Elinore Has a Horse

The heat of mid-summer has taken over the Garden Spot, making the flowers droopy and looking tired, same for me--droopy and slow, I've been walking lately to rev up the old cardio system.

I think when I last posted we were planning our trip to Texas, so let me share a few of the highlights with you in this week's Monday Mosaic

Junk Gypsy

Perhaps you have seen their HGTV program ran a few years ago. The shop is located in Round Top, Texas in the hill country. Click on the link just up above to see their website. Round Top is known for its antique shops and the big antique show in the spring, an event that I would love to go to.

The first night that we arrived we attended a Texas style barbecue, met some really nice folks and had the best food. With an Independence Day theme, the dinner was wonderful.

I didn't buy anything in the Junk Gypsy, but I loved the picnic table umbrella which inspired me try to figure out how to make own. Cowboy boots anyone?  Here in Colorado, cowboy are all the fashion horse or no horse, and JG had the best selection of fashion boots.

The front yard to the store was filled with more vintage outdoor furniture. We flew down, so no chance to take anything home.

This is probably my favorite photo, the rocking chairs on the front porch and red, white, and blue banners.

A few of us will remember the old Coke a Cola coolers and wouldn't it be fun to have our own knight in not so shiny armor?  It was a fun drive to visit the store. Now I can say that I have been there.

 Texas Song Birds

It had been two years since we visited and the last time we went I took a lot of photos of the Northern Cardinal, but had only a glimpse of the painted bunting and this year, the vegetable garden was full of beautiful painted buntings, so I shot a lot pictures. They have the sweetest song.

And as luck would have it, a male cardinal showed up. I took a few of him, too. 

Yes, it was hot in Texas, but it was hot in Colorado, too. The food down there was better and the company wonderful.

Meanwhile Back at Home

July's flowers are in full bloom; in fact, some are already fading, but here a few photos taken a couple of weeks ago when they were in their glory.  Black and pink are always a great color combo, so when this rarely seen Black Spotted Forester moth spent time on the echinacea. I had to take a pictures.

Another tiger swallow tail on the echinecia.

A true garden favorite for both butterflies and humming birds (and me) is the Lucifer, the corcosmia. I love the bright red. When I took the photo, it was just beginning to bloom and now it is nearly finished.

When I planted it in the center circle, it had full sun. Now the garden has become the shade garden that I wanted, so it now lives in the shade of the aspen tree and the Eastern red bud. I may have to moved it this fall.

We have so many day lilies and they have prolific blooms. We have them in nearly every garden bed where they have done quite well. Moved from one house to the next, they have thrived and are all ready to be divided again.

Here is another favorite, a rudbeckia that I planted several years ago. At one time they self seeded and I had several. I want to collect seeds this year and get them started in a new spot.

Forgot the name of this vine. It struggles on the patio because I forget to water it, but I have fun photographing it the other day.

Entomologists say to plant milk weed for the monarch butterflies. I have always enjoyed the milk weed until it became invasive in the garden. Out of the garden it can live where it wants, but in the garden it will take over. It is a very pretty plant and I put up with it in hopes that a monarch will actually find it and lay her eggs on it. What a thrill that would be. We used to see a lot of monarchs here, but we are lucky to see one or two flit through yard in late summer--probably on their way winter over in Mexico.

Hello, Honey

Finally for one young girl, a dream come true. Ellie has a horse, a 19 year old mare names Honey. At the moment, Honey may only be visiting, both seem to be enjoying their time together. 

I am way behind on blogging. I absolutely don't want to give it up. I miss you guys. So, I'll be back. have a great week. 

Linking with Maggie at Normandy Life for Mosaic Monday.