tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34423294145028480332024-03-13T22:07:15.346-05:00Rebecca's Texas GardenStriving for a green thumb in Central Texas.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-48525982988299664842016-04-07T21:19:00.001-05:002016-04-07T21:19:22.766-05:00April Wildlife 2016Spring is in the air, and with it comes new creatures to the garden. Here are a few of my favorites in the garden this month:<br />
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<b>Wrens</b><br />
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A couple months ago, mommy and daddy wren built a beautiful home together in the protected environment of my courtyard and inside the comfort and protection of a decorative lantern. <br />
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A couple of weeks later, I heard the chirps of a few little baby wrens. A couple of weeks after that, I found the little family and fledglings hopping around the courtyard, working on getting their wings.<br />
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Come on out, little guy. I won't hurt you.<br />
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There you are! Nice hair-do, by the way.<br />
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Mom (or Dad?) wasn't too sure about me. Both parents were keeping a close eye on their little ones as they explored the garden.<br />
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After I was sure the mommy and daddy wren had completely abandoned the nest after a few days, I went to investigate.<br />
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Wow - that is quite the nest! I can only imagine the hundreds of trips back and forth that it took to create this comfy little home. I just read that the male house wren builds SEVERAL nests, and the female picks which one she likes the best. I guess he outdid himself on this one!</div>
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Unfortunately, it looks like two little ones didn't make it. I guess that is why they generally lay 6-7 eggs in a brood. Circle of life, I s'pose.<br />
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<b>Hummingbirds</b><br />
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The Hummingbirds returned this year on March 15. That's about three weeks earlier than last year (April 4). Maybe their earlier arrival was due to the mild Texas winter, or maybe they just remembered where they found the delicious nectar last year!<br />
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I mainly have black-chinned hummingbirds. As you can tell with this guy's yellowed beak, the pollen is heavy right now. Thankfully, pollen doesn't bother me, so I'm able to be outside in the garden and enjoy these little pollinators.<br />
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Coming in hot! I love the iridescent purple on the male's chins!<br />
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So far, I've noticed about four hummingbirds; about three males and one female. I rarely have more than one hummer at the feeder at a time because they are extremely territorial and always chase each other away.<br />
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I can always hear hummingbirds before I see them. They really do make a humming sound with their wings. They also have a distinguishable chirping sound. When we leave our patio door open on cooler spring evenings, I always know when the hummers are at the feeder, even when I'm inside, with their commotion of chirping and humming.<br />
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They are such magnificent little creatures! One of my favorite animals in garden, certainly.<br />
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I have to give photo credit to the hubby - he is always able to get better shots of these fast little guys. Thanks hun!<br />
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<b>Lizards</b><br />
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The green anoles are common to see out in the garden. I usually spy them sunbathing every time I walk around the garden. They have really been enjoying basking on the artichokes lately. I think they don't mind the fact that it is pretty much an open buffet of various bugs and beetles.<br />
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I also spy the Texas Spiny Lizard from time to time. Here, I captured the rare occurrence of getting both the anole and the spiny lizard in the same frame.</div>
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That's all for this month's wildlife. Thanks to Tina over at <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/2016/04/06/wildlife-wednesday-april-2016-spring-things/#comments" target="_blank">My Gardener Says </a>for hosting this enjoyable meme.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-65418843494562626672016-04-04T20:25:00.003-05:002016-04-04T20:25:40.127-05:00In a Vase on Monday: By Any Other NameIt has been six months since my last gardening post. I've been doing plenty of gardening in that time, but just not documenting it. I don't want to forget about how my garden grows over the years, or all the wonderful things that come from it, so I figured it was about time to get back in the swing of things...and what better way than with some beautiful bouquets!<br />
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The roses are blooming like crazy already. We had a very mild winter in Central Texas, so the roses have had an early start. I have so many roses in the garden right now, that this week's vases are made up entirely of roses!<br />
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Vase #1 is a combo of Belinda's Dream (pink), Madame Joseph Schwartz (white), and a mystery red rose that was a pass-along from a gardening friend.<br />
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Looks like Valentine's in April!<br />
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Vase #2 includes more Madame Joseph Schwartz (white), some Mrs. B. R. Cant (pink), and one of my favorite roses in my garden - Abraham Darby (pinkish apricot).<br />
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I love the old-time look of these antique roses.<br />
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Not only is the color magnificent on the Abraham Darby, but the smell is intoxicating with it's fruity tones.<br />
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Thanks to Cathy over at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/in-a-vase-on-monday-salad-days/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden </a>for hosting this fun meme!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-36156920288083833172015-10-25T18:24:00.000-05:002015-10-25T18:24:38.796-05:00Monet's Giverny Garden: The Clos Normand Flower GardenDuring our travels in France in September, we had the opportunity to see Monet's Giverny gardens. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. There are two main gardens at Giverny - the <a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/10/monets-giverny-garden-japanese-water.html" target="_blank">Japanese Water Garden</a>, and the Clos Normand Flower Garden. I previously posted about the water garden, so now, onto the flower garden near Monet's country house...<br />
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During September, the garden is bursting with bright colors, mostly from dahlias. Here, in the arched path that leads up to the house, nasturtiums spill out onto the gravel pathway. I would love to make my way back in late spring sometime, to see the wisteria vines hanging down from the archways.</div>
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Monet lived in this beautiful country home with his family for 43 years, from 1883 to 1926, so he had quite awhile to build up his beautiful gardens. </div>
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Every path contains a new treasure of plants and color combinations. Monet has over 200,000 annuals, biennials and perennials on display in his garden throughout the year - that's insane! Monet and his handful of master gardeners since truly are masters of succession gardening, a gardening skill I continue to try and develop.<br />
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The sunflower season was just wrapping up during our visit. I was able to find a few stragglers in the mix.<br />
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I absolutely love the cottage garden style of the painter's garden, with rows upon rows of various flowers, packed to the brink, but with plenty of space to thrive.</div>
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The lavender season had just ended - I bet this path was quite stunning with spires of purple a month or two prior to our visit.</div>
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There is so much going on in every nook and cranny of the garden. If I had had more time to explore, I could have walked these paths for hours. I'd love to come back in the spring time to see all the spring bulbs in bloom. Here, you can see some remnants of what appear to be irises.</div>
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There were a lot of interesting surprises in the garden as well, plants that I'm not use to seeing in Texas gardens, like these various amaranth plants. It seems that there are some varieties of amaranth that can be grown in Texas. I'd like to give it a try, since it is a unique plant, with very bold burgundy colors that look great in the fall garden.</div>
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There were other various surprises in the garden as well, with little treasures everywhere you looked.<br />
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I even spotted some plants that are native or adaptive Texas plants, like the Bat Faced Cuphea,</div>
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Senna,<br />
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and various salvias (which were favorites among the pollinators).</div>
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But the most prominent flower in the garden, by far, were the dahlias. Everywhere I turned, there was a different species of dahlia. Here are just a few...</div>
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This little spider found shelter in the dahlia flower petals.<br />
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Such photogenic flowers!<br />
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I can see why Monet was such a great painter - it is impossible to not be inspired by these amazing views.</div>
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We were able to take a tour of Monet's farmhouse. You can tell his love for color went beyond the canvas and garden - the rooms in his home were brightly colored and had certain themes, like his yellow dining room, complete with many Japanese prints, which I'm sure helped inspire his water garden.<br />
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Then there is the blue kitchen, with an impressive stove and oven, complimented by various type of copperware.<br />
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Peering out the windows, you can see a small portion of his beautiful gardens.<br />
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With these beautiful gardens, it is no wonder that Monet is quoted as saying, <i>"I perhaps owe becoming a painter to flowers."</i> Who wouldn't want to paint this beautiful landscape?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-60421348114269352582015-10-24T12:48:00.003-05:002015-10-24T12:48:51.492-05:00Monet's Giverny Garden: The Japanese Water GardenIt has been several months since my last post. A big reason for that was because I was away, traveling around France for a couple of weeks in September. Once I returned home, and the weather finally started getting cooler in Texas, I was busy tidying up the fall garden. Now that we have a rainy weekend, thanks to tropical cyclone Patricia, I'm finally able to sit down and start blogging again.<br />
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During my travels around France, I was fortunate enough to see some spectacular gardens. My most favorite garden was that of the great French impressionist, Claude Monet, at his home in Giverny. My husband and I took a half day trip tour out of Paris to see the garden, which I found to be not nearly enough time to enjoy the expansive garden. If...no, WHEN I get to go back to France, I will definitely make it a full day trip out there to see the gardens.<br />
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There are two main gardens at Giverny, one of which is the Japanese-inspired water garden. It is also the garden that inspired many of Monet's later works in life, focused on the water lilies. It is no wonder Monet has so many water lily paintings. I, too, would be inspired to sit for hours in this serene garden and even pick up a paint brush, despite my complete lack of artistic abilities.<br />
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Those weeping willow trees look very familiar...they seem to make quite a few appearances in Monet's works.</div>
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I'm definitely a sucker for hydrangeas. I wish I could grow them in my Texas garden, but it is just too hot and dry for their liking. Northern France gardens, on the other hand, are a hydrangea's best friend, or so it seems.</div>
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I fell in love with these spindly stick plants with little red jewel-like buds on them.<br />
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There were some very Japanese-looking structural elements incorporate into the landscape, including these shrubs...</div>
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...as well as the bamboo. </div>
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The dahlias were in full bloom, and absolutely stunning. I definitely need to add more of these to my Texas garden.</div>
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There were numerous other bright and exotic plants that filled every nook and cranny of the garden:</div>
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But the most iconic element of the garden was, of course, the infamous water lilies:</div>
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We were also able to view Monet's large wall-length water lily paintings in the l'Orangerie museum during our stay in Paris. It was truly amazing to get to see this very special garden, which inspired so many gorgeous works of art.</div>
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And to leave you with some quotes from the famous painter...<br />
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<i>"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece." - Claude Monet</i><br />
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<i>"The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration." - Claude Monet</i><br />
