August Gush!

So I was thinkin' of a name this morning for the hodge-podge collection of photos I was tryin' to turn into a real, bona fide blogpost.  Being truly in love and completely enamored with the month of August, the name "August Rush" popped into my brain.  Of course, it did.  But then again, I already used that name in a post last year.  So I altered that old title a bit today, and I'm just gonna gush and gush about my wonderful August garden.

An Evening in the Garden

Don't have a lot of time to spare today, but wanted to share some photos I took yesterday evening.

Oh, happy day -- lily !

Guess what has opened just this morning at PITV?!!!

Something Old, Something New

Something Old....

Azaleas in Wonderland

A few days ago, Susan mentioned to me that she had found Banana Shrubs last year at Bok Sanctuary's nursery.  (Thanks, Susan!)  I made a mental note to look for it next time I was there, but as the days passed, I just couldn't get my mind off those Banana Shrubs that are creating a heavenly scent in my sister's garden right now.  How many years should one yearn for a particular plant? 

Concealed in a Cloak

Today, as I was reviewing January photos, I ran across this shot I had taken earlier in the month for a meme with the theme "Hidden."  I clearly forgot to write that post, as I tend to be easily distracted, and I don't even remember what the meme was for: Fertilizer Friday or GBBD, maybe?  Regardless, I can keep it hidden no longer.

Dotting my i(so)'s and Covering my ti's

The other day, I received a book in the mail that my husband had ordered along with my new dSLR, a Nikon d7000.  The book was specifically published to go along with this camera, but it turns out it is more of a photography-class-in-a-book than a how-to-use-this-camera-book.  As a result, I am now trying to challenge myself on a creative level and attempting to figure out all of this photo terminology.

To Feast Upon Fantastic

Stuff your eyes with wonder,

live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds.

See the world.

It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

~Ray Bradbury 

Out with the old...In with the new!

My garden is going out in style!  Check out my end-of-the-year photo shoot:

Burning Questions

I am taking you on a walkthrough of my garden this morning, but I'd like to send out a few probes to other bloggers/photographers while we're walkin'.  Any help in answering these burning questions would be appreciated.

Cloistered Away

My family and I ushered in October by cloistering ourselves away to an island paradise.  Cloister indeed!  I found myself completely mesmerized by the Mediterranean architecture found here, and enchanted by the formal gardens, which somehow blended effortlessly with the island's untouched native habitat.

Eureka! and a lot of cheese...

A shout-out and thanks to NanaK of My Garden Path, who turned me on to a local jewel of a park I didn't even know existed:  Eureka Springs!  NanaK highlighted this county-run park in a couple of posts not too long ago.  I map-googled the address and discovered it was a mere skip-and-a-holler from the big-city shopping I do from time to time.  I determined to hop over to it next time I was in Brandon.

The Root of the Matter

Healthy roots make healthy plants, right?  We usually can't see the roots on the plants we're growing, but isn't it fun when we can?  Certain plants do not require deep roots to make beautiful specimens. 

GBBD: May 2010

It is a happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for me here in the month of May.  There are so many more new blooms to share than last month.

What's Going on in the Garden?

Join me on a walkthrough in my garden today, where springy thoughts abound!

I love birds.  I love cardinals.  Aren't they just the quintessential songbird?  They delight us year-round with their delightful chirps, and the garden just wouldn't be the same without them.  But, tell me, what would you do if a cardinal pair decided to build a nest in your entry portico? 

mad with joy

People from a planet without flowers...

Forever Flowers!

My Sweet Valentine brought me my two favorite joys this year...chocolate and forever flowers!  (You know...the kind that won't wither away in a week or two.)