When You're Goofy and You Know It

What do you do in Austin, Texas when thunderstorms roll in and the thermometer barely reaches into the 80's in mid July?  Not just one day, but two days in a row?  Well, what any Texas girl worth her boots would do...

Stalk radar...

Let's zoom in on that a bit just because it makes me so happy.  See the bright orange there in the middle of the cell?  That indicates the heaviest rain sitting right over the lake and my neighborhood.  Yes!

Stalk the rain gauge...

Three and one-half inches fell on July 9th and another one inch fell last night.  Oh my, a drought weary garden could get used to this!  Just last week the live oak trees dropped a bunch of leaves from drought stress.

All this stormy weather has me in the mood to cook steamy, comfort foods and drink hot tea.  Something I haven't done since, oh, I don't know, February...

While stalking the rain gauge, I found this little hummer taking a break.  Oh good, something else to stalk!

All the excitement from these thunderstorms has left me feeling joyfully giddy.  We just don't see these kinds of temperatures and rain totals in July.  

Could it be that some new growth on the wildflowers beyond the fence will satisfy the bunnies?  Could it be that they might leave the black-eyed Susan alone in the garden? 

Could be...after all, if you'd asked me a week ago if I'd be adding 4.5" to my rain gauge page I would have shaken my head woefully.  Apparently, a girl can dream.

On Your Mark...Get Set...GO!

I know the calendar doesn't say so but our plants are proclaiming that spring has arrived.  Our Texas native mountain laurels are in full bloom giving their glorious testimony to spring.  Their blooms are large and showy but best of all they smell like grape bubble gum and their scent drives the bees into a delighted frenzy.

The Texas redbud burst into bloom this week too.  

Plant this tree in sun/part shade and well drained soil and it will reward you with beautiful, early spring blooms announcing the new season.

Spring has me busily tidying up the garden and starting the push to get projects done before the heat sets in.  Perennials (black-eyed Susans, shasta daisy and esperanza) are being divided and transplanted.  Don't be afraid to move those plants that aren't thriving or working where you have them.

In a serious case of underestimation on both our parts, it took two attempts to get this esperanza out of the ground.   As I cursed wrestled this plant, I assured it a much happier existence in its sunny, new home.  With roots like these no wonder it's so drought tolerant.  These tough plants sailed through our exceptional drought last summer.

This yucca filamentosa 'Bright Edge' wasn't thriving in part shade so I pulled it up into a pony tail to better manage the transplant.  It now resides in a full sun, dry, hot space next to the incredibly drought tolerant globe mallow.  I'm hoping too that the sturdy appearance of this yucca will keep my dog out of the flower bed thereby protecting some of the more delicate plantings nearby.  These aren't particularly pointy and stiff like some yuccas - the leaves give when touched and are more forgiving.

A Martha Gonzales antique rose was relocated to a sunnier spot in the garden today.  An hour was also dedicated to digging up live oak sprouts.  This is an annual chore.  It's drudgery but the shade and beauty the live oak trees provide more than makes up for the inconvenience. 

Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery  recently received a shipment of gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) that lured me into the spring buying season.  This is a four year old specimen in their garden.  The pairing of gopher plant and Jerusalem sage is really pretty and provides nice shades of gray/silver foliage all season long.  I'm so thankful to the gentleman who helped me during my visit.  He made sure to tell me that the sap from this plant is very toxic.  So much so that it can cause temporary vision loss if rubbed into the eye. Gloves and eye protection are a must. 

A close up taken with my iphone shows the unique foliage and bracts.  I really love the bright pop of yellow and interesting texture this plant brings to the landscape.

While the schedule is jam packed with lots of gardening, there is always time for a bit of Al Fresco dining.  This is a popular spot for capturing images of the big sky sunsets we have here in Austin.  The sunsets this past week have been spectacular. 

How about you? Are you ready for the race?

A Different Perspective

It's interesting to see places you're very familiar with in a different way...especially through the eyes of friends and family visiting during the holidays.  Places you sometimes take for granted suddenly have shiny, new appeal.  You're reminded that you live near a sweet jewel, an oasis, in the middle of Texas.

Perched high above Lake Travis, multiple decks allow for expansive views of the lake.  People flock to The Oasis to watch the sun slip quietly behind the hills while sipping frosty margaritas and eating spicy nachos. 

Usually a visitor here in summer, it never occurred to me how much the view would change during the winter months.  In the summertime the sun sets directly in front of the decks but during the winter it sets off to the left directly over Mansfield Dam leaving Sometimes Island and Marshall Ford Marina in beautiful shadow. 

The lake is currently 45% full.  Sometimes Island is typically referred to as Sometimes Island(s) which pop up as the water level recedes.  It's rare to see the islands as an island let alone as a peninsula but right now you can walk from Mansfield Dam park onto the island.  A very unusual perspective seen in the second photo.  

