has evolved into
a sort of retro-futuristic style
of what the industrial era might 
have envisioned for the future,
using steam powered engines! 

I know......strange......, although
I am sure you have seen this style
in home decorating trends. 


I call it 'Back to the Future'! 

Right away we notice the garden shed
with submarine style portholes in the roof. 

The lighting was tinted, which distorts things
a bit, but we see a flowering viburnum and 
some narissus in the foreground. 


I like the diamond paned windows, 
the arched double doors, 
and the hayrack window planter. 

The scalloped roofing, porthole
windows, and telescoping pergola
add a nautical feel. 

I can see this in a garden by the sea. 


A recycled grinding stone 
adds interest to the retaining wall. 

I like the pink tulips with
the purple hyacinths. 


One of the main features of this garden, 
was the fantastical water fountain. 

This fountain was made of a large musical
instrument (a tuba?), copper tubing, 
and salvaged, miscellaneous junk,
along with many gears, 
wheels and moveable parts,
propelled by the water's path. 

Later, when perusing the vendor booths, 
we found these for sale in many different
configurations and sizes.


The other main feature of this garden was the large
clock, also made with many gears
 and salvaged industrial parts. 

The bright, colorful plantings added 
to the imaginative setting. 

Large slabs of stone anchor this garden 
to the site. 


Of course we can't forget to provide for the fairies! 


The next garden we will explore is  what I call the 'Recycled Garden'. 

Right away we notice the tall spires of crates
that form recycled garden sculpture for housing bees! 

This garden uses lovely shades of rose, lavender, gray and blue
in an informal setting. 

A small rock-lined water feature sits to the left. 


Colorful birdhouses, pots and a reclaimed wood shed
 give this garden charm. 

Nature collages (insect hotels) add artistic creativity
 to the crate bee towers
and front of building. 

There are many delightful details, such as the stone birdhouse, 
the heart on the door, and the informal stone path. 


This garden shed looks very inexpensive to build
and would add character to a country setting. 


A side view showing the pretty gardens
and interesting nature collages (insect and bee hotels). 
We found these for sale at one of the vendor booths. 



Recycled windows provide a backdrop to a bird bath 
nestled among tulips, heather, and lily of the valley. 


Tulips everywhere! So pretty with the grape hyacinth. 

The large ceramic pots and colorful watering cans 
are so bright and cheerful. 


A large driftwood bench nestles among lush plantings. 

Notice the colorful water bottles? 
They are 'keeping it real'. 


The liberal use of dwarf evergreens 
 guarantees this garden would look 
nice year round. 

Having the large stacks of crates would be wonderful 
for spring planting. :) 
Or bee-keeping! 


The last garden we will view today won 'Best in Show' 
for its amazing lunar lighting feature. 



It was difficult to photograph the lunar details, 
but it looked just like the face of the moon
with an owl in flight. 

A rather wild landscape frames this garden with red barberry, evergreens, 
 white birch and woodland plantings, along with rose and white flowers.  


The main feature of this garden was this Scandinavian
garden house. 


The backside of the building was framed with
lovely white flowers. 


I love the traditional Scandinavian detail. 

I hope you enjoyed exploring these beautiful gardens with me! 

xoxo

In the next installment, we will take a look at 
a Shabby Chic Garden, a Picnic Garden, 
and a Woodland Gazebo Garden. 

xoxo

I hope you will join me! 

Friday, February 20, 2015

Five on Friday

Sunrise on Mt. Rainier, illuminating lenticular clouds.

I am taking a break from the Garden Show Series
to participate in a new meme hosted by 
called, Five on Friday. 

If you would like to join this fun meme, 
click on the link above. 

Today I am posting 5 photos of Mt. Rainier. 

Moon Rise over Mt. Rainier at sunset 

14,411 ft. Mt. Rainier dominates the Cascade Mt. Range
here in Washington State,
and produces its own weather. 

It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes
in the world due to its large amount of glacial ice.
A potential eruption or lahar could bring down massive 
amounts of mud and rock into populated areas -
with a potential of burying the Puyallup Valley 40 ft. deep.

We are high above, protected by large ridges of mountains,
and not in the path of danger.  

If you would like to learn more about this beautiful, 
but dangerous mountain, you can read about it Here

Dramatic sunrise over the Cascade Range
As a young Mother, my husband and I moved onto raw land
overlooking this view, to build our dream home. 

You can read about our journey Here
and under 'Our Life Together' on my side bar.

Hole in the sky above Mt. Rainier
This was not an easy journey,
but this beautiful view made it worth
the struggle.

Lenticular clouds portend a coming storm

Living here on the edge of the wilderness may be quiet and lonely
in human terms, but there is always something interesting and dramatic
going on in nature.

I live by nature's rythyms and have learned to read her signs.
I have a profound respect for this beautiful place that we call Earth,
and a continued realization of how fragile this planet can be.

