Summer's Little Flower Visitors

Even as this hot, dry summer is winding down, butterflies and bees are busy in the flowers that have survived.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Honey Bee

Variegated Fritillary

Carpenter Bee

Monarch

Carpenter Bee

Painted Lady

Spicebush Swallowtail

Silver Spotted Skipper

Peck's Skippers

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Hail Storm

Well, I hadn't planned on posting today, but what a perfect "opportunity" with a hail storm last nite. ( Note: sarcasm). It has been 100+ here for the last few days. The forecast was for spotty rain. HUH! We got 2 inches of rain and 5-7 minutes of penny to quarter size hail. I am hoping we won't need a new roof again. We have had 2 new roofs in 15 years due to hail, the last being in 2008. Here's some pictures.

It looks like a leaf bomb went off in the yard.

Notice the garden hose and sprinkler. I watered for about 1/2 day yesterday, because I didn't think we were going to get any rain. Kinda like washing your car. It WILL rain then.

Broken but blooming!

Even the hostas, under a thick canopy of trees, had hail damage.

Oh well, so far nothing that won't bounce back!

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Whose broad stripes and bright stars.......

Betsy Ross was acquainted with the great General Washington. Not only did they both worship at Christ Church in Philadelphia, but Betsy's pew was next to George and Martha Washington's pew. Her daughter recalled, "That she was previously well acquainted with Washington, and that he had often been in her house in friendly visits, as well as on business. That she had embroidered ruffles for his shirt bosoms and cuffs, and that it was partly owing to his friendship for her that she was chosen to make the flag." **

Approximately 2,000 flags in the park and lining surrounding area main streets.

 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

**Controversy surrounds whether or not Betsy Ross actually sewed the first flag. Who cares, I like the story!



Drop Cloth Tablecloth

Hello,

I am linking up today for the Drop Cloth Party!

I have never even used a drop cloth for painting, because we have always had so many old sheets around here, there was no need to go out and buy one.

But, Lowe's  is right down the street a few blocks, so I went and bought one. It was 6 x 9 feet, so I had to spread it out on the living room floor in order to cut it.

This was to be for a round table, so I did the string and pencil thing and drew a circle on the drop cloth, hemmed and ironed and done.

This drop cloth material really matches my porch theme, of the lime paisley and dark denim.

To see all the porch, I will be back later today to link to

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style


for her Porch Party .

Monday..Thelma and Louise Style...

Well, sorta, we didn't drive off any cliff , but we did look for Brad Pitt.

 Someone pulled up in my driveway this morning.....

Becky, is that you?

"Yes, it's me, Boyfriend bought a new car, and I have it for the day! Come on!"

So I jumped in and we went cruisin'. We had to stop at Sonic Drive In of course.

We also found a good moving sale, and she got some dishes and a book. I didn't see anything I wanted. Becky is the one that I blame for being a dishaholic.

What a fun way to start a Monday!

Iris TIme Part II

The iris are still battling wind and rain alternately. It has been hard to get pics that are not blurry due to this wind.  Here are a few more new blooms from this week.

This little ruffly thing is called Lemon Brocade.

See the "horns" on this one? Horns are kinda unusual. It has some really subtle coloration between beige and lavender. Thornbird has won many medals in the iris world and people tend to love it or hate its look. I like it because it is just interesting, and I have the room for it.

It looks great next to this one, a deep burgundy called Superstition.

This is an oldie. Helen Collingwood from 1949.

This fella is so ruffly and  velvety looking .

This one is an old historical iris, and truly this iridescent.

Here's another handsome boy, Ringo.

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Iris TIme

The iris are blooming despite cold nights and windy days. It has been hard to get good photos due to the wind. I started collecting iris over 20 years ago, and have many varities. Although they are short lived blooms and tissue paper tender, I am thrilled with their rewards.  Most of mine are tall bearded iris.

I believe this is my favorite so far this year. Favorites change constantly. It is called Heavenly Body.

This is the view out my back  porch.

They are called Breakers, and they have the best grape kool-aid smell. Each one is the size of my hand.

Here's a closeup of this bloomer.

A very simple white. It is an old iris. The older the iris, the simplier they are and are called "Historical Iris".Here is a website with a section so you can put a name to the old iris you got from your grandma.

The newer iris are taller, bigger, and usually have more ruffles. Here is Laced Cotton for example:

Thank you for looking at one of my hobbies, and I hope you come back for more Iris as they bloom!

Today I am linking to

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