Gift of Orange

Talon ended his first grade year reading at a third grade sixth month level!  Wow!  Needless to say, Talon's first grade teacher, Mrs. R,  was fabulous! So dedicated, energetic, creative and fun!  

We wanted to give Mrs. R a special end-of-the-year thank you gift.  But what?  She gardens and  loves orange (Go Pokes!) so when we spotted a display of these gorgeous Asiatic Lillies 'Tiny Dino' it was an 'Eureka!' moment. 

But I could not find a decorative orange (Go Pokes!) pot in the correct size to save my life so used this lovely fabric to hide a plain beige pot. It added the perfect finishing touch! 

So if you ever need to pretty up a plain pot for a gift or for home/party decor, look in the fabric/craft section at Walmart or Target ect.  There is a display of  ready-to-use fabric squares in various sizes and in a rainbow of gorgeous colors/patterns to choose from.   I don't frequent that section of the store so had no idea such handy dandy fabric squares existed.

So what did Mrs. R say when Talon presented the lilly:  It's my favorite color!

Linking to: Macro Monday




 

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A Blanket of Buttercups

These buttercups bloomed overnight. Like magic! 

We spend a lot of time outdoors and  I'm very observant where nature is concerned but I still had to ask my little boy: Were these flowers here yesterday?  Just to confirm that I wasn't losing my mind and all powers of perception.    

Such pretty little flowers.  And they are small-- only about 1/2 inch in diameter.  I love the vibrant yellow and in person the blossoms gleam as if wet. Don't know how to make the sheen show up in a photo so please take my word for it-- the flowers look wet even on a dry day. Very unusual.

Now friends, if you run across a field of buttercups don't be tempted to weave flower wreaths.  Buttercups are toxic!  To livestock and humans. 

In humans, handling the plants can cause contact dermatitis.  I got an itchy little blister on my ankle from wading through these buttercups.  The lengths I'll go to... even endangering life and limb for your entertainment!

Buttercups are members of the the genus Ranunculus and you can learn more here.

Joining these lovely parties:
Mellow Yellow Monday
Macro Monday

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Daffy for Dillies

I'm downright daffy for daffodils.  Such merry blossoms... so many shades of yellow welcoming the warm spring sunshine.  

These earliest blooms grow in my herb bed. 

Notice that I'm working the daffodil look myself... yellow blouse, green capris, dirt brown sandals. Silly? Maybe...  but it is a celebration of spring and a girl must dress for the occasion! 

Oh, I just love these frilly trumpets!

A few of the naturalized daffodils in the front forty.

I planted a bushel of mixed bulbs 13 years ago and it was full of  lovely surprises. 

These daffodils run the gamut from white to cream to yellow to orange... from giant blossoms to petite clusters... from long trumpets to no trumpets.

Notice the flower with the spider. Looks like it has fangs of its own-- Mr. Spider better watch out!

Did I mention I was daffy for daffodils?

 Yep, daffy at the very least...  

Joining these lovely parties:
Mellow Yellow Monday
Macro Monday
Happiness Is...Bloghop

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A Yellow Harbinger of the Season

Yes, I know we are already deep into autumn but I wanted to share photos of my little mountain ash tree.  

This tree is always the first to change colors and I've been tracking it's progress since early October.  Most native trees in Eastern Oklahoma change in November so this little guy is our very own harbinger of autumn.

Over several weeks, one small patch of yellow spread to reveal this...

 Glorious spectacle!

Such a vibrant yellow!

Now it is November and my little mountain ash's show is but a lovely memory. I didn't post a photo of the poor naked thing because while I love autumn-- I also dread winter. And it's bare limbs are surely a grave portent of the bad to come...

Snow, ice, windchills, power outages and overall dreariness, ugh. 

But instead of moaning and groaning, I will enjoy the show all the other trees are putting on right now and dream of snow angels, snuggly sweaters, furry boots, cozy blankets, good reads, hot tea, cocoa, homemade soups, baking and...

Yeah, looking on the bright side is always better, isn't it.

What wonderful things are you looking forward to this winter?  Please share, I need more goodies to imagine to keep the winter dreads away.   

Linking to: 

Mellow Yellow Monday

Macro Monday

Mosaic Monday 

Creative Bloggers' Party

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Pink Purslane

I'm really liking this pretty in pink purslane...

And so does this little ant.

I'm growing this as an ornamentel border plant but just read that purslane is used as a culinary plant in many parts of the world.

I'm going to go taste it...

Do you eat purslane? Is any particular cultivar best for eating?

Linking up to:

 Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos!

Macro Flower Saturday

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Swoon-worthy Dining: Thai Thai Cuisine in Branson

Squee! Finally, Thai food that suits our spoiled from Hawaii palates.  If you've eaten Thai in Hawaii then you know what I mean-- restaurants in the mid-west just can't compare. 

Branson, Missouri isn't broken out with culinary greatness so we were absolutely estatic to discover Thai Thai Cuisine.

How did I find it?  Before each trip to Branson, I check the Branson Dining Forum to see what the local foodies are raving about-- they haven't steered me wrong yet.

Still, Hubs sent me in for a quick reconnaisance before agreeing to try-- he is gun-shy from too many Thai disappointments.

The decor was lovely-- dark, rich colors and very elegant. The menu pleased and the aroma was intoxicating. As I headed out the door, a well-dressed gentleman exiting the restaurant volunteered that the food was very good.

