Yard ornaments

This is a nice example of welcoming yard ornaments.. This is a poor example of

yard ornaments.

When i am walking the neighborhoods, i notice Yard Ornaments and how they enhance or detract from the yard appeal..

first of all, a basketball hoop, nor a trampoline, officially qualifies as a Yard Ornament, unless you live in Utah. I bet they sell them at Target in the home and garden center...

Another pet peeve, is the Fischer Price Toy collection tossed around a yard. There are pink playhouses, play yards, slides, forts, Big Wheels, Tyke bikes, and assorted table and chairs for kids. Once again...NO ONE USES THEM!! Parents have garages, back yards, basements, and sheds to store the plastic icons of childhood..these are NOT eye catching/yard enhancing ornaments!! and a big waste of money!! These toys seem to develop into various goalie nets, bikes, bow and arrows, 3 wheelers, and dirt bikes tossed around the house and yard..

When it is time for dinner, how about calling..."Dinner is ready....put your gear away where it belongs, and come and eat"!! That is easy!

It is also beyond me, why every home has their own trampoline and basketball hoop. It is like a mandate...3 car garage, deck, porch, tree in corner of yard,,,trampoline and hoop.. I rarely see anyone using these sets of equipment. It might be a good idea to have a few families go in together..then the kids may actually play together.

My idea of yard ornaments are: wind chimes, gnomes, angels, lighthouses, banners, frogs, garden ladies, fairies, welcome signs, pinwheels, and brass animals. Plastic flowers, large inflatable ornaments, stuffed , taxidermy animals, old holiday decorations, and broken down cars on blocks are never acceptable yard ornaments.

I heard on a HGTV segment that Personal yard ornaments should be relegated to the back yard. This is a fun place to put your favorite yard deco to show fam, friends and neighbors what is important to you. It is also a good way to bring energy into quiet corners, highlight an area, or show a fun collection from years of Mother's Day and Teacher Gifts-)..

Placement is important in that matching some characteristic; color, materials, size, charactature, numbers, shapes, celebratory gifts...be considered when placing. Some people go overboard, some people don;t add enough...the fun is in taking some time over the summer to continually check out the yard and see it from others' eyes and perspective. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish when you set your lawn and style.

I have a way too many shepherd hooks, so i decided to move them to each corner of the yard...and a couple to set off a couple of planters...they all match, so i think it looks ok... i have my windchimes; one from Maine (family), one that is copper, so i like it in front, one from Auntie Karen with a cool light inside, and one for my husband...a group of dolpins.. he likes the ocean-)

I have a few angels..two for friends who passed away, and i like to think there was a blessing or two from that, one for my dad, who loves(d) brass characters, and one for the little insects that I actually like..there are a few I enjoy killing on the spot!

I have my bird feeders placed over grasses so the seed doesn't fall into beds, a bath for them.. they rarely use it, but i want it there if they do..there are a few feeders that should be thrown away if i listened to my own advice, but i can't bring myself to it..if you are reading this and want to throw them out...please do it for me!

I have my new banner flag for bright red attractions...my metal flowers for nutrients..i heard it makes things grow, and my lady gardner, from my sister-)