Peace pins are always on my to do list, but when we're visiting G it's hard to find the time to do focused work. So I gathered up more shirt plackets to work on a cloth I started earlier this year ...
I figured it would be the perfect project for G's "rest" time, when he usually falls asleep watching me stitch ...
except I didn't anticipate this complication ...
Oh well.
In addition to weeding and rock hauling, I took some time for a couple of picture walks.
These nerve rays are a favorite, with their boxy, 4-sided buds ...
that open into a spectacular composite flower ...
I still don't know the name for this tiny white wildflower, but it's everywhere right now ...
as is the antelope horn milkweed ...
this one sprawled out in a heart shape, just waiting for the Monarchs to come ...
Our floodplain has been scoured down to the bedrock in places ...
but when flooding water encounters an obstacle like this poverty weed ...
seeds drop out of suspension and establish new bluebonnet beds ...
Now we mimic nature and create our own water brakes (breaks?) to preserve trails ...
and keep the driveway from washing out ...
which in turn creates safe haven for grasses like this little blue stem ...
And if the water is rough on the floodplain, the lace cactus just hang tough ...
I do love cactus blooms, like this horse crippler ...
which are gone in a day ...
Likewise the prairie nymphs ...
Fortunately, the dewberry flowers leave good things in their wake ...
This one's almost ready ...
My fingers fairly itched to pick it!
And here's what's coming next: Mexican hats, aka thimble flowers ...
Aptly named, wouldn't you say?
Lovely pictures. Another blog friend in Texas showed a picture last year of the Mexican Hats and I fell in love with them so I went on the hunt and found they can be grown in my area. I bought a few and noticed they are coming up this year. Our weather has not yet decided it is Spring, though they say tomorrow will be 70. That would be great if it holds. But the fish are swimming in the pond and when I went out to check, several frogs hopped in. THAT makes me excited! Blue Birds are nesting...another joyous sight. Come on Spring.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Liz...I always enjoy strolling through the flora with you. We have tulip greens, so far here in the Midwest. Tree pollen is abundant. Achoo. Looking forward to seeing more of your shirt placket project.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
such wild magic!
ReplyDeleteCarol and Sue - I'll try to reflect some of the Texas sun up your way ... spring has arrived a month early here so we have plenty to spare.
ReplyDeleteMo - Speaking of wild magic, we went to a gallery today that had a moon show hung ... couldn't help thinking of you!
Oh, my gosh. What a wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteG is so cute. The angle makes me remember how my son looked at that age.
My favorite flower are the nerve rays. I've never seen anything like them. All the flowers, however, are beautiful.
Thank you for taking me on a walk this lunch hour.
Aloha,
Hunter
I love seeing your local flora - so different to mine!
ReplyDeleteHunter and Gill - Thanks for coming along on my "picture walk" ... even after 8 years here, I'm endlessly fascinated with these new-to-me wildflowers, so different from Virginia, so typical of the Texas Hill Country.
ReplyDeleteyour world is is Brimming! the Swale work...!!!
ReplyDeleteand how he "held you in place" with such innocent gesture...
the Plackets...just stunning Visual...
Beauty FULL post, all.
Thanks Grace ... so looking forward to seeing the hill through your eyes
ReplyDeleteI love your Texas wildflowers. The antelope horn milkweed is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteStephanie -
ReplyDeleteThanks ... I'll be sure to post some pictures of the seed pods when they form as they give the plant its name.
antelope horn milkweed - all the specimens are lovely but that one is unbelievable. love the resilience of flora where the water has ravaged the land. and the boy foot? how precious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee ... right after that picture was taken, I gently lifted the hem of G's jeans and slid out from under his foot. He didn't wake up for another half hour after that!
ReplyDeleteOh, those 'box' flowers!! So interesting! I liked walking with you and seeing flowers and land I would never have seen otherwise. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteNancy -
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming along ...