JBigg: Life in Kentucky

November Blooms & Berries

2024-11-13T20:37:00.005-06:00

Growing Zone 7b - Murray, KY

Next week, our weather is supposed to turn colder so I wanted to capture the last of my blooms for the season.

I am amazed that my knockout roses are still blooming. We will soon cut them down for the winter.

White verbenas are still giving us a show in the garden wall bed. The frost will soon take these blooms.

Even Betty White Bacopa is producing a few blooms in mid-November.

Autumn Ferns have been in my shade garden for at least 7-8 years. I love how they move in the wind.

One of the Viburnum that I planted last spring is blooming again this fall.

Although I don't know the name of this bush, it produces red berries in the fall. The bush has no thorns.

Thanks for stopping by to see my November bloom. Happy winter gardening - Judy.

PS - I have lots of fall cleanup to do in my gardens and beds and a ton of tulip bulbs to be planted.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day @ Carol J. Michel

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Happiness is Homemade @ Ducks in A Row

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

All About Home @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home and Common Ground on Monday at 6 pm

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea Photos on Tuesday

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

At the Lake - Pelican Sightings

2024-10-22T23:33:00.008-05:00

In the fall of the year, American White Pelicans migrate south through Kentucky Lake and what a thrill it is for a birdwatcher like me.

Maybe it is because of their huge wingspan . . .

or their long yellow bills with expandable throat pouches . . .

or even their orange feet . . .

Who knows the attraction to the American White Pelicans!

On Saturday, October 18, they came into Cypress Bay and very close to our boat docks. We weren't out in the boats looking for them as in the past. We were able to watch them dive for fish right from our dock.

You know I was snapping my camera as quick as I could.

Whatever it is that is so thrilling about the White Pelican migration, we always are on the lookout for them in the fall!

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

AWWW Mondays @ Xmas Dolly

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

You're the Star @ God's Growing Garden on Monday

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

Water H20 Thursday @ Roentare Blog on Thursday

Weekend Reflections on Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On on Sunday

Sunday Best

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

At the Lake - Saving An Old Houseboat

2024-10-07T21:36:00.011-05:00

There was an old houseboat at the marina on Kentucky Lake where we keep our Searay 290 and our fishing boat that no one ever came to. After walking past this old houseboat many, many times, we decided to buy it and bring it back to life. Many of us on the dock referred to it as a "ghost boat" because we never saw anyone on the boat. The outside of the houseboat looked really bad. I'll share a few pics so you get the full effect. These pics are after hubs used the power washer on the boat to remove the spider webs.

Now you are getting the picture and just how bad the houseboat looked. The last pic really shows you the condition of the outside of the houseboat. Were we crazy for thinking we could help this old houseboat come to life? Maybe so, but we wanted to give it a try. One positive thing is the slip the boat is in, is a 50x18 foot slip and those are hard to come by at our marina. We figured out daughter could sell the houseboat one day (way down the road) and put in a bigger boat in the slip if she wanted to.)

The first task was to power wash the boat to get the millions of spider webs removed. This was huge to just get this done. Hubs worked on the houseboat several days to just clean up the outside. But some improvement was made!

The title on the houseboat showed it was a 46 foot Chris Craft 1972 Aquahome. It wasn't called a houseboat but an Aquahome. It looked much cleaner with the cobwebs gone. Now to work on the painting of the outside. First, he sanded and used Kilz. Then he taped and taped to get ready to paint.

The paint he used was by Benjamin Moore MoorGlo Softgloss. The paint went much further than we were expecting.

Now here are some pics of the Aquahome after most of the painting was complete.

The ceiling of the front deck was the last thing to be painted because hubs was unsure what to do. The ceiling was wood just like the inside of the boat and had previously been painted and was peeling terribly. He decided to sand it then give the paint a try.

It seemed to be the answer; you can compare the half not painted with the half painted in the pic above and it looked so much better.

The outside of the boat is done for now and I hope you can see the improvements to the outside of the houseboat.

Hubs hung a new flag on the 1972 Aquahome (houseboat) and we are calling it good for now. Joint me next time as we begin to remodel/update the inside of the Aquahome.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wordless Wednesday @ image-in-ing on Tuesday

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Sunday Best

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

September Blooms - Garden Blogger's Bloom Day

2024-09-14T16:58:00.012-05:00

Growing Zone 7b USA - Murray, KY

It's September and time to show our blooms over at Carol J. Michel's Blog. Come join me and take a look at my September blooms.

