Last Day Of May... Flowers!

Memorial Day 2012

    In memory of all the men and women who have given so much of themselves for our freedom. And remembering all that are still doing so.
    I'm also focusing on the hope that people everywhere on our planet will have freedom very soon in the future. And that it can be achieved with peaceful action.

Some Things Just Make Me Happy.

Some things just make me happy... and I love to share them! So here is a lily that bloomed in the side yard. I'd forgotten all about setting the bulbs down on the ground while I was cleaning back in November. So it decided to grow anyway!!! I have to admire its Spirit. " I shall grow and bloom and bring beauty into the world." And what beauty it is. 
Also noticed that I caught Mangle the stray cat in the background!  I needed this shot over on the Critters Galore post.... I just got through saying how I didn't get a photo of him. ha ha

Just a little different angle.

Then I noticed how nice and shady and pretty it is over here. This would be a nice sitting area! Shade in the South is a necessity. Now for a little table and two or three chairs... a pitcher of lemonade! Ain't life grand?!

The Purslane Potted Itself!

Well, it got hot and muggy and my cucumbers decided to give up the ghost! When I went to pull them out I wasn't TOO surprised to see purslane growing in the pots. Its how well they are doing that has me tickled! I've munched a few leaves as I putter around the little garden area. They are really quite good. I plan on making salads with them soon.

Look at these growing almost upright. Wow!  I've been gathering recipes for the last few weeks.... looks like now is the time to try them out.

In this little pot I found it growing next to spurge. Just like every article I find seems to mention. Wonder why they like each other's company so much? The spurge is on the left as you look at the photo. Its toxic.

You can see the white sap that spurge has when you break the stems.
Purslane does NOT have this!
I'll include some of those recipes with the next purslane post... Have a great day!

Rainbows With Orbs.

Just a quick note: Its been a soft rainy day, then towards dusk the sun came out and we had a gorgeous double rainbow!  Got a couple of orbs in the photos too. I know some folks out there really love these! I'm not sure what the blur is in front of the outer rainbow. If anyone has any ideas, let me know!

Almost missed this one... it was trying to hide in the pine tree.

Sometimes Simplicity Is Best.

      Things have been a bit "off" since the full moon, but I've been reminded that we have some sun spots to deal with. Oh yeah, everything is energy!!!
     Its been a good chance to slow down a little and look at things with fresh eyes. Realizing that simplicity is definitely the way to go. Some things in Life are just too nice to let them get complicated. This scrap quilt top is a good example. The floral pieces I had were all so pretty just by themselves! So I cut squares big enough to show off the designs and pieced them together with a soothing solid color. I just LOVE florals! I'd really like to back it with a rose pink brushed cotton or cotton flannel. Like soft flower petals.  
      Will have to wait till Autumn to get to that though. I need to clear out and simplify my home this Summer. Wish me luck!!!! Ha ha ha

The Corner Lot.... Stage One.

   Well, I've been talking about it for quite some time now......
and that hasn't accomplished a darn thing! So these will be the "before" photos of the corner lot. Its small, 50 ft x 140 ft. If I do this right, it'll look extremely different in ten years or so!!!  Ha ha   Maybe in five. Yeah, lets shoot for five. (The shed in the first photo is NOT on this lot. I said SMALL)

   This photo is from the northeast corner, I've all ready started digging up rocks and little palmettos. And those danged SANDSPURS! I have to get a handle on those awful things as soon as possible..... before any more of them actually produce the "spur" part. They are nasty, vicious little plants! And they make life very painful.
   So lets see how, with the help of the Nature spirits around here, I can transform this little piece of land over time.  I'm envisioning a small shady woodland!

Full Moon, May 5th, 2012



Well, the "supermoon" was certainly beautiful last night. Unfortunately theres too much growth around here to be able to enjoy it as its first rising. Thats when it looks incredibly large! And I wasn't able to get to somewhere with a clear view. Maybe next year! Anyway it was still an enchanting sight! And the birds chirped off and on all night long! Ha ha ha

I got up on a ladder to try and get a shot or two of the moon as low on the horizon as possible. What I did catch on camera were more orbs. This is the first shot I took. Think I took everyone by surprise! There were only a few on the next one, and even less on the third. Felt like I was chasing them away, so I quit and went inside for awhile.

International Respect for Chickens Day.

Did you know that May 4th is International Respect for Chickens Day? And May is International Respect for Chickens month? I didn't until a little while ago...... so I went out and gave my "girls" some fresh picked mulberries and extra vegetable and fruit scraps. Then decided to post some pictures of them in appreciation. You can tell they've had treats because their beaks are so dirty. Guess I should have wiped them clean before I took these photos. ha ha ha  Anyway, this is Helga. Shes approximately 10 pounds of seriousness! With a good dose of bad attitude thrown in. This is NOT a bird to mess with! She is a perfect example of "large and in charge".  (But she lets me hug her every morning and in the evening before they go up to roost)

And here are: Rosetta/Reuben in the lower left. "He" is the "rooster" that lays eggs sometimes. (Don't ask me! I've given up trying to figure it out)   Hester is in the background. Her health has always been a touch "off". But shes a good layer and the most loving of the family.  Hermoine is on the right. I think she is the prettiest, but I don't say it in front of the others. Shes definitely the most nervous and a little timid. But she loves it when I tuck her securely in my arm and walk around with her. Why walk when you can ride?

Aother shot of the trio above. As you can see in the upper left, I use plastic cat carriers minus the doors as mobile nest boxes. Really easy to clean up and disinfect too!

Happy May Day!

Yes, I know I'm a day late! But better late than never. (My computer was acting up yesterday.) I hope everyone took time to celebrate in some joyful way!!! The Wheel of the Year keeps on turning.... are we all paying attention and making the best of our wonderous lives? Remember to lift your eyes up and look around you. There is Beauty everywhere!