MY NEW RAIN BARREL, SO HAPPY.

My new rain barrel should be up before the rainy season starts. I can't wait beacuse I've been wanting one for a long time. A compost bin would be nice too, maybe some day soon.

A new addition to my collection, she is so pretty. I haven't named her yet.


Isn't that a beautiful sight. My new rain barrel. I'm so happy right now!!!! Rain water is naturally soft and oxygenated, is also more acidic than tap or well water. Even though I have a well, rain water is so much better cause it doesn't have any chlorine, calcium or lime. It's great for the environment by helping to reduce the runoff. But the main reason is that plants LOVE rain water and if my plants are happy, I'm happy.

I've been wanting one of these for a looooooong time. I got one now! My very own rain barrel. Yes ladies, I'm probably the only woman out there that can get so excited about a rain barrel.



I was reading the instructions and it's so easy to install. A small adjustment to the rain gutter, and that should do it.



This is the grave yard for my broken china, great for drainage and I love how all the different color pieces look. My rain barrel is going to sit right here.

My secret hideout.

I love this chair, I can sit here and read for hours and no one can see me behind this Lady Palm. I spend most of my time in the seclusion of my back yard paradise. But is nice to enjoy the front yard too.

Orchids and seeds.

I should have blooms very soon.



This is what I'm planting this year, wish me luck.

I tried a new combination of plants with this basket. I had no lining on hand for the basket, so I just took some husks from my coconut trees.


I planted my impatiens in the usual spots, with a few areas that I'll share with you on a later post. The pots work really well cause I can move them around.


This is my favorite spot for impatiens, they are so happy there. I gave them new fresh soil mix but, I think is that they get just the right amount of light. Sometime it can get so hot here that if they get direct sun, they look torched by the afternoon.


This morning I notice that this banana plant just fell, need to clean up a bit around it.

I cleaned up a bit around my chandelier and now I can see her, she's beautiful.

I'M BAAAAAAACK

I have to admit that my scrapbooking blog has been taking most of my free time. I've been working hard on my garden but, not taking pictures of my progress. I'm hoping to start blogging again on a regular basis.

This post is about an invitation I got from my client Virginia. She asked if I accompanied her to visit a friend's green house. I said yes of course, and I'm so glad I did. He was so nice and we had a great time sharing ideas and learning a few new tips.









This is what I like to use too. But, kinda very hard to find now cause they come from Venezuela. Thank God I have plenty left from my last order.




Keeping it simple, love it.



This is what he uses to aerate the green house.


This is what he uses to heat the green house in those rare cold nights here in south Fla. This is an oil heater, there is oil inside the coils. I have to research this cause I love the explanation he gave us on using this type of heaters.

My favorite tree ever! THE ROYAL POINCIANA.

This masterpiece of god is truly ROYAL, with her light spreading branches that seam to want to hug you. OMG and those beautiful flowers that just take over the whole tree. She is related to the Tamarind and mimosa tree and she is a native of Madagascar. In South Florida you can find them every where.


They line the streets.



This one is from my neighbor in the back.


This one is from my neighbor in front of my house.


This one is from down the street.


Yes, this one is mine. One or two lonely blooms. There is always next year.

I've been neglecting my garden blog.

I've been MIA here at my garden blog, cause I've been blogging about my scrapbooking. But, I've been working in my garden, well is sooooo hot that I do most of my garden work late afternoon. I've haven't done much planting cause is not a good time in the middle of this hot summer. I've mainly been cleaning and fertilizing. My water pump just gave out on me and I have to replace it soon or I'm going to be sorry when I get my next water bill.


These cuties are from my miniature rose bush, it's blooming like crazy and I display them every chance I get.


I finally got to paint this little set, it was originally white but, now it matches the little shelves in the background.


My stag horn is growing so much, it must be cause she is so happy there. I think I finally got the lighting right.



This is my second time getting coconuts, now if I could only open them. I'm afraid of the machete.