It has been my priviledge to live here
despite the hardships,
for I have learned the true
meaning and value of nature's beauty.

xoxo

Linking with: Five on Friday

Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Part 11


As we continue on our tour of the Garden Show, 
we come upon this unique garden display. 


An outdoor living room! 

Let's take a closer look......


A simple hearth and lounger makes things cozy 
on cool evenings. 

Landscape paintings, chandelier, and floor lamp
bring the indoors out. 


I love the little bulldog! 


The lounger appears to  fold up in the 'off season', 
although with the fireplace and tin roof
panels, this could be used nearly year round. 

Recycled materials were used throughout 
all of the displays. 

The white porch post at the corner of the lounger
and the rusty tin roof panels are two examples.  


The berm around the perimeter was created 
with old logs, large rocks, and recycled
concrete pieces. 

We asked one of the creators of the displays
if the rocks used in the exhibits were real. 

'Oh yes', he said. He told us that they had 
3 days to set up and that cranes, large trucks, 
and other heavy equipment were rolled right in! 


This funky well feature was off to the side. 
I love the white birch, white tulips, 
and pale hellebore together. 


Here you can see the recycled tin roof. 

This structure would be very simple
 and inexpensive to construct. 


Perhaps built onto the side of a shed or garage....


A path of loosely arranged brick pavers
leads to a potting area on the side. 

Bright green moss, hellebore, and dwarf evergreens
make up the plantings here. 
An old stump with mushrooms anchors the corner. 


More dwarf evergreens and white tulips border the path
leading up to the potting area. 


A tiny herb and salad garden. 


A rustic potting bench. 


An interesting construction technique! 


A very inexpensive garden structure. 


A weathered eating area on the other side. 
I love the watering can <3 


I hope you enjoyed this rustic outdoor 'Living Room'
as much as I did, Dear Friends. 

Next time we will explore a 'Steampunk' Garden, 
and a 'Recycled' Garden. 

I hope you will join me!

Today I am linking with; The Enchanting Rose - Roses of Inspiration


xoxo

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Part 1


Over the weekend, my Mr. and I attended
the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. 


We took the hour long drive from our foothills home,
to the beautiful city of Seattle, to attend. 


It was a lovely, warm day, with parting clouds
that gave way to full sunshine, as we arrived
at the gorgeous Washington State Convention Center 
where the event was held. 


After parking in the Convention Center garage,
we took the escalator to level 3
 with much anticipation, to attend the show. 

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show
is billed as the 2nd largest in the country. 

We have attended this show many times
over the years, but have missed it
the last few. 


Right away we were captivated by the heavenly scent
of flowers. The lobby was filled with display gardens
of spring flowers, including the highly scented
hyacinth. 


While my Mr. bought our tickets, I admired the 
juried arrangements along the walls. 
This one caught my eye. 


As we entered the show, 
this beautiful gateway attracted
our attention. 

Let's take a closer look........


This beautiful gate opens to a primrose lined path....

The show consisted of amazing display gardens, 
each set up to reveal the possibilities for individual
home gardens. 

This is the first one, and my favorite. 

Let's see what lies beyond the gate.....


Along the flagstone path, this antique cart
was surrounded by tulips. 

Low growing grasses and primroses 
nestle in the foreground.

A tall, stone waterfall splashed behind.   


Red twig dogwood and dwarf evergreens provide
a contrasting background. 

A mossy stone bench peeks out from behind. 


Here's a better view of the stone bench. 
Built right into a small mound of mossy turf, 
this looks like a wonderful place to sit
 and contemplate the beauty.


A full view of the gate and path.

Where does the path lead? 


Well,  to this, of course! 

An open ended 'gazebo' made with recycled windows! 


This little structure just caught my fancy! 

So simple and sweet. 

The lighting was bright and tinted, 
which distorted the colors, 
so I will tell you the woodwork was
a lovely soft blue with whitewash, 
and the windows a deeper blue, also whitewashed. 
It had a lovely, faded, sun-bleached effect. 


Masses of purple tulips anchored with flowering clematis
bordered the lattice-work base. 

Let's take a look inside, shall we? 


We see the sweetest little table
set for two. 

Large blue pots separate a backdrop of flowering trees. 


I love the little details - the lantern, the pot of hydrangea, 
the pretty chairs, the globe lights. 
(Twig globes with strands of white twinkle lights inside)


The candelabra stand is also a very nice touch.


I think that I need one of these.....:)


Notice what the mugs say......

"Mr. Right"
and
"Mrs. Always Right"! 

*smile*


Heart shaped plant labels for Valentine's Day. 


This was the first display garden of many that I will 
show you over several posts. 

We had so much fun and were very inspired! 

I hope you enjoyed the first view of the gardens
at the Northwest Flower and Garden show, 
and that you will follow along as I continue 
the tour, Dear Friends.

A bit of spring in a terrible winter for many of you! 

I wish you all could have come along!
Wouldn't we have had fun together?  
xoxo


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