Everything's Under . . .

I always enjoy Marty's Parties -- and her Annual Cloche Party is one that I always like to participate in!!! I did last year and am doing it again this year!!!!

Please visit Marty at A Stroll Thru Life to see what everyone has put in and under their cloches for this fun, fun party!!!!

At Linderhof, there are two kinds of cloches . . . the "workhorse cloches" -- those that reside in the garden -- under them in spring are plants . . .

I leave the rhubarb cloches in the garden for I love the line of terra cotta even though most of the gardening season they serve no purpose . . .

The other cloches get put in a back part of the garden by the potting shed -- sometimes, they encourage weed growth (can you believe that a weed would grow under glass in the 100+ temps? -- perhaps -- because only a weed could do that -- an ordinary plant would not survive!!)

And indoors . . . in our bedroom is a favorite of mine that seems to call for a cloche to protect what appears to be a delicate antique.

But it's not -- it's from Nell Hills about 5 years ago but it looks ancient and for a summer or two lived (under a cloche) on the front porch. I've brought it inside and it's one of my favorite things -- a robin red breast holding an iron basket. It didn't cost much -- lots of things at Nell Hills don't cost all that much but all have great decorating impact as I think my little robin does!

On the little table between the chaise and the chair in the master bedroom. It brings a smile to my face every morning. I like birds -- both inside and out. And often, you'll find birds here and there at Linderhof.

Whenever I have garden tour guests, I like to serve herbal cookies and as I like birds, I like bees and so my bee skeps (two fiber and one metal) are perfect to decorate the tray and to use to serve the herbal cookies. It's metal, with big holes, so obviously, it's not to keep things out -- it's for show only but the skeps make a welcoming tray for tour guests.

And, then there are the "kitchen" cloches -- which are used to keep cakes or cookies fresh. And for a tea time treat for company, there's nothing like a cake under glass!

Please remember to visit Marty and see what other exciting and clever things are under glass this Tuesday!