Pretty In Pink

This azalea is pretty in pink, but no one can see it! It's hidden on the side of my house and unless you go looking for it, you'll miss out on it's beautiful blooms.


This azalea was given to us by our neighbor a few years ago. She wanted it out of her yard, so we dug it up and transplanted in ours. I'd say that it seems to like it's new home!

Just Peachy!

Check out theses baby peaches on this dwarf peach tree.

This tree came up from seed (or should I say pit) after the much larger Mama tree dropped the would-be peaches on the ground. I have never had any luck having any real fruit off of these trees. I'm not sure they ripen like they are supposed to.

*Shrug*. Not sure what's up with that.

Finally...My Azaleas Are Blooming!

It seemed it took forever for my azaleas to finally bloom.

When they did, they really made a big show!

March For Babies 2009

Yesterday was the annual March of Dimes "March for Babies" walk. More than 3,000 attended.

My team, which was made up of me, my sister-in-law, and my cousin, showed up bright and early, ready to "get our walk on". We had a great time and it was for a great cause. We raised $435 this year. Whoot Whoot!!!

Minty Fresh

I love mint, but never, ever plant it in a flower bed unless you want it to take over. I planted one, teeny tiny spring several years ago, and it multiplied like crazy. Why didn't anyone tell me that it was better suited for containers? Oh well, it's nice and green and smells awesome, so it's all good.

Happy Friday!

It's going to be a beautiful weekend in Upstate SC, so get outside

and tend to those gardens!

*~* Happy Friday! *~*

Wanna Ride?

I don't know much about old cars, but I can appreciate a classic when I see one.

I wouldn't mind taking a ride in this '53 Chevy. Wanna ride?

Fighting Like Cats & Dogs

....or maybe not.

Travelers Rest...Home Sweet Home

Travelers Rest is my home. I have lived here virtually my whole life. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Like everything in the Upstate, TR is growing. It has certainly come a long way since the early 1800's when travelers first started resting in this place on their way to and from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Check out the City Of Travelers Rest website for more interesting history, photos, as well as information about the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Dianthus...Oh Why I Love You.

I love my dianthus. I love the blooms. I love it's smoky blue foliage. I love it because it's blooms are complementary to the Japanese Maple's leaves to which it's planted under.

I think I love it most because it's a perennial! It took me a long time to learn that while annuals are nice, perennials are the only way to grow your garden!

Nest Egg

Nest Eggs

Birds all the summer day
Flutter and quarrel
Here in the arbour-like
Tent of the laurel.

Here in the fork
The brown nest is seated;
For little blue eggs
The mother keeps heated.

While we stand watching her
Staring like gabies,
Safe in each egg are the
Bird's little babies.

Soon the frail eggs they shall
Chip, and upspringing
Make all the April woods
Merry with singing.

Younger than we are,
O children, and frailer,
Soon in the blue air they'll be,
Singer and sailor.

We, so much older,
Taller and stronger,
We shall look down on the
Birdies no longer.

They shall go flying
With musical speeches
High overhead in the
Tops of the beeches.

In spite of our wisdom
And sensible talking,
We on our feet must go
Plodding and walking.

Robert Louis Stevenson

A Hummingbird's Favorite

This Columbine plant came up from seed. It was in a flower bed that we are redoing, until last week when I dug it up. I transplanted it in this pot for the time being.

Columbine is a a perennial and it's a favorite of hummingbirds because it contains a lot of nectar. I believe this particular Columbine blooms purple.

Violators Will Be Prosecuted!

I kinda-sorta trespassed yesterday. I'm a wanted criminal. I'm sure my photo is posted all over the Post Office wall by now and I'll probably be on Sunday night's America's Most Wanted.

BUT...this photo is super cool, huh?

Duck, Duck, GOOSE!

Two geese showed up in the parking lot next door to my work this week. Yesterday, I went to take their photo and could only find this one. I wish they would find a better home than on busy Wade Hampton Boulevard.

I called Wildlife Rehab of Greenville . They said unless they were injured, they couldn't do anything for them. I felt for sure they'd relocate them. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them.

Tulip Song

A tulip blooms in the morn

It's petals soft as cotton

It's beauty cannot be denied

It's elegance not forgotten

Black & White

I love black & white photography. My Dalmation, Hailey, makes for a great black & white subject. This is one of my favorite photos of her.

Wisteria

I absolutely love wisteria. Some people consider it just another invasive vine. But aren't the blooms just some of the most beautiful you've ever seen?


I found this particular vine growing in the edge of the woods at the end of my street.

He Is Risen!

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.

Matthew 28:5-6

What a difference...

....a few weeks make.

On March 27th, I posted a photo of my Japanese Maple's limbs and they were bare.

Spring just makes everything pretty again!

Azaleas...One of My Fav*O*Rites

Azaleas have long been one of my favorite plants. I found these sitting outside of The Green Thumb on Rutherford Road.

For a long time, I have wanted an orange azalea, but they are hard to find.

This photo courtesy of Hubert J. Steed

Helleborus....What?

I have come to realize that I like folksy kind of stuff. I don't need fancy schmancy...simple is usually best. This sign sits outside of The Green Thumb on Rutherford Road, and I've always liked it for some reason.

I had to Google "helleborus" because I had no clue as to what it was. Turns out it's a lenten rose.

Did you know that or did you just learn something new too?

Meet Abby...

This is Abby. She's is my other Jack Russell Terrorist. She's almost 8 years old now, but you wouldn't know it by the way she acts.

My JRT's definitely keep me on my toes and there's always some kind of excitement going on at my house. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Easily Entertained

I was at Dunkin Donuts yesterday morning and thought their door handle was just too cool.

Obviously, it doesn't take much to entertain me. :0)

Ocimum Basilicum, aka Basil

I bought this Basil plant recently at Publix. I sat the plant in front of this window, and it seems to be doing well. I think it's about time to make some basil pesto.

Fur Kidz Rule!

This is Dookie. She is one of my 6 Fur Kidz. Yes, I know, Dookie isn't exactly a nice name for a sweet little dog like this. It wasn't her original name and perhaps one day I'll explain the how she came to be known as Dookie.

Ok....on to why Fur Kidz rule:

1. They never pitch a fit in the checkout line at Walmart.

2. They never ask for money.

3. They don't talk back or have a smart mouth.

4. We will never have to help them with homework or school projects.

5. We will never have to buy them a car.

6. They greet me EVERY TIME with a happy face (and tail) and are genuinely happy to see me!

Windy In South Cackalacky

We had nothing but blue skies yesterday... and a lot of wind as evidenced by these flags at Cherrydale Point.

Menacing Skies

The skies were definitely menacing yesterday as I drove along Watson Road in Travelers Rest.

Technically, I know we still "need the rain". Yada, yada, yada.

Whatever...I'm ready for some sunshine and some Spring days!

Just Leave Me Bee!

I stepped outside work yesterday just after the rain to take some photos of the yellow jasmine.

To my surprise, a bumblebee was making his rounds. He wasn't really interested in getting his photo taken either. I snapped so many pictures of him, I felt like the paparazzi.

He eventually left...with no comment.

Northgate Soda Shop

Sometimes I'll take an alternate route home in hopes that I'll see something new and interesting. As I headed up N. Main Street, I spotted Northgate Soda Shop. While I've seen this place before, I've never stopped inside.

After a little research, I found this link: Northgate Soda Shop. I never knew this place had so much history.

Here's another link about their famous Pimento Cheeseburger.

I'm all about local history and good eats!

Northgate Soda Shop is located at 918 N. Main Street in Greenville.