In the Garden and A New Project

I am still enjoying so much color in my gardens here in Eastern Kentucky. Even though it has been hot and very little rainfall lately, watering has been a must. 


One night this week, I accidentally left the sprinkler on all night in one of the bed so those flowers were soaked. I'm sure they loved it.


My purple coneflowers are still holding on and the butterflies are visiting every day.





The zinnias are still blooming . . .



and I love to cut them daily for the table.



We even have them for the breakfast table. That was a very candid shot with our two grandsons and my hubby but you can see the flowers on the table.



You know I love taking pics of the butterflies and bees visiting the flowers. These were taken just this week.


A few sunflowers came up in pots and in the beds.



The goldfinches enjoy the seeds.






Now for the new project. Here it is hot as blazes outside, and we decided to undertake a landscaping makeover in the front yard in a bed near the road.

Here's a pic of this bed in the spring when the azaleas were blooming.


and here is it right now. 


We kept the two azaleas and the crepe myrtles. The rest of the over grown bushes were taken out. Plus we decided to expand the bed. New concrete edging stones have been bought and dirt delivered. I'll keep you posted on our progress. It's terribly hot for a project like this, we must be crazy!

Thanks for stopping by - Judy.

Linking to these great parties:

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life
Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home


Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday evening

Friday Photo Journal @ Serendipity is Sweet

Garden Link Party on August 31 

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday Sparkles @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather @ Shabby Art Boutique on Friday


Sundays at Home @ My Soulful Home on Saturday

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays




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At the Feeders and in the Trees - Week 30

I am thankful that the temperatures have been a bit cooler in our area making it enjoyable to be outside. Watering has been a must in my gardens.






The Red-bellied Woodpecker visits our suet feeders most days of the week. I have photographed him many times but I love this particular pic.





What I love about this pic is the distinctness of his face and eye.






The Carolina Chickadee is always so fun to watch at our feeders.




I had a few sunflowers come up in a flower pot close to the feeders and have been waiting to capture the Goldfinches eating the seeds. 







The Tufted Titmouse is a year-round visit in our area. He is a slate gray bird with a white chest and belly but you have to notice his pointed crest. 





Have a great day - Judy.


Linking to:


Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wednesday evening
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wednesday evening

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life
Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home


Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday evening

Friday Photo Journal @ Serendipity is Sweet


Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday Sparkles @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather @ Shabby Art Boutique on Friday


Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturdays
Camera Critters on Saturday
I'd Rather Be Birdin' on Saturday at noon

Sundays at Home @ My Soulful Home on Saturday

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays


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Our Crepes Are Blooming

I just love when our crepe myrtles burst out in their glorious color.


Waiting all year to see these stunning blooms, is just so rewarding. 






Watching out for Japanese beetles is a must in our area. They devour the buds and eat the leaves on the new growth. In had to spray several times in June to combat them.








Last year, we added four new crepes in the front on the West side of our yard. The blooms are coming, they are just a little slower. I am thankful to see them growing and for the tiny buds I see on them.




Thanks for stopping by to see our crepe myrtles in bloom - Judy.


Linking to:

 Garden Party
Join Our Garden Party-The last Friday of each month.

Gardens Galore link up party on August 6
Early Summer Garden

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wednesday evening
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wednesday evening

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening


Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life
Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home


Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday evening

Friday Photo Journal @ Serendipity is Sweet


Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday Sparkles @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather @ Shabby Art Boutique on Friday


Sundays at Home @ My Soulful Home on Saturday

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays


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Summer Blooms on the Table

I just love fresh flowers for the table.  These summer blooms are in four delicate vases placed together on a cake plate to form the centerpiece.






The table is not overly fussy but has a soft touch with the pinks in the flowers, placemats and runner.





The china, crystal, napkin rings, and candles add elegance to the tablescape. 















Zinnias snipped from my garden are placed in coffee cups filled with water to tie the centerpiece to each setting.









Thanks for stopping by. Hope you can leave a message - Judy.

Linking to:


Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings – The Heart of Your Home
Celebrate Your Story @ Celebrate & Decorate

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

The Scoop @ Confessions of a Plate Addict


Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style


Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wednesday evening

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wednesday evening

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home


Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday evening


Sundays at Home @ My Soulful Home on Saturday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound






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Butterflies in the Garden

We have so many beautiful blooms in our gardens.   I am seeing butterflies going from flower to flower and I'm enjoying photographing them. 




The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is so beautiful. 


This one is enjoying the nectar on the orange butterfly weed in my garden.


The Black Swallowtail is another beauty visiting our gardens.




The Buckeye butterfly below is mostly brown but has some orange cell bars. 



You can see the eyespots on Buckeye. 




If you look closely in the picture below, you can see a butterfly on the highest Blazing Star Liatris blooming in purple on the right.




The butterfly is a Silver-Spotted Skipper.






It is said to be the most recognized skipper in North America.




I read the Silver-spotted Skipper almost never visits yellow flowers but likes blue, red, pink, purple, and sometimes white and cream-colored ones.  It likes milkweed, red clover, buttonbush, blazing star, and thistles. source





Here is a three for one in the next pic. There is a butterfly, a flying bee, and a wasp in the picture. 




He's not a butterfly but this little toad might be hoping to catch an insect soon. 




Thanks for stopping in to see the butterflies in our gardens. I'll continue taking pics of butterflies and enjoying every second of it  - Judy.


Linking to:

Gardens Galore link up party on July 16
Early Summer Garden

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wednesday evening
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wednesday evening

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life
Little Things Thursday @ Random-osity

Grace at Home @ The Charm of Home


Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday evening

 Friday Photo Journal @ Serendipity is Sweet


Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Saturday Sparkles @ Pieced Pastimes on Friday

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound on Friday

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather @ Shabby Art Boutique on Friday
Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturdays
Camera Critters on Saturday
I'd Rather Be Birdin' on Saturday at noon

 Sundays at Home @ My Soulful Home on Saturday

 Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays
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