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Young House Love » Our Second House » The Amazing Spidermum

| By John Petersik | October 14, 2011 | 501 Comments

The Amazing Spidermum

We’ve done it again! For the second year in a row, we managed to accidentally allow the bushes in our big wooden porch planters to die. Oh the shame.

Mum Before

Chalk it up to a miscommunication. Sherry thought I was watering them. I thought she was. Clara didn’t have a clue who was watering what (or what watering even is) and all the while Burger was “watering” plants in the back. By the time we realized our folly it was too late (although Sherry desperately dumped five cups of water a day on them for the last few weeks to no avail). So I’d say we’re equally to blame for our plants getting a bit on the crispy side. And we’re sad. But we had to fess up and keep it real, so there you have it. Picture us looking shamefaced at the ground and vowing to do better next time.

Mums Crispy Boxwood

Since fall is upon us, we took a page from our own book and, like last year, picked up two yellow mums at Home Depot (for $18 total) to take their place. But there was a new element to deal with this year. In case you missed it in the first photo, let’s take a closer look (warning: there’s about to be a close up photo of a spider)…

Mums Door And Spider

…and, if you can stomach it, let’s go even closer (here it comes)…

Mum Spider Close Up

There it was. Feel free to blame any nightmares you have tonight on us. Is that not the most scary, hermit-crab-looking spider you’ve ever seen? And are those long pointy legs not the most villainous limbs you’ve seen in a while? He’s practically making the skull and cross bone shape you see on poisonous bottles like arsenic. And because we weren’t about to hold up a dollar bill for scale, you can’t tell just how big he is. But if you scroll back to the picture above this one you’ll see that he’s about half as big as the light bulb. Which is giant. And terrifying.

We discovered our new “friend” at the start of this mum project. Who knows how long he had been hanging out there (since we rarely use the front door). But one thing was for sure: he wanted to eat our faces off (according to my always trustworthy internet research, human face is a delicacy amongst the giant spider species). Okay, maybe not. But he still was not something I wanted to be around.

So as fast as I could, I yanked the dead bushes out of their planters…

Mums Taking Boxwood Out

…and plopped the new mums (containers and all) in their place, right on top of the leftover dirt.

Mums Dropping Mum In

Not bad for a speedy planting job, if I do say so myself.

And since these babies are hardy, we’ll plant them (not in their pots) somewhere else in our yard after the fall season. You know, so we won’t have to wait three more seasons for them to look good again on the porch.

Mums Mum In

Best part about it? The spider didn’t dive bomb my pretty little head in the process. Good spider, good spider…

Mums Spider Over Mum

Having come out of this unscathed, I was eager to snap my “after” photo and call it day (of course we still need a new doormat and have larger porch plans – like framing out the columns, painting the wood siding, and staining the concrete floor).

Mum After With Spider

But stepping away now would let the bad guys spiders win. I know they’re “good pests” but they’re not so welcome at face height right outside the front door. So I used my trusty broom and gave its web a quick swing, in hopes of not-too-harshly evicting my eight-legged visitor…

In a surprise turn of spider-related events, he jumped into one of our new mums. Oh the irony.

Mums Spider In Mum

He seemed ok with it (meaning he didn’t eat my face).

Mum After No Spider

Oh, and FYI – the spider has now changed addresses and lives in the mum on the left. Thought you should be warned in case you’re planning to come sell us some Girl Scout cookies or something.

Pssst- The lady-wife did a fun little phone interview that just went live here (click the play button next to the little audio sign over on the site to listen in). Oh yeah, and click here to see this week’s lucky Ikea gift card winners.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for EmmaEmma says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Oh my gosh. As much as I think it would be great to meet you guys, I would run away from your front door and never look back.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

      Haha, we’re waiting for some spider expert to tell us what the heck it is!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for EmmaEmma says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/Arthropods/Black%2520and%2520Yellow%2520Garden%2520Spider/byargiope8m1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_and_yellow_argiope.htm&h=738&w=690&sz=83&tbnid=gv9xY6NrTcocPM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=93&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgarden%2Bspider%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=garden+spider&docid=O-FY2r5EXgWCeM&sa=X&ei=8FyYTuzfKOje0QGHt4CLCg&ved=0CFQQ9QEwAg&dur=426

      I think that’s him. Good luck!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:34 pm

      I accidentally clicked on the image link and had to close my browser because spiders freak. me. out. When I looked at your photo, I thought it was fake. Ewwwwww.

