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...

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Beach is CALLING us!!!!


George and I are off again on a week's vacation to our favorite beach place, the Islander Inn at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. We've been going to the beach in May for several years. George (before I knew him) used to live in Little River, SC.. So he knows the Myrtle Beach area very well.


We used to go to a small motel (Cherry Grove Manor) in North Myrtle Beach. But 'progress' took that gorgeous little place away from us. They replaced the manor and built another huge high-rise in its place--like you find everywhere in the Myrtle Beach area these days. DARN!!!!


SO---since we wanted another quiet place, away from all the people who go to Myrtle Beach, we went NORTH into North Carolina. Ocean Isle Beach is a small community ---and we LOVE it. It's far enough away to give us the privacy that we enjoy --yet it is close enough if we want to go into the city!!!!


I have always loved the beach ---and the week that we spend there satisfies my longings!!! I love the sun and I also love to search for shells. George sits on the beach and reads ---and I lie on the beach soaking up the sunshine.


Another thing that draws us to the beach is the fresh seafood. We have several favorite restaurants where we get the most delicious seafood. (I cannot wait!!!! ha)


The rooms at Islander Inn have king beds, a sofa, chairs, dresser, TV, small kitchen with frig and microwave, and bath. Above is a picture of the beach from our balcony. One more picture is below --and following that are more pictures from our beautiful yard here in Fairfield Glade this Spring.







This picture was taken last year on our trip to Ocean Isle Beach.











This is another of our gorgeous Irises. This deep purple one is named Autumn Bugler.







This Iris is named Queen Dorothy (I'm sure for blog friend Dorothy Pepper)... ha... BUT--I told George that it should be named Queen Betsy.. Doesn't sound as good as Queen Dorothy though, does it????? ha









I showed this beauty in another post, but love seeing them in a group. These are called Honey Glazed. More and more of the Irises are blooming each day. I'm sure we'll miss some of our Iris blooms this year.









The white dogwoods are so pretty right now in our area. This one is on the front corner of our lot.









We have a large rock bed next to the our driveway. It slopes ---and we've been trying to find all kinds of things which will grow in that big bed. In that bed now, we have Periwinkle, Semps (Chicks and Hens), Dad Adams Daffodils, Daylilies, Pansies, Candy Tuft, Phlox and Pinks.. Above is the beginning of our Phlox.







This is our Candy Tuft in that rock bed. It's SO pretty right now.









These are our Pinks (Dianthus) --which were given to us by a friend. These beauties are spreading nicely in this bed.







I thnk I mentioned that we have 7 Azalea bushes in our yard. There are TWO this color in the front yard. We were hoping they would wait and bloom when we got home from the beach.. But--as you can see from the picture above, these Azaleas are really blooming now. The disadvantage of leaving home this time of year is that we may miss some of our blooms (Azaleas, Irises, and our beautiful Rhododendrons)... BUT--we don't want to miss the first Rose blooms---so that's why we are going earlier this year. Hopefully, we'll have some roses in bloom by the middle and end of May. Yeah-Rah!!!!




UPDATE: There are FOUR eggs in the Bluebird nest---and Mama has started incubating the eggs. By my calculations, the babies will be born about May 14---which happens to be my youngest son's birthday. AND--we will be back from the beach before they hatch.


Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and week... We won't have computers with us --so we will have to catch up on your posts when we get home (about the 11th). Thanks so much for your friendship ---and for visiting my blog each and every single day.
Hugs, and Lots of Love,

47 comments:

Kim said...

Hooray for four egges!!!! I can't wait until they hatch. Your flowers continue to wow me. So pretty!!

Have fun on your vacation with George. It sounds as if its going to be fabulous!

Unknown said...

Have fun at the beach 'Queen' Betsy!! Lovely flowers......we had one bluebird egg left behind after the babies left......I guess that happens sometimes...

Carol Murdock said...

You two lovebirds have a great time at the beach!
Carol

Arkansas Patti said...

Hope that area was untouched by the fires. Have a great time but don't forget your sun screen.
So glad you won't miss the birthing.
Enjoy eachother and that wonderful ocean.

Jane said...

Have a great time at the beach! One place I enjoy that time has somewhat forgotten is Kure Beach.

Jane

Michele said...

Oh I really do hope you have a wonderful time at the beach and no rain! It seems when you two go off to do something, the weather always becomes so bad. I will pray for the best weather ever!!
I have never really been to a beach like that before but it looks so beautiful and warm... I would love to sink my toes into that sand!

That beautiful deep purple Iris is my favorite and is the ones we used to have growing along a huge stretch of fence when we lived on property a few years back... I adore these.

Hugs to you both♥

RA said...

Ow, what a lovely place to go on vacation! I hope you have nice weather and a great time :). Your home area alone is already a wonderful place. I wish I could come with you. Today we hit almost 100 Fahrenheit. But we are going to the mountains next weekend. Hugs and love from Indonesia.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What an abundance of flowers you have blooming, just beautiful. Have a great time at the beach, fun, foam and sand. Here from you soon.

Mary said...

Have fun at the beach, but how can you leave all those gorgeous flowers????

Peggy said...

Have a wonderful vacation! I use to take my daughters to Sunset Beach, NC for the same reason. A nice quiet community but close to everything. Now that they are grown I haven't been back so not sure what its like. Love your flowers. You must have the best smelling yard around! LOL

Busy Bee Suz said...

