A Taste Of Summer!

We have had several hard freezes which is very early for our area. I just took a little walk to the garden that I am constantly staring at trying to decide exactly how I want to make it into a Butterfly Garden. While I was staring and dreaming I stumbled upon these happenings. Yes, I know it's Dec. 4! Gerbera Daisy's must like a 'cool' change.

These Purple Coneflowers are not in the area for the Purple Coneflowers. I'm not complaining at all, just know these will reseed here, then I'll have to move them. (the joys of gardening)

On to the more interesting finds today. Pineapple Sage has not missed a beat, even in hard freeze conditions........Look a Sulphur, I saw four!Look a Zebra Longwing, I saw two, this was the smallest.

Gulf Fritillary, saw two of these as well, on the pink Verbena, the cold hasn't hurt it either.

I also saw a new Butterfly, well new to me, it was black with bright orange and a white spot on the wings. Oh yeah, headed back out there to see if I can find it. Thought this post might brighten the areas of the globe where it's snowing. (Doesn't look much like Christmastime here today)

Check This Out...

This evening my husband and I were on the back top deck looking at the trees and the sky. We saw a flock of birds in this one tree, about 8 of them, didn't have my camera, it was on the kitchen counter, by the time I got back outside they were gone. I gave him the camera and told him, "if they come back you take a picture." One came back . Didn't he do a wonderful job? Is this an Oriole? He thinks it is and he is pretty smart with the bird ID's. Click to enlarge to see the colors. Then I just had to share this with you. I know it's not Skywatch Friday, just beautiful to me.

What Season Is It?

I was on the porch drinking my coffee when I looked across the street at my neighbor's yard, I thought to myself, now how many seasons are rolled into one over there. The greenery of summer in the Pines and Palms, the reds and oranges of fall in the Bradford Pears and the white frost of winter on the roof and grass. That's North Florida for you!

Watery Wednesday

Lake Talquin on Thanksgiving. It was beautiful that day....

and then Friday after Thanksgiving.........our down spout over flowed....this is when it rained for three days.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Some of our Christmas decorations, the pictures are many - my words more than usual.

Silly girls!! Today I brought decorations up from the basement, this is what I have accomplished so far. The tree will be trimmed on Saturday, it will sit to the left of the fireplace. If you enlarge, the round things, forget what they are called my mom made and painted those as well, they have sayings on them from "Twas The Night Before Christmas". (I have had those many, many years)

The Santa's are some that were bought and some my mom and sister in law made.

The Santa holding the Christmas Tree my sister in law made. The glass block on the second shelf has lights in it, one of my husband's workers made it. Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the bottom shelf my parents made that too.

My Bunny Rabbits.

Rocking Horse...we have the little ones just like this that hang on the tree.

My Snowmen (with a sunshine mirror above it, hope they don't melt) Enlarge and look at the UGLY snowman to the left of Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (that my parents also made) you will see the snowman that my daycare made out of soda cans.

My Santa rug in front of the fireplace.

My Dad cut this out and my Mom painted it. It says A Lot!!

My parents made this bear and my Mom painted the drums. My oldest daughter bought me the red bell when she was in elementary school. The bucket of pinecones, leaves and acorns we have picked up over the years.

The stockings do not go on the fireplace until Christmas Eve.

I love this wall hanging.

Our Christmas wish from Florida!!

Will post larger shots as it all comes together, I was just proud I got this much done today!

Bloomin' Tuesday...

Today's Bloomin' Tuesday --inside flowers.
Poinsettias-Red - these were purchased from our daughters band class.
White - which looks yellow.

Pink

Does anyone know how to keep these babies alive?

African Violets

Camellia - cut from ONE of my Mother in law's many bushes!

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Today's Flowers

Well it's been raining for three days now, finally stopped this afternoon. The flowers I have to show today have taken a pretty good beating first one of my Impatiens with Asparagus Fern to the left. A tiny Wax Begonia trying to hang on.

Sweet Alyssum

Shrimp Plant

Fan Flower

Dianthus

Dianthus climbing up the side of the Oak Tree.

Impatiens

Purple Coneflower

Star Jasmine

Pansy

Nandina Berries

Pink Flame Jacobina

and one of my Pineapple Sage Plants.

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