How does your garden grow?

For 20 years I've been working on my gardens. Planting, fertilizing, ripping out, transplanting . . . I think I could work on them for 20 more years and still not be totally satisfied. Do you feel that way about your own garden?

And let's not forget, perfecting a garden is not cheap! I have always tried to buy my plants at the end of the season. I swear I've saved so much money, but every once in a while I see something that I cannot resist, like my Roses, or an amazing Hydrangea, so I suck it up and pay full price.








My poor husband, he's the one who usually has to dig things up while I give the instructions. Right now I'm on a kick to totally redo my shade garden and expand it, which involves a ton of work! That particular garden has become rather overgrown, especially by my enormous 7'-8' Hosta. Not sure I'm going to get my wish though.








This is the first year we've planted Zinnia's. My husband and I started them from seeds. Although they seemed to have a late start, suddenly they're taking off in full technicolor! Next year we will definitely be having more Zinnia's, but larger.

The above flower is a little deformed but of all the different colored Zinnia's coming into bloom, this particular color is my favorite. Like a simmering sunset on a hot summers evening.




It took 2 years before I finally had a bloom on my Josephine Columbine. This year I'll have five blooms.




I'd wait again

And today, the Monarchs showed up. Oh sweet summer, how I adore you with all my heart.


Linking up with Mary's Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

York Harbor Delight

This is where my husband and I went today. Wish you were there too!

Enjoy the views!

Stairs along the beginning of the path

Many Monarch butterflies had gathered among the purple flowers. I couldn't help but wonder if they were gearing up for the big journey South. I hope so because it's awfully cold here tonight!

If you look from left to right you'll actually see 4 Monarchs!

Oh and the Dragonflies ... they were HUGE and everywhere! However, they refused to settle down and cooperate for a photo opp. I thought my husband might catch one for me because he's good at that kind of stuff, but he didn't.

Thanks for coming along, even if it was a virtual tour ; )

Queen Annes Lace

That Queen Anne, she sure is something! The name definitely fits the flower.

After seeing Mary's 'All QAL, All the Time' (lol!) I knew I just had to post some of my QAL. There's plenty more where these came from but somehow I doubt I'll get them all posted this year.

Today was a pretty good day. For some reason it feels like a Sunday though. Tomorrow will be like Groundhog Day ... we'll get up and do it all over again.

We did a little shopping in Kittery, Maine and it was an absolute mad house! If you've ever been to Kittery, Maine you know it's one of the shopping meca's of New England. Kind of like North Conway, NH. Anyway, after struggling to find a place to park, twice, we did some quick shopping and got the heck out of there! Elise and I made my husband stop at DQ on the way home for some sugar therapy.

Do you have any big plans for Sunday?

My husband has to go back to work early from vacation and he's not happy about it. He already had to work Monday on his Birthday. As for the girls and I, it's all up in the air. Sunday is like a box of chocolates!

6:15 AM: See what you missed?

In all honesty, I've been sleeping in myself lately ... until almost 7! All that will be changing soon with the return of school.

My daughters car is being repaired so I've been taking her to and from work this week. One particular morning this week, when she had to be there at 6, I realized I had forgotten my camera after we walked out the door. Something you definitely don't want to do when the sun is about to come up!

Sure enough, the sun was a hot, brilliant orange, and I was thinking about what I sort of magic I could perform with my iphone! LOL! Anyway, I stopped at home, grabbed the camera, and found this wonderful field of Queen Annes Lace with the sun coming up in the background. Just as I was about to leave a Monarch flew down amongst the flowers.

Thank you Monarch for making my day : )

Common Ringlet Butterfly ... without the ring

Although I'm not very good at shooting butterflies, moths, dragonflies, etc., just for fun I give it a shot every now and then. Sometimes I get lucky with a decent image.

This is a tiny thing. About 1" long. It's also the kind of butterfly that flies around in circles with another butterfly of the same kind.

We have an old, cheap Butterfly/Moth book but can't find this little gem. So tell me . . .

What is it?

*Thanks to Eve who was the first to ID my little Butterfly! She told me it's a Common Ringlet without the ring, and somewhat of a poor flier. She's right about that, they don't fly to long before landing again. Thanks again, Eve!

American Lady Butterfly

Originally I thought this was a Painted Lady Butterfly, however, Eve has corrected me. It's actually an American Lady. That Eve, she's a smart cookie.

It sure was frustrating me. I kept shooting and shooting in hopes it would open it's wings. Finally it turned, opens it's wings, and flew off. Nice. Real nice.

* Btw, has anyone else noticed a lack of Hummingbirds this Spring at feeders? My dad thinks it may be weather related so I did a little research. Turns out the same thing happened in 2005, very few Hummers returned in 2004 due to what is believed to be weather related storms in the Gulf. Any thoughts?