Wakodahatchee Wetlands

One of the best bird watching spots nearby is the Wakodahatchee Wetlands
in Delray Beach.

Cormorant on the rail

Egyptian Goose - the first time I've seen one

You almost always see an alligator or two...

Happy birding!

My Tropical Garden

I've been working on my tropical garden.  This year I had the beds dug, and planted this area with lots of bromeliads, agave, and ti plants.

My air plant is in bloom.  First it blushes, then it blooms.

I got this lady at the Naples Botanical Garden. I planted a variegated jade in her head.

Still have room to 'play ball' with Emily.

Visit to Charleston, SC

Charleston is a great city to visit.  In the morning, we took a horse carriage tour, and in the afternoon took a House and Garden Tour of Montagu Street, part of the Fall Tours of Homes and  Gardens put on by the Preservation Society of Charleston.  Here are some of the things we found most interesting.

Here we are with Bill waiting for our tour to begin.

Single House Architecture - a one room wide house provided good cross ventilation.  The porches were built on the south and west sides to catch the sea breezes. 


 


Door to the "piazza", a 2 story veranda along the side of the house.  When the door is open visitors are welcome.

   


Many of the homes were built with bricks, since the slaves made them during the winter months when they weren't in the fields.  The bricks were then covered with stucco.  Lines were added to make them look authentic.





Many older homes have round plates - the end caps from the metal rods that pass through the joists and connect by bolts on the outer walls. These earthquake bolts were added after a severe earthquake in Charleston in 1886 destroyed much of the city.  They can be adjusted to straighten the walls after they shift.

Most houses had separate kitchen houses in the rear for fire protection - during the late 1800's and early 1900's they were re-joined to the main house by a “hyphen.”   We ate lots of crab cakes!

Common Ground Country Fair

The Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine is my favorite fair.  I have been going every year for the last several years. 

Garlic Braids and Japanese Lanterns in the Farmer's Market

Carriage Rides - So Much Fun!

I loved these felted purses

Funny Bird Houses

These guys loved posing for us!

The food is one of the best parts!

I do love pumpkins!

Fall Vegetables

Common Ground Country Fair 2011

My Late Summer Garden

Caladium

Coneflowers

Acorn Squash

Fuchsia & Euphorbia 'Jack Frost'

Festive Mums

Jack-Be-Little Pumpkin

Phlox

Springtime in Ocala, Florida

The Magnolia in Bloom

The Pond at Shalom Park

Iris Growing in the Pond

Mi Pet Dancing Speakers