Highlights of My Week

Blooming in My Garden:

 I just Love how cute the pond looks especially when a Water Lily blooms.  

It's such a Delight!

 In June all the Lilies bloom in my garden usually starting with the ubiquitous, invasive orange daylilies that came with my house. I have so many that I've been planting them in the mowing strip at the curb because they are indestructible. 

Next to bloom is the Asiatic Lilies, like these gorgeous pink ones with the darling freckles.  

Then this showstopper bloomed!   

This fragrant Oriental Lily is named Stargazer. Isn't that a terrific name? 

I have to have them in my garden because their scent is quite breathtaking. 

All through June I get a kick out of strolling through the yard 

seeing what pretty flowers have bloomed in my garden.  

All my fancier daylilies will be blooming all over my yard soon 

in warm summer hues of yellows, peach, pinks and red. 

And I'll have more photos to share.

What I've Been Working On:

 It's time in NC to plant pumpkins so they will be ready to harvest in 

September and use to decorate or eat!  

I prefer to germinate seedlings using paper towel or paper napkins & zippy bags.  

It's super easy! 

I just dump the seeds on the paper towel, 

spray with water to drench it, 

fold the napkin over, 

stuff in the zippy bag and seal!

On the back of the seed packet it tells you how many days it could take to germinate 

and also how many days to maturation.  

I'll leave the bag in a warm place, like my kitchen counter where I can keep an eye on it 

and watch for them to sprout.  

As soon as one or more does sprout I'll pop them in some good potting soil and watch them grow.  

I like this method because the birds don't eat my seeds and then the bugs don't eat my seedlings. 

Have you tried it?

For the past few weeks we have been scrubbing and tidying up the house in anticipation of my daughter's Graduation Party, as well as family coming to visit and stay with us this summer.  

I like to have a house that is cozy, clean and inviting for my guests.  

While waiting to check out at Costco, I took a photo of my shopping cart filled with the cute cake I ordered for the party, flowers and party goodies.  Congratulations to Sarah!  I'm so proud of you!!

My constant companion ...

When I sit, blog or read out on the veranda she is right there sitting next to me.

Or when work out in the garden, Sookie is always near, ready to help or nap 

and if a box is involved -- all the better!

She's such a dear!  

What I've Been Watching:

We went to see 2 excellent Summer Blockbuster movies!

We Loved them both!  They were very well done, amazing visually with good, interesting story lines.

Can't wait to read:

I'm a BiG fan of SK !!!  I've been enthralled with his story telling since I was just a girl and have read every book he has written in the horror genre, not the Dark Tower stuff though.  I put in my request to read his newest book at my library and I am #46 in the queue!

What movies, books and flowers are you looking forward to this summer?

It's been Lovely chatting with you!
XO,
Michelle

Iris are in Bloom!

I have so many favorite flowers and Iris is definitely on that list.

I was fortunate enough to inherit a pretty 2 tone purple iris that was growing in the yard when we bought our old house 20 years ago.  So I have transplanted and divided it up so much it is all over my garden and neighborhood.

Here's a nice photo of a different shade of purple bearded iris that is a deeper richer color with more of a plum.

 

This variety was a gift from another gardener that wanted to rip out all her flowers and only grow veggies!

This sky blue Iris' petals are so pretty.  I Love the way it looks next to that hosta.  There is a lovely yellow Iris that grows in my garden but I can't seem to find a photo.


When  the bearded Irises are just about finished the Siberian Irises start blooming.

The Siberians are so prolific & happy nestled in and around the pond I need to divide them every few years to keep them blooming well. I probably should've turned the pond on before taking this photo!

I'm always on the lookout to collect different colors of Iris so if you have any to trade, email me!!!

Next up to bloom will be the Japanese Iris.  Mine are situated in a spot that has gotten crowded and is rather shady as of late.  I need to dig them up and divide them, too.
Check back later to see what is blooming next in my garden.
xo,
Gardengal ♥

Signs of Spring

Photos of My Garden Coming to Life

We had a few days of sunny warm weather and some spring bulbs have popped up practically overnight.

Soon daffodils will be in bloom, too with the pretty purple crocuses

That color looks fantastic amidst all the brown in the landscape

Blooming Crocus

Here's Emily dressed in another cute outfit,  Isn't she pretty?  I Love her fashion style.

It got up to 69 degrees today so I wore my flipflops and planted some pansies.  I Love Spring ♥  I can't wait for the daffodils to bloom.  What is your favorite spring flower?