Marshall Ford Marina is usually tucked back into the cove and isn't visible from the main basin of the lake.  The owners have been able to shift some of the docks as the water level has receded.  It is one of the only marinas with access to the water.  Many boat owners have been unable to get to their boats for months. 

Interesting how something you think you know so well can surprise you...Winter solstice perspective: welcome.  Drought perspective: trying to find the beauty in you...but honestly, ready for normal any time now!

June GBBD ~ A Love Letter

Dear Garden,

It's mid-June and your heat stress settles on my heart as though I were the one sitting under the blistering sun.  Somehow you manage to wake every morning looking fresh from the night's reprieve to bravely face another day of a cloudless sky.

You spring forth with bright sunny blooms as if shaking your fist at the blazing sun, daring it to daunt your valiant effort to face the day with a lively disposition.

Your cool hues brighten shady recesses and revive the battered, heat weary spirit.

Never complaining, anxiously awaiting the absent caterpillars that your tender leaves would willingly nurture.

Your heat hardy flowers are a testament to your ardent determination to provide sustenance to all creatures dependent on you for their existence.

All the while, never failing to provide a gardener a moment of wonder at your astonishing tenacity.  You're a giving friend garden, and for all your gifts, this gardener is grateful.

Joyfully yours,
Cat

Join Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what other gardeners are experiencing this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

10 Things I Love - Unranked*

A gracious invitation was extended from Toni at Diggin' in the Dirt http://signaturegardens.blogspot.com to participate in this 10 Things You Love to Do game.  I've seen several bloggers playing recently and really enjoyed their posts.  We rarely get the opportunity to see a multi-faceted view of our blogging friends and this game provides that view.

The rules are:  1.  Inform who invited you.  2.  List 10 things you like to do.  3.  Invite 10 others.

As the title implies - these are in no particular order!  *A little Blotanical humor!

1.  I love spending time in the garden - any garden really, it doesn't have to be mine; day dreaming, praying, working, reading, photographing, playing with my kids or dog, watching wildlife, decorating, sipping hot tea, listening to the wind, entertaining friends and family.  It is my most treasured spot and I'm extremely grateful to be able to spend as much time there as I do.

2.  I love watching the Dallas Cowboys!  Although I grew up in the D.C. area, I come from a couple generations of Texans and so have been a Cowboy fan since I can remember.  My mom is an avid fan and would surprise you with her passion and knowledge of the game!  Her passion rubbed off.   It's a guilty pleasure to sit with my boys and watch the Cowboys! 


Dallas Cowboy Training Camp

 3.  I love watching sunsets on Lake Travis.  There is a nice little cove that we sometimes anchor in, unpack a picnic dinner and settle in for the sunset.  It is one of the most peaceful places I know.

4.  I love feeling small.  Let me explain...I'm constantly amazed at how small, as humans, we really are.  I'm humbled by the vastness of the world and all the intricacies of how it works and that makes me feel very small.

5.  I love my family.  I love serving them and spending time with them.  And as hard as it is sometimes, I love being the mom of teenagers.  It's very cool to get those glimpses into who they are going to be as adults and those moments give me great joy.



Stealing a kiss - because when they're teenagers, that's what you do!



6.  I love cooking and entertaining friends and family.  Most of my friends think I'm coo-coo because I actually like going to the grocery store.  Mostly, I just like the limitless possibilities to be found there!  I mean, really, your imagination can go crazy there - all the ingredients you might need are right there at your finger tips!

7.  I love creative expression.   In others, I'm inspired and through my own, I'm fulfilled.



Photo taken by Martha Moring Photography



8.  I love making mosaics.   I started in traditional stained glass but saw an artist working in glass on glass mosaics and was hooked - the richness of color is fabulous.  Again, the possibilities are limitless and that makes my spirit soar!

9.  I love spending time with my girlfriends.  God has blessed me with the most amazing circle of women friends and my heart is filled with gratitude for them.  They are passionate about life, funny, fiercely loving, intelligent, prodding at times, and loyal.  I would be lost without them. 

This is my best friend and photography mentor, Martha.  We're both UT alumni and in this pic we have our horns up although it looks as if we're making the #1 sign!



 10.  I love being married to my husband.  We've been married 20 years and I can't imagine my life without him.  He texted me yesterday - I love you - no reason for saying that - just do.  Ok, my heart melted and I thought, man, he is good.  He is the most genuinely kind person I know and I treasure him.



Photo by Martha Moring Photography

 So part of the game is for me to extend the invitation to 10 bloggers.  I'm new to the blogosphere so don't have 10 off the top of my head but if you're inspired through this post to play along please leave a link in my comments section and I'll post it on my blog. 

As always, thanks for visiting.  Leave your comments if you'd like - I love hearing from you!