GARDEN FUN

It's hard to believe it's been more than a week since I posted. I usually try to at least twice a week. It seems the whole weekend was spent working in the garden and I love doing that more than anything. We had gorgeous weather but for a big thunderstorm on Monday that had me cowering in the hallway again. Afterward I drove around and there were limbs and branches scattered all over. Our paddle boat completely flipped over. Otherwise we lucked out with temps in the 80's and a lot of sunshine. Camera in hand, I took some pictures of things I have growing. I am joining in with Tracie of Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday.

This is my hibiscus that I bring in over the winter. It takes a few weeks, but after some sun and rain it looks wonderful and healthy.
The blooms are as big as my hand.
Down in the pot I plant impatiens and petunias, just a mix of color, but mostly in the pink/purple family.
This is a new flower bed we worked on this weekend. I had planted a climbing rose {and I think I have asked everyone in blogland about them}. It's that tiny little thing in front of my vintage trellis. I didn't know what I wanted to plant around it and finally decided on daisies since I can cut them, too. The Husband drove around looking in farm fields for rocks and he happened to meet a sweet old farmer that told him to help himself. This is how our field stone fireplace was made, too. Then we mulched it with dark shredded bark.
I actually cut some and made a cute vase.
This is what the bed looked like before the stones and mulch. What a difference a little fussing can make.
I haven't spent much time on the front porch as I have a family of robins on the light fixture. Tuesday morning I got brave and went out to water my plants, camera in hand. The mother squawked and dive bombed me, but I managed to get a picture of her babies. Look at those hungry little beaks!! This is the 2nd little robin family we have had in this nest so far this summer. I worry that I am going to startle the babies and drive them out of the nest too early. After nursing many little birds and releasing them, I don't mess with Mother Nature anymore.
We have been sprucing up the home front a bit, too. About two years ago, Emily painted these shutters a bright blue. I really loved them, but then she thought they were too bright and painted them this:
Not much difference, but more subtle. What do you think?
And the porch is all decked out with flowers that are really filling out like crazy after a late start in planting them.
I have been told these are some sort of mini petunias. If you know the name, let me know because I get them every year.
And this is my favorite little chippy window box. I like it the way it is but am wondering if it needs a coat of paint and some distressing before it completely falls apart. Maybe I should weatherize it.

Well, I hope I didn't overload you with pictures. I am constantly in awe of the colors around me. I have another garden bed I am working on and I'm happy to report that the bunnies are leaving my tomatoes alone for now.

We have company again this weekend. At least I have the sand swept up and the beach towels washed since our last group. Summer is in full swing I would say! See you all soon! :-)