    • Avatar for Skye @ Neathering Our FestSkye @ Neathering Our Fest says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:35 pm

      I don’t mind spiders too much but I definitely got the willies when I saw how big that one is! Kudos to you for not killing it!

      Had it been a roach, however, I would have just shut down the entire computer and walked away for a bit. I can. not. handle roaches! Yuck! :)

    • Avatar for MegMeg says

      October 14, 2011 at 6:21 pm

      Actually, more likely, that’s her.

    • Avatar for EmilyEmily says

      October 14, 2011 at 8:18 pm

      I don’t know the species, but it’s a kind of orb web weaver….a garden spider of some kind. Completely harmless, but pretty terrifying to look at. :) They are great at eating mosquitoes and other pesky insects–and they make beautiful webs, too! I worked at an insect/arachnid/invertebrate zoo for 2 years, so I feel pretty confident about this!

  2. Avatar for KelseyKelsey says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

    yikes! That spider is huge!

    I love the new flowers! Very cheerful and they compliment the door well :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for AbraCatAbraCat says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      Hee… they complement the spider well too, dontcha think?

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm

      Haha, it’s true!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Ashley @ Simply Creative ThingsAshley @ Simply Creative Things says

      October 14, 2011 at 1:15 pm

      yes, at least the spider is color coordinated well. :)

  3. Avatar for CaliCali says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

    I always kill my plants within two weeks… I have given up on growing anything around my house… I love the yellow mums against the brick!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

    ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! That’s when I call my husband to come home from work to get rid of the spider.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Tressa MeachamTressa Meacham says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Hey – I just bought yellow mums at Costco and they have died already. I think it is too much water and not enough drainage in the container I put them in.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:15 pm

      Oh man- so sorry! We are just watering ours every few days. Maybe a cup of water each every three days? So far, so good! But we have been known to kill stuff so…

      xo,
      s

  6. Avatar for LynnLynn says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:57 am

    ew, ew, ew, ew, EW! My nightmares are blamed on you. I guess the title should have warned me…but EW!!!! (Beautiful mums though!)

    Reply
  7. Avatar for AprilApril says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:57 am

    ahhh! scary! love the yellow flowers with the door!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Lexi MLexi M says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:57 am

    I have been seeing a lot more of those spiders around lately. They are crazy big and called zipper spiders cuz their webs often have a zipper look to them.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Renee HopkinsRenee Hopkins says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:58 am

    That spider is CRAZY big! My hubs and I always disagree on whether to let them stay (and eat other bugs) or kindly ask them to depart. I think I would have ran to the sink and gotten the RAID for him though, he looks mean.

    Love the flowers! And how they match the door. Their mumcousins down in Georgia have been staring me in the face every time I walk into our Whole Foods, saying ‘buy me!’

    Reply
    • Avatar for Renee HopkinsRenee Hopkins says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Great news! Looks like upon further googling, they are harmless to humans. This fella looks like a Argiope Aurantia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia

  10. Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Those yellow mums look SOOOO GOOD next to that door! and eeek that spider is creepy

    Reply
  11. Avatar for KatyKaty says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:59 am

    No worries, just a harmless garden spider! :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia

    The females do get impressively big though!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:18 pm

      Oh man, so he must have really been a she. Giant!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:27 pm

      I agree; they are quite harmless. :) We have one who pretty much lives on our back porch, haha.

