I've been on vacation this week. I didn't go anywhere, but I worked in my yard and took care of some necessary chores.
Arthur the yorkie needed an appointment with the groomer in the worst way! I let his hair grow during the winter and now that the lawn is being mowed all the grass clippings were finding their way to his body. The car needed its requisite annual inspection, and both the house and yard needed some sprucing.
These are cellphone photos, so not the best quality. With all the dirt on my hands I chose to not use the "real" camera as I worked.
This is the first rose to bloom in my rose garden. I grow 8 varieties of roses; this is Archduke Charles.
I never can remember the name of these little white flowers, but they are very fragrant and the bees love them. I want to say Sweet William or allysum..... maybe.
And in the realm of oddities, I found a bluebonnet growing in a crack of the patio!
One of my ongoing projects has been to construct a wine-bottle border around my butterfly garden.
This garden area is planted with seeds of gomphrena and larkspur. You can't see them growing, but they are! The yellow garden stake and small birdbath were birthday gifts to me from Ross. The flower is solar-powered; the center glows orange after dark.
This garden spot is newly completed and will be the home for ___??? At the moment the plan is to fill it with red Autumn Sage, but I never know what mood I'm in when I actually start planting. The birdhouse was also a gift from Ross. It was Mother's Day 2013. Does this guy know what his mama likes or what??
At one point Wes and I were moving some objects in the yard and he found this garter snake under a decorative milk can. Naturally, he had to pick it up! I've checked a few times and the snake is still there days later.
This was a birthday gift from Wes. It is also solar-powered. There is a small LED light in each of the bottle holders. I just got it today, so I can't wait to see it after dark.
The flowers in this garden will be favored by butterflies. They are coreopsis of many colors.
The veggies are growing. It's been rather touch-and-go a few times. As recently as April 15 (?) I was still having to cover them because of a frost warning.
Here is another new addition: milkweed. This is a plant necessary for monarch butterflies.
Owls, snakes, hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, bunnies, lizards, toads, and scores of songbirds.... I am very fond of my little sanctuary! It's practically an urban nature preserve.... just what I wanted to achieve. I've been toying with the idea of a small water feature/ aka pond for fish. Then it would be complete.
Speaking of complete.... my Mom and I met for lunch mid-week. On the drive back to the house after our wonderful lunch (thanks again, Mom) we passed the Google Street View Car. I ADORE that feature of Google Maps. I can play for hours making virtual visits to cities and towns I am curious about... all thanks to Google street views. Now my Stay-cation is complete. I've done most of what I've set out to accomplish (yes, I also made time for sewing) plus there were a few surprises.
Now it is time for Easter. I've got all the fixings for an Easter Feast and the obligatory deviled eggs (yum). Wishing all of you a very beautiful Easter.
Until I have more to share.......
