Gratuitous Garden Shots

Bugs, rain and all...you really can't beat living here in paradise. I have enjoyed my little yard SO much. You really can't put a price on loving your surroundings, and I love it here every day! All of these pics are from our yard:


The flowers are all maturing nicely. Did I mention that this lily plant was a surprise gift? It just magically appeared from the earth one day. I didn't know what it was at first...just knew it looked purposeful. Soon it seemed to double in size each day. At one time it had over 2 dozen blooms, but I forgot to get a photo at its peak. (Trivia: The lilies smell AWESOME! These little flying beetles thought so, too...they used to gather to mate inside the cones every night. I could faintly hear some Marvin Gaye playing, even...I swear!)


I never get tired of walking past this scene.


I'm so glad I hired a professional who knows what he's doing! I could have never pulled this off on my own.


The LAST lily standing...boohoo! Andrew tells me I won't get any more until Spring. I cut them back, hoping that if I have enough faith and pixie dust, it will surprise me sooner with another round of blooms.


Doesn't Charlotte go nicely? She's such a Southern Belle!



Andrew had to replace the flowers with pretty foilage here (see picture above, behind Charlotte). Apparently, I overwatered and the flowers molded BAD. This area is covered from the rain, so I thought I needed to water it. I just thought of watering it too often, I guess. The water is retained for a long time with the humidity.


We are so proud and honored to display this flag.


The herb garden just took off! Had to replace the sunflowers with lemon grass, though. They just didn't take. Everything else has done pretty well. The parsley is still small, and I keep using it, so that doesn't help. Everything else I seem to have in abundance. Anyone know what I can do with 3 varieties of mint? (Besides mint mojitos?)

There's my favorite, wise-old rubber tree in the background. In the foreground is a lovely plant which is favored by the habu. (A fact I learned from my culture group sisters.) Fortunately, it's also favored by birds and butterflies...so I forget about the snakes.

gorgeous!


just smashing!



This one's for you, sweet Cliffie! (Actually, they're all for you...but I know this is your fave!)



From the back planter bed, which I need to weed, or there'd be more pics of it here!




This new patio awning is a life saver! I'm so excited to finally have it installed. This is my new living room.

(Cliffie...imagine yourself spread out on the love seat, your feet over the chair next to it, getting the best foot massage, ever...for as long as you want, while the birds are singing in the background. A gentle breeze cools you while you sip on an icy root beer. Hurry home!)



Andrew also did these hanging baskets...five of them! What do you think? I think they're exquisite!



He made them red, white and blue (and green, of course!).



Just kidding! We saw this one in Tokyo...I only WISH it was in my back yard...



And for good measure, a naughty doggie. She was being banished for ripping out the contents of my purse in search of a pack of gum (which she ate, wrappers and all). She doesn't seem to be suffering any, though...rough life!

So...when are you booking your ticket?