A last peek at Halloween

I know it is November, but I still had a couple more pictures of Halloween yard art.

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
~ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Beware of magic!

This yard was decorated to the hilt. It was such a fun conglomeration of fall color and Halloween decoration. For me, a part of the fun of Halloween is the buildup, seeing yards all over the town dressing up for Halloween and fall.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Another example of some really creative yard art for Halloween. A little creepy for small kids, but pretty fun!

Art in the yard

These cats were just taking in the sun late Sunday afternoon. Looking at the large cat made me wonder if he was considered a "watch" cat. He seemed to be so serene and watchful.

I love to see what people will use to add some fun and interest to their yards. Does a cat lover live here?

I have to wonder, with so many of these cats around, if that could be the reason for the empty birdcage?

It's 5 o'clock somewhere

I went out for a drive today to find a picture for today's post—I was looking for some new yard art pictures.

I had been in the pool right before I left and my hair was still wet and dripping on my back, so I decided to squeeze out some of the water. My hand closed around a clump of hair by my pony tail and as I began to squeeze, I felt a large beetle stuck to my hair. Of course, I freaked out and flicked it out of my hair without any thought other than getting it as far away from me as possible. It whizzed away, but then I was driving in an enclosed car with a hissing iridescent beetle—somewhere unknown—I could hear him, but not see him. Needless to say, it was an interesting drive as I looked for a new picture, and I could not relax until I finally found him, pulled over, and managed to get him out of the car!

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I thought that after those moments with the beetle, I was ready for a nice cool glass of wine. After all, it is 5 o'clock somewhere!

Flower child

This little corner flower garden brought a smile to my face. The two ladies dressed in fashions from a century ago oversee all these blossoms surrounding their "flower child" work table. And if you look closely, you can even see Ariel the little mermaid peaking out from behind the picket fence.

Patriotic yard art

We just celebrated the Fourth of July, and there is still a lot of patriotic yard art around town. These are a couple of the houses that I pass on my way to work each morning.

"True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth . . .  
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Decorate it (part 3)

For my final post of this decorated house, these cowboys stand watch out front. (At first glance, they make me think of Picasso's Three Musicians. Don't ask me to explain it, they just do.) It amazes me somtimes just how creative some people can be with scraps of metal!

Driveway art

I was looking for another example of Downey's yard art when I came across this driveway. I have never seen a driveway created with so many different materials.



The apron is made of white rocks surrounded by a wooden border. The drive consists of two rectangles of concrete, three rectangles of dirt with a thin layer of tiny black gravel on top. I thought it was very inventive and practical. Although, you'd better make sure you keep on the concrete on rainy days.

Natural yard art

In the beginning of the week, Pam showed you some interesting yard art she found in Downey. Well, on my ride home I came across this tall forest of sunflowers that someone used to decorate their front yard.

I have always loved sunflowers with their bright yellow petals and large seed area. They really do look like a sun.



And I love their seeds.

"A sunflower field is like a sky with a thousand suns.”
~ Corina Abdulahm-Negura

Decorate it (part 2)

Yesterday's yard art was all about the tree. Lower to the ground, there are creatures—from the partially submerged alligator ("alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts...") to what looked to me like a garden version Nessie. the sea serpent of Loch Ness fame.

Decorate it (part 1)

At DDP, we appreciate distinctive yard art. So I had to stop when I saw the variety of decorations at this house.

It starts with the tree. Once you start hanging a decoration or two, what's a few more? This tree is covered with unique and interesting decorations and chimes. (I can relate—I have my own tree at home that's covered with more clocks than are technically necessary.) With the chairs that have been placed strategically below, it's the perfect setting to relax and listen to the music in the gentle afternoon breeze.

"If it doesn't move, decorate it." 
~ Sandra Boynton

Flowers are yard art too!

I have always had an eye for yard art. I appreciate how creative and fun some can be. But flowers can also be yard art, especially in this yard that I spotted last week. It was an explosion of wildflowers and color and I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment."
~ Claude Monet

The odd couple

When I noticed this pair of statues the other day, it made me think of "the lion and the lamb," two unlikely creatures settling down in peace together.

Celestial orbs

Eight years of DDP has taught me to always be on the lookout as I drive around Downey. One result is that I happen to notice a lot of yard art, and this celestial sun, moon, and stars decor was no exception.

Christmas deflatables

Inflatable Christmas decorations are everywhere these days, and there are some amazing characters out there. The one drawback is their daytime presentation. They look more like some of us the day after Christmas—or, as one friend put it, like an inflatable massacre.

"People tend to romanticize this job. So, it's fun to let the air out of it."
~ Kevin Smith

Making a statement

Iron fences are usually either dark or white, and blend into the landscape. This fence makes a statement—someone here is bold, playful, and fun!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday as we celebrate it today was first proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. You can read his proclamation here. President Lincoln thought it was proper for the nation to give God thanks for His provision and protection. Even in the midst of a civil war, our economy was strong and no foreign state had used our vulnerability to attack us. God truly had blessed America.

“Eucharisteo—thanksgiving—always precedes the miracle.”
~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Thanksgiving decorations

Have you noticed that just after Halloween was over the Thanksgiving decorations came out? I know they look like winter decorations but fall isn't over yet. Since Thanksgiving is the next and last holiday of the fall season, these must be Thanksgiving decorations.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Look into my crystal ball. . .

This house in north Downey has the coolest ornaments hanging on a pretty impressive tree in their front yard. The ornaments look like giant blue crystal balls which hang from the many twisty branches that stretch almost across the entire yard.

"Look to the future, because that is where you will spend the rest of your life."
~ George Burns