Growing on the Porch

Impatients

The Impatients on our back deck are still giving us lots of color and the butterflies enjoy the nectar.

Begonia

Earlier this summer, I repotted a Kimberly Queen Fern and added a couple of red begonias and some silver falls. All three of the plants have done great and the begonias are blooming.

Geranium

This geranium has been a pot for a couple of years and has a bloom plus several more buds getting ready to open.

Pots Along the Back Walk

Lantana

Another plant still blooming is Lantana. Happy that I used red and yellow lantana in my pots in the spring because those colors work perfect for fall.

This lantana was in my shop all winter and survived. We use grow lights and some heat to get the plants through the winter.

Another pollinator enjoying a drink on the lantana.

Cannas

A yellow bloom is on my canna plants in September. I have Cannas in pots that bloom in yellow and red.

Mandeville

The blooms are getting scarce on my Mandeville plant in September. I got a quick shot of a hummingbird moth on one of the blooms. They move very quickly once done drinking.

I need to get this plant moved to the shop for the winter. Once the nighttime temps start to drop a little, it is time to get them inside for the winter.

Growing in the Beds

Knockout Roses

Our knockouts are still blooming in the front sidewalk area. They should bloom through late October or early November. Frost will take care of the blooms then we will cut them way back.

Little Lime Hydrangea

A couple of new blooms are on my Little Lime Hydrangea that we moved to one of the Sunny Sidewalk beds in the backyard so it would get more sunlight.

That's it for my September blooms. Happy gardening - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day on the 15th of the month

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Cardboard and Mulch in the Hydrangea Garden

2024-08-05T22:17:00.002-05:00

Yes, it is hot here in Western Kentucky, but we are still making progress in the Hydrangea Garden. My husband is the tough guy who can take the heat. He had planted then moved some of hydrangeas (the limelight's needed more sun) in June and July.

After doing a little research, we decided to use cardboard around the hydrangeas instead of weed barrier fabric. Since I'm still not back to par from my two back surgeries in April, I'm pretty useless right now when much hard labor is needed

After we got most of the cardboard in place, my part of the work came into play. I soaked the cardboard with the water from our portable watering tank.

The bags of mulch were put in place by Hubs.

We wanted to use a dark brown mulch. Hubs spread most of the mulch and I helped a little.

Sadly, we ran out of cardboard before the job could be completed.

Our hydrangea garden project will continue as soon as we get some more cardboard to go around the outer perimeter of the garden.

While we were waiting for more cardboard, we staked the Annabelles in the garden. I am planning to stake the other hydrangeas because we get a lot of wind through the garden area.

Thanks for stopping by to see our progress in the Hydrangea Garden - Judy.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

July Blooms - Garden Blogger's Bloom Day

2024-07-15T08:12:00.023-05:00

Growing Zone 7b USA - Murray, KY

Once again, it's time to show off my blooms here on Wiswell Road.

My daylily beds have been full of blooms, just take a look at these gorgeous blooms.

More Daylilies

I have two beds with daylilies. The first one is around a tree in our front yard. I have tried to keep all orange blooms in this bed, but I see that one yellow bloom surprised me.

The daylilies planted in the second bed have lighter colored blooms.

Purple Coneflowers

Also in this bed, purple coneflowers are blooming.

Lots of gorgeous color with the coneflowers.

Nasturtiums

For the past several years, I have planted nasturtiums but only seem to get a few blooms with lots of stems. I'm open for suggestions to get more blooms.

Hydrangea Garden Progress

I couldn't resist buying two Annabelle hydrangeas at one of our local garden centers. The two sat on my back deck for a few days while we made some additional plans for the Hydrangea Garden.

Before the Annabelles could be planted, I had a Little Lime Hydrangea in the Hydrangea Garden that I felt wasn't getting enough sunlight and needed to be moved to a full sun location.

To get the Little Lime ready for the move, my husband used a shovel to carefully dig around the plant.

He moved the Little Lime to a new sunny location, and I gave it a nice drink. This area is on drip irrigation.

On to the Annabelle plantings . . .

The Annabelles were planted in the Hydrangea Garden.

I think we have the hydrangeas all in the correct planting spots now so mulch should be going in soon in the Hydrangea Garden.