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I couldn't agree more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-36835756076602028042015-08-18T22:45:00.002-05:002015-08-18T22:45:12.409-05:00In a Vase: Bits of Bougainvillea I haven't had too many blossoming flowers during our scorching 100+ degree F days in Central Texas to be able to clip for pretty summertime bouquets. However, one heat-loving plant did start to put on a hot and showy summertime display - my bougainvillea.<br />
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The bougainvillea is native to South America and thrives in the heat and sun. In Central Texas, it dies back to the ground in the winter, but always returns late summer with a beautiful display of flowers on new growth.</div>
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To help promote flowering, once the plant starts putting out blossoms, I snip back the limbs to stimulate the growth of more flowers. I didn't want to throw the pretty papery flower clippings into the compost pile, so into a vase they went - and are really quite long-lasting and great looking cut flowers. I just wish I had more going on in the garden right now so I could add some complimentary blossoms to the vase. I suppose the simplicity of a single type of bloom in a vase has its own unique elegance.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-696LypBRruE/VdP5KHW3dYI/AAAAAAAAIX4/tv8g4cqUNdQ/s1600/DSC_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-696LypBRruE/VdP5KHW3dYI/AAAAAAAAIX4/tv8g4cqUNdQ/s640/DSC_2429.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Cathy at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/in-a-vase-on-monday-vintage-mood/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden</a> for hosting the In a Vase meme every Monday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-86677496262518772112015-08-15T14:38:00.000-05:002015-08-15T14:38:04.398-05:00Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - Summer 2015I was slacking the last couple of months on posting blooms for Carol's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day over at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2015/08/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-august-2015.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens </a>(even though I was diligent about taking pictures), and since I have minimal August blooms, I figured I play a bit of catch-up with my summer-time bloom pictures.<br />
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<i>WARNING: an excessive amount of flower pictures follow.</i><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">JUNE</span></b></h3>
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Since we had a mild start to our summer temperatures and a lot of early summer rainfall, the June blooms were fabulous.</div>
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One of my favorites for the month were the <b>sunflowers.</b></div>
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I love how bright and cheerful they are.<br />
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The bees certainly loved their pollen.</div>
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Some of the sunflowers were planted on purpose, like these along the fenceline.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb_haEwBaT4/Vc6iBu8_ujI/AAAAAAAAIOw/GyW2rYjV2RE/s1600/DSC_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb_haEwBaT4/Vc6iBu8_ujI/AAAAAAAAIOw/GyW2rYjV2RE/s640/DSC_2048.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Some were volunteers from fallen birdseed...like these ones. I love how their faces follow the sun.</span></div>
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The <b>echinacea</b> or <b>purple corn flowers</b> were out in full force.</div>
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<b>Daylilies</b> were finishing up with their late spring-time blossoms.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tdrzFtSpwk/Vc6iG8RbJhI/AAAAAAAAIPg/BxR6DQMbmgc/s1600/DSC_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tdrzFtSpwk/Vc6iG8RbJhI/AAAAAAAAIPg/BxR6DQMbmgc/s640/DSC_2053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The antique <b>roses </b>went through a bloom cycle, including the Heritage (David Austin) and </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg-fdji6dgA/Vc6iHCfBZpI/AAAAAAAAIPo/cXMND6i6e48/s1600/DSC_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg-fdji6dgA/Vc6iHCfBZpI/AAAAAAAAIPo/cXMND6i6e48/s640/DSC_2057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mrs. B. R. Cant (Cant & Sons).<br />
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The butterflies were loving the Black Knight <b>butterfly bush,</b><br />
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as well as the Texas lilac <b>vitex</b>, which is a <a href="http://www.texassuperstar.com/plants/vitex/index.html" target="_blank">Texas Superstar.</a></div>
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My orange <b>canna lilies</b> had a great mid-summer season, after I divided them and spaced them out last fall.</div>
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The nectar of the zinnias spread around the garden are a favorite treat of the hummingbirds, whether they are purple,</div>
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red,<br />
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or pink.<br />
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The <b>shasta daisy</b> seeds that I spread around last fall finally blossomed and made great cut flowers.</div>
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And to finish up the June 2015 blooms, here is a petite little blossom of my<b> ice plant</b>, which I had gotten several cuttings from my neighbor last fall - gotta love free pass-along plants!</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">JULY</span></h3>
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<span style="color: purple;">My favorite blossom of July had to have been my deep purple morning<b> glories. </b>Such a vibrant color greets me every morning!</span></div>
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The <b>roses </b>continued their summertime showcase, including Abraham Darby (David Austin),<br />
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Heritage (David Austin),</div>
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Mrs. B. R. Cant (Cant & Sons),<br />
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Madame Joseph Schwartz (Earthkind),</div>
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and Graham Thomas (David Austin).<br />
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The orange <b>canna lilies</b> continued going strong, with a nice magenta backdrop of my neighbor's crepe myrtles.</div>
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July finally got hot enough for the blue <b>plumbago</b> to come out to play,</div>
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as well as the shade-loving <b>Turk's cap</b> in pink,</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JXmXtH9h-0/Vc6qh48T0sI/AAAAAAAAIUo/xgOJKUQQ8k0/s1600/DSC_2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JXmXtH9h-0/Vc6qh48T0sI/AAAAAAAAIUo/xgOJKUQQ8k0/s640/DSC_2298.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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and normal red varieties.<br />
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While hanging out in the shade, I saw that the <b>giant liriope </b>grasses were also blooming with their delicate spires of purple flowers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mv3h9JdeJn4/Vc6qhQRvUlI/AAAAAAAAIUk/Z8XzDNaY9wI/s1600/DSC_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mv3h9JdeJn4/Vc6qhQRvUlI/AAAAAAAAIUk/Z8XzDNaY9wI/s640/DSC_2296.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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Other July blooms included the garden <b>phlox,</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WdD4Xd35SY/Vc6qXMobgmI/AAAAAAAAIS4/ULLtYwVR6s8/s1600/DSC_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WdD4Xd35SY/Vc6qXMobgmI/AAAAAAAAIS4/ULLtYwVR6s8/s640/DSC_2280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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more <b>coneflowers,</b><br />
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<b>Black-eyed Susans,</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxU_tGO_0MQ/Vc6qexFZiHI/AAAAAAAAIUI/TNa12m8Rwoc/s1600/DSC_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxU_tGO_0MQ/Vc6qexFZiHI/AAAAAAAAIUI/TNa12m8Rwoc/s640/DSC_2292.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<b>marigolds,</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RThKQkUkk-Y/Vc6qTjUjPgI/AAAAAAAAISY/Q8rW2FolsBk/s1600/DSC_2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RThKQkUkk-Y/Vc6qTjUjPgI/AAAAAAAAISY/Q8rW2FolsBk/s640/DSC_2274.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and trailing<b> lantana</b>.</div>
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The veggie garden was even putting on a show, with beautiful <b>okra </b>blooms,</div>
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as well as <b>cucumbers.</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZmdAxrpoSs/Vc6qVYBw6OI/AAAAAAAAISg/PuHorWmmeaY/s1600/DSC_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZmdAxrpoSs/Vc6qVYBw6OI/AAAAAAAAISg/PuHorWmmeaY/s640/DSC_2275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span style="color: purple;">AUGUST</span></h3>
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Finally onto my few August blooms...there are the reliable, heat-loving annual <b>zinnias </b>- here in a giant purple variety.</div>
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The <b>bougainvillea </b>has started to bloom, but I just clipped back the branches today to encourage even more blooms in a couple weeks.<br />
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The bright orange of the <b>cosmos</b> help lighten the drab appearance of the sun-scorched garden.<br />
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And to cool off with some shades of purple, we have the lavender finally blooming,<br />
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As well as the pass-along Mexican petunias, which are keeping cool in the shade.<br />
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If you've made it this far, thanks for checking out all my summertime blooms in my Central Texas zone 8b garden. I can't wait to show you next month's blooms, when we really start getting into the most colorful time of the year for our area!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-68747613068025300892015-08-09T18:45:00.000-05:002015-08-09T18:45:06.842-05:00Crock Pot Freezer Spaghetti SauceIf your garden tomatoes have been as bountiful as mine have this year, you have tomatoes coming out the wazoo and can't find enough recipes to use them all up! Thankfully, I found this easy-peezy <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/stephanies-freezer-spaghetti-sauce/detail.aspx" target="_blank">crock-pot tomato sauce recipe</a>. I don't have the patients, or time, for canning tomato sauce, so this recipe was just what I needed, and the sauce can be safely stored in the freezer so it can be enjoyed for months to come (if it lasts that long)!<br />
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<b><u>Crock Pot Freezer Spaghetti Sauce</u></b><br />
<i>(makes about 4 quarts)</i><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>4 onions, chopped</li>
<li>4 cloves garlic, minced (I usually put extra in for extra garlicy flavor)</li>
<li>1 green bell pepper, chopped</li>
<li>16 cups chopped tomatoes</li>
<li>1/2 cup vegetable or olive/grapeseed oil</li>
<li>1/4 cup white sugar</li>
<li>1/4 cup chopped parsley</li>
<li>2 tablespoons dried oregano</li>
<li>2 tablespoons dried basil</li>
<li>2 tablespoons salt</li>
<li>3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper</li>
<li>1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
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1. In a slow cooker, saute together the onion, garlic, green pepper, and vegetable oil. Cook until onion is transparent.</div>
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2. Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano, basil, parsley, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 hours on low heat. Stir frequently.</div>
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3. Let sauce cool. Pour sauce into quart size freezer containers. Store in freezer.</div>
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4. When ready to use sauce, thaw, heat over stove and stir in can of tomato paste. Feel free to add other ingredients that you prefer in your tomato sauce - I like ground turkey and mushrooms. Serve over pasta dish and enjoy!</div>
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<i>Note: Foodsafety.gov says that you should use frozen soups and stews within 2-3 months of freezing.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-34036329514912551982015-08-09T16:03:00.003-05:002015-08-09T16:03:51.704-05:00July 2015 HarvestsProduction in the veggie garden started to slow in July as we started hitting the upper 90's and into the 100's. That didn't stop the garden from producing over 25 pounds of food in July - plenty more than my household could consume, so again, I had ample goodies to give away to friends and coworkers. The cukes and tomatoes were especially abundant! Peppers just didn't take off this year, and eggplant was not as productive as last year either.<br />
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With July's addition, I'm just a few pounds away from hitting my 100 pounds of fresh garden produce goal for the year, and we still have the full fall season ahead! Granted, veggie produce will slow drastically in the next couple of months as I transition from my summer to fall garden.</div>
