tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5026585445738313592024-03-05T01:03:09.338-08:00Gabrielle's GardenGabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-56834748965350535982013-05-16T14:51:00.000-07:002018-03-27T12:11:10.913-07:00Gathering DandelionsThe dandelions are blooming in our country property. A few years ago, I was not able to find any but now we have a nice patch growing. My husband met me there this morning; he knew that I have been harvesting them for a few days now.<br />
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It is easy to get confused at first with the two different species of plants that are growing wild in our field. The one that I love is called dandelion or<em> Taraxacum officinale</em> and it grows from the base on a single stem for each flower. The other plant that we have is called catsear or <em>Hypochoeris radicata</em> or false dandelion<em>.</em> It grows up from the base on branched stems with multiple flowers growing from the same original stem. Another difference is that the basal leaves of the dandelion are smooth but the catsear leaves have slightly coarse hairs on them. The sepals of the catsear flower hug the bottom of the flower while the dandelion sepal appears to be in two parts, with the bottom of it curving down, away from the blossom. </div>
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My husband was helping me collect the flowers and accidently collected the catsear flowers.<br />
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Here is a photo of the catsear flowers: </div>
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And here are my prized dandelion blossoms:</div>
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I am not the only one enjoying the dandelion flowers!</div>
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Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-1406073348542359652013-04-27T12:11:00.003-07:002013-04-27T12:13:00.865-07:00Herbs, Native Plants and Rosemary Gladstar<div style="text-align: left;">
Some days I wake up refreshed and energetic, but today was not one of them. I visited with my sister for awhile and then I sat down to rest and began to listen to a recording of a teleseminar by Rosemary Gladstar. It didn't take long to get inspired. I decided to go outside while I continued to listen. While sitting in the garden, I harvested some of our chickweed, chamomile and calendula. I went inside to get my camera and photographed some of the chamomile growing along beside a Japanese Maple named 'Tamukeyma'.</div>
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In another part of our garden, we have the native Indian Pinks (<em>Spigelia marilandica</em>)growing. They are in full bloom right now and I treasure them.</div>
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During the late winter, our cilantro reseeds itself abundantly in our gardens. Sitting in the mist of these flowers was inspiring. I think that they make a beautiful picture. Some visitors to our gardens do not appreciate the scent of the cilantro, but I have grown to enjoy it growing wild in our beds and along our garden paths.</div>
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Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-17920905594017801062012-07-28T12:19:00.001-07:002012-07-28T12:35:15.242-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Making a Lemon Balm Infusion</h2>
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Melissa officinalis</h3>
It has been raining daily here in South Louisiana for over twenty days. The best time to spend outdoors is the early morning and late afternoon. Mosquitoes are a problem. The lemon balm leaves, when crushed, are sometimes rubbed on the skin as a repellent for mosquitoes.<br />
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Today I harvested some of our organically grown lemon balm. I chopped it and added organic sunflower oil to it and placed it in a jar sitting in a warm water bath. As the herb is infusing, I occasionally stir and mash them, making sure to keep the herbs under the oil level. The cover is left off, in order to allow any moisture to escape. When not stirring, I cover it with a paper towel held on by a rubber band.<br />
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The herb lemon balm, <em>Melissa officinalis</em>, is one of the earliest known medicinal herbs. It is often used in perfumes and in treating skin conditions and is said to be antibacterial and antiviral. It also makes a very nice tea.<br />
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I look forward to making a herbal balm with some of my completed lemon balm oil.Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-19187662603892154482012-04-21T05:16:00.001-07:002012-04-21T05:16:35.660-07:00Etsy Earth: Earth Day Giveaway!<a href="http://etsyearthteam.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-giveaway.html?spref=bl">Etsy Earth: Earth Day Giveaway!</a>: April 22, Earth Day 2012, is the 42 nd Anniversary of what many consider was the start of the modern environmental movement. To re...Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-54681681508898224302012-03-21T14:42:00.000-07:002012-03-21T14:45:31.440-07:00Red Buckeye in Full Bloom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is raining today but I went out this week and took some pictures of our Red Buckeye Tree in full bloom. </div>
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It sure does brighten up a rainy day!</div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-52112577567003573012012-03-12T15:42:00.000-07:002012-03-12T15:42:03.027-07:00<strong>Havesting Chickweed</strong><br />
<em>Stellaria media</em><br />
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Our naturally growing chickweed is valued in our gardens. </div>
