Dry, Brown and Crunchy

The title of this post describes so much of our yard...and a lot of my flowers. Water from the hose just does not do the same as good old water from the sky....remember that is called "Rain". We did get three drops around noon...certainly did not do any good.

No one wants to see ugly - so I will share some pictures of the flowers that are still pretty. On the pictures of the little frog - look closely to see it...he/she is the size of my thumb...so cute.

I am ready for some cooler weather...have not checked the temperature today - but perhaps we did not reach 100. If that is true will be the first day in about 3 to 4 weeks. Certainly will enjoy the fall weather this year.

Still not working on any quilty things - have been doing some scrapbook layouts - that is about the extinct of my creative projects.

Take care - if in the area - stop by!


Amelia Hugs from me to you!

Wild Life at the Watkins

No, just in case you immediately thought we were leading an immoral life.

The wild life around our place is referring to our birds, squirrel, and deer. Today's pictures don't show the turkeys or the deer. Most of the turkeys have left now...we will see an occasional one from time to time. It is turkey hunting season here...plus the hens are busy laying eggs and preparing to raise their young. The males are probably in hiding. As for the deer, they do not come close to the house...just able to spot them way over in the field on the other side of the pond. I have seen them a couple of times this week.

The latest addition to our wild life family are four baby Canada geese. They are about 10 days old now. Parents are Cleopatra and Mark Anthony ~ but we just call them Cleo and Mark ~ are doing fine in teaching these babies the ways to survive in this world.

These pictures will show some of the sights we see from our picture window looking to the east.

Garden Colors

Lovely colors... .


Amelia

Birds

From our picture window we see all kinds of birds - some we know the name - others just fall into the category of large or small.

We spend a small fortune - mainly in the winter - to feed them. Wild bird mixture for most of them, sunflower seeds for those that like them (mainly the squirrels) and the Nyjer seed for the finches.

Just like last year the turkeys love to come up and see what is being served in the Watkins cafeteria. The geese fly in also...we are having three that stays near most of the time...then we have some that fly in every day or so that numbers about 20. The pond is also hosting about 15 to 20 ducks several times a week.

Because the big birds would eat most of the food Leon built this big box like feeder. It sits about two feet off the ground and is resting on the water tank that is used during the summer with our pump as the back yard water feature. With this the little birds can eat and not worry about the turkeys and geese eating it all. Oh yes, we still put feed down closer to the pond for them.

Here is a variety of pictures showing our back yard buddies.  

Did not take any pictures of the finch birds at their feeders...also have a red headed woodpecker that comes around from time to time. Dove oft times feed below the finch feeders and they are pretty. Naturally, living out like we do the crows come for a visit to munch and crunch...but I run them off as they are eating where the little birds get their food.

We enjoy the wildlife view from our window on the world - thank you Lord for this!

Amelia



PS: We saw two deer way back behind the pond a couple of times this past week.

A Wonderful View

Leon and I were out in the golf cart - just enjoying ourselves - and the cool breeze.

Isn't this a beautiful picture of the pond behind the house?

If you were to come by...you could see for yourself...plus we could pick garden items, grill something, and just have a good old gab session.

Amelia

Fall Flowers

Fall, according to the calendar arrived a week ago..but my flowers are pretty well holding their own as far as continuing to bloom. Taking into consideration I planted most of them in the first part of May ...so that means May thru Sept for a total of 5 months. Part of them are of the bedding type variety that sells for 6 for less than $2.00 - which all in all I have definitely got my moneys worth of enjoyment in looking at them. I check out all my flowers usually once or twice a day...some times pull weeds as I go along...some times water them...some times give them some fertilizer - but most of the time just visit with them....yes, I am abit on the crazy side I suppose. Good old faithful periwinkles - just can't hardly beat these for flowers that have to take the sun all day long.
These impatiens are truly the number one shade flower....I have them in several pots in the front yard.
Another pot of impatiens - with a celosia plant in the back that came up from last years seeds.
The hydrangeas are starting to turn brown now. I hung several to dry several days ago that I will use in arrangements later on.

This maiden grass plant is about 4 years old...will be so pretty when these copper colored stems turn into the white plumes.
These are "ageratum" and have come up volunteer again this year. Originally I planted them as bedding plants two years ago...last year they came up, flowered, seeded and now this year I have another round of them...sure got my money's worth from them.
More impatiens in one of the wagons Leon made back several months ago.
Still more impatiens...I told you I like them. Normally water is running from this pump but Leon had turned it off to clean the filter. Being under a tree and the leaves are starting to fall the water gets contaminated pretty quick.
The geraniums are starting to look some what weathered...but they have bloomed so profusely this summer...and to think I got them off the 50% table at the local garden center..gave them a extra shot of love and they really performed all this time.

These look purple - but are called blue on the tag and seem more blue in real life. The name of them is "Browallia"...first time I have ever grown them. I see the morning glory that is behind them has sent a runner down thru them.
This is a poinsettia plant. In January of 2007 my granddaughter brought it to me as they were going to throw it away at her office...she told them her Grandmother had a green thumb and she would take it. She brought it out and the red part stayed pretty for quite some time...then put it in the garage...lots of the leaves fell off - but come spring I stuck it on the north side of the house where it is shady...it grew and grew - I enjoyed just looking at the green leaves. Then winter time came and it went in the well house along with all the other plants that I "winter" over. This spring I put outside again - for awhile on the north side (but the ornamental sweet potatoes started taking over) so I moved it to the east side. Well this plant just seems to like this area just as well. So when the time comes I will put it back in the well house and wait for next year.
These are elephant ears and ornamental sweet potato plants. The "tater" plants were from the actual potato I saved at the end of last years flower garden. This spring I just stuck them half way in the ground and waited and waited...then finally they got the hint they were supposed to grow pretty vines with lots of leaves...and did they ever. This picture just shows about 1/3 of the bed.
These begonias are looking kind of bad...the dead flowers just seem to hang around too long.
This is actually the second bloom for these chrysanthemums. I got a blooming period in the spring....cut the spent heads off...and now we have another round of pretty yellow beauties.

Oh, there are more flowers out there that has not been part of the tour...just save more for the next time.

P.S. Does it show that I like flowers?

Happenings in the Watkins Yard...

Leon has been building many flower pots and has built a few of these wagons. He has sold a few and given away many. If the cost of lumber continues to go up - he will have to sell more and give away less.

This little wagon was a creation this week. He made it deeper as the plants are supposed to grow tall. The ones in the middle is something new to me. They are called Amaranthus and according to the little plastic description tag there are not any flowers...just the red, yellow and green leaves. Also says they grow from 24 to 36 inches tall....sure hope these do. The other flowers planted in here are salmon colored Salvia. Now - don't you wish you had a wagon like this in your yard!
The roses are doing great...but with all the rain the black spots are already starting to appear on the leaves. This rose is a climber by the name of Don Juan.
Hosta plants are absolutely one of my very favorites...easy to grow...not too expensive...in several shades of green. These two here have a day lily keeping them company in the back yard.

If you are interested, I have added more pictures of my flowers in Flickr. I would have added more - but I have the "no charge" account and you can only put on so many pictures per month.

Enjoy the garden tour and if you come by Leon might (I said might) give you one of his flower pots!