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Here are the July 2015 harvest tallies (25 lb 11.5 oz total)!</div>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">9 lb 15.2 oz pickling cucumbers (13)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">3 lb 14.9 oz slicing cucumbers (7)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 8.7 oz Black Beauty eggplant (2)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">0.8 oz Gypsy pepper (1)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">2.1 oz Yellow pepper (1)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">8.6 oz Cherokee Purple tomatoes (2)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 6.2 oz Better Boy tomatoes(4)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">3 lb 9.9 oz Early Girl tomatoes (20)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">13.0 oz Grape tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">8.4 oz Juliet tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 8.4 oz Pear tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">7.0 oz Roma tomatoes (3)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 4.3 oz Okra</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnmWqiCMqSU/Vce5WfV7IGI/AAAAAAAAINI/y9Wwy5-8wH4/s1600/DSC_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnmWqiCMqSU/Vce5WfV7IGI/AAAAAAAAINI/y9Wwy5-8wH4/s640/DSC_2316.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">2015 total harvests to date (93 lb 13.5 oz):</span></div>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 13.5 oz blackberries</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 1.2 oz broccoli</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">5 lb 13.9 oz Fordhook chard</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">5 lb 13.2 oz Ruby Red chard</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">7.1 oz cilantro</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">6 lb 10.3 oz Flash collards</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">20 lb 9.2 oz pickling cucumbers (32)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">11 lb 5.6 oz slicing cucumbers (21)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">5 lb 0.6 oz Black Beauty eggplant (5)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 6.8 0z Ichiban eggplant (5)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">7 colanders salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">2 lb 0 oz Blue Lake green beans</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">3 lb 13.9 oz kale</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 2.9 oz Meyer lemons (5)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">6.5 oz parsley</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">0.8 oz Cayenne peppers</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">5.5 oz Flavorburst yellow pepper (2)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">7.9 oz Gypsy peppers (6)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">0.8 oz Mariachi pepper (1)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">2.9 oz Pablano pepper (2)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">7.5 oz Cherry Bell radish</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">4.0 oz spinach</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">12.5 oz Beefmaster tomatoes (1)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 13.7 oz Better Boy tomatoes (5)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">6.2 oz Brandywine tomatoes (1)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">3 lb 1.3 oz Celebrity tomatoes (8)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">3.5 oz Cherry tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">6 lb 9.1 oz Early Girl tomatoes (32)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">2 lb 0.4 oz Grape tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">2 lb 1.6 oz Juliet tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">4 lb 4.4 oz Pear tomatoes</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 6.8 oz Roma tomatoes (10)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">8.6 oz Cherokee Purple tomatoes (2)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 lb 4.3 oz Okra</li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-13014373753195499242015-08-05T21:29:00.000-05:002015-08-07T23:01:54.944-05:00Wildlife Wednesday - August 2015It's too darn hot. The Ella Fitzgerald song frequents my mind every time I step outside right now. We have had consistent weeks of 100+ degree F days, with many more weeks of similar weather ahead. It is the time of year that I spend the least amount of time in the garden, and the least amount of time snapping pictures of wildlife in the yard. But somehow, I was still able to manage a handful of pictures for Tina's <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/2015/08/05/wildlife-wednesday-august-2015/" target="_blank">Wildlife Wednesday</a> meme.<br />
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<b><u>Lizards</u></b><br />
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The <b>green anoles</b> and <b>Texas spiney lizards</b> don't seem to mind the terrible heat at this time of year.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QXYz4BU1o8/VcVp2lHINtI/AAAAAAAAIKs/H2cX4VtGjvo/s1600/DSC_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QXYz4BU1o8/VcVp2lHINtI/AAAAAAAAIKs/H2cX4VtGjvo/s640/DSC_2235.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Butterflies</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qrtm5-tCDA/VcVp-1OdlQI/AAAAAAAAIL4/w_3zQIXjRu0/s1600/DSC_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qrtm5-tCDA/VcVp-1OdlQI/AAAAAAAAIL4/w_3zQIXjRu0/s640/DSC_2324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/06/may-wildlife.html" target="_blank">Eastern black swallowtails </a>are very common in my garden. I normally have black swallowtail caterpillars chomping on fennel, dill, and parsley most of the year. The <b>Eastern tiger swallowtail</b>, pictured here, however, is a much rarer sight in my garden.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDJhrcuc5gE/VcVp_PgQ1DI/AAAAAAAAIL8/ddd2jk0B_tU/s1600/DSC_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDJhrcuc5gE/VcVp_PgQ1DI/AAAAAAAAIL8/ddd2jk0B_tU/s640/DSC_2325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one stayed long enough for me to run inside, grab my camera, and grab a few quick shots. Flighty butterflies, like this beauty, are always the most difficult to snap pictures of, so I got luck this time.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKe0dU6tqGI/VcVp_6iMQ_I/AAAAAAAAIME/ynFrlYqln84/s1600/DSC_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKe0dU6tqGI/VcVp_6iMQ_I/AAAAAAAAIME/ynFrlYqln84/s640/DSC_2326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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He/she is really enjoying the cotton candy lantana, which supplies ample nectar this time of year for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.<br />
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<b><u>Bugs & Other Critters</u></b></div>
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This <b>obscure bird grasshopper</b> was found basking in the hot summer sun in the courtyard.</div>
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The <b>gold and black dragonfly</b> (<i>pachydiplax longipennis</i>) stopped for just long enough for me to snap a shot. The dragonflies have really been buzzing about the yard quite a bit during this hot and dry spell.</div>
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A <b>milkweed assassin bug</b> (<i>zelus longipes</i>) hangs out on the tropical milkweed. Maybe this guy is the reason why I haven't seen any monarch caterpillars this season. Bummer.</div>
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These furry little caterpillars appear to be <b>fall webworms. </b>They quickly munched down a bunch of my volunteer sunflower leaves. Thankfully, I haven't spotted any of their webs in the trees, so maybe other predators got to them before they were too destructive. I wouldn't mind a few making it to adulthood, though. Their adult stage as a tiger moth is quite striking.</div>
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Some little spider that I can't ID, hanging out on the shed door (glad I noticed him before reaching to open the shed!) Anyone know what this guy is?</div>
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And to end, some type of cactus bug that is happy munching away on the spineless prickly pear cacti.</div>
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Thanks for checking out my latest garden wildlife. Be sure to stop by <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/" target="_blank">My Gardener Says</a> blog for more garden wildlife from other bloggers!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-7928080419712683432015-07-31T20:14:00.000-05:002015-08-03T20:55:12.793-05:00End of Month View - July 2015It has been several months since I last had an End of the Month View of my garden. I haven't had much time for gardening in general recently, and even less time to do any type of blogging. Besides not having time, I haven't been inclined to spend much time in the garden with our 100+ degree Fahrenheit days in Central Texas right now, where I only get a little time very early in the morning when the sun is rising, or a little time before the sun sets each night to enjoy the garden.<br />
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Needless to say, all the gardens are in desperate need of some TLC. I'm hoping we get some rains soon and that the temperatures cool off so I can get back out there and beautify things.<br />
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<b><u>VEGGIE BEDS</u></b><br />
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I might as well start with the worst of the gardens - the veggie beds. The heat has really killed off most everything in the veggie beds. It also hasn't helped that I've only been watering by hand once a week. Last year I had a soaker hose going, which extended my summer season. I also had a hose set up this year, but I never quite got it functioning right and didn't want to waste water by having it going and soaking one or two beds and doing nothing to the others. Next summer I'll definitely have to make sure the hose is working, and may want to look into drip irrigation instead. For now, I might as well clean out the beds and get them ready for fall planting.<br />
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<b><u>SHADE TREE GARDEN</u></b><br />
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The shade tree garden is doing alright, mainly because the big shade trees are preventing the intense sun from burning up the plants. This garden could still use a bit of clean up, and the trees definitely need some pruning. There isn't anything blooming other than a stray Turk's cap bloom here and there.<br />
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<b><u>HERB GARDEN</u></b><br />
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Another unsightly garden is the herb garden. The lack of rainfall/watering and high heat has killed off most of my springtime herbs. The only things still going strong are the lemon balm, garlic chives, and artichokes (but just barely). I do have a trellis of morning glories that help redeem the pathetic look of the rest of the beds, thankfully.<br />
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<b><u>CENTER BEDS and NEIGHBOR FENCELINE</u></b><br />
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There is not too much of interest going on in the center beds at this time of year. Not really any blooms and the foliage is looking a bit worse for wear. Everything is longing for the cooler autumn temperatures.<br />
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The fenceline has alternating rose bushes and lavender. The roses aren't blooming much at the moment, but the lavender looks like it is getting ready to put on a show in the next month or so. The only splash of color in the center gardens are my orange cosmos, which the bees are thankful for.<br />
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<b><u>POMEGRANATE BED</u></b><br />
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The canna lilies and black-eyed susans have ended their showy displays, so their isn't much to look at in this bed other than the excessive amounts of weeds that I'll need to pull up in the next few weeks. Sigh.<br />
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<b><u>BULB BED</u></b></div>
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As this month's theme goes, so goes the bulb bed. No blooms to brighten up the bed, wilting and burn leaves from the hot TX sun, and a surplus of weeds calling my name.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOtynJh3IL4/VcAUD77NlBI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/DZjS7OaDzWs/s1600/DSC_2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOtynJh3IL4/VcAUD77NlBI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/DZjS7OaDzWs/s640/DSC_2343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>FRONT FENCELINE</u></b></div>
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Not much to see here.</div>
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<b><u>FRONT OF HOUSE</u></b></div>
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Or here.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DBWPIl472w/VcAUNAPFhyI/AAAAAAAAIKA/NUtUPC0KUzg/s1600/DSC_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DBWPIl472w/VcAUNAPFhyI/AAAAAAAAIKA/NUtUPC0KUzg/s640/DSC_2345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>FRONT BORDER</u></b></div>
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At least the front of the house looks pretty green despite the hot weather and lack of rain. Still, no blooms right now. That will definitely change, come September. Until then, I just need to try to keep everything alive.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q99HUCeduDY/VcAUCPLaQuI/AAAAAAAAIJw/ofn4SQSu7ec/s1600/DSC_2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q99HUCeduDY/VcAUCPLaQuI/AAAAAAAAIJw/ofn4SQSu7ec/s640/DSC_2344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Helen over at <a href="https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/end-of-month-view-july-2015/" target="_blank">The Patient Gardener </a>for hosting the End of Month View every month, where gardeners all over the world post pictures of how their gardens are progressing.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-59093072676478502512015-07-06T22:07:00.001-05:002015-07-06T22:07:49.885-05:00In a Vase on Monday: Patriotic CelebrationThe patriotic colors of red, white and blue. That's today's theme for Cathy's <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-baby-face/" target="_blank">In a Vase on Monday</a>. Why? Two reasons:<br />
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1) The United States just celebrated it's 239th birthday on July 4th. GO USA!<br />
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2) The US women just won the World Cup 5-2 against Japan on July 5th. GO WOMEN!<br />
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I'd say the American Pride has been strong the last few days, and I'm on board. What a great country I live in.<br />
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Today's patriotic vase is brought to you by the American Flag (thanks Betsy Ross), red zinnias (thanks to my good gardening/blogging friend Melissa of <a href="http://earthluff.com/" target="_blank">Dirt and Wine</a> for my birthday seeds), blue plumbago, and white shasta daisies.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-41322462961304987362015-07-04T11:31:00.003-05:002015-07-04T11:31:35.723-05:00June 2015 HarvestsLooking back on my June veggie and fruit harvests, I can see it was a very productive month. Of course, I don't need to look at the pictures to figure that out. I can just open my fridge to see it overflowing with cucumber and tomatoes to see that I have more produce than my household can consume. <br />
