Amaryllis

Each winter I usually buy an amaryllis because they add a nice splash of color during a time when things are mostly white. I do not try to save them from year to year, having tried it several times without any luck, I just toss the bulb when it is done blooming, in fact this one is already gone but it sure was a pretty one.

We missed the ice storm this week but yesterday, we had a thunderstorm complete with thunder, lightning and darkened skies, and a bit of hail tossed in for good measure.

Pretty Sky

I took the second picture with my new camera, I have not had much time to play with it but am getting the hang of it. I have been baking as you can see in the first photo. I am going to try homemade marshmallows this weekend, something I have always wanted to try.

See the two squirrel nests in the sky picture? They must have been good buddys.

Wardian Case

When we went to Reiman Gardens in December they had a few Wardian Cases planted and on display, I fell in love with them, so I did some looking around online and found one that I liked. I finished planting mine this past week, the first photo is mine, the second photo is one at Reimans. I would love to do a carnivorous plant display in the case but that will have to wait until it warms up so I can order the plants.

White Trash Yard Art

I do love my bottle tree with the sunlight behind it.

Black Lace Elderberry-Summer View

Ok, Sally, you asked to see a picture of the Black Lace Elderberry in summer months.......here it is.

Butterfly Wings

I was playing around a bit with collages tonight. I liked the way these turned out. Last week I bought a pretty frame with 5 different size openings, I cropped several photos of just the wing patterns on my butterfly pictures and put them in the frame, I really like the look. It gives a whole different perspective.

I placed an order today with Select Seeds, bought some poppy seeds and few other odds and ends, they have just heirloom seeds. I also ordered a couple of Lantanas and a Brugmansia. I had three Brugs but last summer with the flood and all, they did not get proper care so I ditched them last fall instead of over wintering them like I normally do.

Three years ago I bought a few angel wing begonias, they have become a favorite of mine, they are reliable bloomers this time of year. Any flower in Feb is a welcome sight for me.

Shooting Star Hoya

This is a shooting star hoya that is in full bloom right now. It is the easier bloomer of any of the hoyas. It almost always at least one cluster of flowers on it. At the moment there are several.

Beautiful Moon

The moon is absolutely beautiful tonight. Not quite full. We had a very warm melting day. That is OK, I hope the snow melts slowly so we do not have a repeat of last year's flooding.

Elderberry Black Lace

This is a Black Lace Elderberry, sambucus nigra 'black lace' also know as the Japanese Maple of the North. I planted mine a couple of years ago, it has yet to bloom and produce berries, I have hopes that it will this year. It is a very attractive shrub, I would highly recommend it. I think it is interesting even in the winter.

My son "landscapes" while I "garden".....lol..............anyway we both planted this shrub the same spring without knowing the other had chosen and planted it.

Brugmasias

This Brugmasia tree was in full bloom at Reimans at Christmas time as it is almost every time we visit. The scent is wonderful.

Pretty Rosie

I love this picture of Rosie, she was eating ice. We have had an abundance of ice this winter for her to nibble on.