Thanks for stopping by to see my July blooms and thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day on the 15th of the month

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

June Blooms

2024-06-14T20:11:00.004-05:00

Growing Zone 7b - Murray, KY

It's time to show off my June blooms here on Wiswell Road.

Isn't this hydrangea bloom stunning!

East End of the Front Porch Bed

I'll start this post off with the blooms that I am in the most awe of this month.

You have probably heard the term "sleep, creep, leap" that is used among gardeners. Well, that is what I have experienced with my two Bloomstruck Bigleaf Endless Summer Hydrangea.

The first year not much happened with them, then the second year I had a few blooms, and now this year, what a leap they have taken and are covered in beautiful blooms.

Let's move on to the back yard for some more blooms.

On The Garden Wall

We have a red brick wall along part of the driveway that I named The Garden Wall. It is a great place to sit a few heavy pots that won't blow over. These pots are on drip. You can also see our shop where we house several plants over the winter in the background.

Garden Wall Bed

On the other side of the Garden Wall is a 15-foot-long flower bed that runs along the left side of our garden wall steps. Perennials are planted in this bed.

End of the Sidewalk Pots

At the end of the backyard sidewalk, I have several pots filled with a banana tree, and Canna Lillies with red blooms.

Another pot next to the Banana Tree is a Tropical Hibiscus and is in bloom. I wasn't sure the Hibiscus would survive the winter in the shop, so I am happy to see it with blooms.

My husband recently moved some other pots to the end of the sidewalk that we wintered over in our shop. These pots are filled with Lantana in yellows, red, and oranges also on drip.

Blooms on the Back Deck

Lots of beautiful blooms can be seen in the pots on our back deck. Filtered light comes through the branches of the birch trees just off the deck.

The Hydrangea Garden

In 2023, I started planning a new garden and wanted it filled with hydrangeas. This garden started off slow with three hydrangeas planted the first year.

An Incrediball Hydrangea was planted and is now in bloom. The pic below has two views of the Incrediball. We added a little compost to it this year.

Out of the other two hydrangeas planted in this garden, only one survived and has not bloomed but I am still hopeful. If it is a big leaf hydrangea, it could still bloom this summer.

I'm not sure of the name of this hydrangea that did return. I have it in my garden journal but can't lay my hands on the journal. What are your thoughts on which hydrangea this one could be?

This spring we have added more hydrangea to this new garden. To date, four new hydrangeas have been planted:

Vanila Strawberry Hydrangea

This hydrangea usually begins blooming in midsummer with large flower panicles that begin white, then gradually transition pink then to strawberry red in the fall. It grows 6-7' and likes sun.

Little Lime Hydrangea

This compact dwarf shrub grows to 3-5 feet in height and width.

Flowers are forming on this panicle hydrangea and should be in full bloom in July and August. It has green and white bloom that turn pink in the fall. Hope to show you these blooms later in the summer.

Invincibelle Wee White

This smooth hydrangea grows to approximately 2.5'. It is the first dwarf "Annabell type" hydrangea in the world.

It produces giant white mophead blooms of white flowers. It generally blooms in midsummer.

Little Quick Fire Hydrangea

Little Quick Fire is a panicle hydrangea that can take more sun. It grows to a height of 3-5' and spreads 3-5' and is an earlier bloomer.

You can see in the pic below this garden is still in the early stages. We still need to add some mulch around the hydrangeas plus decide what we plan to use as a base in the garden. It could be mulch and a pea gravel mix on top of black garden landscaping paper.

Thanks for stopping by for my June Blooms - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day on the 15th of the month

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner & Follow The Yellow Brick Home

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

At the Lake - Boats, Friends, Water & Sky

2024-06-06T17:08:00.006-05:00

Boating season has begun on Kentucky Lake. The boats are out, friends are getting together, and the water and sky are gorgeous.

Boats on the Water

It's June and the boats are coming out of the slips and cruising on the lake. Some boaters like to cruise up and down the lake while other boaters head into the coves to spend time in the water or just hanging out.

Family and Friends

Over the weekend, we ventured out on the lake with family and friends. It was great to be in the sun (sunscreen applied) soak up some rays and enjoy our time together.

The Water and the Sky

Who doesn't love a gorgeous day on the lake when the water is great, and the sky is beautiful.