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I was especially proud of my blackberry harvest. I planted 6-7 blackberry plants about three years ago, and didn't get a single blackberry harvest until this year. Unfortunately, only one of my plants survived the last few hot and dry summers, but I still got a decent harvest from the one plant. I planted another three plants this year, which seem to really be taking off, so hopefully I'll get some good harvests in the coming years, maybe even enough to make some jam.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKjJ0j7Q6UI/VZf5zOeRF0I/AAAAAAAAIHc/BwphEh2fMo4/s1600/June%2BVeggies%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKjJ0j7Q6UI/VZf5zOeRF0I/AAAAAAAAIHc/BwphEh2fMo4/s640/June%2BVeggies%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With our continued heavy rainfalls, I've only had to supplement watering about once or twice this season, which is drastically different from prior years, when my garden required daily watering. I recently learned from a Central Texas Gardener episode that some stress on plants by not getting daily watering is actually good for them and makes them more productive, so I now only water the garden about once or twice a week, if there is no rainfall. The garden seems to be doing well with that method.<br />
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I am constantly cooking old and new recipes with the produce. I use as much as I can fresh, as well as dabbled in some of my first canning attempts. And my family, friends, and co-workers are willing to let me unload any excess produce on them.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4PuSgsJLz8/VZf6st_WEhI/AAAAAAAAIHg/cyH0kfmacIE/s1600/June%2BVeggies%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4PuSgsJLz8/VZf6st_WEhI/AAAAAAAAIHg/cyH0kfmacIE/s640/June%2BVeggies%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are some of the ways I've been using my produce:</div>
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<u>Breakfast</u></div>
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<li>Tomatoes and peppers chopped and added to egg dishes</li>
<li>Blackberries on top of cereal or with yogurt and granola for a parfait</li>
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<u>Lunch</u></div>
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<li>Tomatoes and cucumbers added to every sandwich</li>
<li><a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2014/07/todays-harvest-cukes-creamy-cucumber.html" target="_blank">Cucumber soup</a></li>
<li>Caprese salad, with fresh basil from the garden</li>
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<u>Snack</u></div>
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<li>Sliced cucumbers dipped in hummus</li>
<li>Blackberries with crackers, cheese, and charcuterie</li>
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<u>Side Dish</u></div>
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<li>Tomato and cucumber salad with lemon juice, salt and pepper</li>
<li>Fresh <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/babaganoush-recipe.html" target="_blank">babaganoush </a>with garden eggplant</li>
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<u>Dinner</u></div>
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<li><a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2014/07/homemade-tomato-sauce-and-eggplant.html" target="_blank">Eggplant rollatini</a></li>
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Here are the June 2015 harvest tallies (37 lbs 7.8 oz total)!:</div>
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<li>1 lb 13.5 oz blackberries</li>
<li>10 lb 10 oz pickling cucumbers (19)</li>
<li>7 lb 6.7 oz slicing cucumbers (14)</li>
<li>2 lb 10.3 oz Black Beauty eggplant (3)</li>
<li>1 lb 6.8 0z Ichiban eggplant (5)</li>
<li>4.5 oz Blue Lake green beans</li>
<li>0.8 oz Cayenne peppers</li>
<li>4.3 oz Gypsy peppers (3)</li>
<li>12.5 oz Beefmaster tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>7.5 oz Better Boy tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>6.2 oz Brandywine tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>3 lb 1.3 oz Celebrity tomatoes (8)</li>
<li>3.5 oz Cherry tomatoes</li>
<li>1 lb 13.5 oz Early Girl tomatoes (8)</li>
<li>1 lb 1.6 oz Grape tomatoes</li>
<li>1 lb 9.2 oz Juliet tomatoes</li>
<li>2 lb 7.8 oz Pear tomatoes</li>
<li>15.8 oz Roma tomatoes (7)</li>
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2015 total harvests to date (68 lbs 2.0 oz):<br />
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<li>1 lb 13.5 oz blackberries</li>
<li>1 lb 1.2 oz broccoli</li>
<li>5 lb 13.9 oz Fordhook chard</li>
<li>5 lb 13.2 oz Ruby Red chard</li>
<li>7.1 oz cilantro</li>
<li>6 lb 10.3 oz Flash collards</li>
<li>10 lb 10 oz pickling cucumbers (19)</li>
<li>7 lb 6.7 oz slicing cucumbers (14)</li>
<li>3 lb 7.9 oz Black Beauty eggplant (3)</li>
<li>1 lb 6.8 0z Ichiban eggplant (5)</li>
<li>7 colanders salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula)</li>
<li>2 lb 0 oz Blue Lake green beans</li>
<li>3 lb 13.9 oz kale</li>
<li>1 lb 2.9 oz Meyer lemons (5)</li>
<li>6.5 oz parsley</li>
<li>0.8 oz Cayenne peppers</li>
<li>2.4 oz Flavorburst yellow pepper (1)</li>
<li>7.1 oz Gypsy peppers (5)</li>
<li>0.8 oz Mariachi pepper (1)</li>
<li>2.9 oz Pablano pepper (2)</li>
<li>7.5 oz Cherry Bell radish</li>
<li>4.0 oz spinach</li>
<li>12.5 oz Beefmaster tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>7.5 oz Better Boy tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>6.2 oz Brandywine tomatoes (1)</li>
<li>3 lb 1.3 oz Celebrity tomatoes (8)</li>
<li>3.5 oz Cherry tomatoes</li>
<li>2 lb 15.2 oz Early Girl tomatoes (12)</li>
<li>1 lb 3.4 oz Grape tomatoes</li>
<li>1 lb 9.2 oz Juliet tomatoes</li>
<li>2 lb 12.0 oz Pear tomatoes</li>
<li>15.8 oz Roma tomatoes (7)</li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-13848343388594218672015-07-01T22:25:00.002-05:002015-07-01T22:25:41.481-05:00Wildlife Wednesday - Fawning Over June SurprisesMy dogs tend to enjoy the wildlife in my garden just as much, or maybe even more than I do. It is not uncommon for me to find them sniffing out a rodent, or "playing" with a toad out in our backyard. However, I was VERY surprised to find them licking a baby deer in my backyard a couple weeks ago.<br />
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Besides the fact that I was surprised (and very relieved) that they limited themselves to just licking the deer while fervently wagging their tails, I was more surprised to find the little guy (or gal) in my FENCED IN backyard at all. How did he get in? Well, considering he is an itty bitty, teeny weeny little thing and probably not more than a day old, he must have squeezed through the fence bars, which are probably only 4-5 inches apart.<br />
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Look at those long, skinny legs! Momma deer must have given birth to the little fawn in my front yard the day before, and thought that it seemed like a safe enough place to leave her babe while she went out foraging for food (I'm not so sure she still thinks that after this little guy's excitement with my puppies). It is not uncommon for momma deer to leave their young for a full day, returning at night when they feel it is safe to do so.<br />
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Apparently in the first week or so of a fawn's life, their danger instinct is less of the normal "flight" and more so "hide and stay very very still." This little one thought that my flower beds made a nice hiding place.<br />
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But something still gave him away...;-)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E_hAFh4Ymg/VZSmPAug8OI/AAAAAAAAIFA/pnTv4c2D6h0/s1600/DSC_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E_hAFh4Ymg/VZSmPAug8OI/AAAAAAAAIFA/pnTv4c2D6h0/s640/DSC_2203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the lack of the flight instinct yet, I was able to get very very close to the fawn. I guess this is why my dogs were even able to get close enough to lick him. </div>
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The fawn moved around into different garden beds throughout the day, and one or two times, I let my dogs out in the backyard to see if they could find him (since I didn't know if he was still out there, or if he had wandered back out through the fence). Atticus - the true hunter of my two standard poodles, was always able to find him for us. The fawn's extreme stillness defense worked for him in both cases because, after Atticus sniffed him out, he didn't ever actually <i>find</i> the baby deer, meaning, he didn't realize he found the deer because the fawn was so still that he wasn't noticed by my dog.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBBNzGIqDdo/VZSpIwKEwKI/AAAAAAAAIF0/rtGnzvM5mRk/s1600/Baby%2Bdeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBBNzGIqDdo/VZSpIwKEwKI/AAAAAAAAIF0/rtGnzvM5mRk/s640/Baby%2Bdeer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After getting a decent photo session in and enjoying the baby wildlife, my husband and I went about our Saturday social plans. When we returned later in the evening (after yet another downpour...do I really live in Texas? Feels more like Florida), we found the fawn moved to another garden bed again, this time enjoying a nice nap in the lavender (maybe he thought the pungent scent may throw off any predators?).<br />
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As it turns out, our little deer wasn't an only child. He had a little twin hanging out in my next door neighbor's yard! Double the cuteness!! I wondered why the babies weren't huddled together and later found out that momma deer will usually separate their young so that they have a greater chance of survival. Makes sense, but I don't like thinking that anything bad will happen to either of these little cuties.<br />
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I knew it was likely that the momma deer would come around late in the evening to collect her young, so I left my back gate open to make sure she could find her little twin that was hanging out in my back garden beds. Before heading to bed, I looked outside and saw momma deer nursing her baby in my backyard - what an awesome sight! I was so relieved that momma came back and found her little ones, as well as safely made their way out of my backyard...but not before nibbling on some of my strawberries and phlox!<br />
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This is my absolute favorite garden wildlife experience this year. Thanks to Tina over at <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/2015/07/01/wildlife-wednesday-july-2015/" target="_blank">My Gardener Says</a> for hosting the Wildlife Wednesday meme on the first Wednesday of every month!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-16661636624375139262015-06-15T18:45:00.000-05:002015-06-15T18:45:39.786-05:00In a Vase on Monday: All Good Things Come in ThreesThe garden is full of color and excellent cutting flowers right now, so I decided to make three vases this week - all with a similar yellow and pink theme.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H15KYljcvQY/VX2U1mwUZlI/AAAAAAAAIBY/vaae5KMnO6s/s1600/20150614_Three%2BVases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H15KYljcvQY/VX2U1mwUZlI/AAAAAAAAIBY/vaae5KMnO6s/s640/20150614_Three%2BVases.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first vase is the largest of them all and is the one I used to brighten up my main living space at home this week. The big bouquet was a nice focal point at the center of our large kitchen/dining/family room living space.<br />
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The second is simple and elegant - with just three flowers to fill the vase. I took this one into the office to brighten up my gray cubicle. I got several compliments on it from co-workers.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeFopASj15g/VX2U7OFldnI/AAAAAAAAICI/QVNBf4RsZZ0/s1600/DSC_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeFopASj15g/VX2U7OFldnI/AAAAAAAAICI/QVNBf4RsZZ0/s640/DSC_2150.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The final vase was a whimsical little concoction of some of the "left-over" flowers from the first two vases. These were the extras, or the ones that didn't really "go" with the other bouquets - but they make a lovely little posy together. This vase was placed on the bedroom nightstand to enjoy every night before bed, and as the first thing every morning.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58ljoJYKzgE/VX2VBcHlwRI/AAAAAAAAIC0/JEIX45X84A4/s1600/DSC_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58ljoJYKzgE/VX2VBcHlwRI/AAAAAAAAIC0/JEIX45X84A4/s640/DSC_2157.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The flowers used in this week's vases are: gladiolas,</div>
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sunflowers,</div>
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shasta daisies,</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ada_YL-qWA4/VX2VB-mkBMI/AAAAAAAAIC4/S_aecw9CSWQ/s1600/DSC_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ada_YL-qWA4/VX2VB-mkBMI/AAAAAAAAIC4/S_aecw9CSWQ/s640/DSC_2158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and zinnias.</div>
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Thanks to Cathy at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-cooling-off-period/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden </a>for hosting the In a Vase on Monday meme every Monday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-8615559981631660952015-06-14T09:27:00.002-05:002015-06-14T09:27:15.877-05:00First Canning ExperienceI hate wasting food. And what do I hate more than wasting food? Wasting food that I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into growing. So with my abundance of veggie harvests right now, I decided to try my hand at a food preservation method that I have not yet tried with my garden goodies: canning.<br />
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Experienced veggie gardeners would probably tell you that canning is as essential to the gardening practice as water and sunlight since a good garden harvest is going to produce a lot more food than you can use fresh yourself or give away. But I have not incorporated it into my gardening repertoire until this point because frankly, it intimidated me. I always heard how long and tedious of a process it was. I remember growing up in Wisconsin and picking oodles of strawberries every summer, which my mom would then spend a whole day processing into jam. I just don't have that kind of time on my hands. But, since I've had a decent harvest this summer so far and have more veggies than I can eat fresh, and since I hate wasting food, I decided to give canning a try. Turns out, it really wasn't that bad.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIeshQw7fDI/VX2IKkk_OgI/AAAAAAAAIA4/7aJF1xIFGyw/s1600/20150614_Canning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIeshQw7fDI/VX2IKkk_OgI/AAAAAAAAIA4/7aJF1xIFGyw/s640/20150614_Canning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sure, it wasn't the quickest process. It probably took me a couple hours total (with clean up) for just a few jars. But, given it was my first time, I know I took a lot of extra time reading directions and making sure I got all the steps right. But overall, it was much easier and faster than I expected, so I'm sure I'll be doing more canning in the future.<br />
