Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Rite of Spring


It's Wednesday -- and time for Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer. Thank you, Susan, it's a fun event!

Before Spring, outdoors is limited on the prairie for winter is mostly brown. We sometimes have snow, we sometimes have ice, and we even sometimes have rain.

But we welcome Spring (as we welcome the coolness of fall after the heat of summer) with open arms. It's fun to see the world wake up and watch spring come.

And with the first few warm days, it's time to get all of the bird baths at Linderhof ready for our feathered friends. We do keep one operational during winter with a heater -- and the birds appreciate their spa even in the cold weather. We've noticed a greater number of birds since we opened our "spa".

But we like to have water available in different areas of the garden in the summer. And in spring, cleaning them, putting them back and filling takes an afternoon. We do it as soon as the weather seems warm enough. Even if we get a freeze (even a deep one) -- the frozen water once in the bowl will not harm it.
This is a favorite -- with two doves in the middle. It's concrete, stained so it looks a bit old. We've planted daffodils and tulips around it (and there are two roses beside it) and will plant Stella d'Oro day lilies in between the spring bulbs. It's on one size of our pergola and our doves (the turtle ones) seem to like it the best.
A smaller one that I can see from the kitchen window. It has a non working fountain in it and the little birds seem to prefer this one. There is lettuces in the pot below -- starting to show green.
The side garden, my secret garden has this birdbath (with the rabbit to keep it company) -- it was a gift and I like the smallness of it and it's perfect for this corner of my secret garden.
A sqaure birdbath that looks as if it has some age, but alas, it doesn't. I like the fact that it looks like it has been around forever. A bird feeder is to the left of the bird bath and often the birds will snack, fly down for a sip before they fly back up for another bite.

I like things with age -- or things that look like they have age and most of our baths do. They look like they've been in the garden at Linderhof for a long time -- even though the square one was a last year purchase.

The birds enjoy water -- both to drink and to bathe. We get a lot of joy out of watching the birds antics in their baths, as both the first and the last can be seen from our breakfast room while the shell birdbath can be seen from my desk which overlooks the secret garden.

39 comments:

Toad and Friends said...

Spring is in the air. In Mayberry its time to pull honeysuckle. Last frost is April 15. It's coming.

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Martha! I love all your bird baths.... I think my favorite is the one in you secret garden with the bunny.... I can't wait to see everything as it stats to bloom and grow! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan

Nancy Yoakum said...

I love it all, especially the square one! Very unique...I've never seen one like that! The Midwest stores are full of surprises aren't they?! We only have one bird bath, but I would like more, and the more aged they look, the more I love them. That is so cute that you have a heated birdbath! Our birds need that out here in the prairie! Today I have noticed so many things blooming, it's just magical!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful collection of birdbaths you have! How sweet that you take care of our feathered friends!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, you encourage me to pay more attention to the birdbath. I only have one, am not good about keeping it. I do keep the cat water pan filled, and the birds drink from there! Yes, just fine.

Are you getting cold tonight. Down here in OK we are to be in the 30s.

Anonymous said...

I can imagine that if I was a bird I would enjoy your yard too. It must be entertaining to watch the birds in the baths.

Kathy b

Sue said...

Hi Martha,
I too enjoy birdbaths not only to help the little birdies but because I so enjoy the different styles!!! I know you will have a lot to share when your garden begins to bloom.
Blessings,
Sue

Maryrose said...

I do love your garden. What birdie wouldn't want to enjoy those birdbaths. Beautiful and it hasn't even started to bloom. Thanks for sharing
Maryrose

Jules said...

Very nice! I love our little feathered friends. I was just thinking that I need to get out my bird feeders and prep their bird bath too. It is so fun to watch the little birds take their bath and ruffle their feathers!

Kathy said...

Your garden is going to be beautiful. I love the birdbaths!
Kathy

Lynda said...

Martha, what a welcome sight for the birds! Happy Outdoor Wednesday, and thanks for the lovely pictures.

Charlene said...

