Shelter!

One of the most important necessities of life is shelter. This necessity is often taken for granted. We have already had quite a few cold, rainy days this fall that have made me pause and thank God for my nice warm home.

On a recent dreary day I noticed a little fellow that did not seem to be as fortunate as myself.


I wonder why he is choosing to sit in the rain?


And just when I thought he was strange, I noticed that he wasn't alone.
Are there any reptile specialists out there that have an explanation for this?


From the warmth of my own place of shelter, I noticed something else. The Camellia was almost ready to bloom!


After a couple of days of rain, the sun came out again...and so did the blooms!

I am so thankful that God has provided me shelter from the weather! I am also thankful that He chose to surround it with the beauty of His creation. Is there something that you are thankful for today?

Blooming Friday.....Camellias and Tiny Loropetalum Blooms

I was looking at some of the blooming Friday posts and decided that it was time for me to participate. I took my camera out this morning and found several plants in my yard blooming, but nothing looked as beautiful as the fall blooming camellias. I added them to my landscape several years ago and have not been disappointed. I hope you enjoy the blooms.


This camellia is actually climbing the side of my house that is seen first from the drive.


Although it is full of buds, the only ones that are opened are hiding near the wall at the bottom of the plant. I guess they are shy.


See....no visible blooms yet!


I believe that this little bee was hiding from his friends.


Speaking of hiding....do you use plants in your landscape to hide unsightly things?


I just had to sneak in this picture of the loropetalum bloom. It is tiny, but beautiful.


Camellias are one of the South's best plants.


Don't you agree?

Hope you enjoyed the Friday blooms! Have a blessed weekend!

Evening Strolls and Southern Charm

Earlier this week I posted about planting creeping fig in an attempt to incorporate some Southern charm into the landscape around my home. I mentioned being inspired by glimpses of the gated gardens of Charleston, South Carolina. Many commented about their own love for Charleston or a wish to visit there themselves. Bonnie even suggested a lovely book about a Charleston garden (which I will most certainly read)! Allison, one of my newest blogging friends, mentioned a desire to see more of my own Southern garden. So here it goes!

After pondering Allison's request, I came up with many reasons as to why she would be disappointed after seeing my garden.

1. I do not really have a garden. (I use the words garden and landscaping
interchangeably.)

2. I am not a gardener. (I am in awe of those of you who are true gardeners.)

3. My landscaping has many imperfections. (Did I mention that I am not a gardener?)

4. This summer's drought really took its toil on my landscaping. (a.k.a. garden)

5. Fall is not the best season for show-and-tell. (See some of my spring posts.)

However, as I have said before, I am a very transparent blogger. I am not afraid to show the bad as well as the good in my blog. Keeping that in mind, I took a little evening stroll around the house trying to capture some of the Southern elements of my landscaping.


A climbing camellia is actually a regular camellia that is pruned to appear to climb the brick wall.


The Adirondack chairs are not a Southern element, but the view is!


What Southern garden is complete without lots of ferns? I just wish I could get mine to grow as big as the ones in Charleston. Any ideas?


Of course every garden needs a kitty or two. They are perfect for catching pesky voles.


Every Southern garden needs roses! Since I am not a gardener, I grow knock-out roses. These are easy to grow and smell wonderful.


This is a picture of the alcove area created with our addition. The creeping fig is on the wall that cannot be seen. If you look closely you can see one of our Southern enemies...Bermuda grass! It invades every inch of our landscaping. Does anyone have suggestions on getting rid of it for good?


Our fall-blooming camellia is full of buds this year.


Camellias truly are southern shrubs that I cannot get enough of.


As you can see, my alcove is not big enough to be called a courtyard, but I just love the character that it adds to my home.


Look! I found a little surprise! I noticed my first fall camellia bloom during my evening stroll. (Thanks, Allison, for sending me out to photograph my landscaping!)

I love this time of evening during the fall months. The air has a certain woodsy scent that one can just inhale deeply to melt away the stress of the day. Maybe I was wrong...maybe fall is the best time in my garden/landscaping/yard. And, maybe...just maybe I'll turn into a gardener when I grow up! When under the influence of this autumn air, one begins to believe that anything is possible.

Things That I Love

As I was taking my morning stroll around the yard, as I do every spring morning to observe new plant growth, I couldn't help but feel a wave of thankfulness rush over me. Everything was beautifully washed from a gentle rain that fell yesterday, the birds were singing sweetly in the trees, and the sun was shining brightly. I started to think about how incredibly blessed I am. God has given me a wonderful family, supportive friends, and beautiful things to enjoy.

The idea of beautiful things takes on many different meanings for people. To me, beautiful things are not the most expensive things, or the latest or newest things; in fact, most of them cost nothing at all and some are quite old. They are simply things that make me happy when I see them. So here it goes - a list of just a few of my favorite things!



--Hellebores humbly swaying in a gentle breeze
(I have always wondered why such a beautiful flower would hang its head.)



--mud on my shoes from a newly planted garden area
(I didn't realize that the dirt on the outside of the bed was so soft.)



--a one hundred year old chest once owned by my husband's great grandparents
(Can you believe that someone once told me that it would be beautiful if I repainted it?)



--a friendly little chick-a-dee that allows me a closer look
(I think he is learning to trust me.)



--early morning dew on a budding camellia
(early morning dew on any flower for that matter)

These are just a few of the little treasures that I enjoy; but none of these can compare to the treasure that I find in my Lord and Savior who said himself, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

What are some of your favorite things?