| 1. Three nifty glass insulators from an old
telephone post on my late Grandfather-in-law's
farm. I thought they might be useful in case
he tries to reach us. ~ Dibble |
| 2. One concrete garden gnome that
stands beneath the crab apple, a gift from
someone special who believes no garden is
complete without one. ~ Shirl |
| 3. A huge chunk of root from an
ancient cedar tree, a remnant of the giants
that once grew around here. ~ Me |
| 3. The head of an ancient Greek
goddess, pedigree unknown, cast in stone and
mounted on a wooden block. She was an
unsentimental gift to me on friends' moving
day years ago when they ran out of room in
their van. This semi-statue has been crated up
and moved with me at least three times since
then, always in a big sturdy box marked, "The
Head." Today she sits in the corner of a
garden patch amid ivy and wild ferns and keeps
an eye on the rabbits. ~ Anna |
| 4. My Garden Gnome . . . a friend
brought me back from France 3 years ago. It
did not survive the trip and arrived shattered
in several pieces. I super glued my little
fellow and he has been hiding in my hostas
ever since! He is weathered and not very
attractive as far as most Garden Gnomes go,
but he has held together through rain and
storm..so he definitely comes with me! ~ Donna |
| 5. A very weathered chair. I use it to
place potted plants on and around. The chair
was in my family for a long time, but was
really in need of repair. I liked the look of
it and put it in my garden. Over the years
it's been rained on and snowed on, but it gets
better looking each and every year . . .
turning from brown to gray! Its companion
piece would be the multi-sectioned wood draw
that a friend brought me from his mother's
house . . . I place small herbs in the slots
and stand it upright . . . it goes with the
chair. ~ Donna |
| 6. My PROSPERITY stepping stone that
sits between two "snow mounds". It brings a
sense of peace to the garden in which it is
laid . . . not quite zen . . . but definitely
zen-like :-) ~ Donna |
| 7. Strange plants growing . . . I was
trying to weed them out. Found out they
are very pretty Bell Flowers! ! Diane |
| 8. I have a pretty blue blown glass
'butterfly waterer' that I could never leave
behind (and near which I have NEVER seen a
butterfly!) It was a gift from my
step-daughter of 42 years, who is one of my
dearest friends. ~ Erly |
| 9. My auntie Pearl's tea kettle from
the homestead in North Dakota. I found it a
few years ago when I wandered the farm, no one
has lived there since 1970, I asked my cousin
if I could have it, he looked at me like I was
daft and said "Go ahead" all the time I know
he was thinking I was nutz. ~ Sue |
| 10. I have a bird bath that is visited
each day by many small creatures. It would
have to go with me even if I had to carry it
on my back! ~ Jane |
11. I have a lovely mottled green
bowling ball (masquerading as a gazing ball)
in a gazing ball stand. It is not
reflective, but is so pleasing to my eye!!! It
came from a friend's shed when we were
clearing it out -- since I am
a "green freak" (any shade thereof), it
had to come home with me -- not to bowl with,
but to look at. I have never been sorry ! ! !
~ Eleanor |
| 12. My wonderful statue of St. Francis
of Assisi, always at my side. Also various
pottery owls and birds I made years ago when I
plied my trade as a potter. I'm no longer a
potter, I'm just potted! ~ Ellen |
| 13. The terracotta mermaid. She hung
on a trellis over the hot tub at my first
house, here she is on a garden wall with a pot
of blue lobelia blooming beneath her. It looks
like she is rising out of the waves. ~ Karen |
| 14. My old broken shovel from my great
grand father -- he died after the doctor told
him not to work in the garden any more (damned
Drs.) ~ Earl |
| 15. There are two things . . . both
from my father-in-law, who passed away in
February. I love my garden and all animals,
and before he died. he went out of his way to
make sure I had a St. Christopher Statue to
sit under the plum tree.
The other is a nice round rock that sits at
the head of our waterfall. His mother used
it many years ago to crush oyster shells for
her chickens. Rocks are not natural to the
beach areas in Delaware and Maryland, so
rocks are a pricless commodity to pond
builders and owners! ~ Lee
|
| 16. A frog stepping stone that keeps
disapearing as my plants expand so I must move
it three times a year as it reminds me to cut
back some of the plants before they turn into
a forest! ~ Bob |
| 17. We would have to take Rover's
grave marker. He was the best mut a
family could have. Now he's buried six
feet under. ~ Don |
| 18. I have insulators as well,
however, I have a troll (not to be confused
with an gnome) with a wolf skin tail holding a
sign "pesticide free naturally". The troll was
a gift in 1977 from a friend in Frobisher bay.
