As a little girl, I played outside all day.
Sometimes with my friends down the street, and sometimes alone.
Around the age of 7 I remember planning to build a “Tooth Pick Pool” with my friend, Christine.
Yes, you heard that right.
A DIY pool made out of TOOTH PICKS!
Talk about innovative.
We got about 100 or so tooth picks into the job, and gave up.
We had so much energy, imagination, and hope.
We were carefree and happy…making toothpick pools.
Now a days, one of the ways I fish for those wonderful feelings, is just by being outdoors.
After the brutally, harsh Winter we endured, I am enjoying it all a little bit more this year.
Lets forget the interior for now, and focus on what’s coming alive outside.
Hostas in Michigan are so incredibly beautiful, I thought you would enjoy a little tour of ours.
When I ventured out this morning in my slippers, I found this little guy on our stone steps…
It’s amazing how everything is still capable of coming back after the bitter cold temps.
This year it all seems so lush because of the late start and rain.
Hostas require very little care and come back every year.
This huge “cabbage like” Hosta gets bigger and better every year.
If I was a frog, this would be my Perennial Mansion Pad!
It almost seems like it’s going to swallow you whole.
Don’t worry, it’s friendly.
(By the way, I do not know the names of these Hostas as they were here when we bought the home.)
Lets keep going.
Ahhhhh…
Now you know why we put up with the 60 inches of snow.
So peaceful, so beautiful.
The picnic table is from Home Depot.
It was on sale for $149.
I feel like our back yard is like a park now.
Don’t let it fool you though…lots of labor out there.
Up front we have some too…
notice how I prefer things a little less perfect, and less manicured these days.
A few weeds won’t hurt anyone.
Unfortunately, I just missed the Lily of the Valley that you see on the bottom of this photo.
When it was in bloom I shared some with my Mom and displayed it like this in our foyer:
Unfortunately, we had to remove the monster Robin’s nest from our window because we couldn’t open our window.
Fortunately, there was nothing in it.
The bumble bees were out in full force this morning.
They were so loud I had to ask them to keep it down.
Geesh.
Then, when I went back into the house for some tea, these rascals showed up.
The Dad swan never returned, but Mom swan is doing her best keeping her cygnets alive.
There were 6, we are down to 4.
Keeping our fingers crossed they make it.
Two last pretty photos for you today from our Lilac Bush.
It’s never bloomed like this before.
This is what I did with some clippings…
For more details on this, click here: “DIY Candelabra Ceiling Fan Vase”
I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.
Next post: “DIY Toothpick Pool” 🙂
Tags: hosta in midwest, large hosta, Michigan Hostas, midwestern hostas, Pure Michigan
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What a lovely spot you have there! Gave me a feeling of serenity viewing those pretty pictures. So sad to see Mama Swan lost a couple babies. I am rooting for them, and have enjoyed your posts about them.
Thank you, Marcia. I find myself counting the swans every time they swim by. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m rooting for the swans too!! We have pond and it ha s prevent difficult to keep the babies alive. Turtles and hawks always got them!! Keeping my fingers crossed! Hostas are absolutely beautiful! Everything is…
Me too, Barbara!! I wish they would hide the babies for a little while!
Wow, all those wonderful hostas! I don’t have such a large pathway in the front but added them too many years ago with some small boulders for interest because they were so small now they are like yours and I have to trim them sometimes because they cover my astibles…lol I love all the different varieties you have!
P.S. I am still gushing over your sink candle/vase holder so I will be stealing that idea the next time I see one of those candleabra’s at a thrift store….
Steel away, Christine! 😉
I love hostas too! I have so many of them. I was so excited last summer when I found two different houses that had stands set up in their front yard selling one’s they pulled form there yard for a dollar. I can always find a place for more hostas, especially when they’re only a dollar! They were just little guys last Summer, but this Summer they have already tripled in size. Like you said, one of the easiest flower to maintain! They are just beautiful!!!
How cool is that! Great idea…I think I could make a fortune selling mine, lol. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous! That DOES look like a lot of work. Your home and yard are very inspiring and GREEN!! I love it. And how wonderful to live by a lake. I gotta say, I am so envious.
Thanks for sharing Julie. You are so talented.
Your hostas and gardens look beautiful!
Your hosta are mazing – the different varieties really put on a show!!! I think in the 7th photo down, those plants are actually called ligularia, they will get a yellow type bloom if conditions are right (mine have never blossomed). Your space is so tranquil & the swans just complete the picture – love it!!!
Thank you for stopping by, Liz!
That huge leaf hosta with ridges in its leaves by your porch is called an elephant hosta( if I remember right) I have one of those, and I love it. I have a few hostas in my yard too.
Hosta’s, I love them. All types, because they are so beautiful. Yours are fabulous. I to love your candle vase, and will keep an eye out for one. You backyard looke relaxing and inviting, so I’ll be there soon. I am looking for my bathingsute. Oh no, I first need to loose my pig out weight. LOL!
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