Fall Blooms

I'm still here ya'll. I know I've been MIA and don't really have an excuse other than I just am. Anyway not much going on in my world. I took these pics a few weeks ago and just haven't gotten around to posting them.

Bougainvilla is doing great considering the time of year. I am falling in love with this plant.

 Kitty Cat loves the garden.

Have ya'll seen the new 'skinny houses'. I really don't know what they are called but they appear very small. I first saw these on HGTV during one of the reality shows where they each had to decorate one of these type homes. Notice they are long and narrow. This is how homes were built a long time ago and were called 'shotgun' houses'. They got that name because you could open either door and shoot strait through to the other side. These are the only 'skinny homes' I've seen. It will be interesting to see how these fair in a hurricane.

 I bet they are designed for efficiency and storage. Probably making use of every inch of the home including the ceiling and attic if it even has one but I bet it does. These two homes are facing each other as you can see.

 

I just thought they were interesting so I wanted to share them.

This is what fall looks like here on the gulf coast. Very little color but the weather is so nice. Our weather has been seasonable for the most part with hi's in the 60's/70's and lows around 50 or so.

I've been doing some baking and still loving it. This is Sand Tarts and the recipe is can be found by going here: http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a fabulous day.

A Little This n That

Good morning blogger buddies. I found a few things blooming this morning. It is cloudy and it is morning and I was shaking while taking these so I hope I don't hurt your eyes too bad.

I am surprised at some of the things in bloom right now. I don't remember my canna's blooming this time of year. I appreciate it though because the yellow adds a lovely bright spot in the garden.

Osteoporum (sp?) has only a few blooms. I suppose I should douse everything with some fertilizer.

Love these begonias. They bloom freely throughout the season taking a break during the hottest periods.

Ya'll I picked the best out of pics. This one is horrible blurry. The buddlei is blooming well. I forget which one this is.

Red verbena laying on the ground and hardly any leaves.

Mums.

Bougainvilla blooming again.

Pulled this old bed out of the shed this weekend. Originally I had thought I would sand it down and use it in a bedroom. Now I'm thinking I want to put it in a garden. It is extremely heavy and the iron is thick. It's not real fancy but I like it. I'm not sure how it will stand in the garden since it is so heavy. It may need to be anchored somehow. I also like it leaning against the tree. I'm planning to let vines run it. Of course you see there is a footboard and I'm thinking it may not be so hazardous to use it in a garden if I can bury enough of it.

I spent my time in the kitchen this weekend. I baked some apples, brownies and banana bread and cookies. Didn't get a pic of the brownies or apples. Oh well sometimes you just have to dive in before you think of the camera.

Perfect bottoms on my cookies. Just the right amount of crunch. You can get the recipe here http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/search/label/cookies

Here I have bagged everything to give away (except the apples - they were all mine).

I love baking and love to share. I got this idea I've had for as long as I can remember - it is to bake/cook for a cafe or bake shop - rather to own my own place. I am getting ready to put myself out there and see where this may go with selling my baked goods. My ideas for an avenue include online site, flea markets, festivals and flyers. Down the road perhaps to have a permanent location. The town I live in does not have a bakery so that is wide open right now. I do not decorate cakes as that is my sisters specialty and she is definately good at it. As I said I've thought of this for a long time and possibly working my way towards that goal. Still thinking though. Sure could use the extra money too.

Hope you all have a great day. It is hump day so counting down to the weekend.

Bloomin Tuesday and Tuesday Garden Party

I've tried a few times on some blogs to comment and blogger is being very selective today. Anyone else having a problem?

Hooking up today with Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean
http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/ for Bloomin Tuesday and with An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party.  http://www.anoregoncottage.com/

I am finding a little color left in the gardens. They are the same ole plants as I've been sharing for a while now. Darla has stated and I agree that it is challenging to find anything interesting in the gardens this time of year. I am hoping I get the planning down pat so that I might have a more interesting gardens next year.

