Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Bullfrogs in the garden?

This morning as I sat on the steps of the deck and was feeling so grateful to God for the blessings in my life.... a frog croaked!!  A bullfrog croak!
We have a drainage pipe that runs under the front of the garden, and the frog lives in there.
My grandparents lived on a lake, and the bullfrogs would all sing VERY loud late into the night.
I found it soothing, and one of my favorite memories of the time spent up at the lake.
What a wonderful thing to spend time with God in my favorite place, my garden, and to hear a bullfrog croaking!
The simplest things can bring the most joy!

I follow Fifi O'neal (author of many decor books and magazines), and her home and gardens are just lovely. Fifi grows Angel Trumpets in her gardens, and they are amazing!
I finally found 3 plants when we were in Michigan recently.
This one is blooming already.
Hopefully it will grow and be as large and beautiful as the ones in Fifi's gardens.

My daughter, Melissa and I have been finding different kinds of plants for our gardens.
We will try to buy plants for each other when we find something that might work in our garden.
Melissa found these for us a week ago.

We had to put up two trellises for a couple of the roses that are climbing nicely. 

My collection of Coneflowers is growing again.
We planted a few different colors yesterday.
The bees and butterflies love them!

The roses are doing well.
I have found a few Japanese beetles this year, however.

What a delight to find the Hydrangea blooming!
I thought the frost killed it last Fall.

David Austin Bonica rose.

Love these tiny Bleeding Hearts.

Hollyhocks are one of my MOST favorite cottage garden flowers!
I was thrilled to have these to plant a couple of weeks ago.

A friend from church gave me some of her plants, and she wasn't sure what everything was because it was early in the season.
So, I am getting all of these pretty flowers coming up that are adding lovely color and texture.

It's amazing how fast everything has grown and filled in as we have only been here for a year.
It must be a combination of climate and soil.
The gardens in Michigan seemed to take longer to establish.
We had to amend the soil in both locations.
trial and error is the way it goes wherever we live.
Enjoy your time outside, whatever you do out there!
xxoo

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

A week in Michigan!

We are back from our trip to Michigan.
Kayla's graduation party was very nice, and we had a wonderful time visiting with all of the kids and grandkids!
While in Michigan I found some plants that I couldn't find here in Alabama.
This cute little succulent was just an added treasure for my deck.
The pot was found at a thrift store while shopping with my daughter and granddaughter up north.

Our dear neighbor watered the plants while we were away.  By the time we returned home, everything grew so much!


I cannot imagine being away for two weeks!
The bonsai tree looks like a shrub!

The sweet English Daisies came from Michigan. They look perfect next to the Bun that Melissa found for me in Tennessee where she lives.
I have wanted a Bunny for my gardens for a long time!
I was very, very happy when Melissa found this one for me!
The mushroom also came from Michigan.


We are still planting things that came down with us.
These two Peonies were put in yesterday.
The Hollyhock was another find.

A delicate David Austine rose I brought with me when we moved from the lakehouse.

This little darlin' was in the mail when we returned home.
It's a wool felted hummingbird nest made by one of my blogging friends from the beginning of my blogging days.
Faye is a gifted, talented wool rug hooker...lol.
She loves antiques, and gardening just like I do.
We have stayed connected through the years on FB, and emails.
Faye made this for me after I saw the one, she put together recently, and I just loved it!!
Isn't it just the sweetest little thing ever?
She even made the eggs!!
Blogging friends are the BEST!

I am happy to be back in Sweet Home Alabama!
Spending a week in Michigan with our kids and grandkids was wonderful! They warm my heart.
Jim played golf with Ethan and Anson and Kevin. He also spent a day with Todd and his family in Dorr.
I spent time at Kelly's house with the grandkids and we just hung out and laughed.
I had lunch with the funniest person I know...Zelly! She makes me laugh, and cry, and wet myself all at the same time!! Thank you for lunch, my friend, and for a great afternoon!
Melissa, Charlotte and I shopped until our vehicles would hold no more! We rented a house together with the Vallads and had a great week with all of them!
We got to see our daughter Erin and her family at the party. It was awesome to be able to be with them for the afternoon! The girls are beautiful!
Kayla is lovely, and her party was perfect! She has accomplished so much with gymnastics...but most of all...her sweet spirit is what makes her the person she is today. 
I thank God for all the safe travel, and for my family. 
xxoo