Thursday, August 25, 2011

Yard Lagniappe

I took advantage of some clouds giving us a break from the relentless heat yesterday afternoon, and walked around my yard with my camera. I was hoping to see some butterflies, but there were none to be found.

I did manage to find a few things I found interesting, though — such as these berries on our Japanese Yews.

Isn't it amazing how the light blue seed pods emerge from their purple "cocoons."

And speaking of "emerging seed pods," the Bay Magnolia in our courtyard is loaded with beautiful red pods that are literally bursting with seeds.

The Scaevola Bombay plants in my urns are doing well and lived up to their promise of being resistant to "extreme heat, humidity, and drought conditions."

This little rock has been nestled inside the larger rock for as long as we've had our pond and waterfall in the courtyard.

I'm not sure how it got there, but for some reason I find it endearing.

This little Japanese Maple leaf resting on a bird feeder caught my eye, too ...

Ornamental Grass

I bought this Asparagus Fern last Spring, and it has thrived in the summer heat.

I love the delicate little flowers and berries hidden amongst its tangled fronds ...


Our Chaste Tree is blooming for the last time this summer and the bees are loving it ...

I don't know much about bees, but I don't think these look like "regular" bumblebees. You can click on the pictures to get a closer look, if you'd like.

And that concludes my "walk/photo shoot around the yard," but that's not the end of the story.

While I was taking the pictures, I noticed all kinds of yard work that needed to be done, so I spent a couple of hours trimming and weeding and "fluffing" pine straw in the flower beds. There's nothing more satisfying to me than working in my yard. Even though it didn't take me long to get hot and sweaty and grubby, I loved it and was so pleased with the results of my hard work.

It always amazes me how much difference just an hour or two of yard work can make — not only in the way the yard looks, but also the way it makes me feel — and I never fail to wish I had taken "before" pictures to make me really appreciate what I accomplished.

6 comments:

RachelD said...

Lovely. A Lady's yard, with the soft corners and the gentle sway of the grasses and shrubs.

I especially love the little magnolia seed-pod---at first glance, it looks like one of those "bean" pictures. I can see the profile---the lips, nose, the sleepy eye.

We watched Wizard of Oz for the very first time yesterday, and I echo: There's no place like Home.

Carolyn said...

I loved the pictures of your yard.
I have always said yard work is my therapy and I have missed being outside this summer.

We finally had about an inch of rain yesterday so hopefully, soon it will be cool enough to be outside again.

Carolyn

C M Designs said...

Hi Janie, I admire you and the loveing care you give your yard. Everything is beautiful.. I love the way you say that you *fluff* your pine straw.. *Fluffing* is a good thing !
I find digging in the soil and enjoying my yard to be very satisfying, comforting and good exercise..
I have a little sign that says *Yard work forever, Housework whenever*.
I hope that Irene won't make a mess of my yard like Isabel did several years ago..
Have a lovely weekend. Charlotte

Sue said...

Your garden is beautiful Janie, and you have captured it's beauty so eloquently.
Thank you for sharing.
Sue

Jenni said...

Lovely as always, dear Janie. You helped me to see things from a different perspective today. And, those look like sort of grouchy and mean little bees to me... hee hee. I admire bees' hard work ethic and all they do for us, but from a distance...

hugs,
Jenni

Deb said...

beautiful photos...