The pink vervena is definately a stand out and am sorry that I didn't purchase a flat of these. I only bought one pink one. sad face.

The red verbena is also a show stopper. I put down 4 plants of these and am wishing I had more. Any plants that are still blooming are keepers for next year and will add more. The plan is to put down a couple more garden areas. Keeping the fingers crossed I get this accomplished in the fall to better prepare for spring.

I have quite a few patches of the white dianthus and am really loving the dianthus this year. The white glows at night.

Happy to see another bloom on the Endless Summer Hydrangea.

Begonias were the show stoppers last year. But the plants that I have are hanging on and keeping their blooms.

The bougainvillea is still holding onto a few blooms.

Critters in the garden. What is this?

What is this little fellow? His wings never stopped. Reminded me of a hummer.

Look at the roots on just a couple of the weeds I complain so much about. Can't shake it back into the garden since it is loaded with these spider roots. Will be adding more soil to the gardens when I get ready to put out seeds for next year.

I love interesting clouds and I love rain. Thought I'd share what our weather has looked like lately.

And yes it brought some much needed rain.

Hope you all have a great week. I'm thinking of you guys in Texas. That is some HOT weather you are having.

PS check out my recipe blog -

http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

Fertilizer Friday

I'm hooking up with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for a party today that I'm late for. http://tootsietime.com/
Hey it's Friday and I've had a bad week. I haven't had time this week to visit and having my office computer down this week sure didn't help any. I'm ready for the weekend.

I'm so proud of the Larkspur. It has really impressed me and want it in my gardens every year now. It came up easily from seed I spread in February and seems to be tolerant of our drought conditions. But I do water regularly. Speaking of watering I am draging my garden hose almost everyday for 2-3 hour run. It's so bad here. We are over 16" below our rainfall and no rain in sight unless you call 20% a rain chance. I don't. I'm whining now so I'll go on. The heat is almost unbearable. We are breaking records here with temps of 100. It's HOT girlfriends. Needless to say I haven't done any gardening lately. Mostly staying indoors with the air conditioner.

 

The bougainvillia is awesome. I love the soft pink blooms.

Jean Marie Dahlia.

I forgot to check the name of this beauty. I am in love with it. Didn't think I would like the orange but it is beautiful in person. Let me tell ya that if colors could talk this one would be saying HOT too. While many of my plants can tolerate some dry conditions the dahlias can't. Everyday they droop. I do the best I can.

Can't really garden so I added a new character to the garden. It is beautiful at night all lit up blue.

The first couple of blueberries this year. I'm keeping the huge bush/tree watered well or I wouldn't have these. I will pick a big bowl full today before they drink more water.

Yesterday I had my hair done and this was in the restroom. I had to take a picture to share. I love it.

And this is what is says. Cute. (Speaking of hanging - oh well never mind...I wear my bra a lot...just saying)



Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

I'm out of here in 1 hour so if I don't get by today I'll come visit you the first of the week.

A Few Herbs Added

Hope you had a good weekend. I did. I went shopping and anytime I go shopping I am having a good time. Look what I bought. My very first Bougainvilla and it is stunning. This was not at a walmart store either. I bought it from a local nursery. Now I have to learn to take care of it. Any tips would be appreciated.

I have been becoming more and more interested in cooking with fresh herbs. So this weekend I purchased a few to add to my gardens.

This is Lemon Thyme and it smells so good. I used some this weekend on some chicken I was grilling. It was OK. I will have to experiment. Give me some hints as to what or how to use it.

This is Michael Basil. It also has a nice scent.

The rosemary smells good too. I used it this weekend with the lemon thyme on the chicken.  Again it was just OK.

I thought some cherry tomatoes would be good to add to my gardens.

And some sweet basil.

Any hints or recommendations on the herbs would be appreciated.

Did you look at the Supermoon this weekend. I love to look at the moon anyway and this was a special treat. It was so bright. 

I hope you all have a good day.