Tuesday, May 18, 2010

More blooms

It is a partly cloudy Tuesday afternoon. It is 86 and with the humidity factor feels like it is 91. It is so humid outside today that I decided to stay indoors, except for when I hung out the laundry on the lines. I vacuumed and dusted, and got a big pot of Navy Beans, Jimmy Dean sausage, diced ham, onion, garlic, and sliced carrots cooking in the crockpot. Looking forward to that tonight.

Right now I feel like a nap, and will probably be doing so shortly. First, I want to postsome pictures taken from yesterday and today.

Since we now have our jacuzzi hooked back up, we thought of getting a little floating solar fountain, just to keep the water circulating a bit so that we don't have to run the pump, except when we are in the tub. Online they were anywhere from $35-$70, for the simple ones, of which there were only two, one like we got and then another that looked like a lily pad. We couldn't see spending the money just for looks, paying almost double, and this morning DH went to our local Harbor Freight to see if they had any. Home Depot and Walmart did not have them. DH came home with one that he only paid $19.95 plus tax for. Yippee! The thing is cute, and it only works when the sun is directly overhead. When a cloud goes between the solar panels and the sun, the pump stops working. We have lots of clouds today so it's working sporadically. It's a nice little water sound when the water is flowing.

The water is still too cool to relax in, so we may have to wait for another week or so, before the sun heats it nicely. We did sit on the edge with our legs in yesterday afternoon and that was refreshing. Below are a couple of pictures showing the little fountain. The pump is very quiet.








This next picture is of Jerusalem Thorn, Parkinsonia aculeata, with a stem of flower buds starting. I grew two of these from seed last spring. They are wispy looking trees, and I look forward to seeing the blooms, which I've only seen in pictures. Another name for this tree is Mexican palo verde. For more info click here.


This is Plumeria or Frangipani.
I have three of these and they all have blooms right now.
I love their scent. It is the classic Hawaiian leis tree.



Phyllis Bide.



Golden Sun



Plumbago and Rubber vine flowers.



Blue pea vine bloom.



These next few pictures are of the Alamo vine flower and the seed pod.
There are about 5 seeds to each pod.












That's it for this post.
I hope you all are having a nice day whatever you are doing.



Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

11 comments:

Antique ART Garden said...

A jacuzzi ! Very romantic for you both ! I want a screened porch to look out on my garden sans all these vicious mosquitoes here. Looks just beautiful, take care, Gina

Becca's Dirt said...

The jacuzzi is very inviting especially because the sun is shining when you shot the photo. I know that feels good to the ole bones and muscles. Beautiful bloomers you have today. Phyllis Bide is stunning and the Blue pea vine is beautiful too.

Catsngrams said...

Oh wow would I love one of those. Beautiful flowers I do not know how you know all the names.

Jim Groble said...

Always cool to see stuff I can't grow. The blue pea vine is wonderful. jim

Unknown said...

I love all the little vines you have in your garden. Sweet little flowers.

sweetbay said...

Wow, nice jacuzzi and such a wonderful view of the garden that you have from it.

You grow so many interesting and beautiful flowers. I love the ethereal look of the Mexican Palo Verde tree.

Floridagirl said...

Your jacuzzi looks very inviting! Hope you get to fully enjoy it soon. I love that plumeria. Wishing for blooms on mine right now. Your Alamo vine is beautiful and interesting. I don't think I've ever seen it before.

NanaK said...

What a beautiful space you have created there. All the lovely flowering vines, the seedling trees and roses make your spot very special. The mention of the solar pump from Harbor Freight gave me a good idea for how to handle circulation in a small water feature I would like to make. Thanks for sharing.

tina said...

Good buy at HF! I love that store. It just occurred to me ours got flooded and is closed:( The fountain looks really good as does the jacuzzi.

Lona said...

Oh, I love that Blue Pa vines blooms! You are sweltering and I had to turn the heat up this morning to get rid of the chill that was in the house.That is a wonderful idea for the jacuzzi.

Gayle said...

I love your hot tub! I've been talking about one for awhile now, but they are about $8000 and not in my budget. Would you believe we sit in them at -20 and -30F in the winter. It's a cold run to the house! Maybe someday....

Your flowers are beautiful. What a view from the hot tub. I wonder what humid feels like...our heat is a dry heat. I do love it to be so hot I sweat so maybe I would like it.

Your soup sounds delicious and has made me hungry! :) Enjoy your week.