Delayed Post

As I spent the last few months settling in I neglected to write posts to share some things I meant to.

I usually return north too late to see the spring flowers in bloom. I was delighted to see how they are expanded and I had so many this year. This is one bouquet of my tulips.

Even the daffodils waited for me.

There were even enough tulips for a second bouquet. 
I really enjoyed having them around to enjoy.

Birthday Flowers

Greg and Julie always send flowers for my birthday.
This year they did one better! The hand delivered them and were here with me.
Gorgeous fall bouquet.

What Size Hydrangeas?

My son Jeff has a green thumb! He brought me these giant hydrangeas recently.



He saw the ones I had picked from my yard and his put mine to shame. In my defense I have to say mine are a miniature variety and this is a lot bigger than they originally were!

Years ago I too had a green thumb but life got in the way and now I share it with him and my grandson Nicholas who plants a really big garden.

My Garden

It’s hard to visualize the size of this hydrangea blossom but I am guessing it is about10 inches in diameter which makes it the largest so far this year.

I love how the colors, shading and detail shows up on this close up of one of the other blossoms. In another week the entire plant will be covered with flowers.

What Are These Flowers?

This is the first year these flowers have bloomed while I am here. I had been told they were beautiful and seeing is believing. Greg is my official photographer with his Windows phone while he is here. He is getting some amazing pictures.

Not only are the flowers beautiful but the foliage is too. Our weather in this part of Florida is never predictable during the winter. We have periodic freezes, very cold weather and sometimes mild winters. This year we did NOT have mild winter yet this plant has flourished and bloomed early.

After The Rain….Azaleas

With the crazy weather we have had this past 6 months I didn’t think we’d have many azaleas.
As I looked at them this morning I may be wrong. Maybe not as many as some years, but it is sure to be a beautiful display.

Gorgeous Flowers

This is the beautiful arrangement I got for Christmas from Greg, Julie, Blake, Stephanie, Jessica, Nicholas and Jared.

It has enough sparkle to ring in the New Year!

Wedding Flowers

Although I took almost no pictures at the wedding and reception I was able to take some of the flowers the next day.
This was my corsage. The ribbon is the color of the girls dresses. They were beautiful.


These two pictures show the bouquets of the bride and the wedding party. It was truly a gorgeous wedding!
I have posted 31 times in May, a month with 31 days. It's been a long time since I've done that in one month!

Crap Apple Tree In Bloom

This tree only blooms occasionally and some years only a few branches have flowers.

This year it is blooming profusely. I am wondering it the severe winter has something to do with it?

More Beautiful Flowers

My son Jeff and family gave me these flowers for Mother's Day.

I had been wanting flowers for the deck so this was the perfect gift.

Beautiful Flowers

I received these beautiful flowers from Greg, Julie, Blake, Jessica, Nicholas and Jared for Mother's Day.

Love Tulips In The Spring!

It has been a few years since I have been here to see spring happen!

Alstromerias–Full And Gorgeous

If you have followed my blog for some time you know I always have a bouquet of alstromerias in this vase.

This is one of the fullest and prettiest I’ve ever had here.

Even the close up is gorgeous.

Yellow is not necessarily my favorite color but these yellow flowers are wonderful with the lime greens and purples.

I never tire of them and since they come in so many different colors I have an ever changing vase of color.

Peonies

Our peonies are late this year. Usually by this time they would have been done blooming.

My favorites are the darker colors.

I picked a bouquet so I could enjoy them in the house.

They grow on the side of the house we rarely see so having them inside is the best way to enjoy them.

My Azaleas Are/Were Back!

The flowers barely last a week.
I know - I post photos of them every year....
They were at their peak about March 7th which is the earliest it has ever been.


I love them and they are the most colorful thing in the yard all year.


I just LOVE the color. I can't get enough of them.


It is interesting to compare when they bloom each year.
In 2011 I missed taking a picture as I was at Focus on Fiber, which means the peak was around St. Patricks Day.
In 2010 they were in full bloom on April 2.
In 2009 they were at their peak on March 16th, but the bushes were still relatively small.

Could You Do Me A Favor?

I need a small favor... if it's not too much trouble.
I am going away on vacation and I need someone to come
over to water my plants while I am gone.

In the hot weather they'll probably need water twice a day.
Thanks a lot. I'll send you a postcard.
I've attached a photo for your reference (see below).




THE LADDER IS IN THE GARAGE

Colors of Christmas

I love being able to enjoy the Christmas colors around Florida.

When the holidays are over and our pointsettias start to look like they are on their last legs, we plant them outside and get absolutely beautiful plants for several years until we are hit by a hard freeze.
This is in my neighbors back yard.


This is just one of the three "bushes" growing in their yard. They have grown to this glory without any help.


Although these aren't what we think of as Christmas plants, when I saw the colors I immediately thought what a gorgeous Christmas planting.

Hopefully we will not get a hard freeze this season and they will all survive.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Today was the first day we had relief from the temperatures in the mid 90's.

My friend Jane called and asked if I wanted to go to The Villages for dinner.
It was an absolutely perfect evening to eat outdoors at Margarita Republic on Spanish Springs Square and listen to the music.



This was the view from the restaurant.



After dinner we decided to go to Kilwins with our Buy 1, Get 1 50% off coupon.



My two favorites on waffle cones - Butter Pecan and Peach Ice Cream - single dips!



We decided to walk around the square. The Crepe Mrytle are in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous.



Everyone was in great spirits whether they were listening to the music or out there dancing.



As we walked back to the car, I took this photo of the flowers on a corner. There are many corners with equally lovely floral displays.

Are we lucky or what, to live near this adult Disneyland?

New Color Alstromeria

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog know I always have a bouquet of Alstromeria on my cabinet by the TV.



I found a new color this week. They are perfect with the other accessories on the cabinet.



I think it is quite interesting that you can find all the colors and variations of colors in the Alstromeria in this clay plaque I created.

When I start thinking this way, I again realize Mother Nature is the best colorist, bar none. Think about the colors she creates and how they all work together.

I real life, these are even closer than they appear in the photo and also are bluer.

Many of my favorite color schemes are inspired by nature, either consciously or unconsciously.

A Blossom Fell - Azalea Time

The most glorious display in my yard is put out by the azaleas. This photo is from 2 years ago today.



Last year they bloomed very late. This photo was taken on April 1 last year. We had a severe winter and they were very late and not nearly as full.

This year they are not quite ready to show you yet. I am hoping we don't have a rain storm to beat them down before they come into full flower. Our winter was also very cold this year but it didn't last quite as long. They only last about a week, but for that week they are my very favorite floral display.
We are having a beautiful spring for which I am so thankful.



Little did I know when I painted this table it would be a very close match to the azaleas. We did not choose the color of the flowers, the builders planted them.