The sign keeps getting stolen, but so far no
one has thought to take the troll . . . could
be cuz he is so freaky looking and has tiger
eyes that watch you no matter where you go in
the garden. ~ Noino |
| 19. The bird and squirrel feeders.
Without the local wildlife, it just doesn't
seem to be nearly as much of a garden. ~ John |
| 20. My garden treasure this year would
be my very own home-made - mosaic bird
bath. I made this from terra cotta
pots, broken dishes, broken tiles, and pieces
of shells collected by my kids. It's
beautiful and sentimental. Can't leave
something behind like that can you? ~ GardenFairy |
| 21. The one treasure I could never
leave behind is a snail made from a rock with
a steel neck and head with little attenae. ~ Cindy |
22. My most treasured non-plant item I
have in my garden are two octagonal stepping
stones that my husband and I received as
Mother's Day/Father's Day gifts from our two
grandchildren, Joshua and Jillian, last year
when they were three and one years
respectively. Created with their
mother's help, the stepping stones are
embedded around the inside edges with little
stones that they have painted different
colours and have their names (one on each
stone) and the date with Josh's handprints on
one and Jill's footprints on the other. We
just love them and they have a prominent
special place in our front garden.
~ Lalita |
| 23. If I moved, I wouldn't want to
part with the giant (metal) mosquito that
hangs from the huge maple tree in our
backyard. "Skeetie" was the first garden
ornament we acquired as novices even before we
finished putting in our first garden.
The garden has changed quite a bit over the
last five years since then, but the mosquito
has hung there faithfully ever since. ~ Carrie |
| 24. A wooden trough, which we stole
from a friend´s farm house. It is 2m long, it
was carved from a dead tree trunk, but it is
very light, and full of bugs, and we use it to
plant bromelias and orchids. It is the most
beautiful vase I have ever seen. ~ Stella |
| 25. Two things - both made and
presented to my garden by friends. A welcome
sign with a portrait of my beloved cat, Tom,
which guards his ashes. And a wonderful
stepping stone. ~ Laurel |
| 26. My wife, Eugènie, (she is ALWAYS
in the garden). I wouldn't leave her behind
because her other favorite pastime is
cooking!! ~ Alan |
| 27. A cement cat that I got from a
neighbours estate sale. ~ Vicki |
| 28. In my garden, I only have a few
things that I would need. My stepping stone,
my solar Japanese lantern, and my rusted
sundial. I am still working on getting some
more garden art :-) ~ Lisa |
| 29. Not in the garden, but at the
"farm" -- a plot of mostly rock that I'm
working on turning into an orchard: our old
bathroom sink, resting on hollow tile blocks
so far, but getting used each time I wash my
hands there. When I finally get a shed I'll
fix the faucet (washers) and install it. ~ Maren |
| 30. In my garden is Big Larry's
Wishing Well. This well was in my parents yard
and upon their death, it arrived in my yard,
as a surprise from my husband. I burst into
tears upon seeing it, as it was my dad's. This
year it will be the center display at our
110th birthday party. People will be able to
make a wish and drop a coin in and the money
will go to a local charity. Dad always liked a
good party!! ~ Sue |
| 31. My 100+ faux frogs, lizards &
snakes. I buy the most life-like ones
available and tuck them around my tropical
jungle area. When anyone visits I tell
them they are welcome to move the critters
around anywhere they like as long as they're
not hidden under a rock or something.
