Purple flowering sage

My former neighbor just sent me a picture of the purple sage bushes (cenizo?) that I planted around the utility meters about ten years ago.  I bought one gallon plants, I think from the nursery in New Braunfels.  The Texas Native Plant database   (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/leucophyllumfrutes.htm )  says that they grow to eight feet tall, but Jacki says that these are about 15 feet high and the prettiest in the neighborhood. 

It was so kind of her to send me pictures.  Maybe I can get down that way and see them while they're still in bloom.

Sunflowers in the back yard

A bit of serendipity from my birdfeeders - I have several clumps of sunflowers growing in my back yard.  They are very tall, higher than the eaves of the house and garage.

The neighborhood kitty likes to hide at their base

Hummingbirds and bees have been seen flitting about in them.. 

It's a bit more difficult to go out into the yard because of where they came up, but I guess you have to "suffer for your art".   ha

This picture was taken in May, before the clump filled out.  Now there are many more stalks and a profusion of blooms.  I've trimmed a few so that I can get the the main part of the yard.

Next year, I definitely need to plant some of these behind my fence, in what I call my "back forty (feet)".

Part-time Kitty

My neighbor Jennifer has four cats.  They roam the neighborhood, which is ok with me.  One likes to spend some time on my porch.

Sometimes he/she hides at the base of the sunflower patch, watching the bird feeder

Doesn't seem to want to be petted.

Doesn't need to be fed, watered, or taken to the vet.

Definitely my kind of cat!

Quilt for Aaliyah

This is Aaliyah.  She is the great niece of my niece, Anna, who is so delighted to become a great aunt.
I enjoy being an aunt, too  So I found a quilt top in the closet and finished it up for her.  This is an oldfashioned sampler quilt..

 

Happy Fourth of July

Sunflowers from the 10 foot tall volunteer bushes in the back yard.
Basket from Carmen - to be given away if I decide not to keep it.
Flag table mat from Rita (reversible; the other side has a birthday greeting)
Bottles from who-knows-where.

Happy Fourth of July.

A fun centerpiece makes me smile.