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I ended up canning three quart jars of dill pickles, using Botanical Interests' Homemade Pickles cucumbers. I also canned two pint jars of pickled green beans (Blue Lake 274). Now, I just need to let the jars sit in the pantry for a few weeks before I can try how they turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz-G94le4iU/VX2JZGK8UpI/AAAAAAAAIBE/9m1cd8UKgBk/s1600/20150614_Pickled%2BGreen%2BBeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz-G94le4iU/VX2JZGK8UpI/AAAAAAAAIBE/9m1cd8UKgBk/s640/20150614_Pickled%2BGreen%2BBeans.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/crisp-pickled-green-beans/" target="_blank">Here</a> is the recipe that I used for both the green beans and cucumbers. Since I'm new to this canning business, I'd love to hear some of your favorite canned veggie recipes!</div>
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b> <i>(makes 6 half-pint jars - I doubled the recipe for my 2 pint and 3 quart jars)</i></div>
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<li>2 1/2 pounds fresh green beans (cucumbers)</li>
<li>2 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar</li>
<li>2 cups water</li>
<li>1/4 cup salt (kosher or pickling)</li>
<li>1 clove garlic, peeled</li>
<li>1 bunch fresh dill weed</li>
<li>3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes</li>
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<b><u>Instructions</u></b></div>
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1. Sterilize jars with rings and lids and keep hot. Trim green beans to 1/4 inch shorter than the jars.<br /><br />2. In a large saucepan, stir together the vinegar, water and salt. Add garlic and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. In each jar, place 1 sprig of dill and 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pack green beans into the jars so they are standing on their ends<br /><br />3. Ladle the boiling brine into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the tops. Discard garlic. Seal jars with lids and rings. Place in a hot water bath so they are covered by 1 inch of water. Simmer but do not boil for 10 minutes to process. Cool to room temperature. Test jars for a good seal by pressing on the center of the lid. It should not move. Refrigerate any jars that do not seal properly. Let pickles ferment for 2 to 3 weeks before eating.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-31973860440739512202015-06-06T23:20:00.001-05:002015-06-06T23:20:58.245-05:00May Wildlife<div>
Life was pretty hectic in May between work and visits from family, which is why my post for Tina's <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/" target="_blank">Wildlife Wednesday </a>is a few days late. With the busy month, I also felt like I didn't get much quality time in the garden, and even less time to photograph my May garden visitors. But looking back on my photographs tells a much different story. Even with limited time in garden, I got pictures of so many different types of wildlife. It makes me wonder how many more critters visited my garden this month that I didn't get a chance to notice. Here are the ones that I did spot:</div>
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<b><u>Bees, Butterflies, & Other Insects</u></b></div>
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One of my favorite visitors this month were the <b>Black Swallowtail</b> butterflies. I need to give photo credit to my hubby for the cool pics of the swallowtails.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80K5gxSlhN4/VXO2GZsD-8I/AAAAAAAAH78/4wFwmff_5Dw/s1600/20150606_Swallowtail%2BFlying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80K5gxSlhN4/VXO2GZsD-8I/AAAAAAAAH78/4wFwmff_5Dw/s640/20150606_Swallowtail%2BFlying.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This female is laying her eggs on some of the flowering dill in my container herb garden on my back patio. My fennel, dill, and parsley are constant hosts for the swallowtail caterpillars, which can be found in various instar stages at any time on my plants.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AygIJ3GLE1o/VXO2GhQvuzI/AAAAAAAAH7w/aTVhZvBNBaU/s1600/20150606_Swallowtail%2BLaying%2BEggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AygIJ3GLE1o/VXO2GhQvuzI/AAAAAAAAH7w/aTVhZvBNBaU/s640/20150606_Swallowtail%2BLaying%2BEggs.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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And while clipping some lemon balm for a floral arrangement, I found this empty swallowtail chrysalis. Maybe it even belonged to the momma swallowtail who is now laying her eggs on my plants for the next generation of swallowtails.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPn_Zuzm7ho/VXO2bqmgYfI/AAAAAAAAH-o/X1YO8UYITJE/s1600/DSC_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPn_Zuzm7ho/VXO2bqmgYfI/AAAAAAAAH-o/X1YO8UYITJE/s640/DSC_2109.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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Next in the insects are the the <b>skippers</b> that visited my garden last month.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faaaYeYDAcs/VXO2Zqf66EI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/Dy9nylh0qSs/s1600/DSC_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faaaYeYDAcs/VXO2Zqf66EI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/Dy9nylh0qSs/s640/DSC_2100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Perfect camouflage to blend in with the sunflowers. I have to say, these are my favorite pictures of wildlife this month, and while my husband is pretty good at catching some cool pictures, I get to take credit for these.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-ZbVrGJwk4/VXO2aP2NhoI/AAAAAAAAH-c/qTbb_ycQ9vU/s1600/DSC_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-ZbVrGJwk4/VXO2aP2NhoI/AAAAAAAAH-c/qTbb_ycQ9vU/s640/DSC_2101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another skipper sun bathing on a zinnia leaf.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0EiCmVL9HE/VXO2XI9MwnI/AAAAAAAAH98/f1iD6m7QOsU/s1600/DSC_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0EiCmVL9HE/VXO2XI9MwnI/AAAAAAAAH98/f1iD6m7QOsU/s640/DSC_2042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <b>bees</b> were also loving the sunflowers this month.</div>
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And when they weren't feasting on the sunflowers, they could be found on the shasta daisies.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFwA5Fi81MI/VXO2Xx9Qd4I/AAAAAAAAH-I/yLmeUal3lJg/s1600/DSC_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFwA5Fi81MI/VXO2Xx9Qd4I/AAAAAAAAH-I/yLmeUal3lJg/s640/DSC_2099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or even on the Graham Thomas roses (yellow must be their favorite color).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTDQtyTqD6o/VXO2JoKzPNI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/8KMAV-TgwVA/s1600/DSC_1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTDQtyTqD6o/VXO2JoKzPNI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/8KMAV-TgwVA/s640/DSC_1817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This <b>katydid nymph</b> was hanging out on a gladiola of one of my garden bouquets last month.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYC2tUZo_Z8/VXO2SiwO9YI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/5v0ldxCk_rQ/s1600/DSC_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYC2tUZo_Z8/VXO2SiwO9YI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/5v0ldxCk_rQ/s640/DSC_2026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Reptiles</u></b></div>
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There have been plenty of <b>green anoles </b>scurrying around the yard lately. I found this one sun bathing on the oleander leaves.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twW8kPD1-wQ/VXO2JsjTPaI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/wsItIPJT3OI/s1600/DSC_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twW8kPD1-wQ/VXO2JsjTPaI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/wsItIPJT3OI/s640/DSC_1805.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <b>Texas Spiney Lizards</b> have been more numerous than ever. I see several of them every day out in the courtyard or scampering across the garden. Today my dogs were going crazy over one that kept playing hide-and-seek with them.<br />
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There have been so many spiney lizards, that I was even able to get two in one shot when they were playing around in the courtyard - one is on the rocker cushion, and one is on the bottom rung of the table. Do you see them?<br />
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<b><u>Mammals</u></b></div>
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We always have <b>white-tailed deer</b> around the neighborhood, but I usually see them only at dawn and dusk, and they scurry away too fast, so I usually can't catch them on camera.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfgNVGRpqWQ/VXO2U5PehpI/AAAAAAAAH9g/xeEycLZZObA/s1600/DSC_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfgNVGRpqWQ/VXO2U5PehpI/AAAAAAAAH9g/xeEycLZZObA/s640/DSC_2036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, after some strong storms in the area last month which knocked down a lot of branches in the neighborhood, the deer came out of hiding in the morning and feasted on the fallen branches and stuck around long enough for some photos.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDpz7H4lmMk/VXO2VaPbPwI/AAAAAAAAH9o/WHH8Hbu04qs/s1600/DSC_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDpz7H4lmMk/VXO2VaPbPwI/AAAAAAAAH9o/WHH8Hbu04qs/s640/DSC_2038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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They didn't like too many pictures being taken, so were quickly off to find their next fallen branch for breakfast.<br />
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<b><u>Birds</u></b></div>
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I've spotted plenty of <b>mockingbirds</b> this month, including this guy, who looks to be an adolescent.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tvf_4WiqlE8/VXO2HLqc9RI/AAAAAAAAH8A/Z3LN-K7Iubw/s1600/20150606_Young%2BMockingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tvf_4WiqlE8/VXO2HLqc9RI/AAAAAAAAH8A/Z3LN-K7Iubw/s640/20150606_Young%2BMockingbird.jpg" width="574" /></a></div>
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The <b>black-chinned hummingbirds</b> (female and male below) continue to feast at the feeder at dawn and dusk daily. When I'm outside, I generally hear them before I see them - the buzzing they make with their incredibly fast wings is an unmistakable sound.</div>
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And while I can spot <b>blue-jays </b>year-round in my garden, I find them to be one of the trickiest backyard birds to capture on camera. They don't stay at any one place very long, but can be viewed flying from limb to limb or fence post to fence post throughout the day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiNceg97I4M/VXPA-csdxwI/AAAAAAAAH_g/K8NBWUWjsZk/s1600/20150606_Bluejays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiNceg97I4M/VXPA-csdxwI/AAAAAAAAH_g/K8NBWUWjsZk/s640/20150606_Bluejays.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Amphibians</u></b></div>
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Last but not least is a <b>toad </b>that I found on the back porch one evening in May after some heavy rains. My dogs LOVE chasing toads and frogs, and while I tried to deter my dogs from "playing" with this little guy, I eventually had to let them outside and they eventually caught the little fella. Such is life I s'pose.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ClJ7QqO0c/VXO2Gv6vhvI/AAAAAAAAH74/6oG53IgTmIg/s1600/20150606_Toad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ClJ7QqO0c/VXO2Gv6vhvI/AAAAAAAAH74/6oG53IgTmIg/s640/20150606_Toad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for visiting my blog and reading about the May wildlife in my garden!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-90018321253316788702015-06-01T07:00:00.000-05:002015-06-01T07:00:11.318-05:00In a Vase on Monday: At the End of the Storm is a Golden Sky...<i>...and the sweet silver song of a lark</i><br />
<i>Walk on, through the wind</i><br />
<i>Walk on, through the rain</i><br />
<i>Though your dreams be tossed and blown</i><br />
<i>Walk on, walk on</i><br />
<i>With hope in your heart</i><br />
<i>And you'll never walk alone...</i><br />
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With all the storms we've been having in Texas recently, I can't help but sing the words of one of my favorite songs, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel. For those not familiar with the song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsQYH-qMGO0" target="_blank">here </a>is my favorite arrangement and performance of the piece, sung by favorite musical organization - <a href="http://www.madisonscoutslive.com/mainsite/about/" target="_blank">The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps</a>, which I was honored to part of back in 2005.<br />
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It reminds me how no matter how terrible the "storms" you are going through may be (literally or figuratively), there is hope that things will get better with the help of others, through strength found in God, and with your own grit and determination.<br />
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This week's vase demonstrates the beauty that comes after the storms.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBzILErGCbw/VWvAen_48cI/AAAAAAAAH6A/x2r3DiCQgN4/s1600/DSC_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBzILErGCbw/VWvAen_48cI/AAAAAAAAH6A/x2r3DiCQgN4/s640/DSC_2110.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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This vase, inspired by Cathy's weekly meme over at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden</a> is filled with a light pink and magenta gladiola, that were knocked down during our recent strong winds.</div>
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There is one Mrs. B. R. Cant rose,</div>
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A couple of volunteer sunflowers, planted by the birds over the winter,<br />
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As well as a handful of zinnias to brighten up the bouquet.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">The actual storms in Texas completely filled the retention pond in the park behind our house (normally does not have any water in it, but was filled within an hour or two last week).</span></div>