Adults as well as kids get a huge kick out of
doing this, and for me it's almost as if the
animals are alive 'cause I never know where
they'll turn up next! ~ Susi |
| 32. The ONE non-plant item that,
should I ever move, I could never leave behind
. . . is my life-size schnauzer statue! It is
the mascot for our home, since we own four
miniature schnauzers!!! It kind of sets the
tone for visitors entering my gardens... they
are forewarned what to expect -- 16 happy
(more than likely wet and dirty) paws to jump
up and greet them!! ~ Sheila |
| 33. I will have a difficult time
leaving behind my two hummingbirds that fight
over my feeder! ~ Deb |
| 34. My most treasured items in my
garden are my two children. They make my
garden the special place that it is. Also, our
two cats who have final say if a new plant
stays or goes. Plants are fine but the kids
and the cats make it a garden. ~ Ellen |
| 35. I love gazing balls. But I
live in Colorado. If I got a glass one
it wouldn't last a month with the hail.
The metal ones are just too hard on my
wallet. So . . . brilliant idea.
What looks like a gazing ball, is cheap, and
almost indestructable? Bowling
balls. I got a red one. It has
kind of a swirlie pattern in it. I set
it out in the front yard, and it's
wonderful. Then I went to Goodwill and
found 5 more! Orange, silver, green,
blue, and purple - $.99 each! They're
all in the front yard. Some have names
on them. Norma is Blue and Nancy is
Orange. I love sitting inside and
watching people look at them. Everyone
kind of tilts their head to one side and
stares. They can't quite figure it
out. I'll definitely take them with me
if I ever move. ~ Erica |
| 36. Some of my treasures would include
a crane made of wrought iron and rocks, my
small stone bunny which hides under the
ligularia, and my gargoyle named Doyle who
lives by the pond. I would also take my
garden lights which my daughter gave me, and
my bird baths. These would be my most
precious things to take from the garden. ~ Roseanne |
| 37. I would have to say I could not
leave behind any arbours or other structures
my spouse built for me. I consider them one
thing because the are all made of wood. I'm
sure all my nagging got them built and I'd
still have to torture him by digging them out
to take away with us, I don't consider it
torture because I love all of them but for him
it would be all the hard work to move them. ~
Norma |
| 38. A large,cement ornament of a drunk
holding a jug who looks remarkably like a
deceased friend of mine whose memory I
cherish. We call him Murray. We've had him for
twenty years and I just painted him. We keep
him wrapped in the garage in the winter. ~ Corey |
| 39. My Hummingbird support rod, hook
and feeder. ~ Lynda |
| 40. An old antique oil can that I
found in a ditch in the country, while walking
the dog. Scraped off the rust, a bit of
paint and colored tape, a few pretty plants in
it and everyone wants to know where I got it.
~ Joan |
| 41. My rubber frog "Charming" who
presides on the edge of the bird bath.
He has a complete wardrobe of crowns for any
occasion. ~ Ruth |
| 42. I couldn't leave behind my martin
house and all my hummingbird feeders,
they add lfe and action to my garden, and
watching the hummers is one of the things that
make me feel close to my Nana and Papa, (my
grandmother and grandfather) who faithfully
fed,watered and watched with delight the birds
and squirrels in their garden for as long as I
can recall. ~ Pamela |
| 43. I would never leave behind my
children who help me garden and are ever
bringing home new plants to try, and, of
course, our plastic bug collection. You
never know which plant they will appear in.
