Another Garden Visit with my Pals

A few more blooming moments.... this one is part of the border hedge.

A lovely grass plant, female version....

The male plant, luckily right next to the female, so they are both very happy!

Petunias are continuing to bloom from the January plantings, but their time is short now...

and coming a couple of months late ... February is normal bloom time for the gardenias, but we are always delighted when they appear.  We hope the coming hot weather doesn't shorten their two month blooming time to a shorter time for us this year!

The little violet-like plant is continuing to flourish, and has been delighted to be in a large pot with a greatly expanding lavender plant - some shade is necessary for them and hope that the summer won't knock them out.

My constant gardening (pest) helpers - where are all the little lizards anyway?  Brandy (in front) and Lucy (the lizard hunter).   We love Spring in Florida!!

Spring has Come at Last !

and with Spring we finally have some warmer (70s, low 80s occasionally) temperatures!  The foliage is filling out and becoming lush again after our long, cold winter (the coldest on record in south Florida). 

These marigolds popped up in my bougainvillea planter and I was so happy to see them I just let them stay there.

A

And the Angel Trumpet tree is announcing the return of Spring and beauty to south Florida!

Sub-Tropical Climate? Not so far in 2010!

We have just experienced record cold (31 degrees) and 10 days of low 40s/upper 30s.  The result?  Dead fish all along the edges of our ponds, no turtles to be seen, no lizards in our yards.  And the iguanas are falling out of the trees and dying.  It's back up to 75 today, but looks like mid winter in the north east in our yard. So many plants, shrubs, even trees have been damaged or have died.

But as I write these words, I feel grateful to have food, water, shelter and all my loved ones safe.  My husband works with a lovely, gentle man who comes into work every day with tears in his eyes.  He is Haitian, and still has no word if his family is safe or even alive in Haiti.  So many Haitians have made their way to our part of Florida, the sadness hangs very heavy here. Donations are so simple to make, and will help right away.

Red Cross International Relief Fund

or

Doctors Without Borders

We have so much to be grateful for.

Happy, healthy, bright and sunny NEW YEAR 2010

A lovely walk to begin the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

Looking to the north toward Ft. Lauderdale.

The four stacks of Port Everglades can be seen in the upper right.

Looking to the south, a fine mist makes the beach condos of Hollywood appear ghostly.

 

The observation tower of West Lake park has a beautiful view.

Healthy, happy 2010 to all!