A New Garden Pergola

On our visit to Costco the other day to get some roasted chicken and fresh veggies.. we wandered by this little beauty.  It's a combination trellis/gazebo/pergola... outdoor covered space.  We'd been looking at a shade canopy for the deck, and this one spoke to me.  And after much encouragement on my part.. over the last 3 days, it spoke to my beloved, too. :-)  

Beloved has also been combing craigslist for years, actually, for a play structure.  After showing me multitudes of them, some of them pretty old and rough.. we saw this one there and again.. after 3 days of my encouragement, we decided to get this one.  SO.. after I got home from my girl's lunch (I had grilled salmon and broccoli) I called to see if they still had both and the guy on the phone said they were sold out, not only there, but in the whole Portland metro area. I had asked hubby to go back and get them when we'd seen them 3 days ago and of course he had to THINK about it and see what he could find on CL for 3 days.  ARGH!

But then.. he called a Costco in Salem.. and THAT guy checked the computer and said.. hmmm.. they should have 11 of them.  SOOO.. D called back and sure enough, they had them.  SOOO.. off we went in the Dodge pickup and got them. 

Now we have boxes and boxes of parts which the mister will need to put together.  This should be interesting, if not downright comical.   

The gazebo. 

I did a garden walkabout to check on my newest blooms.  This is one of my Heirloom Roses - so pretty and fragrant. 

The rose next to it, it's more purple-y. 

Our bush of Mock Orange is in bloom and it was full of buzzing insects when I was taking these photos. 

I took this photo of the blooms in the shade against the wall of the Garden Shed - and it reminds me of 30s bark cloth, don't you agree? 

An arching branch of Mock Orange with a cloudless blue sky backdrop. 

My "Scentimental" rose has lots of blooms.. I adore this rose.  It's extremely fragrant and beautiful.. se the little bug on it? 

Another newer bloom.. each one is so different.  These smell amazing. 

Then over to see how the roses are doing that our son planted for us.  Kristi didn't like the roses at their house so she dug them up - Travis saw them in the trailer to go to the dump and he thought.. hmmm.. my parents love roses, so days after they were dug he brought them out and planted them here while we were away on vacation.  He's still amazed that they've flourished here.  I love them!  This golden one is stupendous! 

This is the pink rose that starts out orange as a bud.   

Here is the bud.  EDITOR'S NOTE:  Did you know that it's WAY better to photograph flowers in shade or on a cloudy day?  I learned that from a professional photographer named Steve Terrill.  So, I stand in front of the roses to shade them when I snap an image. 

When standing in front of the roses I snapped this shot of the garden shed, Dayle's Kubota tractor, the apple tree, the hillside and the chicken coop and run.  There is not a cloud in the sky today and it's warm - we have all the doors and windows up and are enjoying birdsong and chicken operas. :-) 

Here is the deck where the pergola will go, I can't wait to see it up.  I know this is silly, but I don't like the umbrella in the table as I can't use a tablecloth - having the table under the pergola I will be able to dress the table more to my liking!  I can see a table set with a lantern and fairy lights inside.. :-)  Dayle plans to power wash the deck and re-stain it, too. 

I'm heading off to the pool in a bit.  What are you up to today?  Tomorrow is the train trip!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)