When the day comes to an end, we start planning our next day at the lake.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

You're the Star @ God's Growing Garden on Monday

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's A Small Town Life

Water H20 Thursday @ Roentare Blog on Thursday

Weekend Reflections on Friday

Skywatch Friday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On on Sunday

Sunday Best

Hydrangeas and A New Garden

2024-06-04T22:47:00.015-05:00

Hydrangeas are in bloom in our gardens, and I'm thrilled to share them with you today.

Hydrangeas in the Side Bed

Early blooming hydrangeas have opened in one of our beds and I am in love. I have two Bloomstruck Bigleaf Endless Summer hydrangeas in a bed at the end of our front porch that haven't performed the last two summers but this year they are going strong.

Have you heard the term, "sleep, creep, leap?" I think that's what these hydrangeas have been doing and I'm thrilled with their creep.

The Hydrangea Garden

In 2023, I began to think about developing a hydrangea garden in our back yard (we have three acres). This garden began with planting three hydrangeas during the late summer of 2023. Two of the three returned this year: an Incrediball and one other hydrangea that isn't blooming. This is the second year for the Incrediball so I am pleased with its growth and blooms. The pic below shows two different views of the Incrediball.

I'm not sure of the name of the other hydrangea that did return. I have it in my garden journal but can't lay my hands on the journal. Here it is with no blooms.

This year we have added four additional hydrangeas to this new garden:

Vanila Strawberry

This hydrangea usually begins blooming in midsummer with large flower panicles that begin white, then gradually transition pink then to strawberry red in the fall. It grows 6-7' and likes sun.

Little Lime

Flowers are forming on the Little Lime. It grows 3-5' tall and blooms on new wood.

Invincibelle Wee White

This smooth hydrangea grows to approximately 2.5'. It is the first dwarf Annabell type hydrangea in the world.

Little Quick Fire

Little Quick Fire is a panicle hydrangea that can take more sun. It grows to a height of 3-5' and spreads 3-5' and is an earlier bloomer.

This picture was taken in early evening, so the sun was setting. It mostly receives afternoon sun.

What would you add in this area as a ground cover? I am open to suggestions. We don't want to mow in this garden.

Check back to see our progress in this new hydrangea garden.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Image-in-ing Image-in-ing on Mondays

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

All About Home @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home on Monday at 6 pm

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

WW on A Tuesday @ Bethere2day

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal on Wednesday at 6 pm

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday @ Comedy Plus

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Homestead Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

May Blooms

2024-05-09T08:46:00.010-05:00

Growing Zone 7b - Murray, KY

Are you just loving the blooms in your yard and the gorgeous color around your town? Perhaps it is because it is time for May Blooms at Garden Blogger's Bloom Day @ Carol J. Michel. So come along with me to see the blooms in my yard then hop on over to Carol's sight and check out the blooms at the other gardeners' site.

Growing in Pots

Getting my pots ready and my drip system going was at the top of the list for early spring. I was scheduled for back surgery in April and knew I wouldn't be able to get anything done for quite some time after my surgery.

The pot is filled with purple verbena and red and yellow lantana.

Yellow Supertunias from Proven Winners.

Yellow Supertunias Saffron Finch is the new color for 2024. I read to pair them with bold purples and reds to get an impressive show of colors.

Are you familiar with this sweet white bloom? I tried the Betty White Bacopa last year with no luck but decided to give it another chance. Last year, it was in a lot of shade and this year it will be in full sun.

In a few other pots and pushed in some white nasturtium seeds after I soaked the seeds overnight. I was pleasantly surprised to see the leaves growing.

The above pot has the purple verbena, striped petunias and the nasturtium leaves growing.

Growing in the Ground

Last month I showed the picture below with some phlox in the front of the birdhouse.

Now, take a look and see what has changed.

Now look at the two pics side by side.

Now you see it, don't you! It is the tall phlox blooming behind the birdhouse. I planted the tall phlox one or two years ago and it has flourished.

We have Spiderwort blooming in our shade bed and primrose blooming in another bed.

Last in the lineup of May blooms are my knock-out roses.

I have three bushes of knocks out and they are always blooming by Mother's Day.

Blooms on the Shady Deck

We have planted some Impatients in the pots on our shady deck. We love to sit on this deck on watch and listen to the birds.

