Old Benches Refinished and More Garden Pics

We have 2 benches on the deck that are looking pretty sad. Here is one of them. I have been wanting to refinish them and I finally did it! I remember sending for a free sample of Valspar paint a few months ago and I decided to use it so this refinishing job did not even cost me anything.

Do you see the mosaic lion fountain on the wall? Well, it used to be a fountain but I got tired of having our handyman, Mitch, keep unclogging it. And the pump just went again. The water reservoir is too small and the hot weather in Mississippi dries it up making the pump malfunction. I had already replaced it in the past. So, I decided to pull out the pump and convert it into a planter. I placed a tall plant to conceal the electrical wire of the lantern.

Here are the benches after I painted them. I distressed them a little bit too and waxed with Minwax afterwards, just to protect them a little bit from water.

Ooops, I accidentally deleted the picture that shows both benches in full view and I cannot put it back because I am in TX now and the photos are on my desktop computer at home. Anyway, here is a mosaic showing part of the benches.

I moved this bench here and moved the newly painted one where this used to be, on the other side of the wall near the master bedroom. Both benches are on the same side of the wall now and I will show them to you next time. I still have to work on the tables.

And do you see the trumpet vines planted by the gazebo? They are starting to climb up.

John found this "SWIM" sign at Homegoods in Pensacola and I found a perfect place to hang it. I laid bricks around my flower bed.




The honeysuckles are blooming again.

The lily that Vicky of Paint or Dig gave me when we had a MS Southern Belles bloggers get together here, came back and is blooming now.

I hang an iron planter on the wall.

Yellow flowers of curry herb and dusty willows are blooming. I love both their silvery colored leaves.

Vegetables are growing well.

The canna lilies are blooming.

I bought that hexagonal planter on a pedestal from a local garden shop.
I was going to put it on top of the column on the right but John wouldn't let me. He is afraid it will fall on the kids when they come for visits and it is very heavy so I just placed it there on the ground.

My job in the garden is never done. I still have these to plant and once planted, I know I will buy more.

I am linking with

Susan's Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Glenda's Fertilizer Friday at http://www.tootsietime.com/

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by and thanks to our hostesses for these fun memes.