What an understatement! 

The food is spectacularly out of this world amazing!

We ordered lunch specials which were reasonably priced and very generous.

Wish I could remember the name of my dish-- it consisted of  shrimp,  large asparagus spears, yellow squash, and other veggies in peanut sauce.  See the lovely char marks on the aspargus-- so delicious!

Hubs ordered his traditional pad thai with jumbo shrimp. The best since Hawaii and it just about knocked him out it was so good!

Little Foodie ordered a noodle dish with veggies and shrimp in a light ginger sauce.

The food at Thai Thai Cuisine is fresh and tasty. The only thing that would improve it would be more spiciness-- next time, I'll ask for a bit more heat.

By the way, I thought the fancy oversized square plates were glass but they are melmac-- haha!

We can't wait till our next Branson trip to eat there again!



Little Foodie received a fun little star shaped lolli as an after lunch treat-- that cinched the deal-- he is a big fan of Thai Thai Cuisine.

Joining these linky parties:
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Food Trip Friday
Food on Fridays
Foodie Friday

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Dreaming of Rainy Days...

Is it stinking hot and dry as a bone in your neck of the woods? 

Oklahoma is parched and under a burn ban with temps of 111 degrees expected this week. Stifling to say the least. 

Our particular region is known as Green Country. Ha!  The grass is so brown it might as well be winter. And some grass is crisp-- it actually crunches underfoot.

I long for cool rainy days and puddles, don't you.



My shadow reflecting in a huge puddle...

By the way, these photos are from last April.  

Ah, glorious April showers... 

Please visit these photo meme linky parties to see fascinating photos from around the world:

Shadow Shot Sunday
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Ms. Diva Mini Horse: Cute But Contrary

Have you ever attempted a photo shoot with a miniature horse? 

Cute as can be but so contrary--- all I wanted was a simple macro eye shot with a reflection. 

Is that asking too much, Ms. Diva Horse?

After much trial and tribulation-- and many shots of nostrils and ears...

Success!  Yippee! See the fence and horizon and if you look closely you can see my camera. 

Too bad my head is hidden behind Ms. Diva's lashes.

I could have tried for more shots but didn't want to push my luck.

You know how divas are...

 

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Yellow Wildflower

I love these yellow wildflowers.  And so does Mr. Buggy... but poor thing, he is all by his lonesome.

Ah, now it's a party!

Do you know the name of this flower? I checked the US Wildflower website for Oklahoma but couldn't find a match. 

Click here to see more macros at Lisa's Chaos.

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Gas Pump Bug!

Saw this big bug belly up by the gas pump. Reckon it keeled over from sticker shock?

I couldn't resist taking a shot of such striking iridescent colors. Poor thing was missing a leg and appeared dead so I flipped it over to see the other side and ended up doing the squeally bug dance!! 

 It was not dead-- just playing possum!! But intrepid photographer, that I am-- I got my shots! Never fear, I will always risk life and limb for y'alls entertainment! ;o)

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Sugarsnap!

My spring garden has been fair to middling this year partly due to weather(droughts/floods) and partly due to lack of tending.

Yep, I've been so lazy gardenwise that I squeak!  

This is the first time in fifteen years that I haven't started seeds indoors for my summer garden! Bet I regret that one!  

Anyhoo, as Scarlett says: I'll think about that tomorrow! 

So back to the spring garden-- Only a few pitiful radishes, scattered spinach hidden in the weeds, and bolting broccoli. 

But there is always a silver lining: 

Bolting broccoli flowers are beautiful! (photos soon)

And my puny spring garden is loaded with yummy purple spring onions, lettuce...  

And Sugarsnaps!!

No flowers yet but thriving so far!

The tendrils twine and grasp in the most amazing ways. Aren't they fascinating?!

Please visit Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos for more Macrolicious photos!

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Muck and Bubbles

Egg hunting in Oklahoma is always unpredictable. Sometimes, we wear sweaters. Sometimes, we wear shorts.  This year, we wore muck boots.

The bunny navigated the floods just fine...

Talon keeps his eggs all in one basket...

A tie dye egg and bubble eggs.  I've been wanting to try bubble photos since seeing these amazing shots at Flower Photography 365 blog.

These were the first bubbles I encountered-- have a long way to go, obviously, but the experimenting and striving is most of the fun.

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Ladybug or Manbug?

How can you tell?

Are the manbugs offended by the name 'ladybug?

Just a little something I've giggled about since seeing the movie, A Bug's Life. Francis the Manbug was macho but maybe he needs a less ambiguous name! haha 

The ladybug's a beetle.
It's shaped like a pea.
Its color is a bright red
With lots of spots to see.
Although the name is ladybug
Some ladybugs are men.
So why don't we say "gentleman bug"
Every now and then?
~Author Unknown

Here are the ladybugs/manbugs/peoplebugs that I spotted in the field yesterday. Aren't they cute?!

The Ladybug wears no disguises.
She is just what she advertises.
A speckled spectacle of spring,
A fashion statement on the wing....
A miniature orange kite.
A tiny dot-to-dot delight.
~J. Patrick Lewis, "The Little Buggers"

Oh ladybug, I wish you joy
As you complete your garden chores.
I'd like to put aside my work
And join you in the out-of-doors!
~Author Unknown

Hope they find their way to my garden...

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