How does your garden grow????

No cockle shells here... in fact- what are cockle shells anyway???? And my pretty little maids- are on vacation with their grandparents....... But while I was out watering this evening- I thought I'd take a few shots of the pretties we're trying so hard to keep alive in the heat. :) The colors of this hydrangea caught my eye- in my neighbor's yard... if I were to re-marry Ron- these would be my wedding colors- they make me sing!

Another eye-catching pop of color was this day lily- also next door... I hope that by now, most folks know me well enough to know- that if there is something pretty to be photographed- I just wander like a little kid with ADHD- in a bad way.... pretty soon- I look up and wonder- 'how the heck did I end up over here?'

This delicate looking white bloom- is some weird variety of yucca- it was here when we moved in- and I keep threatening to dig it out and get rid of it- but the blooms are really nice- for the whole 48 hours that they last.... and then it looks spinney and out of place the rest of the year..... we shall see if it gets another stay of execution.

I love the little sweet pea vines curling up to say hello to the petunias in the planter boxes out front.

When I look at this clematis that is running rampant up the trellis on the side of the front porch and threatening to take over like that mad plant in the Rocky Horror Picture Show... I can't help but wonder- do plants posses an attitude? No- really- try not to laugh too hard at me- but you look at a bloom like this- and it just looks snooty- upper crust- (insert tight Brit accent here)

Anyhoo- I hope you take the chance this week to stop and smell the blooms around you and enjoy this awesome summer sun!

xoxo Didi

Rain, Rain, Go Away....

I was slated to meet with Dave, Teresa and Miss M this evening at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens to bask in the glow of the late afternoon sun- in all it's glory.

http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/visitor/fmvisitor.htm

However- the storm that blew in over night- was making it look like this appointment- which has been on the books for months, by the way.... was going to have to be canceled. But this family decided we could still make a run for it- and met 2 hours before our slated time.... and I'm so glad we did! :) Because minutes after we wrapped our session.... it began raining buckets!!!!! I love, love, love this shot! Miss M stopped moving for just long enough to capture some of the most amazing eyes ever! ( I wish you could bottle that kind of energy!!!)

Teresa & Dave are both gorgeous- so we all know where Miss M gets "IT".

I love that this family is laid back and totally unconventional when it came to their pix - so I said- "play on..."

Besides, who said family photos had to be stuffy???? I love these sepia shots-

Thanks for being brave enough to come out and play in the pending storm guys- xoxo Didi

Baby Blue

Ok- I have a new love...... it's this incredible blue poppy.... I spied this when I was at Sunny side Nursery yesterday shopping for plants with my girl Dr. Nicky and I just HAD to have it!

It seems frivolous to purchase a poppy plant- singular that at it's zenith- right now- and will only have a few more blooms- and then it's done for the season.... BUT- it's so amazing- I just had to have it! It will come back again next year- and hopefully I can harvest seeds from the pods once dry and have more next year. But I'm content to enjoy it's beauty for today. :) So I thought I'd share- Enjoy!

Here's the link to Sunny side if you want to check them out. Great selection, easy to find, easy parking and very helpful staff! :)

http://www.sunnysidenursery.net/

Smile and go play in the sunshine!