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As well as brought some funky cool mammatus clouds to the area after the severe storms, which reminded me of something out of a Dr. Seuss or other fantasy book<br />
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But those were only minor impacts of the area storms. The real damage was done down in Hays County. My husband and I dropped off some flood clean-up supplies in Wimberley, TX over the weekend, where I snapped a couple phone pictures in areas that weren't completely closed off to civilians.<br />
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Many trees were completely knocked down or up-rooted, including cypress trees that were centuries old. Homes and buildings were swept off of their foundations and carried miles downstream (if not completely demolished). The force of the flood waters was unreal, and the devastation was overwhelming.<br />
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I continue to think about all those impacted by the floods and I'm grateful for the volunteers that are helping to clean up the communities that were hit. There is hope that things will get better. Walk on and know that you'll never walk alone.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-53226412582153908002015-05-31T12:02:00.003-05:002015-05-31T12:02:27.160-05:00End of Month View - May 2015As you might have gathered from reading my or other Central Texas garden blogs or listening to the news, our area has been getting a lot of rain over the past month, including torrential downpours during the last several weeks, which has led to severe flooding and destruction in some parts of the region.<br />
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The rain has positive and negative effects on my garden. On the positive side, it is getting plenty of water and I don't have to use supplemental watering. On the negative side, too much water makes the garden soggy and results in root rot. Not to mention, the heavy rains and strong winds have taken a beating on some of the plants, especially some of the tall varieties in the garden. <br />
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Let's take a look around to see how the garden is fairing after our record-setting rainfalls:<br />
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<b>Veggie Bed</b><br />
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The vegetables are generally doing well, despite a couple of the tomato cages being knocked over by the strong winds. The tomatoes, eggplant and green beans have been producing well. The peppers are getting a slower start than normal. I don't think they are as big of fans of the cooler temperatures and heavy rain. <br />
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You can even see a little pond has formed in the park behind our house. This has dried up significantly in the last week. After last Monday's heavy rains, the water was nearly at the level of the gravel path.<br />
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<b>Shade Bed</b><br />
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The shade bed is filling out with summer-time plants, though there isn't much blooming right now. Over the past month, I added some Mexican petunia pass along plants from a neighbor, as well as some Frostweed transplant pass alongs from fellow Central Texas garden blogger Tina of <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/" target="_blank">My Gardener Says</a>. I look forward to the new additions blooming later this year.<br />
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<b>Deck</b><br />
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The deck border also doesn't have much blooming at this point. Many of my parsley plants were cleared out after they toppled over from root rot or pests (I couldn't quite decipher what caused the root damage). The artichoke additions from earlier this year are filling out and I hope they will produce next year.<br />
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<b>Bulb Bed</b><br />
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Gladiolas, day-lilies and Black-Eyed Susans are going strong in the bulb bed. I still have some open spots that I hope to fill with some perennials that will help keep year-round interest.<br />
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<b>Central Beds</b><br />
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The middle beds are a bit sparse at the moment. There are some zinnias, cosmos, and shasta daisies blooming, but most of the beds are full of spent bluebonnet, sweet pea, and larkspur plants that have dried up. However, I don't want to remove the plants because I'm hoping they will reseed so I can enjoy the same blooms next year.<br />
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<b>Rose Border</b></div>
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This is the first season for my rose border, so the plants are still quite small and only produce a couple blooms from time to time. I keep looking forward to what this bed will look like a couple years from now. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the sunflowers that bloomed in part of the bed. I tried to do succession planting with the sunflowers, but seeds planted after the first round didn't take.</div>
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<b>Pomegranate Bed</b></div>
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The main eye-catcher in this bed is the foliage of the canna lilies. There are even a few plants started to show off their orange blooms. Since I did a lot of dividing of the canna's last year, I won't be surprised if a lot of them don't flower this year. Then again, I won't be surprised if they do flower, since they are very resilient plants.<br />
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<b>Front Fenceline</b><br />
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As is the theme in my garden right now, not too much is blooming in this bed. The only blooms are some purple ones, found in both the spikes of the Mystic Spires salvia, as well as the Black Knight butterfly bush.<br />
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<b>Front of House</b><br />
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The front house borders have really filled out from this time last year when many new plants were added. The yellow oleander is finishing up blooming while the lantana are just getting started.<br />
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In the very front bed, the vitex is putting on quite a show with its lavender blossoms, which are highly favored by many butterflies and other insects.<br />
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All in all, the gardens are doing well after the heavy rains. I just hope the rains will lighten up to limit future flooding, but I wouldn't mind some steady rains continuing throughout the summer to help Texas continue out of drought and fill up the lakes again.<br />
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Thanks, as always to Helen over at <a href="https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Patient Gardener</a> for hosting the End of Month View garden meme.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-53822042359131718052015-05-30T20:07:00.001-05:002015-05-30T20:07:04.726-05:00May 2015 HarvestsThere was a bit of a lull in my veggie production during April as the fall/winter veggies wrapped up and I was waiting for the spring and summer veggies to mature. Now that we are nearing the end of May, my warm season veggies have started to produce, despite the cooler than average temperatures.<br />
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I got some of my first peppers of the season: gypsy, pablano and mariachi (pictured above), as well as a flavorburst yellow pepper.<br />
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This week, I saw my first eggplant, tomatoes, as well as green beans. The beans are going strong, but the tomatoes are splitting a lot more this year than I remember last year. Maybe it is from the excessive rains we've been having? Since I planted many more tomato plants than usual this year, I'm hoping for a bumper crop. We'll see if that happens.<br />
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Finally, there has been plenty of Swiss Chard this year, more than I and the hubby can eat, so I've given quite a bit away to neighbors and friends. Swiss Chard is certainly a Texas Superstar veggie in my book, at least, based on my last two successful years with it.<br />
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My family was in town over Memorial Day weekend, so they were able to help me eat a bit of the abundant chard. We had sauteed chard with garlic, lemon juice and red pepper flakes (recipe <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sauteed-swiss-chard-with-garlic-and-lemon" target="_blank">here</a>). My mom used the chard stalks for a cream of chard soup, which she combined with some garlic, onion, potatoes, chicken stock, black beans and left over jalapeno cheddar sausages. It was delicious, but unfortunately I do not have the exact recipe to share, as it was really just a left-over concoction soup and I was not involved in the process (besides growing the chard).<br />
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Hopefully May is an indicator of the productive warm-weather season ahead.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My harvest totals so far this year include:</span></span></div>
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<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7.5 oz Cherry Bell radish</span></li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3 lb 13.9 oz kale (several varieties)</span></li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6 lb 10.3 oz Flash collards</span></li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5 lb 13.2 oz Ruby Red chard</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5 lb 13.9 oz Fordhook Giant chard</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7 colanders salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula) </span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 lb 2.9 oz Meyer Lemons (5)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 lb 1.2 oz Broccoli (5)</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7.1 oz cilantro</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6.5 oz parsley</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4.0 oz spinach</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2.9 oz Pablano pepper (2)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2.8 oz Gypsy pepper (2)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">0.8 oz Mariachi pepper (1)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2.4 oz Flavorburst yellow pepper (1)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">13.6 oz Black Beauty eggplant (1)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1.8 oz Grape tomato</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4.2 oz Pear tomato</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 lb 1.7 oz Early Girl tomato (4)</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 lb 11.5 oz Blue Lake green beans</span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-50589235080609278462015-05-25T09:39:00.001-05:002015-05-25T09:39:42.809-05:00In a Vase on Monday: Remembering the Fallen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Memorial Day in the United States - a day in which we remember those that died while serving in the armed forces. So, toady's vase is in honor of those that have fallen fighting for our country.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUZ915nAszA/VWMpGHViNRI/AAAAAAAAHzo/eY74B06eMuk/s1600/DSC_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUZ915nAszA/VWMpGHViNRI/AAAAAAAAHzo/eY74B06eMuk/s640/DSC_2017.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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My garden has been loving the record rain we've been having, however, the heavy rains have beaten down some of the flower stalks, including the gladiola and sunflower that are in today's vase. It seems only fitting that the fallen flowers be used as a symbol to remember those that have fallen for our freedom.<br />
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Today's vase includes:<br />
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Sunflowers...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n529IsDjqfc/VWMsAJkqMBI/AAAAAAAAH0s/0X8mbAuMP1k/s1600/DSC_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n529IsDjqfc/VWMsAJkqMBI/AAAAAAAAH0s/0X8mbAuMP1k/s640/DSC_2020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Purple gladiolas...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX_UbWXTQnQ/VWMpNYxvs_I/AAAAAAAAH0U/iKVFyvgBoMM/s1600/DSC_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX_UbWXTQnQ/VWMpNYxvs_I/AAAAAAAAH0U/iKVFyvgBoMM/s640/DSC_2024.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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Bright red zinnias that were pass-along seeds from my friend, <a href="http://earthluff.com/" target="_blank">Melissa's</a>, garden.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsN8CTibgjk/VWMpKByHUpI/AAAAAAAAHz4/Zkgr0Zu4Ts8/s1600/DSC_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsN8CTibgjk/VWMpKByHUpI/AAAAAAAAHz4/Zkgr0Zu4Ts8/s640/DSC_2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then there are the Black-Eyed Susans...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtVf1teJrkU/VWMpM2-u4NI/AAAAAAAAH0I/17OhqjzK4kM/s1600/DSC_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtVf1teJrkU/VWMpM2-u4NI/AAAAAAAAH0I/17OhqjzK4kM/s640/DSC_2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And finally, some sprigs of blooming parsley to round out the bouquet.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2QuzVWXYKE/VWMpNat7OxI/AAAAAAAAH0M/n1-J55lAlS4/s1600/DSC_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2QuzVWXYKE/VWMpNat7OxI/AAAAAAAAH0M/n1-J55lAlS4/s640/DSC_2023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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While the rains have been beneficial in some parts of Texas, too much of a good thing can be devastating. This weekend, the Blanco river in Hays county (about 60 miles or an hour drive south of where I live) has seen record flooding since the 1920's, with hundred's of families loosing their homes, several dead and more missing. My thoughts are with those that are dealing with loss from the flooding. My husband and his paramedic co-workers are also on my mind, since they work in the area that has been hit hard by the flooding and will have several long, stressful, and potentially dangerous shifts ahead of them until the flooding subsides.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFOtbkjd8M/VWMp9gTup_I/AAAAAAAAH0g/AxpzVawpYPU/s1600/DSC_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFOtbkjd8M/VWMp9gTup_I/AAAAAAAAH0g/AxpzVawpYPU/s640/DSC_2025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is a lot to think about and be grateful for today.<br />
