Friday, May 28, 2010

Flea Market Finds.... Old Wash Tubs

Greetings and Holykisses!

It's a busy time of year here. The garden is producing- it's almost time to start picking zucchini, and summer squash. And yesterday; dug our first Pontiac potatoes, and we had our first mess of green beans!

Thought some of you might like to see the new additions to our garden this past week. I've been searching the newspaper and craigslist for old washtubs and they've gotten so hard to find. But this past week we went junkin and brought home two of them!

I wanted to "plant" the one above but the more I looked at it... I just couldn't.* It's in such good shape, and in the future, it will probably get dragged inside to decorate with. -- So I then set about readying washtub number 2.


We live in the country, and a few years ago, the county gave us several loads of wood chips. Every now and then, they come through here with this big brush-hog thing that actually raises up into the trees and cuts limbs that are in the way of the power lines. They then get tossed in a wood chipper and they brought us load after load of free wood chips! We had them dump the chips into a huge pile out in our pasture. It's probably been 5 years ago now, and over time, our livestock have "added" to it as well. The pile has composted down alot so I've now started bringing it out by the wheelbarrow fulls to my garden. Looks pretty good doesn't it? Thought I'd share it with you, so if any of you live in my area, you might ask the county to give you some?
Buying woodchips is expensive, and they brought it right to us!
Here's a picture of the other washtub we brought home. I used the composted chips/manure in the bottom and it seemed to work really well, and was free. On the very top, I used some miracle grow soil for good measure.
This tub still needs a paint job. Maybe off-white and green like the one in the top picture?


Here's a closeup of a few plantings. I'm hoping one of you may know what's in the upper right corner? I may have planted a weed? lol At the beginning of spring, I go kinda crazy planting. Sometimes I forget what I planted... and where. This was in one of my flowerbeds, and there are a few of them. I remember planting something there, but forgot to write it down. Nonetheless, it's kinda pretty. But, I happen to think alot of weeds are pretty. I may be tending weeds?
For now, thee other tub was brought into the potting shed.
I'm using it to store dirt on one side, and flowerpots in thee other. Our son cut a board for me that fits over the top to keep critters out. --- ...............Speaking of critters, I had another run in with Mr. Squirrel in the potting shed. You'd think I'd learn?

I'd been out there all day, and went inside for a drink of water. When I returned, it never even occurred to me that he could have went inside the shed because I was just out there! So; imagine both our surprise once again.*
Miss Urina Mariah is keeping watch today. She's wearin my new garden hat too.
Actually, bird watching is why the binoculars were brought out this week. We have a new pair of visitors!
I didn't even know what they were.... but today looked them up and they're goldfinches. A little Mr. n Mrs. by the looks of it? We had been using a mix in our feeders and it seemed like we had more cowbirds and sparrows than anything, so when that bag was gone, we switched to black sunflower seeds. They must like it better, and I hope they keep coming back. Almost every time I look out now, I'm seeing yellow at the feeders. Oh ... and the red bellied woodpecker has been coming to feast as well.
I better get busy.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend.
Holykisses xoxo
L

My verse for the day:
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

13 comments:

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh I love your washtubs.... love the way you're using the one in the potting shed for all of your soil... genius!!! Hope Mr. Squirrel learns and finds another place to play.... hugs ~lynne~

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Wow, I love your finds, I wish I could get that lucky. It looks great in your shed and the other one with flowers it so cute. I think your squirrel may have caught on your faux human and is laughting at you. Think I would get a cat and surprise him one day. There are loads of place Mr. Squirrel could go, your shed should not be one of them. That is what I say when I find a spider in the house. Why on earth would it want to be inside. My 4 cats use to circle a bug and not let it move. They would not touch it or kill it, it would die from shock.
I miss those cats, I found a spider the other day, Man did my pupils dilate.

Have a good and happy safe Memorial Day.

Kathy said...

The mulch is really a blessing and that over time you have combined to make wonderful soil!
Love the washtubs! Those are very cool and will look beautiful with the petunias cascading over the sides!
Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Kathy

Denise said...

Awesome finds sis, love them.

Angela said...

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

SIGH...oh how I praise God for leading you to share this...amen amen amen....this IS good 'food' for me.

I adore what you have shared also today with us. Oh my, I just love your garden. I can picture myself strolling along.

From the Heart said...

You just amaze me at the things that make you the happiest. We should all be that way. Thanks for sharing your flowers. I miss being able to do that.

A little bird told me to tell you to watch the mail.
Love you, AE

Paula said...

LOVED your scripture today in your post. What an awesome promise. Mahalo Lea, I needed that. It is a perfect message to add to my study in the book of job this morning. God is the creator and bringer of all things.

Wow girl are you a good junker. Those wash tubs are awesome. Did you have to go far to find them? Cant get over how your already getting produce out of your garden. Seems like you were just a planting seeds a week ago. Time flies. Great post. Now about that squirrel. If you were a squirrel wouldnt you want to hang out in such a cool spot as the shed? I bet squirrel is thinking the bottom of that new wash tub is a nice cool spot to snooze :-). In our home in Washington we put out thistle seed in a sock for the goldfinces and they just L***O***V***E** it. You'll have flocks of em with the thistle, but you have use a special holder because the seeds are so small.

With Fond Aloha Paula

Unknown said...

You lucky girl!!

Anonymous said...

OMG, Lea, I adore the new wash tubs. Now I am set to look for one. You are just the most creative person ever! Happy Memorial Day! Love you, Janie

Yolanda said...

Sweetie, I decided I was switching to all black sunflower seeds as well, no more mixture as soon as the mixture is all used up!

Can you guide me in the right direction of a good bird book?

Love you like crazy!!!

Melanie said...

Lovin' your style here! Great photos.

Denise said...

I am going to start at this post and work my way up! I am so far behind...... and I have to say that the minute I saw Miss Urina Mariah I went to Ebay to find me one...... Mercy they are expensive.. I think I will just watch the thrift stores and garage sales....... That old tub is just the cats meow! I have an old wheel barrow in my potting shed for my dirt...... it works so good but that double tub has got to be wonderful !

Anonymous said...

I would like to exchange links with your site shabbyoldepottingshed.blogspot.com
Is this possible?