Of Lilacs And Butterflies

My lilacs are in full bloom now and the fragrance
is so wonderful. Not only do I love the beauty and
fragrance of them but the Butterflies and Bees are
loving them also. They are swarming to the light purple
blooms. While some of the other spring flowers are
attracting a few the lilacs is the hot spot in the garden
at the moment.
I have not spotted my first Hummingbird yet at the
spring flowers or the feeders but maybe I have
just missed seeing them.

The Tiger Swallows are enjoying the lilacs.
There must have been ten on one bush Sunday
when I took the pictures.

This one was high up in the bush and although its
underside is duller in color it is still pretty.

There were also a couple of Black Swallowtails
but they were shy and kept to the top of the bush
and away from this person with the camera disturbing
their lunch break.

Two weeks ago on a warm day I spied this butterfly
flying around and landing on a bare spot in the yard
of old rock hard clay while I was painting the shed.
So yes I threw down that old paint brush, who cared
if it the paint got tacky in the process, getting pictures
of butterflies is much more fun than work.

Now having a camera in hand I watched this Mourning
Cloak as it would take off into the air at my approach
only to always come back and land on this same patch
of clay dirt. I stood there and finally was able to get
closer to snap some pictures. The angle of the sun
does not show how pretty this butterfly really is.

Look how well the cream colored scalloped edges of its
wings is camouflaged and matches the clay soil.

So was this butterfly just sunning or trying to hide
while sunning. I have saw it or another Mourning Cloak
at this same spot for two weeks now.

The Spring blooming trees are so beautiful now.

And the Lilac bushes are loaded with blooms.

Lilac

Any of about 25 species of fragrant, northern, spring-
flowering garden shrubs and small trees that make up
the genus Syringa in the olive family, native to eastern
Europe and temperate Asia. Lilacs have deep green leaves
and large, oval clusters of compound blooms colored deep
purple, lavender, blue, red, pink, white, or creamy yellow;
they are often highly fragrant. The common lilac S. vulgaris
reaches 20 ft in height and produces many suckers The
name syringa was formerly used for the mock orange of
the saxifrage family; and the butterfly bush buddleja is
commonly called summer lilac.

Do not forget to enter the Gardening Grab Bag
Giveaway by leaving a comment. Just let me
know if you would like to be added to the drawing.
The drawing will be Wednesday April 21st.

What's in the box...I want to know.

Oh, Lona do not tease me so.
Is there a plant or garden tool?
Oh, please don't make me be a fool.
My curiosity is peaked you know..
The 21st is when you'll show...
What's in your pretty cardboard box..
You are so sly...just like a fox.
I guess that I can wait and see..
Although the suspense is killing me.
Balisha @ Never Enough Time

I had to use it Balisha it was just
too cute. LOL!

Everyone enjoy the warm temps and sunshine
this week and….

Happy Gardening !!

Until Next Time, Lona

Some Flowers That The Butterflies Love

Since blooms are rare right now with only
a few house plants to liven things up, I thought
I would show some of the butterflies that visited
the garden last summer.





These little lovelies swarm to Achillea's.

And as you will see they love Gaillardia.

Salvia draws them in as it blooms in early summer.

Pots of pelargonium Geraniums.

They simply swarm to Lantana.

This butterfly was getting a drink from the drops on
a watered Purple Heart.
So make sure shallow water is around in the garden
for them to drink.







Happy Butterfly Gardening Everyone !

Nanny's Apron

With tomorrow being Veteran's Day it is not only a
time that I go into my memories of childhood and
reminisce. Not just because of what that day represents
and of how grateful I am to all of those who gave some
and some gave all, but because it would have been my Dad's
birthday.So naturally I think of him. Then there is also
the 30th of October that has just past which was my
Grandma's, Nanny, as we grandkid's called her, birthday.
So this time of the Fall season I get nostalgic.
I have great memories of Nanny and her farm
where we spent so much time as kids and adults.
That is where we gathered every Sunday for dinner.
And weekdays we cousins(I had no siblings) spent
most of our time there when we were not at school.
My I think now we must have been such little
trials being underfoot all the time but we would
never have heard that from her lips. She really did
enjoy and love her family.
She cooked this wonderful meals every Sunday.
Now most of us have passed on or are scattered near
and far, but days spent with her are forever engraved on
my memory. So I would like to share one story I wrote
about her for my children, who were to small at the time to
remember much about her, as a memory for them of my
childhood and their Great Grandma fifty years ago.