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Thanks to Cathy at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/in-a-vase-on-monday-storm-in-a-teacup/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden</a> for hosting the In a Vase Meme every Monday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-25202688181998543812015-05-15T20:44:00.000-05:002015-05-17T21:46:45.922-05:00Garden Blogger's Bloom Day - May 2015The higher than average rainfalls in Central Texas over the last few weeks have my zone 8b garden bursting with blooms this month for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day, hosted on the 15th of every month by Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2015/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2015.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a>.<br />
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First, my <b>poppies </b>wrapped up their blooms this month, much to the disappointment of the buzzing bees, who could always be found on the blooms.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k496C7W6wEo/VVlHHbd6hhI/AAAAAAAAHuI/bADDe5Xg3sY/s1600/20150517_Poppy%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k496C7W6wEo/VVlHHbd6hhI/AAAAAAAAHuI/bADDe5Xg3sY/s640/20150517_Poppy%2BCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <b>larkspur</b> has been putting on quite the show, adding an English cottage garden feel to my hot Texas garden.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1pu0Nfn8GE/VVlIGH0wTVI/AAAAAAAAHuQ/o_RMk1-E2vE/s1600/DSC_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1pu0Nfn8GE/VVlIGH0wTVI/AAAAAAAAHuQ/o_RMk1-E2vE/s640/DSC_1684.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The larkspur looks a lot like delphiniums, but does much better with the heat and drought of Texas.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSi5Dw3NsE/VVlIcYLPxHI/AAAAAAAAHuc/5F7vCJr5vHU/s1600/20150517_Larkspur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSi5Dw3NsE/VVlIcYLPxHI/AAAAAAAAHuc/5F7vCJr5vHU/s640/20150517_Larkspur.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another English cottage-y garden feel flower blooming right now are my <b>foxgloves</b>. I haven't had luck with these other years in Texas, since they tend to like a bit cooler and wetter conditions than we normally get. However, we are having a cooler and wetter season this year, so they are loving it, and so am I.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnJmPg4RypQ/VVlJWEJbAcI/AAAAAAAAHus/vR_4AGq1Qko/s1600/DSC_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnJmPg4RypQ/VVlJWEJbAcI/AAAAAAAAHus/vR_4AGq1Qko/s640/DSC_1849.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vw4uh3RJtQo/VVlJZOfHFrI/AAAAAAAAHvI/s_0HcxWAS5A/s1600/DSC_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vw4uh3RJtQo/VVlJZOfHFrI/AAAAAAAAHvI/s_0HcxWAS5A/s640/DSC_1853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wrapping up the English cottage garden blooms are the <b>Graham Thomas antique roses</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--drlEXDqB1Q/VVlKVQuZbaI/AAAAAAAAHvY/2CsARHfvd34/s1600/DSC_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--drlEXDqB1Q/VVlKVQuZbaI/AAAAAAAAHvY/2CsARHfvd34/s640/DSC_1792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago, I added some annuals to the courtyard to give it some color and included <b>impatients, kalanchoes </b>and <b>torenias.</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAobRcpZGgY/VVlLsCrgqbI/AAAAAAAAHvs/UOt4YAvDSK4/s1600/DSC_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAobRcpZGgY/VVlLsCrgqbI/AAAAAAAAHvs/UOt4YAvDSK4/s640/DSC_1801.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the courtyard, the <b>pansies </b>that were planted last fall are still going strong, especially with the cooler than average temperatures we've been having.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce9ieeHkL0Q/VVlMNQcqdII/AAAAAAAAHv4/x-tbFfzm_Jo/s1600/DSC_1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce9ieeHkL0Q/VVlMNQcqdII/AAAAAAAAHv4/x-tbFfzm_Jo/s640/DSC_1803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the shade garden, the <b>agapanthus</b> is starting to bloom, but hasn't reached its full glory just yet.<br />
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The <b>gladiolas</b> are just starting to bloom. I love these vibrant purple varieties that always bloom first.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTYP0Jn68Ng/VVlNHzPMTWI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/5T-_YgeUwsE/s1600/DSC_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTYP0Jn68Ng/VVlNHzPMTWI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/5T-_YgeUwsE/s640/DSC_1873.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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Volunteer<b> sunflowers</b>, planted by the birds, are also opening their blooms.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqBoKyjiRc0/VVlOSoauSEI/AAAAAAAAHw4/EM4pgvwwtm8/s1600/DSC_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqBoKyjiRc0/VVlOSoauSEI/AAAAAAAAHw4/EM4pgvwwtm8/s640/DSC_1821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As are other annuals, like the <b>blanket flowers</b>,</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRYD4IJIHHo/VVlORFi3nPI/AAAAAAAAHwk/ltNBniRlHx4/s1600/DSC_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRYD4IJIHHo/VVlORFi3nPI/AAAAAAAAHwk/ltNBniRlHx4/s640/DSC_1786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>cosmos,</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O68fKJKvXww/VVlORN0yIsI/AAAAAAAAHwo/2AhHE5HMztI/s1600/DSC_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O68fKJKvXww/VVlORN0yIsI/AAAAAAAAHwo/2AhHE5HMztI/s640/DSC_1816.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and <b>zinnias</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HR45GxaUk30/VVlOPJ_0vfI/AAAAAAAAHwc/_eStWw_1hdU/s1600/20150517_Zinnias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HR45GxaUk30/VVlOPJ_0vfI/AAAAAAAAHwc/_eStWw_1hdU/s640/20150517_Zinnias.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <b>gardenias</b> are filling the air with their intoxicating fragrance.<br />
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And the insects are enjoying the nectar of the <b>black-eyed Susans, </b><br />
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as well as the <b>asters</b>.<br />
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Then there are a handful of other reliable Texas blooms, like the <b>prickly pear cactus</b>,<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jn3HmrsoiM/VVlOQufcg0I/AAAAAAAAHwg/7VRo6TdZB8Q/s1600/DSC_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jn3HmrsoiM/VVlOQufcg0I/AAAAAAAAHwg/7VRo6TdZB8Q/s640/DSC_1811.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>bi-colored iris,</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHHkeVIBuNk/VVlQEmhheAI/AAAAAAAAHxc/_TSs0huP0DI/s1600/DSC_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHHkeVIBuNk/VVlQEmhheAI/AAAAAAAAHxc/_TSs0huP0DI/s640/DSC_1749.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>oleander,</b><br />
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<b>guara,</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZnvEITerG0/VVlQG5pblUI/AAAAAAAAHxs/mxNx0gP-vto/s1600/DSC_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZnvEITerG0/VVlQG5pblUI/AAAAAAAAHxs/mxNx0gP-vto/s640/DSC_1751.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>pink skullcap,</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtZMei_kR6M/VVlQJcfufqI/AAAAAAAAHx0/0EB971-zkPY/s1600/DSC_1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtZMei_kR6M/VVlQJcfufqI/AAAAAAAAHx0/0EB971-zkPY/s640/DSC_1808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and <b>lantana </b>(which the hummingbirds are absolutely loving).<br />
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That wraps up my May blooms. Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2015/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2015.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a> for many more May blooms in other gardens around the world.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-75622312780291240492015-05-09T12:20:00.000-05:002015-05-10T13:01:18.596-05:00National Wildflower Week - Datura WrightiiI'm celebrating National Wildflower Week by highlighting a wildflower surprise in my garden this spring, the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DAWR2" target="_blank">datura wrightii</a> (aka Angel Trumpet, Jimsonweed, Thorn-apple).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was surprised to find this plant growing in my decomposed granite pathway. I guess it makes sense, since the plant prefers good drainage. I actually saw the little plant earlier this spring and considered pulling it numerous times, but thought it looked interesting enough, so I let it go to see what it would turn out to be. I'm glad I left it alone.<br />
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I was mostly surprised to find the wildflower growing because I haven't seen any of these types of flowers around my neighborhood, so I'm curious how it got into my garden. Most likely from some bird. I'm thankful for the new (and free) plant addition to my garden.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRw1h9dyMrI/VU-UD0jm45I/AAAAAAAAHrA/nWqEk-fdyq8/s1600/DSC_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRw1h9dyMrI/VU-UD0jm45I/AAAAAAAAHrA/nWqEk-fdyq8/s640/DSC_1710.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The datura has white, trumpet-shaped flowers that opening in the evening and wither by mid-morning.<br />
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The bloom buds almost look like little okra veggies...but DO NOT EAT THEM! This entire plant is poisonous! It is considered a narcotic that was used for medicinal purposes by Aztecs, but when prepared improperly is lethal. Thankfully, my dogs do not show any interest in eating anything in the garden besides grass (and little critters), so I'll be keeping this in the garden, for now.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QxOKx1wq9Q/VU-UGs3AxEI/AAAAAAAAHrg/QX59rOBnHZY/s1600/DSC_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QxOKx1wq9Q/VU-UGs3AxEI/AAAAAAAAHrg/QX59rOBnHZY/s640/DSC_1713.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The stems are a beautiful, velvety purple.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBVceTRi9hU/VU-UHeeONsI/AAAAAAAAHrk/dHvQvH-uWaU/s1600/DSC_1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBVceTRi9hU/VU-UHeeONsI/AAAAAAAAHrk/dHvQvH-uWaU/s640/DSC_1714.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The datura is an annual that grows to 3-6 feet. I'm hoping it stays closer to the 3 foot size, so that it doesn't completely overtake my garden path.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvCnUWim25s/VU-UPrk4ueI/AAAAAAAAHsg/A-f5Q_sIdBs/s1600/DSC_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvCnUWim25s/VU-UPrk4ueI/AAAAAAAAHsg/A-f5Q_sIdBs/s640/DSC_1721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the blooms open at night, it is a very fragrant plant. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center describes it as a "rank-smelling plant." I have to say I disagree. While very pungent, I find the fragrance very lovely.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRs1Ggxd46c/VU-URjmRl4I/AAAAAAAAHso/TZX6bZKN1Qk/s1600/DSC_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRs1Ggxd46c/VU-URjmRl4I/AAAAAAAAHso/TZX6bZKN1Qk/s640/DSC_1725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoying the last of the bloom before it wilts in the morning light...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTWDSJ7xlPk/VU-US-hrbAI/AAAAAAAAHs4/v1zQ1oGt2s8/s1600/DSC_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTWDSJ7xlPk/VU-US-hrbAI/AAAAAAAAHs4/v1zQ1oGt2s8/s640/DSC_1740.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
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The seed pods are interesting spiky little balls. As I understand it, they are full of many seeds that reseed very easily. However, it seems I'll have to wait until early fall once the seeds are ready to collect. I'd love to put this plant in some other places in my garden and preferably out of the pathway.</div>
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What's your favorite wildflower in your garden right now? Happy National Wildflower Week!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-45992391830687611032015-05-06T22:42:00.000-05:002015-05-07T23:59:51.651-05:00Wildlife Wednesday - May 2015The wildlife that frequented the garden over the past month was pretty spectacular. The birds and butterflies have definitely been the most impressive.<div>
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<b>Butterflies</b></div>
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My neighbors that share a fenceline with me have a hedge full of flowers right now that are attracting an abundance of butterflies that I get to appreciate daily. While these plants aren't directly in my garden, I'm going to count it anyways, because, while I don't find these butterflies collecting nectar from my garden right now, I do find them basking in the sun in between their sugary meals.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SIDdfJedLw/VUwxYdd_unI/AAAAAAAAHm0/HIcTx0a3-BQ/s1600/DSC_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SIDdfJedLw/VUwxYdd_unI/AAAAAAAAHm0/HIcTx0a3-BQ/s640/DSC_1674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The most popular of the butterflies on this hedge are the <b>red admirals </b>(black, orange and white). I've seen as many as 100 or so butterflies on this hedge at one time! The shrubs just pulse with the multitude of wildlife that is enjoying their nectar. Besides the red admirals, I've spotted some <b>common buckeyes</b>...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ve-PyAEqVrk/VUwxYKZQSnI/AAAAAAAAHm4/YGCfFSruILI/s1600/DSC_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ve-PyAEqVrk/VUwxYKZQSnI/AAAAAAAAHm4/YGCfFSruILI/s640/DSC_1672.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and <b>painted ladies</b>...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxDwAhyTz5U/VUwxVDgeKnI/AAAAAAAAHmU/8ggm38pc9UI/s1600/DSC_1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxDwAhyTz5U/VUwxVDgeKnI/AAAAAAAAHmU/8ggm38pc9UI/s640/DSC_1643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and <b>grey hairstreaks</b>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PzxmcvwIMA/VUwxVDdIy5I/AAAAAAAAHmY/UwUHA5EP-hg/s1600/DSC_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PzxmcvwIMA/VUwxVDdIy5I/AAAAAAAAHmY/UwUHA5EP-hg/s640/DSC_1639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Birds</b></div>
