SUNDAY STROLL - IN FULL BLOOM

Sharing the bounty of nectar are bees and butterflies as they sample different flowers on the

Bee Balm ( Bergamot or Oswego tea) choosing to have their tea undiluted rather than the weak beverage the humans are inclined to sip.

A visit to the wild flowers shows a little fly is also busy collecting flower goodies and happily being a welcome pollinator.

Aren't these 'wild things' flashing a colorful face to entice the bugs and insects to come play with them.

This year I bought two Cone Flowers (Echinacea) to add to the flower border. This one may be intimidated by the Shasta Daisies which has several flower to show off.

The Hosta are in full bloom and their trumpets or bells sway and wave in the light breeze that is a refreshing change from the hot humid days we have survived.

Here is a step back from the Sunflowers to show they are reaching a good height, not the 12 feet hoped for but looking stately and ready for a magnificent show when all the faces are turned to the sun.

Isn't this just the cutest face of a Sunflower, it reminds me of an Elf with huge ears and a cute pointed hat and a festive collar to frame its face. I kept expecting the petals to pop open and a little plant face speak to me of magical and curious things.

Here at last is what the faces will look like before the seeds begin to fully develop and the birds are called to feast.

Our three lovely Rose of Sharon bushes line the driveway and welcome all who come to visit. They will bloom continuously until frost.

With this close up of the Rose of Sharon I bid you Adieu and encourage you to

visit the Sunday Strolling list at

Aislings Country Home to visit other walk-abouts.

SUNDAY STROLL - NOT QUITE READY FOR DINNER

The birds and I are keeping a close eye on the wild Blueberries. They are tiny, but oh so tasty.


The cultivated cousins are keeping a close pace and all the Blueberries may be ripe at about the same time.

Rhubarb Pies will have to wait a year or two, but we are patient.

This little green tomato is coming along just fine, thank you. I hope many more follow for lots of tomato sandwiches this summer.

Tea drinkers may find waiting for the roses to fade and the

Rose Hips to ripen a bit tiresome, but worth the wait.

Another tea provider is the Bee Balm, I find it a little strong.

Now this is really a garnish, but Mimosa smells delicious. I haven't a clue to what liquor is used to make a Mimosa, maybe someone will enlighten me.

I'm not aware of any culinary use for Lilies, but they are so pretty and smell so good, they fill up my senses just by being in my yard.

To visit other strollers click here to visit Aislings Stroll invitation.

Oh! Deer!

It is such a treat to share our home place with a forest full of wild life that gift us with their presence from time to time. Generally I'm so enchanted I just look out the window and enjoy the sight of a shy neighbor strolling into view to see what salad greens we might have to share.

But this time I remembered to grab the camera and record the ramble around the house as we went from window to window.

Walnut leaves were tested and who knows if the tree will be visited again, I expect that depends on the palate of the deer and possibly on the scarcity of better choices.

This was out the front door and the deer spotted me and with a swift turn and a couple of good leaps was back in the woods and away from the unpredictable human stalking her from the human place.

SUNDAY STROLL - COMING ALONG NICELY

It's hot and muggy and the flowers are telling us whether or not they are enjoying all the rain and heat that is covering Tennessee right now. Here in the light shade of the Dogwood tree these Geraniums are looking perky and happy.

The feathery Celosia and cousin the Cockcomb Celosia are surrounding the Vinca and are starting to show some growth. Also showing growth are the grasses and stray weed that have flourished in the rain and sun that will soon find me busy with the hoe.

The sunflowers are starting to form heads and are looking like they might reach their promised 8 to 12 feet.

The Lantana is always a favorite flower and attracts the bees, butterflies and humming birds.

I look forward to the Lantana filling in the bare spots, but I need to get busy with that hoe and clean up the ragged edge. This area is needing serious attention.

Getting out of the direct sun I headed for the front porch and a picture of the sweet Wax Begonia. It is so much more comfortable here in the shade.

This succulent has been flowering since February in the Hobby Shop where it winters over.

We will bid a fond farewell with a glimpse of the wind tossed Mimosa Tree flowers. There is a breeze but with a heat index of around 100' it doesn't really refresh the spirit or the flesh right now.

May I encourage you to stroll along with other folks by going to Aislings place and seeing where they had wandered.