The 3 B's

We have birds....

We have bees....

But no butterflies...Until this gorgeous creature appeared. I watched as she deposited several eggs on the passionflower vine.

I'm always amazed at the miracle of life. Hope you guys have a Happy Easter.

Spring in our Garden Part Deux

Since we are having such a fabulous Spring here in Texas, I thought I would share with you more pictures from our work in progress garden.

We added some Knockout Roses next to the Lavender. They looked so pretty in the rain.

These Irises were planted many years ago.  

I just purchased this Alstromeria. I had these in my old garden and loved them.

 

The Coral Honeysuckle Vine was recently added to attract the hummingbirds. 

The Firecracker Fern is blooming. This plant is huge! I'm going to have to divide it.

We planted this Bottlebrush Bush last year. It is finally blooming.

Is it just me or do the blooms look like red yarn?

Spring in our Garden

We are still working on our garden and have a LONG way to go before it looks the way we want. March the 25th will be our one year anniversary in our new home. Here is a look at some small improvements we have made and what is going on in the garden:

Pots of Annuals for color

New growth on the Rising Sun Redbud

Pot full of Impatiens that overwintered

First Love Dianthus

Spanish Lavender

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rain Drops

 

We are getting some wonderful Spring rainfall. Should be a great wildflower season.

Bacon and Egg Candy

When I saw these on the internet, I knew I had to make some. I love a good salty and sweet combo. The recipe is pretty easy and the cuteness factor is pretty high.

Bacon and Egg Candy Recipe:

1 package M&M's (sort through and pick out all the yellow ones)

1 package white chocolate chips, melted

1 package pretzel sticks, broken in half

Directions:

Melt chocolate in the microwave or by tempering it on the stove, stirring constantly. Let the chocolate cool slightly (the "yolks" will break if the chocolate is hot). Line several baking sheets with wax paper. Spoon approximately a tablespoon of the melted white chocolate on the wax paper. Place a single, yellow M&M, blank side up, in the middle of the chocolate. Place the pretzel sticks on the side. Place in the fridge for 5 minutes or leave at room temperature until chocolate has hardened. Remove candies from wax paper using a knife or an icing spreader.

Enjoy!

Little Miss Wren

A couple weeks after Christmas, I was on the hunt for something to spruce up the front doors. I purchased two lovely Spring wreaths from Hobby Lobby and my husband quickly hung them up. Within minutes of the wreaths going up, my husband informed me there was a bird in the wreath. This comes as no surprise, since this being my childhood home, I'm well aware this is a favorite nesting place for the wrens. Sure enough, a tiny stick was purposely placed in the wreath. I could just see  little miss Wren announcing to the other birds, "Mine!" I watched as the wrens feverishly built their nest. Within days, the nest was completed and the eggs had been laid. I counted four, which I know is sort of an insurance policy, since sometimes not all the eggs hatch or not all the babies make it. Nature is tough!

Miss Wren did have a choice in which condo she choose. Condo 1, on the left, is basically the door we NEVER use. Or, she could build in Condo 2, the door we go in and out of a couple of times a day. Of course, she choose Condo 2! Now we have to give her a "courtesy knock" each time we open the door to make sure she flies out of the nest and NOT into the house.

With the arrival of the wrens nest and the blooming bulbs around town, I know Spring is on its way. Guess we better enjoy it because it is short lived in South Texas before the summer heat and humidity kicks in. Hope you are enjoying the early Spring!