I love your bird baths. The one in my back yard is right by my big window in the Master Bedroom & I love to sit in my chaise lounge & drink coffee while watching all the birds feed & bathe. And yes, I can imagine it does take you all day to clean that many. We need to clean ours out front. The pump has been turned off all winter. Funny... it is the same birdbath as yours with the two doves. But, ours has a pump that shoots water up between the birds. Maybe you will inspire me to get busy.

Amy said...

Pretty birdbaths. I love the sound of birds in my garden.

amy@maisonbelle

the wild raspberry said...

your home and gardens are so beautiful!
happy spring to you!
your fellow midwesterners.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I do so love bird baths. It is so nice to sit and watch the birds have a drink and take bath. We don't have one because the weather is so hot, but they do bath and drink in the pool. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Marty

Kat said...

Oh I really like the square birdbath, very different. Thanks for stopping by and your comment, I wasn't sure if that was a flowering plum or a redbud, most of the redbuds I've seen were, well, more red lol. Kathy

Tink *~*~* said...

I don't miss the weather up north, but I do miss the birds. I've been living in a brand new subdivision in Florida for the last three years, and there aren't any old growth trees, so there aren't a lot of birds. Hoping that will change over the years. Loved touring your garden!

w00t! It's WEDNESDAY!

Tink *~*~*
NOW PLAYING at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* :
Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I love watching all the birds in our birdbaths. They are crowded at all times of day!

xinex said...

How nice to have so many birdbaths. I am sure the birds appreciate it....Christine

Petunia said...

I love birdbaths! I have one in my garden that the kitties use as their outside water dish...no birds coming near it with cats on patrol!

Pondside said...

What a lovely collection of bird baths. We have two, but they are just for the pleasure we get from the look for them - the ponds take care of all the watering needs or the birds........and the deer!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE the bench and birdbath!

Anonymous said...

Oh lovely birdbaths and fountains! You must have a lot of bird visitors, some chirping happily and others serenading you!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Kathy said...

Hello Martha, you have a wonderful collection of birdbaths, oh how happy the birds in your garden must be, Happy Outdoor Wednesday, Kathy.

Shirley said...

I love your birdbaths, especially the one with the bunny rabbit. Happy Wednesday.

flmom said...

Lovely spots you have for feathered friends - I especially like the square one.

Anonymous said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!!
I really love your square bird bath...it's so unique.
Lovely photos.

Nola said...

Good morning, You have some lovely birdbaths, but the square one is the best. I've never seen a square on; I thought it was probably old, but now that I know it's not, I'll be looking for a square bb to add over at my place.
This is my first visit, so I'll look around a bit. Happy Spring!

Chandy said...

Great collection to invite the birds to sing about Spring's arrival!

Happy Wednesday!

Jadehollow said...

Hey Martha..
I love all the bird baths. We have a few out back and spend hours watching the bluebirds drink and bathe. Thanks for sharing.
Debbie

Brenda Pruitt said...

I too love to provide the birds with welcome in my yard. So I keep three birdbaths full. I'm starting to rethink all the birdfeeders. Sunflowers growing all over the place!
Brenda

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

Love your bird baths! I just put out 3 more bird houses this past weekend and I need to put out a few more this summer!

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Ohhh La La! I love your garden. You have some really nice birdbaths!

Anonymous said...

Oh I so love what you have done. You care for the birds and that's wonderful. Stella D'oro lilies are the best aren't they? They just don't quit. I will be following here to see how everything progresses. From one bird lover to another..cheers,and happy wednesday!

Anonymous said...

The bird baths are wonderful and lots of work to keep them filled and clean. We just have one and it is a job keeping it and our fountain going.
The birds are so much the joy of spring.

Hugs...Jeanne

Light and Voices said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday! Thanks for the tour of your garden. I adore all the bird baths. I can hardly wait for future posts when the flowers will be blooming everywhere.
Joyce

Amongst The Oaks said...

Martha,
I adore your blog because I feel right at home with the birds, the birdbaths (we have three), the good cooking, the classic decorating and the drinks before dinner. I'll visit regularly now.
Laura

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Just beautiful all of it...thnaks for sharing...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Your yard looks like a bird sanctuary AND a people sanctuary. So peaceful and pretty. laurie