  12. Avatar for Ashlene MAshlene M says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I would have melted into a little puddle of nothing if that thing was near my house. BLUCK, but the mums look wonderful! I have about the same luck with outdoor plants as you, I either over water, forget, or just give up after about two months.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for TiffanyTiffany says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I’ve seen a few of those around here (Ontario) this summer while working at my local garden centre. Nobody around here knows what kind they are either. Aren’t they the most villainous looking spiders you’ve ever seen?!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm

      Yes! The colors and those hermit-crab eye/antennas are so creepy!

      xo,
      s

  14. Avatar for Julie McKinleyJulie McKinley says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I work at a golf course as a gardener and I’ve come across the same type of spider twice.
    The first one was HUGE, and I decided I wanted to see if he’d do anything.. so I took a stick and kind of touched the spider with it and he practically JUMPED at the stick. Of course I screamed like a little girl!

    The second spider I found didn’t want anything to do with the stick, or me. :]

    In the end, I just let them be :)
    Good thing I’m not scared of bugs!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for KendraKendra says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    John that was halarious!! You have such a funny way to describe stuff! I could just picture it as I read.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for ShainaShaina says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I am also known for never keeping plants alive, but I’ve managed to keep the two pots on my front porch going strong by watering them whenever I walk the dog.

    Since the dog gets a walk every day and I’ve now made the association (walk the dog, water the plants) it is going really well.

    Maybe you can find a similar every day outdoor task to make an association and help you remember?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm

      So smart! We will have to start doing that!

      xo,
      s

  17. Avatar for Jenn0021Jenn0021 says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    That is one of the most amazing mum/spider stories I have ever read. And you’re right, the spider looks terrifying. But the mums look great!

    P.S. I also killed the planter on my front porch. I do it every year…

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Laura BellamyLaura Bellamy says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    We have these spiders all the time in my flower garden. We just call them garden spiders. Don’t know what their real name is. My boys (girls don’t do these things) like to feed them grasshoppers. Yes, this is one (glaring) difference between girls and boys. The last spider (different variety) that took up residence between the window screen and the window the boys named Shelob. Winter took care of it. Since it is so common here, I will try to find the name of it.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Haha, Shelob is a perfect spider name.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for SammaSamma says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:31 pm

      I was totally the girl (still am, truth be told) that fed the spiders other critters. Love to watch them pounce!
      and yay, Shelob!
      Have you ever seen the smiley face spider? super cute!
      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5199409/British-scientists-study-Hawaiian-happy-face-spider.html

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:51 pm

      Oh my gosh the smiley face is cute but the gellatinous shiny body is creepy!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for EmilyEmily says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      Apparently you never met the girls who grew up in my house. We used to feed them Japanese Beetles!

    • Avatar for MomladyMomlady says

      October 17, 2011 at 10:51 am

      Girls do this too..lol…Sweetie’s 12 year old loves to feed the garden spiders..feels that she’s doing her part encouraging natural pest control. Smart girl!

  19. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    It looks like a garden spider. It’s harmless. Phew!

    Work Sited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      Thank goodness!

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for SingleMamaSingleMama says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Akk! I hate spiders. I would veto ever using the front door after seeing that. You are so brave to keep on planting in the face of danger like that.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for JoanneJoanne says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    everything you do looks great…even the spider matched the door!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for MarlaMarla says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    he’s pretty, but eek! Fits right in w/ your exterior decor (color-wise).

    Reply
  23. Avatar for tarynkaytarynkay says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    I don’t know what he is, but he’s so pretty! And he matches your front door, so that’s a bonus. When I was little, I had this book:

    http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Spiders-Margaret-Bloy-Graham/dp/0060220724/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318608059&sr=1-1

    I’ve always loved spiders because of that book!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      I think Clara would love that book!

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for AronAron says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Is it just me or does that spider perfectly match your front decor (esp for the Halloween season)? Were you tempted at all to leave him in the name of design? lol.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:10 pm

      Haha- he just wanted to coordinate!

