The Desert Is Blooming

In Arizona, U.S.A., this time of year everything seems to be in bloom. And, the allergies tend to bother a lot of residents.  But, it is beautiful for a little while and I was out and about today and took some pictures. 

This is a  Palo Verde that grows out in the wild.  It is basically a bush and not a tree as they are used in housing developments throughout the city.  They bloom this time of year and the bees love working them to make their honey. 

This is a mesquite growing in the wild.  As you can see, it is also a bush and not necessarily a tree.  These are used in housing developments in the city also though probably not this type.  The bees also like working this bush.  In the middle you see a darkness and that is mistletoe.  

This is another view of a Palo Verde and you can see the saguaros on the left.  There are three of them.  They will be blooming next.  


In some places the desert is very dry this year and isn't able to grow the grasses and legumes that it did last year when we had so much rain.  


Addendum:  
I tried getting a picture of the Greasewood yesterday but it didn't turn out so I ventured out today and I found this one.  

I'm linking to:
bloomin-tuesday
Outdoor Wednesday
wow-us-wednesdays
Cottage-Flora-Thursdays
Farmchicks Farm Photo Friday

Heartbroken/Devastated

This morning I was out watering......I don't have drip or sprinklers because it makes me get out there everyday......and when I headed back to this bed, I found this.  I was beside myself.  This happened to me last year and ruined a perfectly good cucumber vine.  I thought I had it fixed cause I put grates down and planted between the bars but low and behold, whatever it is, it still got to it. 

These are the cucumbers.

A different view of the cucumbers.

Conglomeration of flowers were planted here.

I don't have any idea what could be doing this.  I know that there is a squirrel in the area.  There are also lizards.  Maybe some kind of bird.  It seems to happen at nighttime because I was home yesterday and sure didn't notice anything.  A longtime ago I saw a skunk in the yard.  It has to be something that roots around.  

Goodwill Find

On Tuesday I ventured out to Goodwill.  In Arizona this is the day seniors get 25% off.  A bargain I think.  


I found this box that had not been opened, had a Target tag on it, and I couldn't resist the box mostly because it had roses on it and I like some girly things in my room.  


It included a photo album...probably won't use....some blank cards with envelopes, stationary with envelopes, a journal, and low and behold a pencil.  

Love the look of the handle and the corners.  

I can't wait to see where I'm going to put this box and what I'm going to put in it.  I just love looking at it for now.  

I'm linking to:
Flaunt-It-Friday

Full Bloom

I was out in the yard this beautiful Arizona day and noticed that most things are pretty much in bloom.  Here is a sample of a couple of the bloomings.  

This is a verbena I've had planted for awhile.  

This is that purple verbena I posted earlier when I bought it at the nursery.  It is growing.  

Black Eyed Susans that returned from last year.  Actually, the plant never did die.

Oregano.  This returned from last year too.  It kept on growing through the winter.

I had very few poppies this year.  I love growing these but if it is too wet they don't do well.  Maybe next year.  I have a spot that they just might do well.  

This is a pomegranate bloom.  They are so pretty and the leaves are a vibrant green this time of year.

These are some more blooms of the pomegranate.  Usually these are bushes but I keep the bottoms pretty well pruned because I don't want any surprises when I'm out in the yard.   The birds love these when the pomegranates get ripe.  









I'm linking to:
Friday-Flaunt-Your-Flowers

Cottage-Flora-Thursdays-

The Rest of the Story

I and a friend had a bright idea of going to Cottonwood on Friday.  I was on the internet in the a.m. but didn't look for any road closures.  Not very bright.  I didn't even have the t.v. on before I left.  Didn't even have the radio on and if I did it was just for music.  As we topped out at Sunset Point, we realized there had been a wreck south bound and that they were stopping vehicles.  Channel 3 was already there.  Turns out, a cattle truck had run off the road at 3 a.m.   Anyway, here R some pictures.  

Did U guess already.  Yup, I was stuck on I-17 between Cordes Junction and Phoenix.  Left McDonalds at Cordes Junction at 3:00 p.m. and didn't get home til 6:00 p.m.  It was a crawl and was able to take pictures alongside the road.  Except for where the Christmas tree is in the middle of the interstate....then the traffic got a little faster and, of course, I couldn't get a good picture of that tree.  Those of U living in Arizona.... in the middle of I-17 there is this humongous cedar tree that is decorated with Christmas ornaments during Thanksgiving and the rest of the year, after Christmas,  it has yellow ribbons on it.  They don't seem to know who does this decorating but it is a sight to see when U R traveling along the freeway.  

Trip to Cottonwood

On Friday, April Fools Day, I and a friend decided to venture to Cottonwood, Arizona.   I knew about this shop and had to stop by to see what was new.

This is the name of the shop we stopped at.

I just luv this settee (sp).  It had rollers on the feet.  I'd put different
feet on it and I'd also have it covered in leather.  Would be beautiful.

If U live in Arizona, U will remember these.
They wanted $12 a piece for these.

I luv teapots and I luv frogs, need I say more!

They R ready for Easter.

It was good to get out of town but when I tell U what happened on the way back, I wonder why I went.  I'll tell U that on another post.

Bloomings

These R just a few things that R blooming in my yard.   I wanted to C how tall the cilantro got before it started blooming.  I took this before it got windy & now I cut it down cuz the wind wreaked havoc with it.  

This is Cilantro blooming.

This is how tall the Cilantro got.

This strawberry plant likes where it is!

This is Catclaw that claws itself to the wall.
It blooms in April.

The Sweet Peas....No RED.

I hope that everyone is having a great weekend.  Here, in Arizona, the weather has been warm and a bit breezy but very very lovely.

I'm linking to:
Farmchicks-Farm-Photo-Friday