We enjoyed seeing the Northern Lights from the end of our driveway. I hope you all had a chance to see them.

Thanks for joining me today as we strolled through some of our flower beds then up to the deck to see the May Blooms - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day @ Carol J. Michel

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop @ Ridge Haven Homestead

Happiness is Homemade @ Ducks in A Row

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

All About Home @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home and Common Ground on Monday at 6 pm

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea Photos on Tuesday

Share Your Style @ French Ethereal

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Wordless Wednesday @ Ramblin' With AM

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Friday Faceoff

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

April Blooms

2024-04-14T12:41:00.008-05:00

Growing Zone 7b - Murray, Kentucky

Oh, Spring is here! My pinks, purples and whites are just looking gorgeous.

Pinks

Pink tulip blooms have opened in my front bed. This is my first year to try tulips at this house, so I am happy to have some blooms.

Other pinks are "Pink Profusion" salvia in my Sunny Sidewalk Bed in the backyard.

Pink Profusion Salvia is a new color of salvia and grows about 14-16 inches tall.

Azaleas in our front garden. Two had two huge azaleas and lost one of them this year. We have added two smaller ones to replace the large one.

Pink Dogwoods are blooming.

The blooms last from 2-4 weeks. The tree can grow 15-30 feet tall.

Purples

Purples are in bloom in the garden beds too.

Purple phlox are always a favorite in the spring beds.

Phlox are used in a couple of different locations to keep the eye moving.

Whites

I enjoy mixing the whites in with the pinks and purples.

I have struggled with my clematis but right now it is putting on a show.

White Verbenia has returned and is in full bloom.

Bonus

We had our first hummingbird sighting this week! It is such a thrill when the hummers return.

Thanks for stopping by to see my April blooms - Judy.

Linking to:

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day @ Carol J. Michel

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

All About Home @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home and Common Ground on Monday at 6 pm

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea Photos on Tuesday

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Floral Bliss on Friday

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

Farm House Friday @ County Road 407

Friday With Friends @ My Hubbard Home

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden

Touring the Gardens of Charleston, SC

2024-03-24T00:36:00.012-05:00

Our daughter and I just returned from a "girl's trip" to Charleston, SC.

Come tour the gardens with us!

The azaleas were in full bloom and were gorgeous!

Some gardens were small, and others were large, but all were beautiful.

We saw this plant in many of the gardens, its common name is "Tractor Seat" plant. Can you see the resemblance to a tractor seat?

Maidenhair Fern

Just walking along the streets, the houses and side gardens were striking.

The Pineapple Fountain is the focal point of the Charleston Waterfront Park.

The window boxes along the streets were filled with color!

I hope you have enjoyed this tour of the Charleston gardens. It is certainly worth the trip - Judy!

Linking to:

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On - Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

MET Monday @ BNOTP

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Talk About It Tuesday @ Slices of Life

Tuesdays with a Twist on Monday

Tuesday Turn About Link Party

Happy Heart and Home Tuesday

Karins Kottage Link Party

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm, Living Large in a Small House, South House Designs, & Vintage Home Designs on Friday

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

County Road 407 @ Farm House Friday

DIY - Six Drawer Chest Gets A Facelift

2024-03-23T19:36:00.006-05:00

A six-drawer chest that I had purchased a few years ago recently received a new facelift. Take a look at the finished chest, then I'll show you the process.

Here's how the chest looked when I purchased it and used it for a few years. I was happy when I found the chest that a local artist had refinished in a gray chalk paint and wax.

As my color choices began to change over a couple of years, I wanted a new look for the chest. I researched paint and decided on using a One-Hour Enamel Paint made by Wise Owl Paint that I had seen on Instagram.

The color of Wise Owl one-hour enamel paint I choose to use on the chest was Inkwell, a dark blue paint color.

After light sanding to remove the wax, two coats of Wise Owl Primer were used on drawers and chest. Then the painting began with the Wise Owl paint.

A roller and a paint brush were used on the chest and drawers.

Two coats of paint were used on the chest. Gold spray paint was sprayed on the knobs and handles.

For now, the chest has a tv on it in our hearth room, but it would be beautiful with a lamp or other pieces.

The fireplace and hearth have had another facelift too, but that's another post.

Thanks for stopping by to see the facelift of my six-drawer chest - Judy.

