Lantern Cloches

Hello, sweet friends, I hope that you 

all had a lovely weekend. 

I am recovering from an unpleasant 

head cold (is there any other kind?)

that left me curled up on the sofa

with a warm quilt and box of tissues

most of last week. 

But I am feeling much better now

and ready to make up for lost time

with a fun little idea for those 

glass lanterns retired from the holidays. 

With a bit of moss hot glued 

to little pots of primroses, pansies or bulbs, 

you can turn empty lanterns into

charming cloches to protect  

those early spring flowers from frost. 

I placed plastic plant trays under

the pots to protect the floor of the lanterns

and then tucked in more moss to conceal them. 

They look very sweet on my deck railing, 

but I was too worried about them falling

off, so I found a better place........

My tiny front porch. 

That way they are protected from the rain. 

We have had the rainiest winter on record

here in western Washington State! 

Almost 23 inches from December to now, 

although we have had extremely mild temperatures, 

so I can't complain. 

My little potbelly, coal burning stove 

is a handy place to set my purse while 

unlocking the door, when it is not hosting flowers :)
We live near a former coal mining town,
now lost to history.

There was once a hotel, saloon, and other
businesses, along with several coal miner's cabins
at the base of our mountain, close to the river.

 I couldn't resist 

placing some sweet 'minnow' daffodils
there to cheer our comings and goings.

This little stove would have been used
as a heating and cooking device in a
small cabin or bedroom.
There is a removable 'burner' on top.

Nice to heat a bit of hot water in the
morning for tea and a wash.

We take so many conveniences like
hot water and heat for granted these days.

The latching crate serves as both a handy
place to rest packages and a storage
for kindling when Ramblin' Man is
far away and I run out.

I have many skills, but chopping wood is
not one of them, although, I would be willing
if necessity dictates.

A nice sturdy latch keeps high winds
from lifting the lid.

These little lantern cloches create
a sweet welcoming committee.

I hope I have inspired you to create some of your own!

xoxo

A garden is the interface between the house and the rest of civilization.

Geoffrey Charlesworth

'A Gardener Obsessed' (1994)

Today I am linking with:

Rooted in Thyme - Simple and Sweet Fridays

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth - The Art of Home-Making Mondays

The Enchanting Rose - Roses of Inspiration

My Salvaged Treasures - Talk of the Town