Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, August 2, 2010

Our Yard in Mid-Summer



Here in Tennessee, we have had a very hot and dry summer this year. George has worked very hard watering the Roses to keep them alive. Other things were beginning to look brown and tired... However, we had a wonderful 2.3 inch rain on Wednesday. The yard loved that rain --and things began to 'green up' after getting some water.

SO--on Friday, I got outside and took a few pictures to share. Above is our new 'road' flowerbed. The Roses LOVE that bed since that area gets so much sunshine. We hope the Irises in that bed will bloom again this Fall since they are re-bloomers. Below are more pictures.




I couldn't help but take a 'sky' picture since, even though it was still very hot, the humidity was lower, and we didn't have as much haze as we usually have...




Aren't these Vincas pretty??? I love the color... We planted several of these in our three small round flowerbeds last week. The Lilies and the Daffodils are both gone from those beds --and our Pansies (which we planted last Fall) are dying out. SO--we wanted some color in those beds to last 'til late Fall when we will plant some new Pansies.



This is the upper front side of our yard. There obviously is alot of green in this area right now. If you were walking in our yard, you would see some English Ivy, Periwinkle, Hostas and Autumn Joy Sedum... (The American Irises and the Daffodils are gone for this year.) The Sedum will bloom and give that area some color IF we could keep the deer from nibbling them!!!!! Grrrrrrr!




This is the lower side of the front yard. You can see the Clematis on the right. We have Container Roses along both sides of the driveway. Our bench (to the right of the picture) is perfect for relaxing when it isn't SO hot!!!!! I need to spend some time out there now that we have quite a few hummingbirds coming to the feeders.




This beautiful Rose bush is named SOUTHERN BELLE. George says that this one is named after me!!! Ha---I'm definitely southern, but more of a cowbell than a tinkly bell....Tee Hee!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing our front yard in AUGUST....

How do you like my new August blog look???? Makes me want to go to the beach NOW!!!!

Have a great Monday!!!!!
Hugs,

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy seeing your different flower beds. I think we all have struggled with the heat this summer. I am anxious for Autumn and cooler temps and pansies now! I like your new blog look. Have a great day Betsy.

Kirigalpoththa said...

It seem to be very sunny August in Tennessee :)

SquirrelQueen said...

Love your new blog look. When the header photo appeared the first thing I thought was we need to make a trip to the coast and visit the ocean.

Your yard is beautiful and the roses are gorgeous. Everything is so green, it really did like last week's rain.

Jane said...

Love the new blog look! We have finally had a few cooler mornings and cooler days in general. I doubt that they will continue, but at least fall is not far off.

Jane

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

You have a very tidy yard. Where do you find time to do it between your traveling and blogging?

I feel so ashamed. The only plants i planted were 12 chilli plants in pots so i don't have to do any weeding. oh yes, i put in $10 of seed potatoes, and not one potato I got because I put it in too late, and the cold came too early.

PCovi said...

Beautiful August blog design :) Yes, by all means where is the beach!!!!
I'm admiring your well kept yard :)

Neal said...

Wow, you sure have a lot of work in your yard and it shows because it's beautiful. I have never liked yard work...I don't mind mowing but that's about it. However, my wife loves flowers and will spend a lot of time working in the yard taking care of them.

Big Dude said...

Your place looks very nice Betsy and isn't it nice to be getting some rain.

NENSA MOON said...

Hi Betsy,
Your yard was so beautiful and very spacious...
I love all those pictures!!
You really blessed could lived in a such beautiful place..
Happy day to you, Betsy!
love and hugs

nensa
PS: I love your new blog design.
Perfect!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Being a big foliage girl, I really liked your ivy bed and ground covers. Also a big fan of vinca. So low maintence, not like our friends the roses.
Looks like George has saved the the plants from this miserable heat. Nice job.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I'm loving this new blog look, that photo makes me want to be there!!! Your yard looks gorgeous!!! Vinca has always been one of my favorite plants, they just look happy. Our TN summer has been pretty intense this year...

Randy said...

Your garden looks great! I can't believe you've kept is looking so fresh in this heat. Ours looks very ratty right now. -- Randy

RoeH said...

