Quiet Here...

The day started off with a doe and fawn on my lawn. They did spot me in the window and took off back up into the hillside woodland. I've seen them many times.

It's warm so I went out for a short rideabout. My first stop was next door where my niece from Delaware and my nephew from Rhode Island have been organizing and preparing for several days to take their dad to live with her and her husband. I've known him for over 60 years when he married one of my sisters. She died in 2016 and he has lived next door to me for 26 years from the time when I moved into the cabin. We weren't ever very close but it was always nice to know that he was here and near. Now, after a chat and understanding, we both know it was a necessary move for his safety and assisted care. They took his Ranger so he might be able to ride it on the large property. His dog, of course, went with them.  Still...I'm sad. One by one my family members move on.

On a happier note, a second pink poppy bloomed this morning. I hope to save seeds from this variety.

A neighbor's flowers are full of pollinators and the Pinky Winky Hydrangea blooms are beautiful. 

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Pink!

My monster attack plant has settled down and is producing  pretty pink blossoms. 

Found this on internet and it may be the same variety of succulent. (pachyphytum)

Well since I have a new one—maybe two!— growing from the original plant, a leaf that fell off, we may see what happens next.

Looking closer I see THREE!

Working with Flowers

Sometimes it just happens. I was sorting again through my flower images and stopped when I got to these. I wanted to try something new and different. Original images first... 

End Result!

Odd man out didn't make the cut this time.

The color was 'off.'

But I have another idea swimming around so you might see this one soon!

Birthday Card

My firstborn daughter turns 66 this year. I am in the process of creating a birthday card for her. Just showing you the process here... 

Original image I took the other day—

Removed the background elements—

Created a new background—

Copied and pasted the image onto the new background

Designed a second version—

Now will decide which to use.  The card will be 5" x 7" with a greeting inside. 

In 1956 she was brought home to our old log cabin at the top of a long hill in a rural area. Her first bed was a dresser drawer!

Just Pretty!

I never had an orchid plant before this year. I think they are neat and so pretty. I might have watered her twice in about three months! She started out with just a few blossoms and now is at her limit of fourteen! No pollen problem for me as well. 

February 14...........

May 20..................

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Tickled Pink

She has been a joy and a thrill to watch and nourish. If you were here, you might even hear our conversations. Soon she will be no more but her memories are staying. Back to the bulb form she'll go again, hopefully to show her beauty another time or two. She is my first and most likely my only and has made me more aware of wondrous transformations in nature. Thank you for bearing with my repetitive photos, but I couldn't help making her a special photo project!

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Two to Go....

What progress!  Wonderful scents are emitted! This is a study of growth and beauty. I'm hoping the first four blooms will last as long as it takes for the final two to open! Tickled Pink is a delightful beauty!

She likes looking through the window!

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Garden Favorites

Hiding in the corner!

Rose Campion is often mistaken for Lamb's Ear because of its color and texture but the leaves are narrow. It has long stems that can grow as tall as three feet! The little one inch hot pink blooms really stand out. I did not plant this. There has never been one here before. I think they are called "volunteers" meaning that the seeds either blew in from another garden or a bird left some. It has other names such as mullein-pink and bloody William! 

From the internet (Circa 1828) "A beloved old plant once called Mullein Pink and Lamp Flower, as the felted leaves once were used in the making of wicks. Its brilliant magenta coloring is electric in combination with the silver-gray leaves on branching stems. An easy to grow, long-blooming and low maintenance plant, simply deadhead or cut back to its leafy rosette after flowering, leaving a few to self sow and renew your plantings. Summer Bloom."

Source: https://www.selectseeds.com/heirloom-perennials/rose_campion_seeds.aspx

I saw hummingbirds drinking nectar from the Hosta this morning. I just wasn't quick enough to capture them.

And...for good measure!

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