Rhododendron

I love summer...

Spider

LM, I think this may be the long-lost cousin of whatever has been chewing on you. He certainly looks mean enough.

The tree in the backyard is in full bloom.

As are the weeds.... {groan}

Happy Birthday

I'm cheating tonight. Not only was this photo NOT taken today, I didn't even take it.

Today is Scott's birthday. We get to celebrate another trip around the sun.

And no matter how many of those we celebrate, when I look at him, I still see the boy I fell in love with, back in the summer of 1982.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Allium

These are one of my favorite flowers. I think they look like fireworks.

Mary

Mary in Grotto

One of the fountains we serviced this week.

And another.

We've been busy.

Strawberries...

Well, they will be. Someday.

Honor

Today is Memorial Day. A day to honor fallen heroes. It was also the dedication of the Robert J. Gordon Memorial at City Hall. Just as the bagpiper started to play Amazing Grace, the wind died down and was still. It was a beautiful day and a moving ceremony.

Sad

I said goodbye to my baby today. She's moving several hundred miles away with her boyfriend. She's excited about moving and the prospect of a whole new life.

I'm sad. I'll miss her.

Fly

Jeff Goldblum has NOTHING on this guy.

Late

This is what happens when I wait until late to take my photo.

The Japanese maple is happy in his new home, not that you can tell from this photo. It looks like a haunted tree. And there are several plants in the gardens that are sick. I'm not sure what is wrong, but I am concerned. I think I'm going to lose some of them.

Pink

Pink it was love at first sight...

Pink when I turn out the light...

Pink gets me high as a kite...

Pink it's like red but not quite...

(with apologies to Aerosmith)

Yellow

There was a hummingbird at the feeder today. I swear there was. I saw it with my own eyes. He even hung out for a bit, drinking and resting on the perch. Of course, as soon as I got the zoom lens on the camera and raised it to take a photo, he flew off. So you'll have to make due with this little yellow warbler instead.
The gargoyle face doesn't seem too happy to have him drinking from the cat's water bowl. Come to think of it, the cats probably aren't too happy about that either. Whatever. I'm glad I saw him.

Lilacs

Lilacs...

... and Ivy Geraniums.

Thirsty

The new plants are very thirsty...

And this? This is the NEWEST flowerbed in my backyard. (It's not really new, it's just more than doubled in size.) This was my surprise when I came home for lunch. Good thing I had a few petunias left over...

Work

My little plan from yesterday involved way more work than I counted on. I showed you most of the flowers. I did not show you the truck full of planting mix. Thankfully, we are done and the yard looks fabulous.

The fountain ring is planted in red, white, and blue (purple) petunias.

The planters on either side of the bench in front of the house look great.

Sideshow Bob has some new (purple) friends.

And the gargoyle planter is back in all his glory. He has red, white, and blue petunias, too.

Oh, and best of all?? There was a hummingbird at the hummingbird feeder in the back!

Plan

I have a plan.It involves these petunias...

these geraniums and white alyssum...

and this beautiful multi-colored alyssum.

Stay tuned...

Squirrels

We went on a fountain service call tonight. The folks weren't home, so we had the backyard to ourselves. Or so we thought...

Purple

Fields of purple flowers...

There were a few dandelions in the mix, just for contrast.

But mainly purple, as far as the eye could see.

Can you see the difference in hue? For the first shot, the sun was behind a cloud. By the last shot, it was peeking out. Gorgeous! (Thanks, Linda, for telling me about this!)

Painted

Hand painted bowl we received as a gift for our wedding. Thanks, Angie!

The whole "temperature & wind" scare from last night? Total false alarm. It was nowhere near freezing. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Cold

This is what the new flower bed looks like after the weatherman predicts 30 degree temps tonight. THIRTY degrees. That's just wrong. Add to that 50 mph wind gusts and you'll understand why I have everything under wraps.

It's supposed to be in the 70's by Sunday. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Red

Honey

I was so happy to see this guy and his buddies back this spring. A good sign for the planet, I think.

Happy Mothers Day!

My mom has Alzheimer's, and so while our relationship isn't like it used to be, I'm thankful I still have her this Mothers Day.

Done!

Well, as done as you ever are with any projects involving your house or your yard.

The new flower bed!

The Japanese maple is so much happier.

This was a surprise. I wanted another for the backyard for the hummingbird feeder and now I have one. Perfect!

Magnolias