Backyard friends ~

My grandson and I were checking out all the baby Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on our Milkweed plant when I looked over at one of my rose bushes to find this colorful grasshopper. Ethan took a picture of it with my Samsung Galaxy 5 phone . . . nice job Ethan!

We have Monarch Butterfly caterpillars ~

 

 

I am amazed how quickly I have Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on the Milkweed plant I purchased not too long ago, as I posted about → here.  It's amazing to watch them and I'm excited that there will be many more Monarch Butterflies here.  You can see more photos that I took this morning of the little baby caterpillars → here.  I will keep you all posted on their progress . . . according to Wikipedia (link above), the caterpillar stage lasts about two weeks. They are so cute . . . I never really thought these guys were cute until now!

Asclepias 'Silky Formula Mix' and Monarch Butterflies ~

  

Monarch butterflies are so beautiful and they have a special meaning to me . . . they remind me of my mom (1933~2010). It's my understanding that Monarch butterflies have declined significantly, you can read more about it → here  and according to an article on the livescience site ~

" . . .  The announcement from researchers with WWF and Mexico's National Commission for Natural Protected Areas appears to confirm the fears of some biologists, who said it was likely that scalding temperatures and extreme droughts affecting Texas and other parts of the United States in 2011 would take a toll on the butterflies."

I wanted to do my part (and of course have Monarchs in my own backyard) . . . so I did a little research on what native plants here in Southern Cal would help and found that the Monarch loves, feeds and depends on the → Asclepias aka Milkweed plant. I went to my local nursery right away. When I got home, I transplanted the Milkweed plant into one of mom's big huge pots . . . I wasn't even done transplanting it when this one Monarch fluttered around, landed and has taken up permanent residence . . . she is here every day.

I ended up taking over 132 photos (you can see more of the photos → here, some are not as clear as I would have liked but she was all over the place) of this beautiful butterfly fluttering in mid air, landing, and enjoying the nectar. I am hoping that she is able to find this new home secure enough to lay her larvae . . . our world or at least my backyard could use many more of these beautiful creatures.

You can also enjoy the "Butterfly Estates" on Facebook . . . lots of info and wonderful photos.

Pineapples and Roses ~ Guest post by my grandson ~

 

Baby non-edible pineapple plant ~ by Ethan ~

My grandson's daddy, is a professional photographer . . . I think my eight year old grandson inherited his dad's gift! Ethan is using an older digital camera . . . a Canon EOS20D,  that his dad just recently gave him and was no longer using. We decided to take a "photo" walk in the neighborhood this morning and capture flowers or whatever came our way. One of our neighbors was out washing his car and invited us to photograph the many plants and flowers he had in his backyard . . . turned out to be a photo goldmine and a great place for both of us to practice.

We both took lots and lots of photos . . . our neighbor must have had every plant and flower under the sun. We took as many as we could and Ethan is excited to share some of his photos. As time permits, I will share both our photos here. Ethan even created his photo logo . . . you can see it in the lower right corner of his photo above. He took some pretty awesome photos.

 

~ Pink Moss Rose ~  by Gini

This was my very favorite flower in our neighbors yard (besides his vintage roses) that I took with my new Canon EOS Rebel T3i 600. My older Rebel died on me (which is in part why I haven't posted on my photo blog for a while) . . . I was told it needs a new motherboard and I might go ahead and have it fixed for my granddaughter down the road but I am loving this new camera!

 

Neighbor's Pink Moss Rose in a swan pebble planter ~ by Gini

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Mom's Roses ~

 

The first bouquet to bloom on mom's (1933~2010) rose bush, that I dug up in January 2013,  from my mom's home and then transplanted to my home. It was touch and go for a while but they are doing very well. I do not know the "official" name of this rose . . . I am working on coming up with a special name for it . . . just as we did for the pretty pink roses in the photo below. These are a cross of a pink and coral color.


 

The "Elfie" Rose  

This rose bush (was still in the pot from the nursery, mom had just purchased it and hadn't planted in her yard as of yet), I transplanted in March of 2012, from mom's home to mine . . . it's doing very well. 

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Thank you, Gigi Hasso's (my step-sister) for picking the perfect name, "Elfie" ~

I haven't posted on my photo blog for quite a while.  My old used Rebel camera (2010~2012) would not recognize the SD card and it was just too costly to have it repaired, so, I ended up getting a sweet new, Canon Rebel 600 EOS Rebel T3i and I am in love with it . . . now, I am learning how to use it (have a long way to go) and hoping to get back to taking photos and posting now and then. For Mother's Day, my daughter gifted me with a 3 hour photography class (Groupon)  in Balboa Park Gardens . . . looking forward to doing that! 

Rain rain go away ~

 

This is Koda, laying by the glass sliding door and wishing he could go out and play . . . we are getting a bit of well needed rain the last few days and it's cutting into his backyard play time!