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for Melanie @ Mailbox JourneyMelanie @ Mailbox Journey says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Mums look great – spider not-so-much.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    We have 2 of those black and yellow garden spiders that make their homes in two of our windows. I allow them to live because I love that they eat all the other bugs. My daughter (20 mo old) comes home everyday and says “oh hi pider!” Those mums look fantastic with your door. I love love love that yellow!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:10 pm

      Haha- Clara says the same thing to a black spider in one of our back windows! Adorable.

      xo,
      s

  27. Avatar for Anne G.Anne G. says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    The mums look great! I didn’t used to like mums, but they look so pretty at your place I think I might actually go out and buy some mums for our front porch!

    BTW I noticed that even the spider’s underside matched the door and flowers! :) I don’t mind spiders, but this guy is HUGE and I would definitely be scared if he were hovering over me!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for JaimeJaime says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    We had that same spider in the bushes infront of our condo building just a few weeks ago. So flipping creepy looking! The neighborhood kids were all hoping it was the kind of spider that when it bit you, turned you into Spiderman! Haha!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      Haha- hilarious!

      xo,
      s

  29. Avatar for Holly@Loveoflifeblog[email protected] says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    I commend you for being brave enough to not kill it and let it take up shop in your new mums- I can’t save I’d be as brave! New mums looks really pretty next to your door!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Ashlene MAshlene M says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Black-and-Yellow-Garden-Spider

    I believe this is him…. I seriously had a hard time looking through this website, heebie jeebies!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks for all the links and info everyone!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    One of our largest, brightest, and most frequently noticed spiders, the Black-and-Yellow Argiope is very common throughout North Carolina. They are also known as the garden spider (since they’re very common in gardens) or writing spider (for the patterns in their webs). They catch large insects in their sturdy webs, including grasshoppers and butterflies. They are harmless to humans.

    http://www.carolinanature.com/spiders/blackandyellowargiope.html

    Reply
  32. Avatar for SherriSherri says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    We have these outside our house all the time and even though they are somewhat scary looking,they’re also interesting to watch.Here is what kind it is and some info: http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_and_yellow_argiope.htm

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      Loving all the spider info!

      xo,
      s

  33. Avatar for ErikaErika says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Eeeeeeek!

    We get wolf spiders in our house on occasion…like midnight as your crawling in bed and realize something large, hairy, and creepy just darted behind your headboard.

    I dare you to google search female wolf spider…be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart!

    Erika

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      I think we had one of those near our side door last night! John is convinced they’re closing in on us. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:54 pm

      We just found a huge wolf spider in our puppy’s crate last week. We think it bit her on the nose as she was checking it out. She seems to be fine but it really scared us at the time. They are so creepy!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      Aw poor puppy!

      xo,
      s

  34. Avatar for CarolCarol says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Love the front door and the mums; so cheerful! Also love the spider. We used to have one and “he” stayed with us for several weeks before disappearing.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for KristenKristen says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Only you guys could get a spider that matched your front door…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      Haha, how hilarious is that. We didn’t even notice that until you guys started pointing it out!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for LuLuLuLu says

      October 15, 2011 at 9:41 am

      Kristen that’s hilarious!

  36. Avatar for ESBlondieESBlondie says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    One of the first times we looked at our house we saw one of those bad boys living by the front door, EWWWW! They didn’t use the front door either. Seeing that spider was almost a deal breaker on buying :) I hope someone can tell us what it is.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for JohnJohn says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Looks like a Golden Orb perhaps…..if memory serves gigantic austalian versions of these have been documented eating birds whole. You’re lucky you got away with your face.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:14 pm

      Oh. My. Gosh. That’s terrifying.

      xo,
      s

  38. Avatar for NicoleNicole says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Ahhhh!!! You are so much braver than I am!

    Wednesday, when I was fixing my bed head to look presentable at the workplace, a spider shimmy-ed down its web in.front.of.my.face. from my brush. It was a light colored spider too. My blonde hair has never been so thoroughly examined by my boyfriend to make sure no more spiders were making living arrangements in there!

