"One of the greatest virtues of gardening is this perpetual renewal of youth and spring, of promise of flower and fruit that can always be read in the open book of the garden, by those with an eye to see, and a mind to understand."

Summer has definitely arrived here in Florida with the constant sunshine and the humidity. It's time for the daily watering of the flowers if you want them to survive until the wet season starts. Then we have afternoon thunderstorms everyday without cease and if we are lucky, no hurricanes. Last year we were very lucky and I'm hoping that the luck continues. I'm hoping that everyone has a glorious summer filled with sunshine, flowers and maybe a few picnics thrown in.
As always, Barbara

Some of my flowers

Here it is noon on a saturday and all the yard work is finished. I thought I'd show you some of the flowers that are around our front porch. The above is a climbing jasmine and oh it smells wonderful coming up the walk. It is really loaded with blooms and buds this year so we'll be able to enjoy this fragrance for quite awhile.
The above is a new color of petunia that Home Depot had in. I just couldn't resist because I knew how beautiful it would be hanging from the porch roof. This pot is huge and I'm hoping they last for quite awhile. I love the color and it brightens up the front of the house nicely.

The above is bouganvillea in a stunning shade of pink. These are becoming one of my favorite flowers to decorate with. I have 3 different colors....dark rose, pink/white and these pink ones.
I don't have the greenest thumb on the block and I've had some disasters in my flower beds like the time I had rose bushes all along our side fence. They were stunning until the 3 hurricanes of 2004 that hit us in 2 weeks. After that they were horrible looking. Someone told me it was because of the rain that comes with these type of storms have a lot of salt in them and the roses couldn't handle it. I only have one bush left which is up front beside the garage door and it hasn't come back fully yet and it's been 6 years. I keep hoping because it's a beautiful English rose that I sent for and just fell in love with. I think that's why I'm not in any hurry to dig it out. Hope springs eternal....or so they say.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
As always, Barbara

New Blackbird Finish

If you're looking for a quick stitch, this one is for you. It's been done on 32ct. linen using Vikki Clayton HDF silks. I liked how BBD finished theirs but as usual I wanted something different. I added the fabric to one end and the bow.

The pink beauty of azalea blooms are already opening up to the Florida sun down here.

From living up north, one of my favorite flowers are lilacs. Unfortunately, we can't grow them here in the south where it's too hot for them.

Who doesn't love the smell of lavender? This year I'm going to try growing it again so I can dry some for my pin pillows.

Nothing reminds me more of upcoming Easter than daffodils.

Ooooh Look What I Got

In case you haven't figured it out, my birthday was yesterday and my doorbell rang this morning and look what was on the other side!!! My sweet friend Rhonda sent me these beautiful flowers and I just love them. With winter hanging on as long as it has this year, these bring a breath of fresh air into our home. Thank you Rhonda for remembering my birthday and for being such a sweet friend.