Linking to:

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Busy Monday @ A Pinch of Joy on Sundays at 5pm

Mosaic Monday @ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf on Sunday

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Wonderful Wednesday @ Penny's Passion on Monday

Celebrate Your Story @ Zucchini Sisters on Monday

Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Talk About It Tuesday @ Slices of Life

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace on Thursday

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penny's Passion on Thursday

Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge

Home Matters Link Party @ Modern on Monticello on Thursday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday Sparks Link Party @ Pieced Pastimes on Saturday

Early Blooms for 2024

2024-03-15T10:43:00.007-05:00

From Murray, Kentucky in the southern tip of Western Kentucky - growing zone 7b.

It's so exciting with the spring blooms begin to pop out. A couple of my beds are full of gorgeous blooms and colors.

We have been working in most of the beds cleaning out the winter debris and getting rid of some weeds already growing.

The Variegated Vinca is growing and blooming.

My Bradford Pear tree blooms have popped open this week. Sadly, we lost a big limb out of the tree. You can see the woodpile underneath the tree where hubs has been cutting the limb up.

I drive by this Bradford Pear every time I'm on the way to town. It is just beautiful!

My Jane magnolia tree has blooms on it. This is the third year for this compact tree, so it is still small, maybe 5 feet. They grow 10-15 feet tall with a maximum spread of 8-12 feet. I just love the color of the flowers.

Enjoy your emerging gardens and keep digging in the dirt! I hope to get my dahlia bulbs planted in pots in our shop this week or next.

We have two forsythia bushes that are in bloom.

Thanks for stopping by to see my spring blooms. - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day @ Carol J. Michel

At the Lake - Ice in the Water

2024-02-29T11:19:00.005-06:00

We don't go to the lake very often in winter but a few weeks ago, we made the short drive to Cypress Springs where we dock our boats.

The lake had lots of ice floating and it was very cold. It's always interesting to see the water at different times of the year. The water around the docks was frozen. We didn't step out on the ice to test the thickness.

Out boats are not in the water during the winter but hubs like to go and check on our dock. In a few more months, boating season will be gearing up here on Kentucky Lake. As always, we can't wait for warmer weather and a chance to be out on the lake.

We love the lake and are always looking for an opportunity to be on the water!

Linking to:

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday@ Esme Salon

Thankful Thursday @ It's A Small Town Life

Water H20 Thursday @ Roentare Blog on Thursday

Weekend Reflections on Friday

Sunday Best @ NixPixMix

At the Feeders and In The Trees #52

2024-02-28T19:39:00.003-06:00

It was nice to see a Brown Thrasher at my feeders. It was the first citing of him this year for me.

You just can't help noticing this guy's distinguishing markings: the yellow eye, long legs, long tail, long slightly curved bill and the dark streaks on his under parts.

Other visitors at the feeders included: Carolina Chickadee, White Breasted Nuthatch, Downey Woodpecker, House Finch, and Northern Cardinal.

Hope you have been enjoying watching the birds - Judy.

Linking to:

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's A Small Town Life

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Christmas Table With Santa and Friends

2023-12-17T14:31:00.021-06:00

My Christmas table is ready a little early because we are having a family dinner on Friday. Santa and the cardinals are stealing the show.

I love getting out pieces of my Christmas Fitz and Floyd collections to use on the table and throughout my house.

The Santa used in the table centerpiece is from the F&F Holiday Santa collection. Santa is surrounded by his animal friends and has a knapsack of toys thrown over his shoulder.

The table is set with a Lenox tablecloth then gold glass chargers were used with the gold rimmed plates and Lenox Winter Greetings salad plates.

The flatware is by Rogers and the cloth napkins and napkin rings are Lenox.

Merry Christmas! Thanks for stopping by to see my Christmas Table 2023 - Judy

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Our World Tuesday on Monday

Lou Lous Girls Fabulous Party on Monday's at 8pm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Tuesday Turn Around @ My Wee Abode

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Ducks 'n A Row on Tuesday pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Oh My Heartsie Girl on Tuesday

Creative Muster Party @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Photographing New Zealand @ My Corner of the World on Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday @ Karin's Kottage

The Homemaking Party @ Classical Homemaking on Wednesday pm

Thursday Favorite Things Party @ Eclectic Red Barn on Wednesday

Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Collage at 8:30 am

Classy Flamingo @ Poinsettia Drive

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Create, Bake & Grow Together @ Shabby Art Boutique on Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Wandering Camera @ Ink Torrents Graphics on the last Thursday of the month