I'm sure the fairies move them around. ~ Shelley |
| 44. Of course my stone angel and my
garden sayings that are all on beautiful
stones! ~ Shonna Lee |
| 45. I couldn't leave behind my martin
house and all my hummingbird feeders. They add
life and action to my garden, and watching the
hummers is one of the things that make me feel
close to my Nana and Papa (my grandmother and
grandfather) who, for as long as I can recall,
faithfully fed, watered, and watched with
delight the birds and squirrels in their
garden . ~ Pamela |
46. I am a person that has many things
going on simultaneously. And I have a problem
with putting away something before I start
with the next. As people come and see my
garden I can see that they see those things
that I don't see. I have developed a way of
overlooking rubbish in a corner or empty pots
laying around or hoses in a heap because
something else took me away . . . Even if I
tried I probably never will be able to get rid
of those "things" as they are part of my way
of doing things . . . sadly my husband (or
happily) is exactly the same sort! So old
bikes, Dodgevans and surfingboards and other
maybe useful if you fix them things ALSO is a
companion to my roses and poppies. So even if
I wanted to move from them I am sure they will
pop up in my next garden;-)
~ Ulrika |
| 47. Two items come to mind, one is a
multiple . . . I have 12 children currently,
soon to become 15 as our adoptions complete
this family of seven siblings we are addding
to ours . . . and my beehives!! So we
can have honey! and pollination! The children
love to garden! ~ Jo |
| 48. I could never leave behind my
rocks that I've collected during my
adventures. Rocks from five different states,
and from all around Ontario. Most of them are
grand beauties, some are huge working stepping
stones but treasured all the same. They all
have a happy fun time story to tell when ever
I stop, look, and remember the year I brought
each one home. ~ Barb |
| 49. I would not move without my rather
large piece of black volcanic rock (basalt)
collected (by my son and his "body builder"
friend) from a mesa near my previous
home. On moving day, after a full day of
loading our belongings on a van, I made one
last request, delivered as apologetically as
possible, to the truck driver -- could he
please bring my favorite rock!? After enduring
a scowl and a grumble, I withdrew my request
and sadly moved away. To my surprise,
the rock was unloaded at our present home and
occupies a favored place in my rose
garden! I'll never move without it,
provided I can find "a few good men" to load
it! ~ Carolyn |
| 50. I have drift wood for bordering my
gardens from the Gulf coast where I lived up
until 2 1/2 years ago. I would walk to the bay
and drag these logs home one at a time (no
junk car at the time), so now I dragged them
to Fla.'s East Coast . . . some are rather
small, like your arm, while others are well
over 6 ft. long and very heavy -- great
borders! One is actually in my turtle bowl for
him to sun on. ~ Magi |
| 51. A little four inch square
terracotta tile based on an ancient Roman
design with the words "Carpe Diem". My Aunt
brought it back for me from her trip to
England and though I have never had the nerve
to put it outside I carry it to every place I
live. ~ Kim |
| 52. Chimney inserts, the orange
ceramic ovally rectangles that they put at the
top of a chimney insert. Great for
colour contrast in your garden or on a step. ~
Kim |
| 53. One day, while eating at our
favorite Mexican resturant, my wife commented
on how cute the waiter was. She said I
could have him delivered home. The next day I
found a cement "Mexican" statue complete with
sombrero, cast in a sitting position as if his
head was on his knees, asleep, thrown away in
the dumpster. I retrieved her "Mexican"
and brought him home and placed him under the
Crepe Myrtle trees and told her I had brought
her lil Mexican home for her. ~ Kieth |
| 54. Hmm, please pray I do not have to
move anytime soon :). I've just gotten my very
own garden after wishing and dreaming for a
very long time. My dad is in his 70's and has
taken up crafting garden furniture. Even
before I got my garden he made me a beautiful
pair of adriondack chairs with stools and
wooden sliding style swing with table between
the benches (really old fashioned style), a
couple of planters and a bird house. I've been
busy sanding and varnishing these items so
they remain protected to pass down to my
daughter some day when she gets her own
garden. Of course by then I hope the wooden
surfaces will be very well weathered and
"softened" by the use of family, friends and
aquaintences stopping by for a bit of
relaxation and companionship. Including the
wee birds, bunnies and snails that currently
share the garden with me! ~ Brenda |
| 55. A large stone from my uncle's farmhouse
chimney. It is flat on top and makes a
nice plant stand! Very unusual and makes
everyone who visits my garden ask "what's
that?" ~ Melissa |
| 56. I have several treasures in my
gardens from turtles to an antique kitchen
scale. I have copper flowers, a copper ship,
brass bowl. Large shell casings from bombs and
many more you have to take the time to
discover and of course that is the idea. ~ Gayle |
| 57. I would never leave behind my
birdfeeder or the tall metal pole it is hung
on. My birdfeeder is one of those specially
designed types that have a long overhanging
roof to keep the seed dry. It has a divider so
at least 2 kinds of seeds can be used at a
time. It is also made of cedar which gives it
durability and a pleasant aroma. ~ Gillian |
| 58. Official Vancouver Indy tires . .
. now sprouting official non-Indy potatoes, a
very rusty, almost nonrecognizable newspaper
winder for winding newspaper into "logs",
sitting amoungst the Dahlias to scare away . .
. the slugs(?), a collection of rusty cross
saws, rusty metal advertising signs, a
rusty "hand seeder" and assorted
unrecognizabel pieces of rust. ~ Sharon |
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