Summer Garden

The days are long and hot, but some of the plants in my flower beds love it.

One of the benefits of a xeriscape garden.

BLUE DAZE

These Blue Daze have been in pots for 2 years,
and are really root-bound.
But they keep on keeping on!

DURANTA/BRAZILIAN SKY FLOWER

This tall guy has been showing off with beautiful purple flowers
since early spring.

These waxy golden berries set after the flowers drop.

Butterflies and bees love this Brazilian Sky Flower.

TECOMA STANS/YELLOW BELLS/ESPERANZA

The yellow pops.

Yellow Bells

HIBISCUS

This Hibiscus' peachy double flower is dreamy.

 

 

LANTANA

The spicy smell of Lantana always reminds me of
my Grandfather Kenney Voelkel's garden.

My grandfather's Lantana were pink and yellow like these.

My favorite color is "Dallas Red."
This one is training into a tree instead of a ground-hugger.

Dallas Red Lantana

 

 

MOSS ROSE

A plant with soft, succulent foliage
and bright--almost neon--blooms.

TEXAS SAGE

Sort of a badge of Texas citizenship

Sage blooms after it rains.
A floral hooray!

See the bee?
He was happy.

Grey-green foliage with soft lavender colored blooms.

STELLA D'ORO DAY LILLY

Blooms last only a day, but this repeat bloomer
keeps the blooms coming from spring to frost.

SUNFLOWERS

New to my garden this year,
Giant Sunflowers were supposed to reach 10' or more.
These are more like 4' tall,
and they make me smile.

Summer Living

Catching up with some pictures from a couple of Friday dates with Daniel.

Summer here on the South Central Texas Coast

means trying to stay as cool and safe as possible

from the sun's 100-degree heat and humidity.

That translates to walks before 9:30 AM or after 7 PM,

sunscreen, hats, a shady sandbox,

and water fun on our covered patio.

Thank goodness for air conditioned homes and cars!



One Friday morning, Daniel wanted to push his wagon
all over Cypress TX.  We stopped to see some whirlygigs
blowing in the breeze.

It's a "brella" with legs.

It's a boy playing Peep-Eye.

Give him anything 'bahndah'
which is Daniel-ese for any item that's long, tall,
with a handle, stick, etc.

What a physique!
Daniel's not scowling.  He's just trying all his new teeth.

Sidewalk Chalk

"Wow!"

Stone Soup with Spicy Cars

This watering can is a favorite wading pool toy.

After pool time, while waiting for lunch--
HeyYea enjoys some gel stickies.

Daniel lets HeyYea stick some fish to the window.

"Boo Bubba" and "Eyo Pes "
blue bubbles and yellow pesces
(Fish = pesces for our little Brasiliero.)
A new phrase for Daniel:  "I did it!!"

After a nap, it's way too hot to go outside.
How 'bout a juicy, crunchy, cold, sweet
Red Delicious Apple?

D has some chomping teeth--finally!--
and he can get busy on this fruit that's
nearly as big as his head.

Mais chega.  Chew it well, Daniel.
BTW--he didn't eat it all.
But he liked it a lot.

Colors

 

 

Hi!  Hola!

It's Daniel.

Mamae and Papai have been teaching me

colors.

I talk about colors a lot now.

 

After my nap I saw my tooth monster hat.

Hats are fun and this one is 'geen.'

Since I'm getting all kinds of new teeth,

I wanted to wear it a lot.

 HeyYea has a car.

He lets me play with it.

It's 'purpa'!

 My GiGi's shirt is 'boo.'

So are my eyes.

 

 This thing is yellow.

(My GiGi can't figure out

how to spell that one yet.)

 

 I call it Bahndah,

because it's long

and that's my favorite word.

 Look how tall and yellow this is!

 Lights don't have a color name,

but it sure is fun

to climb on my little stool

and help GiGi.

I. turn. them. on.

and. off.

and. on.

and. off.

and . . .

 

 

 What is this?!

Colors that squish.

 I had more fun with the

soft, fuzzy sticks.

GiGi called them Q-tips.

 Laranja

That's what GiGi calls orange.

 Geen!

 

 These two fuzzy pictures show

how much I like to stack

and unstack things.

 The colors?

'Geen' 'ed' 'laranja'

Just hangin' out in

GiGi's pantry.