What's the Stink About Pink?

 It is October which many celebrate as Breast Cancer Awareness month.  

I was diagnosed almost a year ago with breast cancer and am happy to report I am now cancer free. The whole "Think Pink"and the pink ribbons have a whole new meaning to me now, but it has always been a positive one. 

  I say this as I have read, heard and spoken with several people who get offended about "all the pink" and say it has become too commercialized and the meaning is lost.  I respect others opinions but I do not agree.  I think it is raising awareness and bringing it to others attention.   

 Prior to being diagnosed, I used to always buy things with the pink ribbon on them given the choice- I knew they didn't give 100% of the proceeds but I knew they gave something and I was more than happy to do it.  

I have several friends and family members who have had cancer and I have always been supportive of any and all efforts to boost awareness and support of any and all cancers. 

 I personally went to MD Anderson in Houston and I cannot say enough wonderful things about the surgeons, plastic surgeons, nurses and staff there.  I have friends that were recipients of financial help through the Susan G. Komen foundation, which without this help would not have been able to afford the biopsies.  Locally here in Austin, there is the BCRC which is another great resource. 

It always blows me away when people say they have not had a mammogram "cause it hurts too much".  Really?   Try the alternative.  It is about 5 minutes of discomfort.  That's it.  I don't get it. 

Anyway, I put together a collection of pink flowers that I love- yes, I love pink.  Always have, always will and the "Think Pink" campaign just gives me more reasons to do so!

Happy October!!

Fun with the Hummingbirds!!

The hummingbirds were OUT!  

Here is one working over the Vitex.  I don't think I have ever seen them on the Vitex before, but it was certainly a hit this week.

There were three that were dipping and fluttering and whizzing by me.  I just stood there and watched.   This little guy's perch was on the fence by the Antigonon.  He would whiz by work over a few plants then go sit there and hang out.

This guy's little perch was on a string.  It was so cute.  He was bouncing up and down on the string.  I have so many shots of him balancing himself.  It was cute to watch.

Then he'd go work over the Turk's Cap and return to the string.

 Not the best shot but you can see the vibrant red which is so pretty!!!  So does that mean this is the male?  I am clueless on things like that!!

 Here's the other one working over the Salvia leucantha- a tried and true hummingbird favorite.

 Here is a shot of the second one from the front- not a great picture
but that red just screams at you- love it!!!

 This bed is like a hummingbird's fantasy- we have so many things in there they love- next to the Salvia  leucantha is the Salvia 'Silke's Dream' which they adore, I couldn't get good angles on them on that one from where I was and didn't want to move around too much.

I did get this shot of one with a little bee as well- wasn't going for that but though it was a neat shot.

All of the shots I had with two or three at the same time were blurry so I don't have any of those to post.  They were having so much fun- not sure who had a better time, me watching them or them playing. 

What's That You Say? Rain?

 It's true.  We have had rain the last few days.  Some areas more than others but we have been having it and almost daily the last few days.  It has been nice.  Not going to lie.  Here are a few shots of what I thought was looking pretty this week.  The Dwarf Barbados Cherry look as beautiful as ever.  

 The Pedlianthus 'Lady Slipper' is one that I never tire of.  The blooms are so simple yet intricate.  This has been a long time favorite of mine.   

 The Belinda's Dream Roses are bursting with blooms- if only this were a scratch and sniff picture!

 The Vitex, Chaste Trees, are blooming away.  

 The Bougainvilleas have been getting a lot of attention from the butterflies. 

The Wedelia are loaded with blooms.  I like the bright yellow against the bright green.

 Here's a shot of a little guy getting a drink.  He just sat there and let me shoot away then flew off.  

My friends came in for a visit this week from Houston- we had a great time walking around and looking at everything.  Here is a shot of us in front of the office.  Love girl days- had a lot of fun laughing and catching up- wish they lived here!!  Chris (the one in the middle) is the one that makes all the cute jewelry we have inside.

Hope everyone is having a great September - I do believe fall might actually be coming....

He's Back!

He's back- or she.  I don't know.  But the Roadrunner is back.  

He's so fun to watch.  I was walking out of the office when I saw him and ran back in for the camera.  I was able to capture a few shots of him.

  I was under this huge Oak out front so the light wasn't great but I like the way the photos turned out anyway.  

