For a Good Time, Call Alison Part One; Barone Garden

On Saturday night, I stopped by the gas station near my house to fuel up for the week and a large flat bed truck pulled up behind me marked "Barone." The bed of the truck was empty but I recognized the driver from a recent visit, with my pal Alison, to Barone Garden .  The driver, with whom I had a nice chat, assured me that they are happy to deliver just about anywhere in the Puget Sound region.  I'm seeing these pictures with fresh eyes since I'm no longer limited to what would squeeze into the plant mobile.

Barone has one of the largest collections of garden decor in the area and it's always a joy to see their ever-changing inventory.

A hydrant for every dog!

By the way, in case you haven't heard, Fleur de lis garden statuary in Seattle will be closing by the end of December as they haven't found another location.  Everything in stock is now 50% off.   Back to Barone - There's something for every garden style.

Granite spheres

Bridges large and small

Jurassic Park?

The selection of fountains and bird baths is unrivaled.  Amusing bird bath.

Not really my style but gorgeous outdoor fireplace.

Oh those metallic gold pots.

One of these hose pots almost came home with me.  Wouldn't one look awesome with a large agave growing in it?

If there were only space in my bamboo grove for one of these, it might have jumped into the car. 

"Hare Rising"  or hare raising?

Catfish.

I'd not seen this take on the Gunnera-leaf fountain before.

What would you put in those holes?  Succulents come immediately to mind. 

Stepping stones 

Handsome German Shepherds.

I love these natural-looking water catchers and I'd imagine that the birds are fairly fond of them as well.

Both Alison and I fell hard for this gorgeous pot.  It would have jumped in the car immediately if it weren't so large and I could think of a place for it in my garden.

The price was very reasonable.  Alison may go back for this later. 

Handsome.

Someone's got a big head!

Appealing simple lines.

Even a nice selection of steel planters. 

Faux stone fire pit surround. 

This guy's not amused. 

Most of the fountains were in part sun/part shadow and were difficult to photograph.  There were hundreds of different styles.

So much to think about. 

This lady, who looks like she could be a fragment of a fancy historic building facade, did jump into the plant mobile.

Alison also found something special but we'll have to watch her blog to see if she posts about it.  Stay tuned for more from our fun day of garden shopping.

In A Vase On Monday - Fireworks for Lunar New Year

This vase, from a visit to  Barone Garden  this summer, has been waiting to be used.  I thought it might be appropriate for lunar new year.  I've no idea what it says; do you?

My original thought was to simply fill the vase with branches from the contorted filbert but they didn't really want to cooperate.  Sometimes it's not a bad thing not to have done a thorough fall clean-up in the garden as there are some leftovers to bring inside.  Seed heads from alium, grass join the good-luck coin like seed heads of Lunaria annua to make a firework show for the occasion.  I considered gold and red spray paint but decided against it.

Joining the arrangement are a cloisonné vase found at a thrift store and a metal ginger jar found at my friend  Howard's shop many years ago.

I'm imagining that dried and dead things are probably not the right thing for a celebration of light's return and all things new but it just sort of happened.  Happy new year all!

In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.  Check out what others are plopping in vases this week by clicking here.

Black Friday Shopping?

On Black Friday I usually stay away from the madding crowd, put away all of the Thanksgiving dishes, extra tables and chairs and autumn decorations to prepare for the next group of holidays.  This year, we spent turkey day in Vancouver (WA) with a couple of my brother's kids and their families and while it was strange not to be cooking and cleaning for days, it was certainly a delightful break. The rain is supposed to stop for a little while today and with a low of 29 degrees in the forecast in a couple of weeks, this will be a perfect day to bring in the last of the begonias and think about hauling the potted cordylines to the greenhouse.

Last weekend we went nursery hopping and stopped by Barone Garden.  Barone does not carry plants but if you're ever looking for a fountain, statuary, or pot, you'll certainly find something to meet your need!  See previous posts here.

Meditating frog fountain.  

Where could I find space for this?  

This must look really interesting with water gushing through it!

The shiny metallic gold glaze always catches my eye.  Do you think it would look attractive with plants or detract from them?

The sea of pots is always more impressive in person. 

Spheres in the garden are a favorite.

More shiny gold glaze.  

Maybe it's a sign?

The Asian area features some carved stone pieces as well as concrete. 

The detail on these Ganeshas was superb.  

Who doesn't like Bacchus, the party animal - um I meant the god of the grape harvest and wine.  (Six of one...)

Unusual garden bench.  One can actually sit on her lap.

There's something for every garden style and taste unless, of course, you don't like pots or objet in your garden.

Did the gnomes kick seagulls off of their posts?

This lady almost came home with me but I need another one of these like I need a hole in the head.  Come to think of it, a hole in the head comes in quite handy in a head planter.  Hmm.

This guy was keeping a watchful eye on her so maybe they were meant to stay together.