Retirement dull , boring Don't think so.!

Almost the end of May .
It has finally turned warm after a very  cool and wet   spring. Now  30 degrees and  all the lovely spring green is quickly turning brown from  now a lack of water. 
Condo living limits my gardening   but I have managed to    brighten up my front porch and back deck,
Repainted my metal  planters one is burnt sienna to match bricks  and one in chocolate brown to match chairs and table..... My front porch is north facing so  filled planters with shade loving plants from  coleus , rex begonias, fuchsia, caladium,   trailing  alyssum, euphorbia, fibrous begonias and bacopa. Yes I stuffed them  .
The front porch is  a very private sitting area  one I wanted to   have immediate  plant lushness,

Moved the pansies to back but kept the hurricane  shade and candle in  planter on table, the  burnt umber  container sits by front door.  I also  made a fairy garden in  the bird bath that sits by step.

On the back deck  I did go a bit overboard on planters,   2 railing boxes, hanging fuchsia , so love to see hummingbirds  come to visit; 1 window box, herb box, 5 other  planters. Seems like a lot but oh the deck is now an oasis  of  flowers........can hardly wait for them all to fill in . Did not fill them  quite as full as the front..... I like watching the flowers grow and spread.....
 The step and  small window box

The deck is south facing so picked   sun loving  for this area , Patriot Violet  geraniums, lime potato vine,  stocks for scent,    white bacopa.

 

I decided to utilize a   metal  shelf unit I had to   help give the deck more  privacy  cause over the fence are  2 homes with  2 pools  and  young children to enjoy those pools...... not that I mind   I enjoy hearing children playing and the splashing in the water....

 On the stand are lots of  containers....

These containers hold   geraniums of course  million bells,   potato vine  and a variety of small     fillers, Sweet peas and morning glories have been planted on either side of  stand in large pots to hopefully twine up the  stand so becomes a wall of green......

 

 Hanging fuchsia , already had a humming bird visiting......

Large container in corner holding caster bean   geranium, purple and line potato vine   and  Mandeville vine  with some  Victoria salvia  and more stocks ..

I have been enjoying this  back deck usually early morning coffee  reading a very good book  The Girl on The  Train on my Kobo... quiet  in the garden   at that time....  Lunch is    another  time I find   I  use this space Later in the day  I tend to  sit on front porch  which is shaded  so cooler.Thank goodness for porches....

The planter  gracing the table is from my Granddaughters.  


Latest card  made just this week  Lovely house set, stamped  , shaded, a touch of flower soft , popped up portico  and simple  interior.   

Who ever said  retirement is boring?

Today went to  Woodstock to  the     Antique Mall. 3 floors packed with  a variety of    treasures.. some  I am sure I used to have....made  me smile   at  so much retro. Did not buy anything Yet!   some ideas to consider.

 Was    fun . Good Sunday outing  . Even with the heat lots of  people  also   looking around..

  Leisurely drove home   on  back  highway rather than  take  the busy   401.   Delighted in the   pastoral    scenery.

 Nice way to spend Sunday......