We live far from the sea here in the desert southwest of the country. That's why we must bring the ocean home to us. Who knows where this fountain relic began its journey to a dusty town in New Mexico, but I'm glad it found its way to me. The fantastical dolphin reminds me of those you find drawn on maps warning the ancient sailor that he had come to the ends of the earth, and that beyond here be dragons: the edge of the known world.
I have a notorious French ancestor who settled here after many long journeys. A fantastical character like the monster on a map, he navigated the desert by the stars in the way he had done at sea. So my sea references come with a tale as well!
Many traditional homes here have niches built in.
What you include, and where, has a big impact on the look of the patio. This photo, and the following one is from two summers ago. Things can change a lot all through the season. These were easy plants to keep going whatever they are!
As you can see, we are living patio life once more after our own journey through seasons. Spring and fall can be lovely in Albuquerque. And even in the heat of summer, early mornings and late evenings are patio time!
We are in process of the annual ritual of bringing out plants from indoors, and replacing the potted herbs. Lots of weekend visits to the nursery to dress up the skeletal garden artifacts.
It seems like we replace at least one broken market umbrella every spring. (Wind is a hazard.) This time of year we even need them to keep the elm seeds off the plates at meal time. Sweep. sweep, sweep!
It's time to coax a few spindly and pale plants back to life, if it can be done. . . .
A little lovely dusty miller in a zinc tray.
Transfer ware and McCoy pot details.
Bent up vintage racks give character to a patio garden. This one is an old vinyl record stand.
A French cast iron fence piece offers a little excitement too.
Still lots of clearing, sweeping, and dressing up to do!
I'm so glad to be dusting off the patios again!
It's a great place to settle in with a magazine and listen to the birds.
I hope you're enjoying some of your own seasonal rituals too.
Have a super week!
Jacqueline
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Metamorphosis Monday
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