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Friendship Friday @ Create With Joy on Thurs pm

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm

Farmhouse Friday @ County Road 407

Home Matters Link Party on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Pieced Pastimes – Saturday Sparks

Eclectic Red Barn – Happiness is Homemade

Love Your Creative Link Party @ Life and Linda

Mosaic Monday @ Soul and Mind and so on on Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy on Sunday

November Blooms

2023-11-15T09:33:00.014-06:00

From Murray, Kentucky in the southern tip of Western Kentucky - growing zone 7a.

It's definitely Fall here in Western Kentucky, and I love the changing colors. Seeing the green leaves turn to red is always a welcomed site.

Even with a light frost and some cold nights there are a few blooms in my yard in Western Kentucky for November.

Garden Blooms

Garden phlox are still showing beautiful pink blooms.

Most of the Black-Eyed Susans are gone but I found a single fading bloom in one of my flower beds.

Most of my flowerpots have been taken in for the winter months but a single pot with a small white Verbenia bloom still survives.

Indoor Blooms

Although my garden blooms are just about gone, my indoor blooms are gorgeous. My Thanksgiving Cactus are so colorful. Take a look at these stunning blooms.

Hopefully, these white blooms will open for Thanksgiving.

Here's a good reference to identify your cactus.

Thanks for stopping by for my November blooms - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day on the 15th of the month

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

At The Lake - Great White Egret

2023-10-12T10:13:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have been watching for the Great White Egrets on Kentucky Lake this fall. My pics aren't great, the water was so shallow, and it made it extremely hard to get close enough for that perfect shot.

The Great White Egret has long black legs and an orange beak.

They fly with their S-curved neck retracted. Unlike storks, ibis, spoonbills, and cranes who fly with their necks outstretched.

They grow to 38 inches tall are found on every continent except Antarticia.

This bird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

They hunt in shallow water and swallow small fish whole. They also like frogs, crayfish, dragonflies, and grasshoppers.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

You're the Star @ God's Growing Garden on Monday

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's A Small Town Life

Water H20 Thursday @ Roentare Blog on Thursday

Weekend Reflections on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On on Sunday

At The Lake - American White Pelican Migration

2023-09-28T10:04:00.010-05:00

Living near Kentucky Lake, we get to enjoy the water and the migration of the American White Pelicans.

We are boaters so we are at the lake every weekend and sometimes during the week (nice part about being retired).

The American White Pelicans arrive at Kentucky Lake in September, and we love to go "pelican hunting".

For me, Pelican Hunting means trying to get the best photographs I can of these huge birds. I have a zoom lens on my camera, but it is often not quite enough to get that perfect pic. Guess I need a bigger zoom!

Because they are usually in such shallow water, we often take out one of our fishing boats. The shallow water makes it difficult to get close to the pelicans.

Whether it is a single pelican or a pod of pelicans, it's always a thrill to find them. Love the reflection in the bottom pic of the pelicans.

A unique characteristic of the pelican is the "gular pouch" inside its beak. This pouch is used in catching fish and holding fish after they are scooped up.

Their wings are white and black, and they can have a wingspan of 9 feet.

The American white Pelicans have short strong legs with webbed toes which allows them to take off from the water. I plan to do a little more pelican hunting next weekend.

Thanks for stopping by to see the American White Pelicans - Judy.

Links

MET Monday @ BNOTP

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

You're the Star @ God's Growing Garden on Monday

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's A Small Town Life

Water H20 Thursday @ Roentare Blog on Thursday

Weekend Reflections on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and So On on Sunday

Before They Are Gone

2023-09-15T16:45:00.012-05:00

Hummingbirds

Today was a lucky day, the hummers are still visiting my flowers and feeders and I was fortunate enough to capture a few good pics.

The fushia color of some impatients on my back deck must have caught the eye of the hummers.

I'm happy my husband was standing at the sliding glass door that opens to the deck and spied the visitors.

I keep my camera sitting on the counter next to the slider so I can grab it quickly.

The hummer also enjoyed the nectar from an Angelonia flower.

Earlier in the day, I snapped a hummer sitting on a branch.

I don't know how much longer they will visit my feeders.