You should take a photo of the front of your house with every season and then frame it and hang it in your kitchen. . .or wherever. It's so pretty with such beautiful scenery around it.

linda m said...

I like your new blog look. your yard is beautiful. I haven't had much of an opportunity to work in my yard this year. It has either been raining (cats and dogs), flooding, or the mosquitos are so bad they eat you alive. Anyway, I envy your lovely yard and appreciate all the hard work it takes to make it that way.

nanny said...

Your yard is amazing, despite the heat!!! The roses are beautiful.
I planted vincas in pots recently for the deck. I love their colors too and the heat doesn't bother them.....Have a good Monday!

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy. Your yard really is lovely---I never see a single weed there! Fighting weeds here at the Doublewide Ranch is a daily battle. And, yes, this summer heat has been so oppressive---I look forward to fall more than ever.

Your header is beautiful---it did make me have thoughts of heading east, which is actually where I grew up. I do love the ocean, but am still a mountain girl in my heart.

Unknown said...

I love your blog! I saw your post to Grammy Girlfriend and just had to come visit! You take pictures like I do, and you like to "look up" on occasion. I think I know what I am going to blog about today. Thanks for the inspiration!

www.walkingtheoff-beatenpath.blogspot.com

MadSnapper said...

I like the angle of the photo in upper front yard, beautiful with the corner of the house showing. header is beyond beautiful.

Harriet said...

Love the new blog look! Thanks for sharing the pictures of your flowers/

T said...

Love your new blog design - so you!

You and George have such a lovely yard.

Anonymous said...

WOW, Betsy, your blog looks wonderful. I just love it! I always enjoy looking at your flowers in your yard. I bet you have the prettiest yard on the block. I am sorry I lost your last comment at my place. I had to delete the post due to the pictures not showing up for some reason. Have a great week. Hope your knee is no longer bothering you at all.

Susie said...

Your new look is great Betsy. I really like the header pic.

Glad to hear you got lots of rain. Send some here, will you??!?

Dar said...

Your Southern Belle roses are gorgeous. I have always loved the softness of a yellow tinged rose.
Also would die for your ivy...how cool is that?
BlessYourWeek

Valerie said...

I love seeing the all encompassing photos - you have a beautiful yard. Surely the upkeep is a joy - but also very time consuming!

I love VINCA! When we lived in Virginia Beach I planted some every year - it grew so beautifully. I haven't had much luck with it here (I tried it the first few years we were back) your photo makes me want to try it again next year. Hopefully I will remember!

Small City Scenes said...

Your yard and gardens look great. It take a lot of work to keep it that way. and I didn't see WEEDS. I grow them the best.
I am still busy planting containers. I love to do that and have25 scattered about. MB

amelia said...

The third picture is my favourite and after seeing your periwinkles in bloom (I can't remember when you posted the pic but you did) I got my hubby to put some in our garden which he did and although we didn't have too many blooms this year, I am hoping for great things next year!!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

It's a testament to his hard work, that so many flowers are still blooming! Lovely!

Ohhhh I wannnnnna' go to a beach! Any beach! All beaches! :-)

Busy Bee Suz said...

Love the new sunny look Betsy.
Your road garden bed is beautiful, I am sure your neighbors love you guys!

Diane AZ said...

So nice to walk around your garden through your pictures. I especially enjoyed seeing your new 'road' flowerbed from the road, your green ivy area and of course the Southern Belle roses. Have a great week!

Diane said...

Very pretty new look, Betsy. Your yard is looking very pretty - it's hard work to try to keep things green when it's been so hot. Diane

Peggy said...

Everything is so beautiful! I can smell the roses from here. :) We only got a small rain but it was nice and cool. Now the heat and humidity is back.

Jen said...

Looks like all your hard work has paid off. What a bright and cheery yard!

Susan Tidwell said...

Your yard looks great, all lush and green and pretty flowers! Like your new blog look also. Have a good one!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE your new header!!! And thanks for the tour around your beautiful yard, so large and pretty, something to look at everywhere. All we need to do now is sit down and chat with a glass of iced tea.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Wow, George does a lot of watering. You must have someone come over when you're out of town. I've inherited all my Dad's potted plants while he is sick. Hate watering potted plants.
Marnie

Snap said...

You've been busy redecorating! Your garden is beautiful. We've been watering everyday ... it's UGHust!

