Monday, July 25, 2011

These Things Bring Me Joy!

It's a beautiful, sunny day here and I just had to spend my morning outside in the yard and gardens! I love days like this! No work, bright sunshine, light breeze and the things that make me happy! Now if I can just get my house cleaned too, I'll enjoy the evening even more!

I wanted to share some things that I love right now in my yard. It's been a rough Spring and Summer so far for most of the plants, flowers and veggies, with a ton of rain in the beginning, then steaming hot weather following that. But there are a few things that still look pretty good.



Here's my Verbena. I have two hanging baskets against the house, on the deck, just outside the kitchen window. Love seeing them every morning when I make my coffee!




These are some of the better looking pots I have on my front step.




Also near my front door is a hanging basket of Double Impatients along with the cute birdhouse that my now 20 year old son made, back in elementary school.




I love the way these double beauties look like mini roses!




Here is a close-up of the nest inside the birdhouse. Sorry it's so blurry! I stood for a long time, waiting for the babies to poke their heads out, but no luck. This nest gets used all season long. Just when we think the family has moved on, we hear tiny chirps again. At least 4 or 5 different times, from early Spring to late Summer. I love seeing all the different material they use to make it so comfy! :)




Do you remember what my empty veggie garden looked like, back a couple of months ago? Well, here it is now.




We've picked some delicious green peppers and yummy pea pods so far and I've been waiting for these! Nothin' better than fresh green beans, right out of the garden! Can't wait to eat them with dinner tonight!
Still waiting for the big tomatoes to turn red and the cucumbers are just starting to pop out. My hubby makes a scrumptious cucumber salad and a wonderful tomato salad as well! Can't wait!



I'll leave you today with one of my faves! These Day Lilies bloom a bit later than the bright yellow ones. They are the prettiest peachy color!


Okay, I'd better get started on cleaning the house, even though I'd rather stay outside! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope the start to your week is a happy one! :)

18 comments:

Lin said...

Your garden and flowers are looking good, Barb! Loved seeing all the photos, thanks so much for sharing!

Lynn said...

Ohhhh...my favorite is the red verbena....stunning....I think I need to come to your backyard and share a nice cool drink together!

Deirdre said...

Such beautiful photos Barb - thanks for sharing your beautiful garden with us all.

Lisa said...

Barb, I am soooo jealous of your flowers AND the veggie garden! You sure do have a green thumb :)

Donna B. said...

Beautiful flowers Barb - love those peach Day Lilies!! Cute little nest - I like to brush my dog Callie outside - she sheds profusely and I always hope the birds come and get some soft Callie hair for their nest!!

Tina said...

Thanks for shharing, Barb. Flowers are gorgeous and that bird house.. how sweet.

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Barb, Thanks for sharing your garden--the flowers are gorgeous and the vegetables look yummy. Love the bird nest. Sounds like your week has started out good. You take care and God bless. Hugs to you.

Donna said...

Very nice pictures to share! Love the bird nest. I've been watching a little hummingbird's nest with two tiny eggs, amazing! Have a good day!

susanne said...

What a delight!! I enjoyed all of your flowers Barb. I love the bird house your son made and how lucky to have it right on your porch where you can easily view the babies ... You would have trouble getting me off to work and would probably have to pry me away from the birdhouse!! I am so impressed with your garden and your green beans!! You will have to tell me about your soil and how often do you fertilize? We have very sandy soil here because we are on the escarpment. I think that I see some beautiful lettuce in your garden to ;) ... there's nothing like fresh vegetables! I enjoyed these photographs so much Barb! So glad that you shared them with us! Enjoy the rest of your week! Susanne

CanadianScraps43 said...

Wow what a feast for the eyes. Thanks so much for sharing these. Well, your garden really looks like a peacful getaway. So gorgeous. Love the look of those yummy veggies too. You really are a florist for a good reason hey. Your flowers are amazing just like you. Hugs.

Joy said...

Love seeing different things on crafty blogs other the creations, thanks for sharing a little piece of heaven, your garden is gorgeous and I hope to visit one day and sit with you there sipping something bubbly :) Hugs!

Dawn T said...

thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of nature that you call a garden Barb. It is really a piece of heaven.

Maureen Morton said...

How dear you are to share so much of yourself! I would love to spend a day in your lovely yard. Those Day Lilies are stunning! You have such a green thumb in your garden and on your cards! Thanks, Barb!

Michelle said...

Thank you for sharing:-) Love those pretty mini roses, and would love to see more updates on the baby birdies.. in case you happen to see them pop out again, dont forget to take some pics!

Virginia L. said...

Aw.. Barb, Wish I could be your neighbor! Your yard and flower and garden looks so lovely! those beans?....yum!! TFS!

Brenda said...

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos Barb! I wish I had green fingers and could actually grow stuff, but it's not to be! So I am thankful that I can look at your gorgeous array of colours!

Jill said...

Such a fun post, Barb! All of these beautiful pictures remind me of summers back home in South Dakota. Love, love, LOVE! HUGS!

Suzanne C said...

What a wonderful display of your beautiful flowers and garden! I love verbena.. I wish we could both have them be perennials.