Friday, July 29, 2011

The Alphabet's July Journey Continues (Q & R)

The alphabet journey continues... 

"Q"
is for Queen

I've got a couple queens in my garden.  One is 'Queen Emma' Crinum Lily given to me by a friend.  It is cold tender in my Zone 7/8 garden, so I will either need to protect it this winter or just enjoy her this season and say good-bye.


Another queen is my favorite Caladium, 'White Queen'



"R"
is for Rain...oh, how I wish!



(this space intentionally left blank)


There is no picture for Rain because we have had no rain!

*  *  *

How about this instead....

"R"
is for Rocks!

Now we're talking.  I love rocks.

  I have moss rock boulders surrounding my pond.

And more edging the flagstone steps in the backyard.

There's river rock forming a dry creek bed in my backyard.

And I also use river rock to edge my flower bed along the sidewalk in the front yard where there is a tendency for washout in heavy rains
(heavy what?? -- I can't remember what that is anymore)

In the picture above are some rocks I brought back from Wisconsin that I got on my folks' farm.  My husband wasn't too keen on the idea of having rocks rolling around in the bed of his pickup truck for 1100 miles as we drove back to Texas, but he obliged me... just this once.

 Here is another Wisconsin rock.  I found this rock "pickin' rocks" out of the field on the farm when I was a kid.  I've been carting this rock around the country for almost 30 years!!
I've always thought it looked like petrified wood.

I keep it in the house in an arrangement on my dining room table with a bunch of other rocks I've collected over the years.


 I've got lots of flagstone paths.



Below is one I built just last month leading to my compost pile.





I even have concrete "rocks" too!


Here's a cute rock frog
that I got as a
Christmas gift last year.






And my neighbor gave me this whimsical rock ant
This same neighbor has given me several granite boulders he gets off his deer lease property.

(Did I mention I have the best neighbors?!)


And here are some "cool" rock formations my grandson and I made in the river near the cabin we stayed at on our family vacation in northern Georgia last week. 

Playing in the river was a nice way to stay cool, too :-)
It was a welcome break from the sweltering temps we are having in Texas!

 




And last, but not least, here's a rock container I have where I grow sedum.



Speaking of which....











 Stay tuned for the next alphabet installment...

And stay cool!   

We are on Day #27 of  consecutive 100 degree temps
in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  


Toni :-)

To view previous alphabet posts, click on the letters below

10 comments:

  1. I too collect rocks! I have them from all from places I have been, and like you, they are all over the garden. Each year I do something different with them. I just love those balanced rock sculptures in the river. So cool. And your paving paths are beautiful, especially the one to the compost pile. My next house will definitely have natural stone walls and paving. But I will not lay them this time. I think you know too, it is terrible on the back, hips and knees.

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  2. Perhaps this latest tropical storm will bring you some much needed rain? Larry

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  3. I think you have the nicest path to a compost pile I have ever seen!

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  4. I love rocks and have my own collection. I think the rock you have kept all these years is more fascinating than a handmade piece of artwork. I love the rock formations you made at the river. Very creative. I will remember this if I am ever fortunate enough to have a grandson, though my grown-up sons might enjoy making something like this, too!

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  5. Absolutely love your rock sculptures! What great memories! Praying for rain this weekend. Went out to dinner tonight and there was a nice breeze so we sat outside...maybe, just maybe, we'll get a bit of rain!

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  6. Toni: It seems like you're coping well with the 100+ temps! I'm not sure I could do the same. The sculptures are delightful! And I love, love, love the Caladium with the Begonias(?) and the rocks w/ Orchid arrangement. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  7. My fave photos are those formed rocks.

    Cassy from Best Online Guitar Lessons

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  8. Love all your rocks! Especially love the rock towers you made in the river. It looks refreshing there. Stay cool!

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  9. Toni,
    Oh, your Queen Emma really caught my attention. I hope she will come back from freezing temps for you like she does here. She is complete mush after a freeze but of course our freezes don't last long... usually just long enough to damage the tender beings. And White Queen is a favorite of mine as well. Love all your rocks and the great way you have them placed throughout your lovely garden. Fun formations with your grandson, too.

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  10. Your paths are just beautiful as are your gardens. You have a lovely blog!

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