Farmer's Market Flowers for Easter Celebrations

Farmer's Market flowers made all the more special when gifted by the hands of a child.  Even if she's grown ♥ maybe especially when she's grown. 

Who Says Foliage is Boring?

The Truth of the Matter

Owl Update: Pass the Cigars and the Kleenex

Today was the first sighting of a baby.  We won't be sure how many are in the box unless fortunate enough to see them leaving the nest.  The last brood we hosted had four young!

Sadly we haven't seen or heard the momma since Sunday evening.  Daily perched on the arbor in clear sight of the box, she vigilantly watched the goings on of the backyard. The poppa continues to sit in the photinia which also gives a clear view of the nest.  At dusk he leaves his roost to feed the young alone.

Momma (photo taken the Friday before she disappeared)

I fear she was prey to a great horned owl. My husband heard their nearby calls Sunday night when he was out in the yard with our dog.  I hope I'm wrong and she is just well hidden but given that I haven't heard her either, I fear the worst.

As my daughter says, they've all got babies with their beaks open and they've all got to eat.  She's right.  Still, I'm heartbroken.

Wordless Wednesday :: Gardenia :: Bring Them In!

To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.  

                                                                                                                                       Beverly Nichols

Wordless Wednesday :: For the Love of Birds

That Weird Feeling of Being Watched...

Had that awkward feeling of being watched this morning while watering the pots on the patio...turned around and looked down and there he was!  I believe it's a ribbon snake.  Docile and makes meals of slugs, insects, and small mice.  He can stay ♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Well, Not Quite.

I've Been Keeping a Secret...

The suspense has been killing me...

This project has been in the works since the beginning of June.  It's a project that I've been begging  asking my husband to build for a while as I'm not so handy with razor sharp blades.  Honestly, they scare the bejeebies out of me. 

I've pinned multiple styles for inspiration.  Dreamed about one, visualized one on my porch.  Imagined all the ways our family would love this.  I've obsessed actually. 

One perfect day my husband came home and said he was ready to build it.  I was beside myself GIDDY!

Now, it's not completely finished yet.  Which is my fault.  My husband finished up his part long ago and we've been using and loving  it for well over a month. 

But I wanted it to have a kind of grand introduction, you know?  I wanted it to be all fluffed and dressed pretty before I had the big reveal.

Then in one moment it happened and I just couldn't stand it any longer.  I had to share with you because you, dear readers and fellow gardeners, understand the joy when a garden dream becomes reality.

My youngest {who is now 6'1"} was in NYC for the week on a mission trip and he returned exhausted.

My husband and I were on our way out the back door when I saw this...

I grabbed a quick shot with my phone camera {he would kill me if he knew; fortunately 16 year old boys don't read their mom's gardening blogs}.  In that little moment my heart swelled.  We did it.  We created a sleeping porch!  And everyone in the family loves  it.  All the imagining and daydreaming and obsessing about this bed swing is now a reality.

This post isn't quite the big reveal I had hoped for.  The pillows aren't made and it's not quite dressed the way I see it in my mind's eye but the most important part is finished.  It's a porch that draws you in and welcomes you comfortably.  It's a porch where we will find respite.  A place to daydream, read, laugh, sleep, chat.  It's a place where memories will be made.

It's everything I imagined and more.  ♥ Thank you DJ ♥

Begonia Blossoms and Why I Blog

Why I Blog? 

You might not think this such a difficult question to answer.  I didn't.  But given that I've been thinking on it for a week now and have tossed away more ideas to answer the question than not, my opinion of the question has wavered. 

In an effort to not bore you, it seems the answer should be brief and to the point.  But considering that we are emotional beings, nothing is ever simple is it?

This stem of angel wing begonia blossoms was found on the ground this morning.  It seemed a shame to toss it.  It's delicate, feminine countenance called to be photographed. 

I suppose that is one of the most significant reasons I blog.  To share with you small moments of wonder that draw me in, moving me to the point of expression through words and photographs.

There are countless photographs of this angel wing begonia in bloom on my hard drive.  It's planted in a colorful ceramic pot with complementary plantings but none of those pictures has ever moved me to post about it.  It's the small, beautiful and simplest of moments that I find myself wanting to tell you about. 

