Whirling butterflies, Pretty Ladies, and more

Well, posting more often would keep me from having waaay too much to tell you, when I do post. 

Thank you for the nice comments on my last post. I apologize for not getting back to reply...it always amazes me that you actually come back. Thank you!

Want to see one of my very favorite perennials? Well, this is Gaura, or Whirling Butterflies...

It sways and dances in the breeze, and even when there is no breeze, the weight of tiny bees cause the flowers to bounce up and down. I love it. 

My daughter Lynn grew these in her old garden several years ago. She used to say to me, "Mom, don't ever buy just one perennial", so I went all out last year and bought three Whirling Butterflies. Walmart had them reduced. ..

I really want to buy more perennials and eventually, extend the flower garden the length of the path. Now there's a job! There is a pink Gaura too which has reddish stems and very pink flowers. 

By the way, can any of you tell me the name of this flower...

You know how I often mention my Aunt Berlie in my blog posts, well, these flowers grew in her yard many many years ago. Mama got cuttings from Aunt Berlie's yard; then another many many years later, mama gave me cuttings from her yard. Would love to know what it is. 

Again this year, I've added  a tiny oasis inside the hot garden...

just a place for lizards, frogs, and little snakes, to get a drink and cool off. Not very pretty, I know. I'll probably change it again, but already there is a frog living under that first saucer. 

and now, the best part...

Remember a few weeks ago, when I started a post about my online, West Coast friend's cute granddaughter...

and unbeknownst to me, someone hit the "publish" button and sent my unfinished post on it's way! How embarrassing that was!

Anyhow, hopefully, no harm was done, and my friend then ordered matching aprons, one for herself and one for her granddaughter...

Can't tell you how excited I was to get this picture of them wearing the aprons. Gosh, the two of them certainly make the aprons look pretty, don't they! Such beautiful ladies. Thank you so much!

Poppy and I have been threating for months now to pull up the pavers at the front steps and re-build the little patio. It had become moss covered, and sunken in places so the rain puddled at the bottom of the steps... 

It was a messy job for sure...

Kept me busy running back and forth to the shed for more tools, and hauling two wheelbarrow loads of dirt from across the path...then we spread ten bags of sand, leveled it all, and replaced the brick pavers...

Looking much better, isn't it? 

and today, we are still adding fine dry sand; brushing it into the cracks. This patio is far from perfect. Neither of us claim to know how to lay pavers and build a patio. :) At least, next time it rains, maybe we won't step down into a puddle.

Well, I'm still not done, but you probably are so I will wait until next time to share the hawk story, the pond, and the mushrooms. 

Thank you friends, and thank you to a new follower. Wow! 

Love,

Henny