Have a fabulous time...don't forget your sunscreen. :)
Can't wait to see the baby birds...can we name them???

Susie said...

Have a wonderful time! I will look forward to seeing pics when you come back.

Small City Scenes said...

GO------ENJOY!!!!!!

MB

Becky said...

I love the beach also, just not the usual crowds. Sounds like a great place. You 2 are such and inspiration! I know you 2 will have fun....

Flowers look perfect!!!

Deborah Godin said...

Have a super time, and come back to us with lots of cool stories!

Pigeon said...

Have a great vacation. Your garden pictures are beautiful, as always.

Diane AZ said...

Wow, Autumn Bugler and Queen Dorothy are gorgeous. Enjoy your time at the beach, but come back in time for the Bluebird hatching :)

Cedar ... said...

wow,...you two are off on yet another vacation! I'm amazed by all the trips you take.

Cicero Sings said...

beeeautiful irises Betsy.

I do hope you soak in lots of sea breezes and sunshine ... clear away any vestiges that may be hanging on from old man winter.

Have FUN!

Judy said...

Hi Betsy, I hope you have a wonderful week at the beach. Your flowers are beautiful.

Joy said...

Four new babies coming soon. How fun.!
Love your azaleas.
Have a great time at the beach. Sounds beautiful.

Joy

Grammy said...

Have a wonderful trip. And feed the seagulls for me.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Hope you have a fantastic time.Those Irisaes are stunning.
Blessings,Ruth

Connie said...

I can see why the beach is calling you. It looks so inviting. I hope you have a wonderful time. :D

Rebecca said...

Have a wonderful beach vacation. What fun! Your flowers are beautiful!

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!
Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

muthu said...

hey.. nice blog... I saw your comment questioning abt custard apple.. ok .. first custard apple is nothing like apple.... it s like a jack fruit only in the size of a apple...

the fruit has a lot and lots of seeds in it. and a coating of a very sweet stuff is put inbetween these seeds... people suck this stuff off the seeds...

i actually love custard apple... they have a twisty taste of sweetness to them.

marmee said...

our bluebirds have fledged and are making their home in our martin gourds...that's a first. but the babies are making them their home too. it will be fun watching your new babies emerge.
you have so many beautiful flowers right now...isn't it fun.
have a great time at the beach...i love the beach too and need another fix soon.

Cath said...

I've been behind on blog reading for a while. But I'm catching up on yours. Such great pictures! Have a super time in Myrtle Beach. Love, Cath

Clara....in TN said...

Oh, I want to go! I love to go in May and September. We have reservations at Virginia Beach in Sept. That is the shriners convention and my son always reserves us a room. Your flowers are beautiful. Have fun on your trip. Hope it doesn't rain all week.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Your yard is so beautiful. Have a great vacation!!..m.

Mandy said...

Have a great beach vacation! We're going to the beach later this summer.

I love blue birds - how neat to have some little eggs around!

Beautiful flowers as usual!

Mandy

Diane said...

Hope you're having a great time at the beach. Beautiful iris, Betsy. I LOVE the purple.

Beth said...

Your flowers are lovely, Betsy...and so is the view from that beach balcony! Have a wonderful time and enjoy all that fresh seafood!

bookbabie said...

Jeeze oh Pete, you guys know how to live, every time I stop by you're either going on vacation or just coming home;)

Femin Susan said...

What a wonderful set of flowers you have blooming here.Very beautiful indeed.Have a great time at the beach, fun, foam and sand.
Cheers!

lola said...

Have fun you 2. Love all your flower pix.

Leedra said...

I am sure you will have a great time. Hope you still have some pretty flowers in your yard when you return. It always bothers me when things are just beginning to bloom when I leave and already finished when I return. Doesn't keep me from going though.

The baby Bluebirds will be a nice treat for when you return.

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

Unknown said...

Looks like a great beach, ... and view. We've been swimming in the gulf down here in Naples Florida for about the past month. It's finally warmed up (water temperature).

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Betsy, I love Ocean Isle! What a great spot! And congratulations on your bluebird eggs...very fun!!!

Wendy said...

Ohhh - do have fun!! I just got back from Florida with a golden suntan! I too ate seafood and played in the ocean waves. It is to refreshing...

Spring has really arrived in your garden - not only flowers, but baby birds-to-be!!

Enjoy your vacation. And come back safe and sound.
Hugs

A Joyful Chaos said...

A vacation at the beach sounds wonderful!

Love the photos of your flowers, the irises are especially lovely!
Thanks for sharing.

Pam said...

Your flowers are just beautiful...just what I needed to see this morning- we have had rain, rain, rain!!!
(We are some 45 miles west of Nashville- and floating!!!!!)
I hope that you have a wonderful beach trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Blessings,
Pam

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful!

Lagean Ellis said...

Hope you have a wonderful time at the beach.

Love the flowers!

Sorry I haven't been by in a while.

Gena

Harriet said...

Betsy,
Hope you are having a GREAT vacation! I have given your blog the "One Lovely Blog" award. You can pick it up at Genealogy Fun.

Harriet said...

Betsy,
Hope you are having a GREAT vacation. I have chosen you to receive the One Lovely Blog award.
You can pick it up at Genealogy Fun.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Wishing you a Happy mother's day..m.