SUNDAY STROLL

Come walk with me around our front porch. No long stroll today. It's just too hot! For some deep rooted reason we are crazy for rocks and always have landscaped with rocks of various sizes. Here it is becoming obvious to me after several years the ground cover is beginning to overrun our rock features. I think it's time to raise them up on patio stones or maybe even thicker cement slabs.

Here is the smooth and nicely rounded rock from Lake Michigan. I expect it was tumbled and smoothed during some of the different movements of the ice ages.

The lovely and crystal filled geode is from Kentucky and we found it at a rock yard in Indiana.

I'm not sure how this charming heart shaped rock received it's shape, but it is a nice addition to our decor.

I would love to keep this narrow long rock upright because I like the hook that is in the base. I need to find stakes or supports so that I can put the hook at the top and not have it tumble over as the earth moves. I keep setting it up and next time I look it is laying on it's side. The cats are going to help me here I'm sure.

The porch is on the north side of the house and so is mostly in the shade which makes it nice for sitting, rocking and having a cold glass of tea.

It is time to pinch back my Coleus, they are getting kind of leggy and I want them to look good well into fall.

The Hummingbirds love to visit the Fuchsia when they come to their feeders. The front porch is over 80' and that probably means that the back deck is in the 90's The south facing deck is not comfortable until late afternoon.

The large leafed Hostas are starting to bloom now and I really enjoy their pretty fluted flowers.

Here is a better look at how overgrown our shrubs are getting. I meant to move the Hosta out this spring and let the Nandina fill in, but, oops I neglected that little chore.

Come again anytime and we may even venture out away from the porch if it isn't quite so hot.

Be sure to visit the other strollers over at Aisling's place.

SUNDAY STROLL

Out in the old garden area are two peach trees. They are very pretty, at least in part. Time and bad weather have pruned them unmercifully. And so they are what they are, neglected old trees.


I swear there was a gallant honey bee working the flowers when I took this picture. I suspect she is behind one of the flowers waiting for me to leave.

My all time favorite this time of the year are the Bleeding Hearts that line the entry ramp to our house. As a child did you ever turn back the heart so that you ended up with a ballerina?

These Selfheal and Dandelions have risen in our garden space which has not been active for a couple of years. We planted, but nature did not approve. Our town had to buy water from a fellow with a big lake not too many miles from here. We have had two years of drought and veggies don't make it very long, but the resilient weeds and herbs don't need endless watering and are content.


A pretty little Bluet.


Sweet Violet

I am still practicing close ups and still envious of all the bloggers who zero in on flowers so beautifully. I may have to take a course in photography again to learn some of the tricks of the trade.

See who else is strolling today at The Quiet Country House