Maybe it has something to do with gardening in such a pernicious climate...where what might appear to be a simple happening is really a triumph in survival.  The mercury was climbing toward 90 degrees when I came across this bloom still looking as fresh as those thriving on the plant.

What is it about a stem of two blossoms in a vintage Listerine bottle that inspires someone to write about why they blog?  Who knows!  We humans are complicated.  All I know is I followed my heart's desire.

It's my hope that this blog will inspire you to create and grow a garden, literally or as a metaphor for life, that is a reflection of your heart's desire.

Add Whimsy ~ Shop Your House

It doesn't take a lot of money or time to make a little something unique in your garden.  Just a couple of friends, an idea and a willingness to fight off a few mosquitoes to pull it all together. 

Over lunch with my friend Susie, I shared an idea I'd seen for a birdbath.  She loved the suggestion so we shopped her garage and backyard and came up with everything we needed.

 This great antique basin was rescued from the garage. 

A pile of concrete pavers were found and stacked to make a pedestal.  Look at that joy!  Susie was so excited to add this birdbath outside her kitchen window. 

Next we added the basin to the pedestal, filled with some pottery shards and stones for the birds to perch on and added water.

So easy...a few found objects turned into a refreshing birdbath that is sure to bring Susie and her family lots of enjoyment as they watch the birds splashing outside their kitchen window.   

Pure birdie bliss.

Proudly Passing Out Cigars ~ Eastern Screech Owlets!

The proud parents:   Momma owl still watchful and protective as ever.

Papa owl still on security patrol nearby the box, always vigilant.

And making their debut in the garden: owlets!

Enjoyed my tea on the patio early this morning, delighting in the sound of gentle trills from the owls.  The first photo was taken two days ago, mid-day.  The second and third, this morning at dawn.  I'll be getting up early tomorrow too!

Mama Owl in the House While Papa Roosts Nearby

If I knew the first thing about actually performing a back flip, I would!  After many weeks of timid appearances, our beautiful, red Mama owl finally stayed at the entrance of the box long enough for me to get a shot. 

She is still very cautious but it may be that the box is getting crowded with owlets and she just needs a breath of fresh air and some space!

She perched at the entrance for a good ten minutes, allowing the whole family, including thrilled grandparents, to get a good long look. 

Always alert to everything going on in the yard...a bird had flown by;

and the house...someone walked by the kitchen window.

And certainly very alert to me in the window.  I smiled at her, making sure my eyes were kind, and sent lots of good, loving energy her way - I want her to like me of course.  I plan on taking lots of photos of her babies soon.  We need to be on very good terms!

This time of year the patio is in high demand for entertaining and relaxing but Papa owl doesn't seem to mind at all.  Everyone is eager to spend a few minutes with him and he is content to oblige, posing for numerous photographs.

This backyard experience has been one of the best for our family.  We are so eager to see the owlets; we're like proud grandparents!  I hope you don't tire of the owl posts but I just can't help it!





I

'Who' Have We Here?

Well concealed, tucked away in the jasmine, is one of the screech owls!  I've been looking 

high when I should have been looking low!

'Who' wouldn't want to roost in such a sweet smelling spot amongst the star jasmine?  

Oh, happy day!

Plant A Flower Day

March 12 is Plant A Flower Day. 

In the garden I tend to drop my thoughts here and there.  To the flowers I 

 whisper the secrets I keep and the hopes I breathe.  I know they 

are there to eavesdrop for the angels.  

                                                                                             ~Dodinsky

Light of Foot ~ Light of Spirit

Times like this find me wishing for a zoom lens. This is a western diamondback rattlesnake.  He spent the better portion of a morning last week wandering my back patio.  I spent the better portion of the morning freaking out. 

This is Todd...my hero.   Yes, that is a snake tattoo on his lower left leg.  He is passionate like that.  He lives in the neighborhood and will come and relocate snakes for free.  He is passionate like that.   And because he is passionate like that, he came all the way from Round Rock, in the middle of a work day, to relocate my unwanted guest. 

A second encounter today with another rattlesnake (on the trail) and this anole spotted on the leaf of a sweet potato vine remind me of the importance of being light of foot.   As the anole eyed me suspiciously, just as I had eyed the rattlesnake, he slowly and ever so lightly walked along the vine with nary a disturbance.  The leaves barely sagged under the weight of its step.  This is how I'm determined to live at the moment; light of foot.   

These beautiful, young people I've been graced with caring for are growing up and I'm treading lightly into this new season.  We'll be feeling our way along, determining just what our new 'normal' will be while our oldest is away at college.

Treading lightly into new roles and responsibilities.   Purposefully being light of foot in order to remain light of spirit...


I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me.  I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see.
                                                                                                                Jimi Hendrix

GBBD ~ Simply Astonishing!

You're probably thinking that I'm astonished by all the flowers blooming this April in my garden and you would be partially right.  My last post highlighted a lot of our spring flowers and I am delighted with them but they aren't what is causing my astonishment. 

In the last couple of days I've seen a bunch of "firsts" of the season and the sightings have left me giddy.  I've seen my first hummingbird, baby toad, damsel flies, inch worms and unfortunately, mosquitoes.  The Swallowtail butterflies have returned and laid eggs on the parsley and they've recently hatched and there are a dozen or so caterpillars

I'm amazed at the life that has returned to the garden with the return of warm weather, plentiful food and water sources. 

 The dove regularly visit the stock tank throughout the day to find refreshment.

A moment of rest on the swing will find your senses swimming in the delight of the star jasmine and gardenia.

The jasmine has filled in nicely over the last couple of years.  While walking up to the house the other day, I could smell the jasmine from the front yard!

Even the birds have an opportunity to enjoy the heady scent.

The pink guara has come into bloom this week and caught my attention.   I like the combination of  the strap-like leaves of guara and fleshy, soft leaves of lambs ear.  The silver foliage of the lambs ear contrasts nicely with the dark green/burgundy foliage of the guara. 

On the other side of the garden there was a surprise waiting; peeking through the Mexican feather grass was a fiery, red daylily.  I had forgotten that there was a red variety in the mix!  Moving them last year has really paid off.

It's a beautiful, fiery shade of red and I really like that it has a bit of yellow at the base of the flower to complement the Stella.  It was such a nice surprise!

And a couple feet behind the daylilies is the truly astonishing moment of the day...is that what I think it is?

Oh. My. Gosh.   All I can think is to recite 'red on yellow, kill a fellow' several times and then tried to calm myself enough to see if it really was red on yellow.  Yep, it is.  A coral snake!

We've lived in our house for 12 years and I've never seen a poisonous snake in our yard.  Lots of  snakes but not poisonous.  Until now.  I have to admit, I was really freaked out.  I don't like snakes.  At. All.

There may be many of you who are not frightened of snakes and the sight of a poisonous snake may be no big deal.  It's a big deal to me.  I did gather my wits and had the presence of mind to get my camera and the shovel. 

I had every intention of killing the snake but then as I calmed down and began to watch it (armed with the shovel of course), I became enthralled with it.  It's quite beautiful and it wasn't anxious at all.  It looked like it was going to hang out for a while so I hit the shovel against the fence which caused him to move along.

I came inside to do some research.  They are highly poisonous but rarely bite humans.  They feed on other snakes, birds, lizards and rodents.  I'm really glad I didn't kill it and I'm praying that we won't cross paths again.  I intend to be a lot more careful about where I stick my hands and feet in the future.

Then a couple of hours later I noticed a shadow in the grass by the Texas betony.  With all my senses heightened from the encounter with the coral snake, I wasn't sure how many more surprises I could take!

Again, I grabbed the camera and as stealthily as possibly made my way over...

It bolted and headed for the fence...

It's just the stray cat that I've occasionally heard and rarely seen.  Thank God.  It's the great circle of life out there!  Insects, birds, lizards, snakes, cats...

and DOG!

Visit May Dreams Gardens to see what's happening in other gardens around the world this month.  You never know what you might find!