 He at one point had sticks in his mouth so I am not sure if he was building a nest/going to one or just carrying around sticks.  Here is a shot (not so great) of him with the stick in his mouth.

  I will keep my eye out and see if perhaps he has a nest.  In years past they hung out in the back and had a nest in this old fountain we had.

    I am just glad to see him!!!

We Have a Name.....

Well we have a name.  Cooper.  He is just the cutest thing ever.

He loves going to the nursery but he doesn't last long.  He poops out and hangs out in his kennel in the a/c.  Can't say I blame him this week....  Ha.  He's only putting in a half day right now, before long we will have him up there full time and putting him to work!

The Texas Sage 'White Cloud' are blooming like mad.  

I love the more traditional ones with the green and gray foliage and the purple/lavender flowers but these with the white flowers are just stunning to me.  I guess I prefer them since they are different.  Just like the white skullcap, I love the pink and the purple but the white are just prettier.  Come to think of it, I prefer the White Plumbago as well!   White flowers aren't my "favorite" by any means, I am partial to the reds and blues actually but I guess cause they are different.

The 'Lynn's Legacy' Texas Sage is another one blooming like crazy right now.  It stays a little smaller overall, about 5' x 5'.  I just like the Sages I know due to the fact they are evergreen and bloom.  Good combo in my opinion.  These are light green leaves with the lavender blooms.

The Mexican Olives are absolutely stunning right now.  They are full of blooms and I do have to admit if not my favorite, one of my favorite trees.

The 'Madame Galen' Trumpet Vines are also full of blooms.  People either love or hate these- they definitely need the right spot but they are gorgeous vines with beautiful blooms- I prefer this variety, the blooms are larger.  

Our Argentine Saguaro is putting on an arm- very exciting.  He stands about 8 feet tall right now.  Can't wait for the arm!!!!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!!

Blooming this Week

A lot going on this week - blooms galore and as you will see at the end.... a little news.

The Golden Saguaro, Neobuxbaumia polylopha, earlier in the morning.
The bloom is opened up more. This is such a beautiful bloom in person.  The cactus is about 4 1/2 feet tall so it is hard to see the tops of it but it is stunning, they are stunning.  

The Caesalpinia, Pride of Barbados are blooming like crazy.  We have two large clumps along the fence lines that are in full bloom and beautiful. 

The Salvia 'Silke's Dream' are vibrant red and very popular with the hummingbirds this week.

The Cassia corymbosa have busted into full bloom and are beautiful.  These are great little trees.  

 

The Monarchs are all over the Milkweed.  I love watching them- there are butterflies all over the place but I am partial to the Monarchs.

And here we have, well, he doesn't have a name yet.  I pick him up tomorrow.  I can't wait.  Name to follow soon.  It took me a while to be ready for another dog but I am and he is precious.  

Still Can't Believe it's August

 Where does the time go?  I mean I feel like I looked up and it is August 10th.  Crazy.  Thought I'd post a few pics of what has been pretty lately while walking around and let you in on my bloom watch.  The Golden Saguaro Cactus are getting ready to bloom and I can't wait!!!!  

 Here it is about a week ago.

This is yesterday- they are all coming along at about the same speed.  

Hopefully it will open soon!!!!

 Here is a shot of the White Society Garlic I took - it is so pretty.  So delicate.  Love it.

The Evergreen Wisteria (which isn't always evergreen....) is blooming away- 

such a vibrant bold purple.

 The Sesbania 'Rattlebox" is loaded with blooms.  The hummingbirds are all over it but I am not sure if they are getting anything from it- I think they are more frustrated with it than anything.   They have been hanging out on it's branches and then go and dive bomb other flowers.  

 The Duranta 'Sapphire Showers' are loaded with blooms and are so pretty. 

And Last but not least - one of the coolest things we have right now in my opinion, the Cork Oak.  They make corks from these trees.  How cool is that????  I love the bark.  And it's squishy! 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Just a little personal update- happy to report that I got the "all clear" from my doctors last week and I couldn't be happier.  I was diagnosed as many of you know with breast cancer the end of last year and had surgery and then radiation and am thrilled to report just got the news and am now cancer free.  I can not thank the doctors at MD Anderson, Houston, enough.  I had a terrific team.  Woo hoo!!!  Now that I am clear, expect to see more posts from me as I have been hanging out at the nursery more and more. Can't tell you how much I missed it!!!  Very therapeutic.