Backyard Marvels

I am not exactly sure what the name of this particularly beautiful plant is, but when I saw it, I knew I had to have one in my garden this year. I was so elated when Ro treated me to this special garden gem. I had a feeling the hummingbirds would just love it.

Sadly, I haven't been able to spend as much time outside as I normally do. I haven't seen any hummingbirds go to it, but I am certain they have indeed found this plant. I enjoy looking at it while I have my coffee on my patio. The flowers' life cycle promotes an interesting display. First the balloon out and explode open in a most vivd red. They stay open for about a week and then the color starts to fade to a yellowish pink. i am sad to say that I know that this lovely vine is an annual. It would be nice if I could enjoy it next season, too, but maybe I will find another lovely plant to fill in this spot in my garden?

This seems like a lovely image for The August Break.

I Can Feel It

I can feel it! There is definitely a different vibe buzzing in the air. Autumn. She'll be here soon. The sky is a crisper, denser blue. The sun is casting a warmer, amber light and longer shadows. I swear I can feel her chilly nip in the air when I sit in the shade.

Soon, there will be pumpkins to harvest and cider to sip and leaves to be raked. I can hardly wait for the change of seasons. I love Autumn. I love to wear sweaters and scuffle around the house in slippers and slipper socks.

I have enjoyed this summer. As always, its expiration date comes too soon. We started out with long lists of things we'd like to do and of course, the list still has things on it that we'll try to cram in before too much more time goes by. The kids start back to school in less than a week. It sure is hard to believe, but I'm sure we will have a wonderful school year, too.

Saturday, In the Yard

Aside from taking Kaitlyn to the airport this morning to go on a week-long excursion to visit a childhood friend, today was a mostly homebody day. I puttered around in the yard, mostly, and got a few weeds pulled, a lot of the plants watered, the pool has finished filling and is almost ready for swimming.

I'm a little discouraged by the mosquitoes out there. They don't seem to care what time of day it is they feed or how hot it is. They just want to eat and eat and eat all. day. long. We've polished off a bottle of bug repellant in not time at all. When we tried to replenish our supply, the store was out of all sprays that are supposed to repel them..With them being so prolific and persistent, it makes it uncomfortable to be out in the yard for too long.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend...without have to have a blood transfusion after your fun in the sun! hee hee!

Afternoon Light

They called out to me as I watered this evening...I just had to capture some of the beauty.

I know my garden may not ever grace the covers of a magazine, but I love to spend time there. I love to share time there with my kids. I love to photograph the beauty there. I love the peacefulness that comes from just sitting there...in the warm, amber light, the choir of birdsongs...and the scent of the jasmine.

Just Ducky!

The weather today was cold and rainy. The temperature is currently 41F, but the windchill is 32F and we have 82% humidity. This is, as you know, my favorite kind of weather...for about three consecutive days is my limit. Then you'll hear me whine about missing the sunshine!

Today, I got out for a few minutes with my camera. I collected a few little images from around my yard. I'm sad to see the Bleeding Hearts expire. I think they are one of my garden favorites. Oh! I just love this happy little gnome. Okay, so maybe he isn't really smiling, but I think he is happy.

I've got a few big things to which I am looking forward. I will reveal them here in blogland very soon!