Bluebonnet Portrait Time!

It didn't start out as a portrait session.

 It was meant to be me, with my camera, in the field behind our house, taking photos of the wildflowers.
What I ended up with were portraits of my "kids" in the blue bonnets.

Isn't that what every good Texan does... takes pictures of their children in the wildflowers?

Who says Border Collies can't sit still?

 

I think they quite enjoyed this! 

 ... and they're off!

Here's what I went for:

Party lights are hung... where's the party?

My son and I purchased some party lights and  solar japanese lanterns from my all-time funnest and favorite-ist store ever (bulls eye logo) yesterday. Got them hung and they are shimmering beautifully tonight. Couldn't resist sharing. But where's the party? Y'all are welcome anytime!

My Louisiana iris is blooming... so pretty! Can you see the adorable solar dragonfly planted in the iris' pot? It cycles through different colors. In the pic below it is red.

Happy Friday

This happy praying mantis was in my garden last year. I caught it nibbling on a butterfly's head. I love the way it's looking at me, like I'm the one doing something weird.

Always makes me giggle when I see this photo; thought y'all might enjoy it too!

Happy Friday!

Lilies are blooming!

I am so excited today... two buds from the Colorado water lily have opened up and have brightened my stock tank pond. LOVE THEM! Aren't they gorgeous?

The rest of my garden is really starting to flower now, too! Spring is such a wonderful time of the year for gardening. I've added quite a few new plants to this side of the yard. Going to the nursery in March and April I act like a kid in a candy store. So much to look at, not nearly enough space.

My lawn guys ripped out the last of the lawn on this side of the yard, so I was able to plant it up yesterday. I've added some shrubs (Photinia) and a few more roses, more salvias (LOVE those, such wonderful variety and heat loving!) and still need to plant a crepe myrtle. I never have a grand plan of what I want to plant where... I just buy why looks pretty and stick it in the ground. It's kinda a riot of color in late spring, not exactly soothing to the senses. But I love the variety and somehow, nature figures out how to make it all work visually.

My white iceberg roses planted two years ago are looking so healthy and loaded with buds. I moved them this winter and I'm SO happy that they not only weathered the move but are thriving in their new location along the fence line. I'll be posting more photos in a few days when they are blooming!

If you need me... you know where to find me! I'll be sitting in the purple chair enjoying a cold glass of lemonade!

Alone in the garden

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm all alone.


Hubby and son went off to the movies and I'm here alone with time on my hands. Took a wander through the garden and took some photos. Enjoy!

Colorado Water Lily in the stock tank pond

Hellebore - This plant is in my front yard, purchased from Home Depot about 5 years ago. I can't believe it's still going strong and survived the dry, hot summer last year. A must-have!

Pink Knock-Out rose

Double Knock-Out rose

Stock Tank Water Garden is in!

In between drizzle, rain, and fog, I've managed to purchased my stock tank and get it installed in the garden. I am SO excited.

Living in the hill country west of Austin means zero soil in the garden. OK, I might be exaggerating. I have 2". Then it's pure, solid limestone. How wonderful it would be to have a pond in the back yard, and to enjoy another element of gardening: water gardening! But here? In my backyard? Not gonna happen. 

I came across the idea of using a raised stock tank as a pond, or water garden (thanks again Pam Penick), and I knew I had to have one. No digging! What a perfect solution for practical reasons... but how cool, different, and very Austin!

A few weeks ago, my son and I drove out to the McCoy's lumber store in Bee Cave and picked up a 6 foot diameter stock tank. My pick-up bed is, fortunately, 8' long... but only 4' wide. That was one scary drive home, what with 2' hanging out over the side of the truck. I had a movie playing in my head of it rolling out of the truck, down the highway, with cars swerving left and right trying to avoid it's oncoming path. Lest you think I didn't strap it down, I did. I don't think it could move an inch. Couldn't stop me from imagining pure and total mayhem behind me as I cruised down the highway.

Well, we made it home with no drama, thank goodness! Rolled it out of the truck, through the back gate and across the yard to it's reserved spot in the garden. Oh, and a tip for anyone thinking of rolling a tank across a back lawn... make sure you clean up any doggie doos first. Finding surprises on the side of the tank as it's 130 pound bulk is rolling towards you isn't pleasant!

Here are some pictures of the tank in position and getting filled with 394 gallons of water:

After visiting the nice people at Hill Country Water Gardens and purchasing some great water lilies and bog plants, I think it's all starting to take shape!

I'll post more on the great pond plants I got there! But for now: 

I am so excited for the weather to warm up so I can add some little mosquito fish to the pond... and of course for those lilies to start blooming. One of the plants already has two buds on it! oooohhh. Can't wait!!