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.

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

Come on out, the weather is fine!

Hello sunshine!

This afternoon a few more of the roses I am fostering opened up some blooms. The red one in particular has a strong, sweet scent. I adore the heritage roses, so much personality in each one.

 

It's amazing to me what a little rain and sunshine can do. Just four days after we received a few inches of rain, I'm seeing so much new growth in the garden. Salvias and roses that were cut back are sprouting fresh leaves... and look what I spied out in our greenbelt behind our house:  the earth has been so hard and dry for so many months, and these little seeds have been patiently waiting for the ground to soften and push forth new life.

In years past, nature has done a beautiful job of giving us a colorful floral display of Texas wildflowers and natives in this greenbelt from early spring until late fall. Because of the dry conditions, not only did we have no wildflowers this year, but even the native plants looked dead. It was a sad, barren wasteland. 

What a nice surprise to see that there was so much life here all the time! 

Come on out and play kids, the weather is fine!

I'm a Foster-Mom!

On October 5th, Williamson County, Texas, enacted emergency water restrictions due to a mechanical failure of a pump that brings water from the Brazos River to Lake Georgetown, which is currently at historic low levels. Effective immediately, ALL outdoor irrigation of vegetation, including from a hand-held hose, is prohibited. 


On October 7th, a plea for help (via a home school chat site) went out from a rose hobbyist in Round Rock. His passion is roses, and he loves to cultivate old roses. Unfortunately, being a Round Rock resident, he could no longer water them! 

So, this afternoon, I became a Rose Foster Mom! 

Foster Roses arrive at their temporary home.

Foster Roses grouped on the back patio.

 In the photo above, you can see the many roses that I am fostering and will take care of until their "dad" can claim them again. From what I've read, the intake pump should be fixed in about two weeks, so I think I can keep them alive until then. There were many, many more that he did not want to part with, and so will use water collected from his bathroom and kitchen sinks and shower.

 At the far back of the photo are about 6 roses that he has given to me as a thank you.

Foster rose.

Welcoming the roses to the backyard this afternoon:  

this fantastic bright purple salvia. If you can call a bright pink "hot", then this must be "hot purple",

and this spicy red salvia.

OK, everyone play nicely together... we won't be together for long. 

Let's enjoy it while it lasts.