BUTTERFLY WEED BRINGS BENEFICIAL INSECTS TO YOUR GARDEN

BUTTERFLY WEED BRINGS BENEFICIAL INSECTS TO YOUR GARDEN

This is butterfly weed. 

 It is a very desirable plant in a garden because it brings in beneficial insects to eat the undesirable insects.

See the little yellow aphids on the stems?

I would never, never, never spray a chemical on those aphids or in my garden.

Those aphids bring in lady bugs and the lady bugs lay their eggs on the plants with aphids.  When their larvae hatch they eat the aphids.  

A lady bug is so cute!

But, look at the picture below.  That is it's larva.  Scary looking, huh?  This is the little bug who will gobble up those aphids.  And then, it will turn into a cute little lady bug.

I got the pictures of the lady bug and her larva from the Savvy Housekeeping blog and her very interesting post on:

PREDATORY INSECTS IN THE GARDEN

We are having hours of slow rain and I'm loving it!!

I can hear it dripping from the roof onto the leaves outside my window.

I will always appreciate the rain!!!

BEAUTIFUL SKY & COTTAGE

BEAUTIFUL SKY & COTTAGE

Look at all of those tiny clouds.  They were all around the sky, yesterday.

I always thought the wind moved the clouds around, but this is really unusual.

I was walking Charlie and couldn't help but take a picture of the blue sky and this colorful cottage.

Most of the neighbors don't like that color, but I happen to love it!

Hope you have a beautiful sky today!

THANK GOODNESS FOR PLUMBERS!!

THANK GOODNESS FOR PLUMBERS!!

Uhhhh oh!!

Plumbing problems!!

Because of the drought, I've been so careful, making sure I watered my yard really well.  Especially where the pipes are.  But, I kept hearing something.  I live near a highway, so I thought it might be traffic.  Then, Thursday night it was getting really loud and I realized the sound was running water.

Thank goodness my plumber was able to come around noon Friday.  The water had been turned off.  

It's amazing how many times I turned toward a faucet to get water or wash my hands.

Thank goodness for plumbers!!

MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN MY GARDEN 2014

MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN MY GARDEN 2014

These are the migrating baltimore orioles that I got to see this year.  And, a few more flock members, but still no vibrantly beautiful orange and black patriarch.

For many years, I had lots of orioles and one or several adult males.  I don't know if the drought has changed their flight path or what is going on.  I really miss seeing the flocks like I used to.  I will be looking forward to them again next year and hoping they remember my yard.

That little cardinal is there to greet them.  She was fascinated with the visitors.

This is how I can usually get good pictures of the migrating birds in the fall and a few in the spring.

I very carefully take these pictures through my blinds.  Well, not so carefully this time.  I was in a hurry to get the pictures before they flew away.

For several days now we've had really good rain.  The weather man said we will be having good rains for the next several days, too.

Certainly hope he's right.

I'm so thankful for any rain we get!!

"SONGS OF LIFE"

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS THAT 

NEIL DIAMOND 

COMPOSED

"SONGS OF LIFE"

(cover)
From
"The Jazz Singer"

Last night I watched "The Jazz Singer".
It brought back memories from a long time ago.
I love this song!

IT'S ALMOST SEPTEMBER 11. ARE YOU PREPARED, JUST IN CASE?

Not to be paranoid, but I'm going to be prepared.

It's almost September 11, and I remember how scared and confused I was back then on 

September 11, 2001.

I eat mostly fresh and frozen vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc.  Rarely do I eat anything out of a can, except tuna.

But starting in 2001, I began storing a good supply of canned goods and non perishable food in the back of my pantry, just in case.

As I'm putting the cans in the pantry, I always use a marker to write the date on them.  After a few months, I give all the food to someone before the expiration dates and start buying and stocking my pantry, again.

Oh, and a good supply of water and bathroom tissue are very important items on that list of supplies. 

If something were to happen (ever) I think we would only be isolated for a very few days and I feel that I am prepared.

Are you?

Do you even think about it?

BUTTERFLY WEED FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES & LIFE IN MY GARDEN

BUTTERFLY WEED FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES & LIFE IN MY GARDEN

This is butterfly weed or asclepias.

I grow it every year, specifically for the monarch butterflies.

Around late July or August, I start feeding and taking really good care of it so it will be healthy and have lots of flowers for the monarchs as they are passing through on their way to Mexico for the winter.

Other butterflies are attracted to it, too.  

For several days now, two monarch butterflies have been fluttering around the blooms.

A few weeks ago, I stopped at a nursery that was having a plant sale.  Butterfly weed was one of the plants on sale.  They weren't doing too well, but I knew I had a plan for them and I could make them happy, again.  I bought 6 one gallon size plants and paid under 3.00 for each one.  

THAT was a good deal!!  

I'm ready for the migrating monarch butterflies.

This poor little dove.  She has been sitting up there on my martin house since she first built her nest in the spring.  But, she never hatched any babies.  After several months, she's still there and I've come to the conclusion that she might be hurt.  Like a wing or leg or something.

I do see her flying straight down for water in the bird bath.  And, she's very close to the area where I feed sunflower seeds, so I guess she's ok with food and water.

Poor little dove.

My bronze fennel is doing really well for summertime.  I was thinking it dies back in the heat of the summer, but maybe not bronze fennel.

Anyway, it's really pretty right now and attracting beneficial insects.

And, here's sweet Punkin.  

Every morning, she's on the front porch where it's cool.  And every afternoon, she's on the back patio.  I'm sure the a/c in the house keeps that little corner cool.  

Also, if by chance she's not there, I'll spray water on those rocks so they'll be cool for her when she starts napping.

It's been a mild summer, so far.  

They're saying our drought might be over by the end of the year.  A lot of rain is expected between now and then.  

CERTAINLY HOPE SO!!

For the sake of nature, hope you and your countryside are getting a decent amount of rain.