Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January Blooms and a project

Good morning Folks ~ Here we are enjoying the lovely weather that our state is known for at this time of year. After our 4 recent frigid blasts of winter weather, this is wonderful.

The other morning I finally was able to get out to do some much needed clean up and did some pruning of things also. Pruning is always something I have a hard time with, and then plants end up being really leggy. I want to not be so timid about this gardening chore, so that I will have more blooms to enjoy.

I came home from work yesterday and was greeted to a new look for our kitchen screened porch entry patio. It is cement, the steps are at least 60 years old the rest is newer. We had a 5 gallon bucket of a nice terra cotta color roof paint, and DH watered it down to paint tiles onto the cement floor. We had talked about this a few weeks back and he got in the mood to start the project yesterday. I'll post after pictures when we're all done. A second coat will go on the blocks, then a wash of the color over the whole thing so that the 'grout' lines won't be so stark, then a sealer.



Now here come some blooms from our gardens.

Click on pictures for a larger view.

The first three pictures are of an unknown orchid given to me several years ago. I love it.









This is our salmon colored bougainvillea.



This rose bud I'm not sure what it is. It's a cutting that I rooted, so I'll just have to wait to see.



This is a jasmine and I only wish I could put the scent in this post too.



La Marne rose.



A Plumbago bloom.



LaMarne



Philippine Violet



Unknown orchids.



La Marne



As I sit hear I can here birds sweetly singing, in between bits of quiet and the passing traffic out front. Temps are mild, a bit cool and it feels great.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

******

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful,

for beauty is God's handwriting -- a wayside sacrament.

Welcome it in every fair face,

in every fair sky,

in every flower,

and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

15 comments:

Southern Lady said...

I am so jealous of your beautiful blooms. Everything is dull and drab here. I do wish you had scratch and sniff so that I could smell the jasmine. Have a great day. Carla

Makarimi Abdullah said...

I love your orchid and the rose. Hope everything going well as plan. Happy gardening.

Morning's Minion said...

I like what your husband is doing with the cement steps--it is such a satisfaction to use what we have and beautify our own space so simply.
Your flower photos are always a delight to my eyes.

Darla said...

Love your brick steps, can't wait to see it all finished. What a beautiful orchid. I posted some seeds to give a way today, let me know if you are interested in any of them.

Susan said...

Hi Flowerlady...Your brick steps are looking great. Can't wait to see the completed project. Your blooms are lovely...can't believe you have bougainvillea blooms. They're all toasty up here. Enjoy this fabulous weather and keep your fingers crossed that it keeps up. Have a great day!

Floridagirl said...

We've had gorgeous weather this past week, though tomorrow starts a few days of "sweater weather" up in our neck of the woods, which is a little chilly for my taste. At least, there are no frosts in our immediate future. I could've sworn those steps were real tiles when I saw the photo. I was surprised to read that they were painted on! Very nice job. Love the beauty of all your flowers, especially those orchids.

NanaK said...

Those steps sure fooled my eye. I still can't tell that it is a creative paint job. I love it! Your orchid is beautiful as are your roses. You are so right about the weather being just what we gardeners love. Isn't it great to get some clean-up done outside? I hope you get more great weather to enjoy.

Ami said...

Both of your unknown orchids look so beautifully. Love the green tint on the flowers! good luck with your project!

Mama Mess said...

Your blooms are so beautiful as always! Those steps are amazing! They really look like tiles. Can't wait to see the final project!

gld said...

My MIL paid a fortune to have a brick look put on her side walk! Your husband's project is looking great. You will have to give us more details when it is finished.

The green and purple on the orchid is just stunning. It is such a simple bloom yet so beautiful.

Enjoy your wonderful weather.

Annie said...

Great idea on the steps! LOVE the orchids. My mum just gave me about 5 little ones left over from her church fete, so I hope I can get them into some flowers. Any special advice??

Sandra said...

I can never get over the flowers you have, I only wish I had a green thumb :) Love the steps, what a great idea.

sweetbay said...

The orchids are beautiful! I'm glad you are getting to enjoy some mild weather -- you deserve it after the heat of the summer.

The stairs look great.

Karen said...

Oh, I love the steps, what a creative, great idea! Your orchids are so gorgeous and exotic. Every time I visit I am transported to a balmy paradise with an equally warm-hearted friend to greet me, I am so blessed.

L. D. said...

Your orchids are wonderful. They are fascinating to an Iowa guy with cold weather.