May flowers that blossom in June

 "April showers bring May flowers that blossom in June".  Now, here we are in July already!

In early June it was good to see that the Iris bulbs we transplanted last fall made it safely through the chill of a late winter. Baloo the Bear came out of hibernation to welcome them in.

A walk through my mother's garden. "Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do...."

 

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

Does anyone know what this flower is called?  It traveled from a neighbor's yard into my mother's garden. Even if it turns out to be a weed, I really like it.

For the most part, at my house I have been concentrating on the front courtyard planters and pots.  I love the Mediterranean look of  geraniums overflowing from pots surrounding the fountain and pond. I am amazed at how these Hosta plants have thrived in their planters. This is their third year and they are huge!

 We watched our 17 month old grandson a couple of weeks ago.  He was quite intrigued by the fountain.  I thought about adding some small goldfish for the grandchildren to feed and to look at.  Unfortunately, when I tried adding them a few years ago the raccoons kept coming to try to fish them out of the water.  They made quite a mess! I don't think I want to deal with that again. The orange lilies in the corner of the picture were a Mother's Day gift from our daughter a number of years ago. They keep coming back every year.  Such a treat!

The courtyard is just as beautiful at night as it is in the daytime. .

 

The lighted teapot is another Mother's Day gift from our daughter.  She usually gives me something for the garden each year.  I love the way the light reflects against the wall.  It's a wonderful place to spend a quiet summer evening. 

Of course it was anything but quiet two nights ago as the neighborhood celebrated The 4th of July.  The fireworks went on until after Midnight, but it was a glorious and joyful sight, even if it was "a bit" noisy!

 
Happy Birthday USA!

Adieu!

 

Blossoming Spring

 When we left for Georgia a few weeks back our region was still wrapped in a winter chill that was keeping most signs of early Spring firmly at bay.  Now, we have arrived home to a different world.  All the trees and flowers are starting to awaken and the first jay birds are making their appearance. The bunnies are popping out of their burrows.  It won't be long before we begin to spot small flocks of robins feasting in the early morning dew on the lawn.

Usually the Tulip Festival takes place in mid April, so I was surprised and please to learn that we had not completely missed the flowers this year.  The day after we arrive home last week I called a friend and we took a quick drive up to the fields.  While we had missed the peak of the blossoms, it was still quite pretty and well worth a lovely walk through the fields and gardens.

The exquisite color combinations are always such a joy to behold. I could sit for hours and look at them.

~~~

While nothing quite so spectacular is happening in my backyard, Spring is still making its mark.

The lilacs are just beginning to open spreading their lovely perfume.

 And the creamy petals of the apple blossoms have a beauty all their own.

Spring is such a lovely time of renewal and the reawakening of the senses after the long quiet of winter.

Out in the orchard dwell wee little fairies,
      Busy with bud and with blossom at last.
See how they work with their palettes and brushes,
      Tinting the apple-trees brightly and fast

Pink and white blossoms, so dainty and fragrant
      Laden with promise of good things to come,
Softly the breezes are stealing their perfume,
      While o'er their beauty the busy bees hum.

Mary D. Brine 

 

I will be sharing the photos from our trip soon.  May the Lord bless and keep you.

Adieu!

Early Morning in the Garden

I took a short walk around the yard this morning before breakfast. It was chilly, but a sweater took care of that.  We are so grateful that the rains have returned.  All the fires are finally completely out and everything looks so fresh and clean.  On this first day of November, (All Saint's Day) we are definitely deep into Autumn.

 

There was just one last leaf clinging to the branch of the Flame Maple.

 

Now we can see the moss that grows on the branches in this damp climate of ours.

The Virginia Creeper has lost it's leaves as well, leaving an abundant supply of berries for the birds to feast upon.

 I have filled my bird feeders as well.

I walked past the shed and noticed this little stock of corn with a tiny ear of corn growing.  A bird or squirrel must have dropped a seed at the beginning of summer.  It was determined to grow!  Imagine if it had been given water and sunshine.

There was still some color to be seen as I walked around, a splash of yellow from the tree by the corner fence, a touch of red a I look over the blackberry brambles in the empty field behind my house. 

The Smoke Tree is just starting to turn.  The leaves on the flowering plum will begin falling soon.

 

This last little red orb marks the end of the tomato season for us. It's time to put everything to bed for another year.

 

 

"Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting and Autumn a mosaic of them all."

— Stanley Horowitz

 

Adieu!

 

 

 

Walking

We took our first walk of the season at the twin lakes a few weeks back.  The sky was overcast but the day was warm. The last time we were here it was autumn and the leaves were changing. This time it was late spring and The Cottonwood Seeds were floating through the air like snowflakes and lining the edges of the shore with white fluff.

We disturbed a duck family on the shore and of course they headed straight for the water.

 

The first salmon berries were out.  They don't taste very good but the birds like them. 

It feels like you are miles from the city as you walk along the shore.

A few days later I took a different kind of walk through a neighborhood in our little town, a different kind of nature but just as beautiful.

Here is the clock tower on the edge of the creek in town.

 

People were setting up for the first farmer's market of the summer season at the town square.

I will be back to pick up some flowers soon.

However, right now I am enjoying the peonies from my mother's garden.

 

And the roses that were planted in memory of my father.  

 

"The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart." 

 

Adieu!