Nanny's Apron

Time keeps passing, the seasons keep changing , years march
along, and this old world keeps moving along, and along with
it passing changes are slowly pressed upon our lives. Some of
these changes were good and made all of our lives easier with
more variety and with modern conveniences to make the
everyday work loads lighter. Some of the changes we tried to
resist because in their application it took away a way of life
that was warm and familiar, and seemed to erode our family
ties and customs. Simple everyday household helpers with
time slowly slipped away with the coming of a disposable society.
One of those simple everyday items that was used that has
disappeared from sight is the woman's use of the old bib
aprons that was worn everyday as they went about doing
their daily household chores. While jogging through the dust
in my memory, there is also the memory of the old cotton
bonnets that were worn by women as they went out doors to
do the daily chores or to work in their gardens.

I remember and picture Nanny in just this way.

Nanny when we were all very small use to always grab her old
cotton bonnet when she went out the back door to hoe in the
garden. Whether it was to keep the sun off her head or just
because women covered up more in those days, I am not sure.
It was probably a mixture of both. She gave up the use of the
bonnet through the years but she always wore her bib aprons.
Nanny had a few aprons some plain and some flowered.
Those that she wore for everyday were worn and faded with
their use and a couple of good aprons that she put on when
company came or for Sunday dinner.

Time or lack of it was not the factor then . In those years there
was more to do everyday with cooking, cleaning, sewing,
gardening, and canning, because everything was done
from scratch. With lack of materials and money one repaired and
tried to make things last as long as they could. Nanny's apron
was a convenience for her busy work days. The apron always
had a pocket for the handkerchiefs she used. The handkerchief is
another article that has went by the wayside becoming now a
collector's item. Nanny's apron always had a safety pin fastened
in the top of the bib below her strap. You never knew when
you needed a safety pin for an emergency , there it was always
handy and did not get lost, they were considered gold in their uses
back then.

Nanny's apron was what kept her dresses clean from the
flour for making pies, cakes, cookies, rolls, and homemade
doughnuts. It caught the splashes of the piles of pots, pans,
and dishes from the large meals and baking that she did everyday.
It was a quick towel when she had to dry her hands fast to check
to see what one of us grandkids were screaming about. Often then
it became the thing used to wipe off a dirty tear stained face , or
to wrap around a cut finger until we got to some water to clean
them up.

Nanny's apron was a great carry all when nothing else was found
near by to use. I have seen it carry vegetables and fruit from the
garden. While checking on the hens it has carried the eggs that was
unexpectedly found in a hidden nest. Even some baby chicks that
had to be moved inside to keep warm or to protect them from
the fox that was sneaking around in the night.

Nanny's apron always got a work out at butchering time, at chicken
cleaning time, or when canning days came into play. It was a handy
pot holder for hot cast iron skillet handles or old water boiling kettles
that were used. On laundry days it caught the splashing of water as
she scrubbed clothes or had to wipe her hands from the water
that dripped down an arm as she hung the clothes on the clothes
line to dry in the sun.

Nanny's apron for her was a very used and useful friend.
It is for me a fond memory of her, her life and all that she
did in her lifetime. It was a part of her and it told of the hard
work that she did daily for all of us because she loved us.
It is a warm and pleasant memory out of time and the dust of
my mind.

To the Memory of Nanny, With Love,

Lona

I would also like to say to all the Veterans and families
of Veteran's that I thank you with all of my heart for
all you have done or given to us to keep us a free nation.
Thank you just does not seem to do enough so
support are armed forces everywhere.

The First Signs of Fall & Enjoy Today

As I look out my kitchen window this morning at the
thermometer it tells me it is a very cool morning before I
even step out the back door. As I take a look around the
at the surroundings the first signs of of just how real
this Autumn thing is and that it is going to happen
despite what I want hits me in the face.
The sugar maple trees are starting to get some color in
them here in the hills.



The hardy mums are starting to open their buds.
Although I love the colors of Autumn what follows
it keeps me from enjoying it as much as I should. I
fear I am just not a Winter person at all. I tell everyone
that I am just like the flowers and need the sunshine
to keep me alive and happy. I love to just be able to
step into some slip on shoes and walk out the back
door. I hate the cold, bulky coats and cloudy skies.
I believe there has been a big mistake along the line
somewhere and I should have been born or be
living where the temperatures are warm all
year, a Island somewhere where I can grown flowers
all year long.
I know get over it, your flowers are going to be gone,
and there is a season for everything.



