Wednesday, April 13, 2011

An April Wednesday Morning


Good morning everyone ~ Hope you all had a nice weekend and that the week is going smoothly. If things aren't going so hot, then may you have grace, peace, love, and healing surrounding you.

I'm working a 5 day work week this week, so not much will be going on here. After errands on Monday morning I did mow, then made some lemon poppy seed muffins later. This morning I did a quick soak of black eyed peas, and will get them going in the crockpot along with some browned Italian sausage, celery, onion, carrots, garlic and maybe some herbs and spices.

I love the new counter space, with freezer underneath. I can't believe how much nicer it is having that extra counter space.

DH is still tweaking the inventory spreadsheet as we're not sure exactly what all we want to do with it. Mainly it will be for the bulk items we buy, not the every week stuff.

Gardens are doing well in spite of drought conditions as I try to keep up with hand watering. The sky was black with rain filled clouds this morning but we got nothing as it kept to the south of us and moved east. :-(

I hope to be doing up a little series on the 86 plants that I have that I found listed in a great book "Landscape Plants for South Florida ~ edited by Dr. George K. Rogers. I was really surprised I have that many listed and shown in this book.

Here are some blooms taken the other day. Click on images for a larger view.

The next few pictures are of the unknown orchid that is blooming right now.



Lowly periwinkles or vinca. I have 3 or 4 colors of this growing. They are so easy. DH calls them weeds. :-)


Blue Sage blooms, one of my favorite blues in the garden.

Cocktail rose.

Next we have Golden Dewdrop. I just love how these blooms looked against the dead section of tree that we've turned into a sculpture in the secret garden.




***

"It's spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it,
you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is
you do want,
but it just fairly makes your heart ache,
you want it so!"
Mark Twain

***

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

25 comments:

Darla said...

Curious about your 86 plants you found listed in the book. That orchid is beautiful, needs no name! We would love a little more rain here too.

organicgardendreams said...

Hi Flowerlady, the unkown orchid is drop dead gorgeous. I have never seen one like that, but heh, I am not an orchid expert! Since I am always on the hunt for blue flowers I would like to ask what is the name of the variety of the blue sage. I just love it! Your pictures of the Golden Dewdrop against the dead tree stump are quite fascinating. The contrast between the gray of the dead wood and the blue of the flowers and the green leaves of the plant makes the plant looking even more alive and beautiful. These are really artsy photos. Thanks for sharing!
Christina

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Good morning Flower Lady, your lovely garden is humming with life and shouting with color.

Have you grown any Cuphea or Justica (shrimp plant)...all salvias too are beloved by hummers.

Hugs,

Sharon

Kimberly said...

FL...lovely photos! Your orchid is in gorgeous bloom. And I love the blue blooms next to the tree trunk...very interesting photo! Worth framing, I think!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Lovely blooms.
Sounds like your little world is in balance even if it is dry right now.
Have a great week!

Becca's Dirt said...

Such a beautiful orchid too. Love the dead tree and the flower is enhanced by the contrast. Everything is coming along. Too bad about the dry grounds - but I bet we will see a lot of dry conditions this year. Glad I just bought a new sprinkler.

Val said...

The last three photos make my heart beat faster. 'Love em! :)

Susan said...

Hello Flowerlady...I just love the greenish-white and purple orchid. Such a pleasing combination. It would be nice to get a little rain from Mother Nature but we didn't receive any here either. I'm interested in hearing about your 86 plants. That made me stop and wonder how many different plants I have in my garden. Wow, I'm almost afraid to count them. :-)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What beautiful flowers you have blooming! Lemon poppy seed muffins sound delicious, now I'm craving something lemony. Have a good week :)

gld said...

Vincas are one of my favorite annuals. They do extremely well here too. I have planted some new varieties this year. I won't plant them outside until early May.

I have never counted how many different plants I have. That is an interesting thing to do and should be very helpful to others in our same regions.

The orchid is unusual and spectacularly beautiful. I love the plant next to the silvered dead wood. You do have the 'eye'.

The black eyed peas cooked in the crock pot sounds good. I just need the Italian sausage. I think DH would like that with some cornbread on the side.

Happy to hear you are enjoying the new freezer/counter space.

Annie said...

Beautiful blooms. I'm looking after my orchids this year, hoping for some reward - yours are lovely

Jean Campbell said...

Gorgeous orchid! My Golden Dewdrops have foliage coming back where they die to the ground here. Can hardly wait for flowers.

I look forward to details on the 86 plants. Many Florida plants grow (survive) here.

aims said...

We are in for another snowfall. We have a Winter Storm Warning in effect at present.

We are mighty tired of the white stuff. Sometimes enough is just enough.

I could come and sit down in your secret garden and not get up for a very long time. The thoughts of all those colours and those smells almost makes my heart ache.

Sandra said...

Beautiful blooms :)

I'm glad you're enjoying your extra counter space, I wish I had some here in my kitchen, there's just never enough room for anything :)

Have a wonderful day,
Sandra

Southern Lady said...

What great pictures! You have so much blooming right now. Hope you are having a great week. Carla

Amrita said...

Hi Lady, such beautiful flowers

Donna said...

Yes, I love the deadwood sculpture.

Skeeter said...

The Periwinkle/Vinca is a weed I love in my garden. They are forever giving color and reseed each year...

NanaK said...

Oh my goodness! Beautiful orchid and all the other blooms as well. 86 plants! Can't wait to hear more.

shadesofidaho said...

So glad you are enjoying your new freezer. I need to defrost ours. UGH The upside of poor economy is it is close to empty right now. Good time to defrost.

Your flowers are always so lovely. I am not surprised you have so many to list by all the pretty pictures we get to see. That orchid and the blue sage. Swoon. Hoping weather will permit yardening today. I need a break from the city books.

Please do take care I will wish a nice little rain for you and your plant friends.

Chris

sweetbay said...

Your flowers look lovely! I really like the Golden Dewdrop flowers against the deadwood. The book by George K. Rogers sounds great. I have a few garden books that I notice I go back to over and over again no matter how long I've had them.

Here's hoping you get some rain soon! I remember how dry spring was here last year. It's always frustrating when the rain doesn't come.

Ami said...

That orchid is so beautiful. Love the green tone and the purple center. Yes, those vincas are so easy to grow, and they love the Florida blazing sun as well! They reseed themselves easily as well. Got to love them.

Have a great weekend!

Karen said...

I hope you get some nice, gentle, soaking rains soon. I know the frustration of having your hopes built up by seeing the clouds approach, only to find them drifting in the wrong direction.

I love the orchid and the flower next to the tree trunk is Art Gallery worthy! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Masha said...

You have so many blooms! I love the unknown orchid and the Golden Dewdrop agains the tree trunk. Your garden always looks lovely.

Cathy said...

How is fish- it doing