Signs of Spring ~

 

I can see signs of Spring in these brand new leaves on my Hydrangea plants. 

Mom's Pink Geranium's ~

 

Pink Geranium

One of the many pretty plants I brought from 

mom's (Elfriede Haf, 1933~2010) home. Her patio

was packed with beautiful flowers and plants. 

3 Musketeers ~

 

This is the last of our Halloween candy . . . my grandson pointed out to me that there are only three of the "3 Musketeers" left . . . made me laugh!  I'm glad too that this is the last of the candy . . . too tempting.

San Diego Morning Sky ~

 

Had a beautiful sky this morning as I took my grandson to school! 

Mrs. Winchester's Roses ~

 

Mrs. Winchesters, 100-year-old, Simplicity Rose from the Winchester Mystery House ~  these beautiful roses grace the mansions garden and grounds . . . I fell in love with them.

Tradescantia Zebrina ~ Wandering Jew Plant ~

 

This purple Wandering Jew (Tradescantia Zebrina) plant belonged to my mom . . . it (and many of her plants) hadn't been watered in months. It's now here in my home and after a few months of special care, it's finally coming back . . .  it's as healthy as I remember it when mom had it hanging in her patio. Mom and I both have always had Wandering Jews in our homes, they are such a neat plant and hardy ones too! I know she would be happy that her plants are doing very well.

More Sweet Peas ~

 

Sweet peas from my garden in mom's vase on my desk . . . photos of yours truly when I was about six years old, sent to me by an old old friend I grew up with.

Stained glass and Sweet Peas ~

 

The purple Sweet Peas are from my garden and the half moon shaped stained glass window belonged to my beautiful mom . . . she had it made for a window in her home, which now has a place in my office window.

Mom's Red Geranium's ~

 

This Geranium is just one of several Geranium plants I brought back from mom's home recently. The deep red petals are so vibrant. Mom's plants sat in her back yard for several months without water . . . they are slowly coming back to life . . . I think she would be happy . . . mom always had a beautiful and well kept garden. 

Mom's Treasures ~ Kalanchoe in Pink

 

~ Mom's (1933 - 2010) plant, Kalanchoe in pink ~ 

Mom's Treasures ~ Kalanchoe plant

 

~ Kalanchoe in red ~
Mom had the Kalanchoe plant in a variety of colors.  

It's been a while since I have had the time or opportunity to take photos or to post to many of my blogs. For the last two months, I have been slowly packing up my mom's three bedroom, two and a half bath, two story home and bringing it to my small three bedroom, two bath home. My living room was full of boxes, plants, bags of linens . . . couldn't even walk in there and things were (are) everywhere. Mom had a beautiful home with many heirlooms from Germany . . . some of which I would like to share here from time to time. 

Mom lived about an hour and forty-five minutes away from me so each trip would be an all day project.  One load was plants and flowers alone! I couldn't even bring them all to my home so several of her neighbors were pleased to inherit some of her wonderful plants along with a bit of her personal belongings. 

Her neighbors are missing her very much, as we all are . . . it's been difficult to pack and move her things . . . I am blessed and very fortunate to now be surrounded by many of her treasures. Slowly, I am getting settled again . . . it's been overwhelming and quite an emotional journey . . . as I packed and unpacked her personal belongings, I would recall our life and times together . . . some would bring smiles and others would bring tears but, all are beautiful memories to hold and to forever remember.   

Morning Glory's in black & white ~

 

I had forgotten all about this photo I took while visiting a friends home a while back . . . I left my camera at home so I used my smart phone . . . I didn't realize you had to change the setting on the phone to "color" the phone was factory set to black and white photos. I have always liked black and white photos and I like how this one came out, so not so smart me was very happy I hadn't figured out the settings on my smart phone sooner.

Letting Go ~

~ Letting Go ~ 

To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off; it's the realization I can't control another. 

To let go is to admit being powerless, which means the 

outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another; it's to 

make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care for, but to care about.

To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive. 

To let go is not to judge, but allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies. 

To let go is not to be protective; it's to permit another to face reality. 

To let go is not to deny, but to accept. 

To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires 

but to take each day as it comes, and cherish everything in it. 

To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future. 

To let go is to fear less and love more. 

~ Author Unknown 

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My dear (ex) sweet sister-in-law and friend (we met when I was 15 years old and are like sisters!) sent this wonderful poem and card to me today, she tries to read it everyday . . . she knew I needed a hug and smile . . . mission accomplished. Things have been very stressful and difficult  . . . I can't share now but will be able to down the road . . . I just had to share this wonderful poem of "Letting Go" . . . Thank you, Honor, I love you too ~ 

Johnny Jump-ups in the rain ~

These Johnny Jump-ups are enjoying the rain we have been having the last few days.