The garden went into September with a Little Red Riding Hood Feel.
There is shade from all the growth of the trees and roses due to all the rain, which creates a positively moody ambience.
So, I grabbed my basket and went off to see what I could collect.
I peeked under giant thorny pumpkin leaves, like parasols made just for pumpkin babes.
I gasped at the beautiful long stems I saw.
I collected a bevy of roses and zinnias.
We are rich in zucchini and limes right now, and so I took a few of them as well.
Just as I was strolling around the garden paths I came upon the most glorious sight.
Flowers all over this one towering cactus.
They stuck out of the sides of the cactus with thick stems, opening in a way that resembled a lotus a flower.
The bees were fighting on who got to go in first.
Who wouldn't want to venture into the pollen of these gigantic cactus flowers.
Even I was amazed.
Although, the huuuuge hibiscus do not pale in comparison to the cactus flowers.
And, the hummingbirds know it.
The garden creatures were all abuzz on the first day of one of the loveliest months.
I just stare in awe of the size of everything, what with all the rain (I know I'm a broken record).
But you take all this rain and add all this sun and heat, and everything just grew like mad.
Perfect alchemy for one of my favorite creatures to turn up, the Praying Mantis.
A lovely lovely stroll indeed.
Basket in hand, hope I don't run into the wolf (err mountain lion) in my own Little Red adventures.
Although I am fenced and walled in, so there's that :-)
The clouds have decided to go away for a few days, the sun is shining bright.
The birds are singing loud, and the dinnerplate dahlias have started to bloom.
This one is called Cafe au Lait.
I see more fairy tale pumpkin babies attempting to start a life, and I root on for the bees who are spreading pollen all around, go bees go!
I've made all sorts of little nooks for you to sit and rest on our stroll...
As the most delicate of roses peek through the leaves.
Roses never cease to amaze me.
The beauty, the layers, the complexity.
This cactus is definitely rivaling all the best garden blossoms this year.
And perhaps, she should just win.
A thorny old cactus covered in blossoms like this, really does take the cake, wouldn't you say?
Then it came time for the day to end.
And so, I stood in a wonderful shower of golden hour light, on the first day of September.
Towering zinnias all around me.
All of us, basking in the nourishment of that daily magic hour.
My Matty turned thirteen on September 1st.
I have so many feelings associated with that.
He's been such a loyal guardian, I love him so much.
He has been here for all the dogs.
He knew Baby (link here), he was here for Miles' entire life, and now he knows Teddy.
I love my dogs so much, I could never describe my deep ardent love for them.
But, if you know, then you know.
I am looking forward to seeing what this month has in store for us.
I know we are all crazy mad about Autumn, and it's a mere 20 days away.
I have something fun to share in the next post (a project I've been working on), and also, I think it's fine time that I photographed and shared my dollhouses.
If you are team dollhouse, raise your hand.
If you want to see them, I will take the time to photograph them in detail.
But for now, I am off to make zucchini bread.
TGIF friends!
Have the bestest day.
Love, Vanessa
ps:
Here is a little video of Matty when he was a baby, found buried deep in my YouTube account.
<3 <3 <3