Anonymous said...

I love your sunset header and the sunset background. The colors throughout your blog page look great! Your roses are beautiful, especially the ones in the road flowerbed. I think either one or both of us would knock down one or more flowers in containers if they lined our driveway.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
I like the look of your blog very much. Your yard is beautiful. I love the flowers. I know it takes a lot of work to have so many pretty flowers. I'm glad you got rain to water the plants. I always enjoy visiting your blog. Have a great week.

penny said...

Wow, I love the new look of your blog, Betsy.
You flowers look amazing as well. It been a hot summer here too.

Becky said...

Things (here on your blog) are looking a wonderful as ever. Your and George's hard work sure shows! I hope your knee is doing good and you never have anymore trouble from it.

Barbara said...

Oh me everything is so lush and beautiful, and that Blue sky now we have that here, I get some snaps of that often, love that blue, hugs my friend and so want to move up that way, blessings Barbara

Anonymous said...

Ya'lls yard sure is nice & you take such neat care of it - Yard of the Year award goes to...

George & Betsy in Tennessee!!! YaY!
heheheee

From the Kitchen said...

Thanks for the stroll through your yard. It's just as I imagined it would be--lovely and restful. I'd like to sit down on that bench and have a glass of lemonade with your and George and see more of your waterfall photographs! Love the new colors for August.

Best,
Bonnie

Pat Tillett said...

Wow! That is a lot of work. But it sure paid off. So beautiful!

Like your new blog look also...

Glenda said...

Your new header is breath-taking, and fits perfectly with your beautiful background! Love it!

Your yard is so green . . . and well-kept . . . and you have such a variety of pretty plants!

Kay said...

Everything in your yard looks so pretty. You take very nice care of it.

Kay

LV said...

Thank you for a grand tour of your lovely yard and flowers. You could conduct tours with a yard like this. We are having all week 104-108 temperatures. Not sure if I will be able to water enough. That is not the heat index. Do not come to Texas now.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

WOw,that new look is gorgeous.I just sat and let the beauty soak in.
Your yard is filled with so much beauty,even the green area looks great,very peaceful.
Blessings,Ruth

Carletta said...

Your new blog template was the first thing I noticed Betsy - it's gorgeous!
Such a pretty yard!
I had to put a piece of lattice in front of my sedum so the deer would stay away. :)
Hope your week has gotten off to a great start!
Hugs!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Lovely tour through your gardens! My sedum doesn't bloom...but I don't have deer! I think it needs more sun!

Your roses are beautiful, and the entire area looks so peacful and welcoming!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love the new look and your yard is so very beautiful even in the heat...hugs...m...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Beautiful sunset photo header and background Betsy..I love the golden/orange color of the sky!

Your roses and flowers seem to be doing quite well despite the heat. George is doing a good job!

Connie said...

Your yard in summer looks quite lovely, Betsy. That took a lot of work to get it looking so beautiful. George is a keeper for sure! :)

Love Of Quilts said...

I love seeing all your beautiful flowers....George has done a good job keeping his roses watered or in this heat they would have not survived....don't you just love those pretty shade trees at a time like this. Trish

carolina nana said...

Hey Betsy, Those roses are so pretty. What do you do with the container roses in winter? I have one and I was wondering what I'm going to do with it this winter.
Blessings to you have a wonderful tomorrow
Marilyn

Together We Save said...

Your yard looks great.... it is so green with all this sun and heat I can't believe 1 rain would make that much difference.

Thanks for all your kind comments.... the party went great!

The Retired One said...

I bet the yard smells soooo good with all those roses! Gorgeous.

Joy said...

You're my kind of southern belle.
:)
Everything looks so pretty. George has the green thumb for sure. He amazes me.
Does George have a rain barrel to collect the rainwater in.
I'm going to get one soon.
♥ Joy

Pedaling said...

kinda like a mid-summers night dream!

Janie said...

I love the new header. I wouldn't mind joining you at the beach.
Your yard is looking lovely after the rain. We're getting a storm right now. I'm sure the garden and pasture will appreciate it.

Rose said...

You really have a beautiful yard, Betsy....not sure what my favorite part is. I love the roses, but I love all the lilies you guys have, also.