Then I remember that I should not be whining but
should be thankful after the disaster that happened
this week to my neighbors across the road from me.
You see we looked out side and there was smoke
coming from under the eaves all around the neighbors
house. It was on fire and no one was home. How do you
call up someone and tell them their house is on fire.
Believe me it is no easy task. Even after calling the fire
department you feel so helpless and fret that they will
not get there before the whole place is in cinders.
You checked that no one is in the house but you know
that their loved pet is inside.
Thank heavens for the man who in just passing by, stops
to try to help. Thank heavens for another neighbor who
grabs the water hose and tries to get the flames out.
Thanks for good neighbors and good Samaritans who
break open a door or a window to dowse the flames
and get the pet out before the fire department got there.
In rural areas it can be a wait before help can arrive.
A terrible situation was held in check and the house
was saved from total destruction. The damage was
kept to just the living room and there was smoke
and water damage but it could have been so much worse.
So why should I complain about anything at all.
We should not look at the future and dread but look at
just this day, today, and enjoy it, laugh, smile and
enjoy today.

Butterfly Wishes

Butterfly Wishes

Yesterday a butterfly
Came floating gently through the sky.
He soared up through the atmosphere
Then drifted close enough to hear.

I said, "I'd love to fly with you
And sail around the way you do.
It looks like it would be such fun
To fly up toward the summer sun.

But I have not your graceful charm.
I haven't wings, just these two arms.
I've been designed to walk around.
My human feet must touch the ground.

Then magically he spoke to me
and told me what his wish would be.

He said, "What I'd love most to do
Is walk upon God's Earth with you,
To squish it's mud between my toes
Or touch my finger to my nose.

I'd love just once to walk around
With human feet to touch the ground,
But I have not two legs that swing,
I haven't arms, just these two wings."

And so we went our separate ways
In wonder and surprise.
For we'd both seen God's precious gifts
Through someone else's eyes.

Author Unknown

My Flowers Are Winding Down

Good Morning Everyone!
It looks as though my flower garden is winding down
for the summer. I do not have too many perennials that
are blooming at the moment. I am going to miss the blooms.
The Becky shasta daisies are in full bloom and some of the
phlox are still blooming and the annuals. What would I do without
annuals to keep my color in the garden going.
The unseasonably cool weather in Ohio makes it feel like fall
is already here instead of the dog days of summer.

Since I need more color in my beds at this time of summer,
what are some good perennials to plant that would bloom now
until the fall mums and anemones start blooming?
I do have some neon sedum and a variegated sedum that
has yet to bloom but I need something more.




Anemone 'Charlotte' is about ready to bloom so she will
help.




The Rose Of Sharon bushes are about spent and the leaves
are riddled with holes from the beetles.
The morning glory bushes are not liking the cool,
wet weather and are turning yellow.
As I wandered around the yard yesterday looking for
flowers to photograph I realized how scruffy the beds were
starting to look.Most of the coneflowers have been dead
headed and ready for some smaller second round blooms.
My "Double Decker' coneflower was missing its second
deck this summer for some reason and turned into
just a plain coneflower with a bigger center. ;-)

The one and only dalhia I have is starting to bloom now.
I put it into a pot this year because of the hard clay soil
and the drought we would usually be in this time of the
summer it has a hard time growing. It has done so much
better this year in the pot.




This is "Edinburgh" and has two toned white and
deep burgundy blossoms.



I did happen to catch this little beauty fluttering around
on the geraniums. So gardeners what are some good
perennials to plant for this winding down season in
my garden?


Happy Gardening Everyone!

Friday's Blooms

Burgundy Gaillardia Blanket Flower.
I believe this flower is changing its color or
reverting back because it is not blooming the
wonderful burgundy color and
is getting more yellow highlights on it.




White Achillea Yarrow



Flowering Shamrocks
These were some free bulbs that came with and order
for flowers. It has not bloomed yet but the foliage is
still lovely.




Pink Geraniums




Meet Pink 'Orchid Mist' double cascading Petunia's
that were grown from seeds this spring.
Its blooms are so big and fluffy.




Veronica Speedwell 'Red Fox'

She is new and just starting to bloom but its blooms
look more of a bright pink that red but maybe
the blooms will darken with age.



And of course it is Lily days.



I got the lilies in a bulk buy so I do not know the
names of these. If you recognize any please let me know.




Lantana with a little visitor.
And the last one is Purple Clustered Bellflower Campanula.





Today is Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time . To
see some more fabulous blooms hop on over and
take a look or join in on showing off your blooms.

Happy Gardening Everyone
And Have A Wonderful Weekend!