Hummers Visiting A Friend in Missouri

My friend, Linda T., in Cape Girardeau, MO (where we lived before moving to Kentucky) shared some fabulous pics of her visitors this week.

Take a look at this white hummer migrating through her area.

What a treat to have a stunning white hummer at your feeder! I'm thinking this may be an albino hummingbird since I don't see any other pigments.

Other hummers visiting Linda's feeders.

Yellow Swallowtail

A Yellow Swallowtail visiting the blooms of Lantana.

Thanks for stopping by today. Happy birding - Judy.

Linking to:

MET Monday @ BNOTP

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

You're the Star @ God's Growing Garden on Monday

Image-in-ing on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and so on on Sunday

September Blooms

2023-09-07T18:18:00.017-05:00

From Murray, Kentucky in the southern tip of Western Kentucky - growing zone 7a.

It's time for September Bloom Day so I'll show you my blooms:

Lantana can take the summer heat. I love these red and yellow colors in this lantana.

The Yellow Swallowtail is gorgeous on the lantana.

In addition to the lantana, you can see a few leaves from a Nasturtium (no blooms) then some white Verbenia blooms at the top of the pic.

Some of my Petunias are still in bloom thanks to my feeding.

I paused the feeding while the temps were 100 degrees' but now that the temps are cooling down, I have started feeding again.

Verbenia that reseeded from last year is spilling over the back walkway.

This gorgeous Dahlia was blooming in my garden this week. I held it in front of a giant elephant ear to get this pic. This is my second year to grow Dahlias and I thought I just wanted pink ones. I have certainly changed my mind after looking at this stunning color.

This is a new variety of Coreopsis (Tickseed) for me. I have had coreopsis for years but after the December flash freeze, my old coreopsis didn't survive.

Two hummers are still visiting the feeders. I know they will be leaving soon.

Vincia is still producing blooms.

Liriope purple blooms

A red Canna bloom in one of my flower pots.

My banana tree and elephant ears don't have blooms but are huge.

Thanks for stopping by to see my September blooms - Judy.

Linking to:

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day on the 15th of the month

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Garden Affair @ Jaipur Garden on S

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Bird DePot @ I'd Rather Be Birding

Mosaic Monday @ Letting Go of the Bay Leaf on Sunday

Mosaic Monday @ South and Mind and so on on Sunday

Sunday Sunshine Blog @ Ridge Haven Homestead on Sunday

Love Your Creativity Link Party @ Life and Linda on Sunday at 2pm

Sundays on Silverado @ The House on Silverado

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy on Sunday

MET Monday @ BNOTP

Monday Morning Blog Walk

Nature Notes on Monday

OMHG Wonderful Wednesday on Monday

Through My Lens on Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesdays With A Twist @ God's Growing Garden, Stone Cottage Adventures

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea Photos on Tuesday

Tuesday Turn About @ My Wee Abode at 6 pm

Creative Muster @ Fluster Buster on Tuesday at 6 pm

Wonderful Wednesday @ Ducks in a Row on Tuesday evening

Karins Kottage Linky Party @ Karins Kottage on Wednesday am

My Corner of the World @ Photographing New Zealand on Wednesday

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Thinking Out Loud Thursday @ Penney's Passion on Wednesday

Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home on Thursday

FLORAL FRIDAY FOTOS on Thursday

Funtastic Link Party @ Two Chicks and A Mom on Thursday 9pm

Fabulous Link Party @ Peacock Ridge Farm, Living Large in a Small House, South House Designs, & Vintage Home Designs on Friday

Friendship Friday Blog Hop @ Create With Joy

Friday Features Link Party @ Penny's Passion

County Road 407 @ Farm House Friday

August Bloom Day

2023-08-14T10:23:00.005-05:00

It's time to show your August blooms!

My Limelight Hydrangeas are just gorgeous and are showing some pink in their blooms.

Our Limelight Hydrangea is about six feet tall and is in a flowerbed close to the road at the front of our property.

Our Crepe Myrtles are blooming in the yard too.

We have had tons of rain lately, so their limbs have been drooping. They should perk back up in a day or two.

Crepe Myrtles do very well in our area, so we have them in your front yard and back yard. We like them so much that we have 12 of them. We planted a few a year over the past 6-7 years.

Other blooms in the flower beds below are Cleome, Dahlia, Black-Eyed Susan, and Vinca.