    Gross!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:14 pm

      Oh man, that’s scary!

      xo,
      s

  39. Avatar for RVA Born and RaisedRVA Born and Raised says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    You guys have a Black and Yellow Argiope on your hands. Just a garden orb spider, but nothing I would want landing on me. AHHHHH!!!! I just got that creepy crawly feeling! Anyway, they tend to lay their eggs about this time of the year. If you see a white sack in a web any time soon, burn it. Otherwise you will have 1000 of her offspring by spring! (They hatch and stay in the sack through the winter.)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:10 pm

      Yay! I was nervous someone was going to say it was deadly! We’ll definitely keep an eye out for a white sack (so far, just yellow mums).

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for AllisonAllison says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:33 pm

      The egg sacs we found were large and brown (like larger than a grape) and weren’t in the web, but nearby.
      http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=writing+spider+egg+sack&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=337l3744l0l3964l23l17l0l2l2l1l646l5511l0.1.4.8.0.3l17l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=637&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:52 pm

      Woah- those are big!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for JenniJenni says

      October 16, 2011 at 2:47 pm

      when other bugs land on their web they bounce and bounce until the bug is completely stuck and then they wrap him up in more web. so little white sacks could also be her food! we had these spiders all the time at my house growing up! they are completely harmless and fun to watch. my little brother would always catch little moths and throw them into the web so we could see them bounce. as much as i HATE spiders, it makes me sad to think of you killing her. perhaps you could relocate her to the backyard away from any potential guests.

  40. Avatar for JillJill says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    You are brave! I got the heebie-jeebies just lookin’ at that monster!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Very cheerful!! =)

    Reply
  42. Avatar for kari hkari h says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    wow, i wish i didnt even read this post. i hate spiders

    Reply
  43. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Looks like a pretty common orb weaver spider. I see them a lot in fields/tall grasy areas.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for Laura BellamyLaura Bellamy says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Oh. Here is the name of your new pet. Argiope aurantia which is a part of the orb weaver group of spiders. You have a female spider. The males are brown. She eats him after the honeymoon (ick). She can be up to 2 inches across and prefers to eat grasshoppers and katydids. Nice ornament for the trick-or-treaters.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      Whew- so glad she’s not poisonous or something! Poor grooms though, getting eaten after the honeymoon must stink…

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for Lisa P.Lisa P. says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I would have killed that spider with the rage of a psych ward patient.

    Reply
    • Avatar for JulesJules says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:47 pm

      WORD! After looking at this post I can stop scratching and I even took off my shoes and made sure no spiders where in there! I look a little loco sitting in my cubicle. Any spider around my house gets to meet their maker, sorry Earth!

  46. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    How have you not killed that monster!? Ick!!! (ironically, my husband was just sent to the basement to vacuum up webs & spray for unwelcomed guests) :)

    Reply
  47. Avatar for EricaErica says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Looks like a golden orb spider. Maybe? Either way he compliments your door just perfectly!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      It sounds like that’s the one!

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for HeidiHeidi says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Yikes! Pretty sure I’d run away screaming! However, it was awfully nice of the spider to color-coordinate himself with your door & mums! :)

    Reply
  49. Avatar for JodiJodi says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    It’s a black and yellow garden spider.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      Thanks for the links everyone!

      xo,
      s

  50. Avatar for betty in munichbetty in munich says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    About 3 weeks ago I bought the most beautiful blue Hydrangea plant in a pretty ceramic pot. Looked beautiful for exactly 7 days until I somehow killed it. I think I might have overwatered it – don’t know. In any case it is always a sad fate for any plant in my house. BTW, how very nice of that spider to have yellow spots so it would match the yellow mums!

    Reply
    • Avatar for ashleeashlee says

      October 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

      blue hydrangeas are my absolute favorite, next to lilacs.

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