Hello again. I'll call him Charlie

Let's start by saying I'm not the total loser you are thinking since I have not blogged a bleep since last Friday. And let's face it, that was mostly a pretty picture and happy wishes to the moms for their special day. (even though I do love that rose bush)

But please believe me when I tell you I have not been slacking...

The playhouse coop pen is almost complete. Just another couple of quality hours with post hole diggers and fence stretcher. And there will be pictures and a "how to" session on post hole diggers and concrete...if you are interested.

And then Saturday was a beautiful field trip. Full details below. Enjoy!

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This past weekend was Mother's Day. I hope all the mothers out there had as nice a time as we did with my own mother and sister at one of my favorite places on earth or at least within Alabama.

Petals from the Past in Jemison, AL has expanded their gardens until they are a little gardening paradise city. Seriously. I could live there. Just tuck me into a shady spot beside the pond, and I'll reside with the frogs on the lillies and the fish in the water. I'm sure no one will notice. 

And then there were the berries -- strawberry beds full of ripe berries 

And blueberry bushes bursting with almost ripe berries.  
The bushes were more like small trees!

And acres of something growing on trellised vineyard looking rows. I'm not sure what these are or if you can make wine out of them.
But it is Alabama. We can make wine out of almost anything grapey. Ever had muscadine wine?

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And then there are the gardens....oh my goodness, the gardens. The day was overcast and threatened rain. The grey backdrop made everything POP!

Gaillardia - aka "Indian Blanketflower"

Carnations? Gorgeous! They had to be 3 feet tall. I may need to verify this one with Jason at PFTP...

Hundreds of rose bushes - mainly "old" antique varieties

Rosa "Lafter" in their display gardens with wildflowers. I grew these at our old house. Well worth the effort and easily rooted. However, the thorns were no Lafter matter. They were curved demons of bloodshed leaving you looking as though you were locked in a closet with a wildcat. I quit pruning and left them to their own beautiful devices :)

Pansies, violas and snapdragons amongst a pot

and the garden gate. I do covet the lawn and paths. I covertly took cuttings of the climber spilling onto the manicured path. Don't tell!

And the greeter dog. Yes.
Yes, I'll call him Charlie.