Bowl Goes to Landfill (not what you're thinking)

*sigh*

We had pancakes for supper last night.  Two of my daughters helped me mix them up from scratch.  (We always make them from scratch.  (This recipe is good and easy.  And we make our own syrup, too.)  The six year old had a blast learning to crack eggs.  The four year old whisked like a whirling dervish.  It was fun.  It was bonding time.  It was a Kodak moment (except I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy enjoying my kids to take pictures).

Later - time to do the dishes.  My helpers washed everything themselves (including much of themselves). Except for my big glass mixing bowl.  They know I love that bowl and they didn't want to risk breaking it.  So I put it into the dishwater to soak and we all ran off to play.

Before going to bed I thought "I'll just wipe this bowl down so it's done."  I know you see what's coming.  Of course the washing water had gone cold so I tipped the dishpan to drain it ... CRASH.  The soapy bowl slipped into the side of the sink:

So sad.  I thought I would have to say goodbye.  Poor, poor 'Glasbake made for Sunbeam'.  You outlasted your yellow stand mixer companion and survived four of our household moves only to meet a bubbly death by Dawn.  You leave behind a bereft smaller mixing bowl with no one to nest inside of now.  You were the only bowl I could use with my super-powerful Bosch hand mixer to make brownies without too much spattering.  Thank you for this last lesson you have taught me:  Never wash dishes when I'm tired.  I'm hoping that will save the lives of your Pyrex fellows.

I didn't actually cry (though the six year old cried for me - so sweet) but I couldn't bring myself to deal with the pieces right then, so I left everything in the dishpan until morning.  While contemplating sending my near-antique to the landfill, it occured to me.  I could fill it with land myself.

Meet our new toad abode/fairy amphitheater/garden ornament:

I think the other animals are a little afraid of the Giant Tortise, but he's really very friendly.  Now it just has to withstand any hailstorms the summer may send its way.  Eventually the creeping sedum I started this year should surround it.

And the flowers? If you know what they are, could you please tell me?  They were part of a packet of mixed seeds, and didn't bloom the first year.  Also, they are very tall, two feet at least.  I tried to Google "purple wildflower" and actually found two pictures of them.  But when I clicked through to each site, both photos were captioned, - you guessed it - "purple wildflower".  Very helpful.  I'd like to know if they're going to die back or last all summer, and if they will grow again next season.

 

Comments

[Sister Diane]

I love this Idea! I might just go to the thrift store for a bunch of bowls and turn all of my neglected planter boxes into tiny landscapes like these. Populated by LEGO minifigs instead of animals, as minifigs are an abundant resource around here. :-)

[anna maria]

Those flowers ate called garden phlox which is a taller variety of creeping phlox :)
Your bowl use is great, and works well with broken planters too!

[Denise Leavens]

Yep, they are Pholox. I love phlox and the scent is one of my favorite.

I wonder if at night the amphitheatre can glow with a light behind it? Wouldn't that be wondrous?

[Janmadeit.wordpress.com]

Oh... I'm so sorry for your loss! I know how it feels, but I didn't think to do this with mine. I'm sure the toads will love it when they find it.
I've been checking out the Salvation Army store recently and have come across several mixing bowls like that. I bought a nesting set of two a couple of weeks ago for $3.99 so you can probably replace it. Check out flea markets & garage sales. Estate sales will have them but they may be priced a little higher.
Jan

[Stacie]

Diane~ That would be awesome. I expect to see photos!
anna maria~ Thank you for the info. So glad to know.
Denise~ They do smell nice, don't they?
Janmadeit~ Thanks for the tip. I'll be keeping my eye open, but the yellow ones are much more rare than the white ones. But even white ones would be a better shape to use with my hand mixer. The traditional Pyrex nesting set I have doesn't have high enough sides.
http://bit.ly/4Jn8Sj
If I find something suitable, I'll post about it :)