Roses and Hummingbird/Butterfly Garden Plans

Here is part of my "rose garden" if you can call 4 rose bushes a garden.  I'm really excited because those two big stalks on the red Don Juan are reaching for my bedroom window and I can see a lovely bud first thing in the morning.  :-)

I recently read that coral honeysuckle and hibiscus are great for attracting caterpillars/butterflies and, dare I hope?, hummingbirds.  I have four little Ixoras waiting to be planted, and I'm thinking of expanding this little area to make a hummingbird/butterfly garden. It will be right outside of our soon-to-be-built lanai.

Hand Appliqué

Yesterday, I tried my hand at appliqué (without the aid of my embroidery machine). This is for a specific project that should come together pretty quickly once I stitch on the little birdie details and a few more leaves.


Edit: I did it again! (posted on the wrong blog due to my iPad ignorance!). But look- flower, bird... Very garden-y.

Bean Problem

Anyone know what my bean problem is? There are fresh blooms, so I don't think the season is over. It's been warm, but the plants look healthy, so I don't think they are too dry.

Baby Tomatoes

I have two tomato plants and was starting to freak out because there were no new ones after the ones that were already on the one plant. I was heartened today, though, when I found a few babies on each plant.

As a side note, I am totally addicted to posting from my iPad. It's so fast and easy. The only downside is the inability to control photo focus.

Easy Arrangement

I get to be pretty creative with my flower arrangements since all of my planted flowers are still pretty small in their second year. Here is what I came up with today with lavender and gardenias.

My beautiful tomato

I went to check on my one beautiful red, ripe tomato this morning, 'cause I totally check on my produce first thing in the morning. Look!! Something took a bite and the ants moved in. I guess I won't let the next one stay on the vine a day past ripeness.

Simple Pleasures

Bright mini carnations in a blue jar make me happy.

Carrots!

We couldn't wait any longer to have some carrots. I think I didn't thin these out well enough last month as they are still pretty scrawny and some are kind of intertwined. We will have have these with dinner, though, and the rest are thinned out now.

Corn Progress

I ended up doing nothing to control the suspected Armyworm infestation of my corn. I read that the life cycle for them is only about a month and if you can wait it out, the corn will be fine. I was skeptical but I waited it out and left them alone.

As you can see, the cornstalks are doing fine, the tassels are doing well, and the ears are growing. I'm as giddy as my 5-year-old. There are no holes on the higher-up leaves, so I guess the adult Armyworms have either died or moved on.

Do you like my dress?

I'm learning how to post from my new iPad and accidentally posted a sewing post over here. :-). I could just delete it but I think it would show up on Reader anyway... So I hope you didn't mind viewing my Easter-dress-in-progress for a moment.

Easter Dress

Here is a little peek at my Easter dress. As usual, I still have quite a bit to do in a few days. I'm super excited to use this lace I bought a few years ago in Italy!

Budding

So many beautiful buds are popping up in the yard. Here are a few favorites.