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The main attraction in the garden right now is by far my hummingbirds. I've already dedicated an <a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-hummingbirds-have-arrived.html" target="_blank">entire post</a> to them, but I thought they needed to be highlighted here again. Here are some of my favorite pictures of my hummers...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA1ZpUjF6_c/VUw1HfZpbsI/AAAAAAAAHnM/qeVlDaLsu_I/s1600/DSC_0865%2Bv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dA1ZpUjF6_c/VUw1HfZpbsI/AAAAAAAAHnM/qeVlDaLsu_I/s640/DSC_0865%2Bv2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've had quite a few <b>black-chinned hummingbirds</b> as well as <b>Anna hummingbirds</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg8VQUupR18/VUw1EnKohdI/AAAAAAAAHnI/TKjHr5m6Pw8/s1600/DSC_1280%2Bv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg8VQUupR18/VUw1EnKohdI/AAAAAAAAHnI/TKjHr5m6Pw8/s640/DSC_1280%2Bv2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They love frequenting the feeders in the morning and evenings. <br />
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I've seen other gardeners with many hummers feasting at a feeder at one time, but my birds tend to be extremely territorial and like to scare each other off so that they get the feeder all to themselves (the male black-chins are the worst culprits).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmOggY_qmTU/VUw1JACxRPI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/TdaIePsqkmo/s1600/DSC_1419%2Bv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmOggY_qmTU/VUw1JACxRPI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/TdaIePsqkmo/s640/DSC_1419%2Bv2.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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I've also spotted either a male <b>ruby-throated hummingbird</b> or Anna's hummingbird, but he doesn't appear to be a bit fan of the paparazzi.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9tmYYOdKyA/VUw2M01nBRI/AAAAAAAAHno/XHOf_MKKOFw/s1600/DSC_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9tmYYOdKyA/VUw2M01nBRI/AAAAAAAAHno/XHOf_MKKOFw/s640/DSC_1656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Springtime has brought about a bunch of baby birds, and now that we are getting later into spring, the fledglings have been pushed from their nests and have started working on their adult life skills. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imGMxIwumro/VUw4RGtxW4I/AAAAAAAAHn0/oVzn6-mrS58/s1600/DSC_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imGMxIwumro/VUw4RGtxW4I/AAAAAAAAHn0/oVzn6-mrS58/s640/DSC_1661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This fledgling <b>mockingbird </b>has already learned to seek shelter in the oleanders out front to keep away from predators and paparazzi, but I still got a picture of him as he fled the safety of the oleander in search of his momma.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFqdxd6xuS4/VUw5Dv8cZWI/AAAAAAAAHn8/FYc9tTILA44/s1600/DSC_1665%2Bv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFqdxd6xuS4/VUw5Dv8cZWI/AAAAAAAAHn8/FYc9tTILA44/s640/DSC_1665%2Bv2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also saw the last of the <b>American robins </b>before they took off for some cooler summer weather up north.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY6ypv9Fhns/VUw5_B2DrRI/AAAAAAAAHoE/l39Jwm7BX6M/s1600/DSC_0881%2Bv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY6ypv9Fhns/VUw5_B2DrRI/AAAAAAAAHoE/l39Jwm7BX6M/s640/DSC_0881%2Bv2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Bees</b></div>
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The hummingbirds aren't the only ones that have been enjoying the hummingbird feeders. I'm not quite sure who I've been feeding more... the hummers or the bees. At this rate, I should start keeping bees. I'm already feeding them, I might as well reap the rewards in liquid gold (aka honey). Yeah... if only I had time for that.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cxMemt29vQ/VUw6kS81teI/AAAAAAAAHok/AHi7r0bIloI/s1600/DSC_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cxMemt29vQ/VUw6kS81teI/AAAAAAAAHok/AHi7r0bIloI/s640/DSC_1538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the bees aren't bee-ing lazy by feasting at the feeder, they can be readily found on the poppies. I'm certainly happy about that... it means I have a good chance of having some nice poppy seed pods for replanting later in the year.<br />
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<b>Bugs and Other Critters</b></div>
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I found these little green guys on the poppies and gaillardia. Not sure what they are though.<br />
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I also found the largest <b>snail </b>that I've ever had in the garden. Anyone know what kind it is? Friend or foe?<br />
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Then there are the <b>ladybugs</b> on the fennel...</div>
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And more lady bugs without spots. From what I can tell, both of these varieties are Asian ladybugs.<br />
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I've had a number of <b>Black-Eastern Swallowtail caterpillars</b>. They seem to be a constant fixture in my garden, as long as I have fennel, parsley, and/or dill growing (which I always do).</div>
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Then there are other caterpillars I'm not as familiar with. I found several that were munching down my sunflowers like nobody's business. If you have any idea what they may be, please let me know!<br />
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And to close out this month's Wildlife Wednesday, one of my resident <b>Texas spiny lizards</b>, basking in the afternoon sun.</div>
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Thanks to Tina over at <a href="http://mygardenersays.com/2015/05/06/wildlife-wednesday-may-2015/" target="_blank">My Gardener Says</a> for hosting this fun meme on the first Wednesday of every month!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-45105856587250542512015-04-30T20:00:00.000-05:002015-05-03T11:33:17.430-05:00End of Month View - April 2015The look of the garden has changed quite a bit since last month. In the last week or so, the garden went from a spring-garden look to an early summer look. Spring blooms have come and gone and there is a bit of a lull in my garden blooms until the summer plants start budding out.<br />
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<b>Veggie Beds</b><br />
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The spring planted veggies have really taken off. After this picture was taken, I even had to prune up the indeterminate tomatoes a bit since they were a bit overgrown and putting too much energy into their leaves versus producing fruit. The eggplant and peppers are also doing well - I harvest my first three peppers of the season and the eggplant have started to flower. Some of the fall/winter greens (chard, spinach, lettuce) that were left in the spring garden have gone to seed, so it is time to pull them up and plant some other summer veggies in their place.<br />
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<b>Shade Tree</b><br />
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The shade tree bed has started to fill out after mostly going dormant through the winter. The turk's caps and American beautyberries have really leafed out. I've added a few new plants as well - some holly ferns and some inland sea oats for some different textures to the shade bed. I even have some volunteer sunflowers from wayward birdseed. The sunflowers started growing before the trees filled out with their spring growth. It will be interesting to see if they will still blossom now that they are primarily in shade.<br />
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<b>Deck</b><br />
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The back deck garden doesn't look too drastically different from last month, other than the parsley, dill and cilantro that I had to remove which started to topple over, I think because some pests (grubs? snails?) were gnawing at the roots and base of the plant. I've replanted the plants from seeds in other areas of the garden. Thankfully, I have some fennel up in containers of the deck to keep the swallowtail caterpillars happy in the meantime.<br />
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<b>Center Beds</b><br />
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The bluebonnets have gone to seed, so the center beds don't have much color at the moment other than from some snap peas, larkspur and poppies. Most of the red oriental poppies have started to topple over, so I'll pull out a bunch of them to make rooms for some summertime annuals, but I'll leave enough that will hopefully reseed for next season.<br />
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<b>Pomegranate</b><br />
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The lighting on this one isn't great, but the garnet sash pomegranate tree has finally started to put on growth. I was worried that it might be dead, or maybe didn't get enough chill hours. The pomegranate was purchased from the Natural Gardener, so I figured they wouldn't be selling me any varieties that aren't well suited for our area. In this bed, the orange canna lilies have started to unfurl. I did a lot of dividing and transplanting of them last year, so I'm interested to see how much they flower this year. <br />
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<b>Neighbor Fenceline</b><br />
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There isn't much to see here. The rose bushes will send out a bud every once and awhile, but being their first year in this bed, I'm not expecting any big shows from them this year. The neighbor's bushes are a different story though. They are covered in fragrant white flowers that are attracting swarms of red admiral butterflies, so I'm glad I'm getting to enjoy some benefit from their yard.<br />
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<b>Bulb Bed</b><br />
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The spring bulbs of daffodils and irises have stopped blooming and I'm in a lull of bulb blooms until the gladiolas and daylilies put on their show later this summer. I should really try to find some other perennials to fill in a few of my holes that would have some nice color for late spring. Any suggestions?<br />
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<b>Front Fenceline</b><br />
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All the plants in this bed that were planted a year ago are really starting to fill out. The black-foot daisies are going strong and the coral honeysuckle is looking healthy after looking a bit questionable last year. My purple feathergrass plants died (due to freezing temps), so I've replaced it with a pampas grass plant. I was originally looking for a dwarf pampas grass but could only find the regular size. The normal sized one might end up being too big for the space I want it to fill. If so, I'll just move the plant to another area of the front yard later.<br />
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<b>Courtyard</b><br />
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The courtyard has gotten some much-needed TLC this spring. Besides planting our new <a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/new-courtyard-tree-chinese-pistache.html" target="_blank">Chinese Pistache</a> shade tree, we removed the Chinese wisteria from the tall trellis (which would grow like crazy but never flower), and replaced it with an evergreen and sweet smelling star jasmine. The fragrance can now greet our guests as they come through the threshold of our home. Also recently added to a corner was the Japanese Aralia, which was selected for its lush evergreen and shade-loving foliage.<br />
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<b>Front of House</b><br />
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In the front, the yellow oleander that flanks our gate entrance is in bloom. The salvias and guara are also in bloom. My bi-colored iris are blooming for the first time this year and the lantana are starting to sprawl and getting ready for their heat-loving blooms.<br />
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I tried planting a gopher plant and sedum in my very front bed, and while claiming to be deer-resistant, it seems the deer still thought these plants were a delectable treat, so I'll need to plant these in a fenced space in the yard in the future.<br />
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Thanks, as always, to Helen of <a href="https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/end-of-month-view-april-2015/" target="_blank">The Patient Gardener </a>for hosting this monthly meme where we can look at the transformation of our gardens every month.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442329414502848033.post-5711753348569435772015-04-20T21:15:00.003-05:002015-04-20T21:15:21.052-05:00In a Vase on Monday: Trash and Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's vase is brought to you by deep magenta roses and black-foot daisies.<br />
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The rose bush is of an unknown variety, <a href="http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2014/12/one-gardeners-trash.html" target="_blank">gifted to me</a> as a pass-along plant during the winter months last year from dear friend and garden blogger, Melissa of <a href="http://earthluff.com/" target="_blank">Dirt and Wine.</a><br />
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Melissa had too many crowded roses at her new house. I was more than happy to help her out and take a rose bush off her hands.</div>
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One gardener's trash is certainly another gardener's treasure. I had no idea what rose I was going to be getting. And while I still don't know the name, I know that she is an absolute beauty! I couldn't be happier with what a wonderful surprise the color, structure, and fragrance of the rose turned out to be.<br />
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To compliment the formal structure of the rose, I paired it with another profuse bloomer in the garden right now, and the more informal look of the black-foot daisy.<br />
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These flowers do so well in our hot and arid Texas, thriving on neglect and continuing to remain bright and cheerful through the most gruesome days.<br />
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Lovely in my flower basket.<br />
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Treasures, indeed.<br />
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This is definitely my favorite vase yet. <br />
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Thanks to Cathy at <a href="https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-little-spring-garden/" target="_blank">Rambling in the Garden </a>for hosting the In a Vase on Monday meme.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01215678221173950533noreply@blogger.com12