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

Flowers make me feel happy

What more can I say? They are colorful treasures every one. They can be simple, extravagant, romantic, scented, vibrant. They bring joy to my heart, delight to my soul. They make me feel thankful to our great Creator for all His many blessings.

Sometimes, I think what else can there be to take a picture of, then go out for a walk, and soon come back in for the camera. Some days are better than others. I hope you enjoy this selection from Plum Cottage gardens.

Right click on pictures for a larger view.

The next two pictures are of Ylang-Ylang, pronounced eelang-eelang. A customer who has a lovely garden, brought these two blooms in for me at work yesterday, as his tree had just started blooming. He knew I'd never seen them or smelled them before, so this was a real treat! The scent is amazing.
As the blooms age, they turn yellow.

For more info read this link, Ylang-Ylang
The Chanel No.5 Perfume Tree






I accidentally cut this passion flower vine while trimming this morning,
so decided to take another picture.





While I was out in my main garden, I walked over to the little seating area under the lattice arbor at the back of the garden. I looked up and was sweetly surprised to see these Phyllis Bide blooms.





Hibiscus.


Vinca and marigolds





This is the entry to our little cottage, the kitchen's screened porch.
I'm standing in the driveway looking southwest.
Queen crepe is the purple flowering tree on the left,
a regular pink flowering crepe is on the right.



******

As I work among my flowers,

I find myself talking to them,

reasoning and remonstrating with them,

and adoring them as if they were human beings.

Much laughter I provoke among my friends by so doing,

but that is of no consequence.

We are on such good terms, my flowers and I.

Celia Thaxter, 1835-1894

******

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

Summer blooms, etc.

Good morning. Can hardly believe that it is Friday already. Below are some pictures taken this week.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I'm working at my job today and tomorrow, so no gardening those two days. I'm just going to say that the first one is of the Blackberry Lily or Leopard Lily bloom. The rest I'll fill in later, as I've got to get a move on. Click on pictures for larger views.

**************

When words escape,
flowers speak.
Bruce W. Currie

**************



Duchesse de Brabant





Dwarf Orchid tree bloom.



Old Blush bud.



Pink Pet or Caldwell's Pink



Trumpet vine blooms.



Vanda Pencil orchids



Vincas







My shed's garden with crepe myrtle in full bloom.



Queen Crepe blooms in the foreground.



Latest lavender filled sachets.

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL