Southern Exposure: European Bird Nest

What, you may ask, is a European birds nest? Well, as far as I can see, it looks like any other! But that was the title of our Southern Exposure project. 

Three of us returned to Southern Exposure for another evening of garden walk, dinner and creative project (aka European Bird Nest). The trouble was, none of us could figure out what the project would be, which was described as .... 

"Bird's Nest in Faux Dogwood" 

Using a large permanent botanical dogwood, we will twist and create a beautiful door or wall decoration. 

Complete with a birds nest adorned with spring accents."

But we knew it would be fun -- and more likely than not, end up pretty. And with that in mind, we enjoyed our walk through the garden.

The tulips were in full force. I don't know how they do it there -- my tulips are still buds.

But these seemed to be large and endless!

I loved this woodland poppy, too. Scott said "Just pull some out to take home on your way out" but by then it was dark. 

 

Maybe on the next visit I'll bring a trowel and a bucket!

The bleeding heart plants were enormous. These were a real treat.

My grandmother had a large bush of them at their farm and I always associate these sweet plants with her.

I've tried to grow them and this year my plants came up and actually are flowering. But nothing like this!

I am such a sucker for trillium. These were in full flower!

 

In my last post I spent quite a lot of time in the greenhouse and this time we did the same.

They change it up. It looked completely different from two weeks ago. I loved this huge collection of pansies in a giant strawberry pot.

And this one, too.

While they'd kept the "succulent shoes" in place with the blue jar from last time, new things were added.

 

I'm very fond of these electric candles in planters. They don't sell them there and I haven't been able to find any -- but I keep looking!

 

And the lighted sphere looked great beside these ceramic leaves outside the gift shop.

 

The gazebo was lit with fairy lights.

 

And the classic car posing, just for us! 

As beautiful as the gardens were, it was pretty cold and windy during our visit so it was delightful to come inside to a beautifully set table, chicken with gorgonzola sauce, fresh asparagus, a caprese salad, wine and bread. I passed on the apple pie a la mode (regretfully!)

Then it was off to the craft tent for projects time. This is what we saw when we entered. A little intimidating, no?

Even the Southern Exposure chickens, Bette and Joan, were keeping their distance!

 

And these supplies were at our places.

We began by stripping the willow, clipping off branches and wiring them together and then adding the dogwood. Kate mastered it!

We also made a wee bird's nest from birch twigs and moss and added three small eggs. (Having trouble uploading that photo -- I'll try later!) The end result in class...

...and on my wall at home!

It was a fun project and looks cheerful and happy! Now, if only I could find these candles!

No complaints on my end! Now I'm looking forward to making a "Lighted Conservatory" on my next visit!