Chihuly Date Night!

The honey and I thought seeing the Dallas Arboretum's Chihuly Nights would make for a great date and we were oh so right. While it was a bit cool and windy, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!
First stop was the Pumpkin Village!

 

And then of course the Chihuly Exhibits~

Well..almost. Isn't this a beautiful canna?

                             Ah! Chihuly       

 And what would the Arboretum be without a picnic?

 Yumtastic horse de vers and a little vino.

 Just amazing lite up!

 A few interesting foliage shots.

Some of our favorite shots.

We had a wonderful evening!

Cake Walk

Among my other passion besides working out in the gardens is my rental children! I've collected quite a few over the past 16 years and among the traditions that have come out having my kiddos is that I make their birthday cakes. Whatever they ask for, I do my best to make it happen. I thought I would post a few that have been requested. I can tell they have all been fun!

What's blooming in August?

What a rare treat to have rain in August! It has certainly perked up the garden at a time when she is not generally looking her best. Here's a quick look around!

Here are the babies catching some rays!

 Loving the pops of color from the coreopsis contrasting with the pink hibiscus and purple mexican petunias. Not loving the zinnias like I thought I would though. More tweeking for next year.

 You remember that pathway I was working on earlier this season? Here is the final product sans one more stone. I am amused that the birds has started their own sunflower grove here. And golly moses, a girl definitely knows we are nearing the end of summer. The lil boogers are going through 10lbs. of seed a week right now.

 The tropical sage have definitely proved themselves hardy. Going strong all summer and keeping the hummers super happy. The rain perked up the purple lantata too. I just have to get some more.

 A housewarming gift from a fellow gardener and friend. I can't wait til it starts leaping.

 And my new evil plant of the season. Who knew wild morning glory could be so insane. It's tried to eat the shed twice now this season. I don't think I will ever get rid of it.

 Love the portulaca and the contrast with the rock rose.

 Really LOVE my portulaca, I think more will be in the garden next year. It just stays so happy throughout the summer.

 My fairy rose has gone nuts. If this is creeping, boy I am in trouble next year. Well, not really. I figured out she is really too thorny to be in a place where people will be hanging out when visiting,so I am going to relocate her to a trellis on the fence nearby this fall.

 This is the volunteer potato vine from last year. It has a mind of it's own.

Celebration and Remembrance

June 15, 2006 my world  here on earth changed forever....my mama went to be with the Lord.
I still remember it so vividly, as if it were yesterday. It was unexpected, it was devastating...but it was a blessing for her....as the Lord knew the exact right moment to call her home, and as much as I miss her everyday, I am grateful that she no longer worries or is in pain and knows no fear or anxiety. She is free, she is at peace and she is now our guardian angel...
Every year, my brother and I take a trip down memory lane and go visit the sacred spot where we scattered her ashes.
 
A place in the country on a hill by a tree....that overlooks hills and valleys




 
 and is a magnificent spot to watch some of the most amazing sunsets you've ever seen.

 
We talk about how much we miss her and about what she would think of where we are now, and that we are thankful for the blessing that she was in our lives.
This year, we did something that I have wanted to do since the first anniversary, but never have. We brought wildflower seeds to scatter.
 
 I realize that it would be just about an act of God for them to germinate with no love to give them once they are on the ground, but I figure a little faith and some cow manure might just do the trick. Alas, I will keep scattering seeds each year to come with the hopes of someday creating an ongoing living memorial.
 
We take a few pictures of the house we used to know as a special place for our family and discuss how if we ever won the lottery, we would buy it back and restore it to it's old glory.
 
We cherish the time together as brother and sister...catching up, sharing memories and enjoying the sacred time that is just the two of us.
 
Before we can leave, it is tradition to always stop for lunch at one of our favorite local haunts...and we indulge in some of the best comfort food around.

We celebrate her life and her legacy and know that God is good.

Working Hard

Not much difference to you, the viewer, probably, but I have been working like crazy! Mostly digging grass out of the flower beds and laying newspapers down and mulch. I still have to work on the back of the beds, but ahhhh, the front of one of my bigger beds is finally done. The big pile of mulch I posted the last time, gone!

 
 
I also finally got the old trellis up that I have been wanting to recycle! I liked the design, and if you
 look, it has Mickey ears! At the base, Climbing Pinkie! It should look great in a few years....she is strategically placed on the fence between two vitex planted a bit further up!






 
Last year, we had an abundance of Cardinals, this year, the theme is Blue Jays. They love hanging out and don't even seem to mind the Sam too much ( he is our little tornado).
 
Once I finally got the grass dug out of this little space, I discovered that my potato vine from last year survived and had come back, so I am glad I found my little chartruse treasure.
 
I love this daylilly!!
 
And these cannas!

Henry dalhburg

and my tropical Hibiscus!

This weekend entails whittling down the compost pile and you guessed it, digging out more grass! This time it's on to the memorial garden.