Wednesday, September 25, 2013

My Fear of Door Wreaths

I don't think I ever told you, but, I have a tiny  fear of door wreaths.
Don't laugh...it's true.


They either poke me in the eye, or grab my hair. Then, there are spiders and birds, who try to make nests in them, so I don't often put one on the door until Fall.
This is the door wreath I made for this Fall, and hung on the door Friday. 


It looks innocent enough, doesn't it?  
Now, cue the scary movie music...Whaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa!


Yikes! 
I went in to get my camera, and 20 seconds later, when I came back out...the grandaddy of all Praying Mantises was on the door, eyeing my wreath.


OK. I'm outta here! I'm headed around to the back door. But first, let me show you the new plants in the urns.


Not exactly Fall colors, but they work with the ones in the yard.


I'm amazed at how the plants have grown just in a few days...


 ...I took these photos today...


...the ornamental cabbage and kale look good in this cool, rainy weather.



And, would you believe? 
The Praying Mantis is still on the door...five days and counting! 
Hubby thinks it's neat, and is trying to think of a name for it...
Oh, pu-lee-ze!

My fear of door wreaths continues. :)

Hugs,
Babs

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30 comments:

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

Oh my God I am laughing so hard and you are not going to believe this but I just posted a story about a praying mantis...and how he scared hubby! he was huge. LOL

I know what you mean about fear of wreaths, this year it seems anywhere I put color I get bee's, spiders, you name it! It seems like the prettier we make something....the more the bugs like it. I lve your wreath by the way, those pumpkins are adorable!

Debby Ray said...

First of all, that wreath is fabulous! Please don't deprive the poor little mantis from his praying. He evidently likes to worship in private :)

Stacey said...

You are a brave girl! I'm just kidding. Your porch area is gorgeous. I'm thinking it must be much much cooler where you are than the 98 degrees we had here today. Can't wait to bring out cabbage, kale, and pansies.

betty-NZ said...

I can certainly understand the logistics behind your fear! And that praying mantis looks like he's planning to take over the world! Muahahaa!

The Tablescaper said...

I totally love your wreath and find it hard to believe you have a fear of such a beautiful creation. Even your visitor finds it a beautiful place to live.

- The Tablescaper

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Babs, I love your wreath but I do know what you mean! I have birds nesting in mine all the time, and one year someone ATE all the (expensive!) phony fruit from Williamsburg! And the live Christmas ones drop needles everywhere -- BUT I also LOVE wreaths and am constantly collecting them and reading books about them! Linda

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Beautiful wreath! All of your pots look great too. No big green things like that around here. An occasional grasshopper will startle me junping out of a flower.

Myra said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cranberry Morning said...

What a cute praying mantis! (Maybe it should be called a preying mantis?? ;-) And the wreath and color of your door are beautiful! So is the flowering kale.

Myra said...

Your wreath is "just right". I too have a "fear of wreaths", especially the overdone, colored netting ones that attack you when approach the door, harbor mosquitoes and leave nightmare images permanently embedded on your brain.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

I love your fall wreath and your red door! Guess the praying mantis likes it to. :o)
I also love your flowering cabbage, kale!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

You are too funny! Although I can understand about the hair getting stuck and bugs not being pleasant! That is a whopper praying mantis! He must be catching some good stuff to eat behind the wreath! Your wreath looks great- I've never seen one with white pumpkins! I like I like!

Simply Simplisticated said...

Beautiful front door and wreath and what a surprise bonus on your door as well! lol Looks Lovely:)

Anonymous said...

I must say that I kind of liked the mantis...Quite a decoration in it self... :)

Heather said...

So funny! This spring we had a bird try to make a nest on our front door wreath. I think praying mantises (mantii?) are good luck!

Kim said...

Your wreath is just gorgeous! I guess "someone else" thinks so, too, but I'm with you~ not a fan when they're in my hair! I'd be using the back door for sure! :)

Blondie's Journal said...

OMG, I couldn't take it...I fear anything and everything with long legs or that makes sudden movements. Get rid of it!! At least for me!

But I do love the wreath and your yard looks just lovely! :)

XO,
Jane

Debbie said...

LOL! I understand that completely, only here it isn't insects as much as those awful green lizards and tree frogs. I brought a tree frog into the house along with my summer door display. Since I'm phobic of them, I nearly flipped. I hate those things.

But now, your wreath looks beautiful!

Mary said...

I call my praying mantis "Sheldon",if you watch The Big Band Theory you know why. Sheldon lives in our kale patch eating aphids..... and yes they are creepy.....

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Beautiful wreath Babs! I stopped putting a wreath on my door too because birds kept making a nest in them and then dirting near the door. Love the cabbage and kale in that urn...so pretty!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Babs, you may have a fear of wreaths but yours is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing at TTF!

Kelly said...

Well I hope you don't decide to take your wreath off the door because it's absolutely beautiful! I love how it looks on your red door too. That is just TOO funny that you would get a giant bug on it the very day you hang it. Your flowers are gorgeous too. I just bought some pansies today and planted them but couldn't find any cabbages. I'm going to have to look for some. I adore pansies mixed with cabbages in the Fall!

My Garden Diaries said...

Ha! 5 days!!! That is amazing! And you had me laughing out loud about your fear of door wreaths! Yours is beautiful! As are your fall containers!!! Happy weekend to you!!!

Diann said...

Oh Babs, I can't believe that huge praying mantis decided to invade your wreath! Yuck! that would freak me out too! But, your wreath is gorgeous. You did a beautiful job with it. And the ornamental cabbages are stunning! Thank you for sharing at TTF. I am going to feature this post today over on my TTG FB page. I would love for you to stop by and "like" the page when you can! https://www.facebook.com/thethriftygroove

Suzan said...

Oh Babs - You have one of the most interesting of all insects!! Give her a female name!! The female mantis is green and sometimes double the size of the brown male. She is probably looking for a place to lay her eggs which will be a lt.brown capsule about the size of your thumb. It looks and feels like straphome once it hardens. When you take your wreath down - look very closely and just break off the limb that has the egg mass and put it in one of your bushes!! Praying mantis is a very good insect that eats your bad ones. I love how they turn their heads and look at you as intently as you are looking at them!! Be nice to your young lady!!

Savannah Granny said...

Babs, That is sooooo funny. Apparently there is something good to eat in there. BTW, that was a great picture of him and the wreath is really pretty.
You must have a green thumb cause those flowers look so lush and the flowers in the background bed are nice too.
xoGinger

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Well, I didn't have a fear.....until NOW! Oh my! Good news, I don't think we have that critter here. Bad news, we have black widows and scorpions -- YIKES! I will definitely be eye-balling my front door wreath from now on! I think you critter friend likes it because you made it so beautiful! I really like all the creamy-colored pumpkins and the kale and cabbage is lovely.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Praying Mantis are kind of scary looking, but so good to have in your garden. I believe that he thinks he's found paradise. lol! Your wreath is lovely and your planters look great! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

The Charm of Home said...

This a beautiful wreath! I will feature it tomorrow on Home Sweet Home! Thanks for joining!
Sherry

Mary said...

I had to chuckle Babs over your fears! We constantly have birds nesting in our front door wreath even in the winter months. I'm alway startled when one flies out :)