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It is a nice addition to fresh salads and makes a wonderful tea and salve. It is growing wild in our gardens along with our organically grown carrots and turnips. <br />
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Today I harvested and will begin gently drying some. This is part of my day's harvest which is ready for drying.</div>
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I do like to share some with our eight hens. They eat this healthy herb as a wonderful treat.</div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-77123844603167769172012-03-11T15:34:00.001-07:002012-03-11T15:34:40.214-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Red Buckeye - One of our beautiful native trees.</strong></div>
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<em>Aesculus pavia</em></div>
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<br />I have been waiting for our Red Buckeye Tree to bloom. This a treat for our hummingbirds!</div>
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<br />On February twenty-second, I photographed the first signs of the blooms.</div>
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Today, they are almost ready to open!</div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-61176726178685262792012-01-21T06:21:00.000-08:002012-01-23T09:17:13.310-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoying Our Hens</span></strong></div>
The weather is unseasonably warm for January. Our Easter Egger hens had taken a break from laying, but they are laying again. Their pretty blue-green eggs are lovely. <br />
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The new chicks are now about six months old. Our daughter has five and I kept three: a buff orpington, an astrolorp and a speckled sussex. Yesterday I found our first brown egg, but am not sure who has layed it. They were in a seperate house which was right on the side of our Easter eggers. They gradually worked out their pecking order, and now they are happily living together in our large hen house.<br />
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I would let all of the chickens out to roam the area whenever I would sit with them. I found this to be a very healing time for me and the hens seemed to love it, also. We got very comfortable doing this until one day last month. I walked a few yards away to get some items to clean the hen house when I heard lots of noise and saw what looked to be a huge chicken trying to catch one of our hens. We have alot of trees and a hawk had been sitting on a limb, waiting to find dinner. All chickens went into hiding and it took about an hour to locate them all, but they were all safe.<br />
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I know that this is a natural thing in nature, but I knew that I had to do something to keep the girls safe. I made a chicken run, about 6 by 8 by 5 feet with PVC pipe and chicken wire. It is just high enough that I can get in with them and sit and enjoy their company and take photos. That is exactly what we did yesterday afternoon.<br />
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It was difficult to take photos because the three new hens wanted to stay and eat the grass right at my feet! I laughed alot! </div>
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This is Blacky, our new Astrolorp hen. She has such beautiful feathers!</div>
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This is Goldie, our new Buff Orpington.</div>
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And Speckles, our Speckled Sussex.</div>
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She is one of our Easter Eggers. They are difficult to tell apart, so they are all called "Girls"</div>
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Our hens seem content and I am able to continue to enjoy their company. They are enjoying my harvested chickweed and turnip greens and slightly imperfect pecan halves during this time of the year. This is indeed fun!!</div>
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<br /></div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-63933789634203665892011-08-22T07:12:00.000-07:002011-08-22T07:12:49.190-07:00New ChicksWe currently have five easter egger hens in our backyard. This has inspired one of our daughters and her three young sons to start raising chickens. She built a very nice wooden coop and fenced yard for her three hens, but wanted a few more for her birthday. We decided to split an order of eight female chicks from My Pet Chicken online: two Buff Orpington, two Speckled Sussex, two Welsummer, and two Silver Laced Wyandotte. On shipping day, I was called and told that they were not able to send me the Silver Laced Wyandotte, so I had to change my order for those two. We were very disappointed, but I ordered two Australorp chicks instead.<br />
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Our daughter and grandsons decided on which one of each type they wanted and they each named one of their chicks. I am caring for all eight at my home until they are ready to move outside. We will try to gradually introduce them to our hens and hope that they will be accepted into the flock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95b6Pw-60d0ndDVlc51XfiIdyuwlXNwrEhYu19btd61OUsEFIuEcVFP0h8hjILmM0aIZbwce3NQC3nWwhyphenhypheng-8Z_y0Ee5BMkEz3SuGC9wJOo29wzfIAr2LmyGCnDX8hqrHAed7Zak28Qy0/s1600/Baby+Chicks+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95b6Pw-60d0ndDVlc51XfiIdyuwlXNwrEhYu19btd61OUsEFIuEcVFP0h8hjILmM0aIZbwce3NQC3nWwhyphenhypheng-8Z_y0Ee5BMkEz3SuGC9wJOo29wzfIAr2LmyGCnDX8hqrHAed7Zak28Qy0/s400/Baby+Chicks+8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-66166537990696003172011-08-16T15:40:00.000-07:002011-08-16T15:40:48.592-07:00Echinacea SeedsOur echinacea plants are blooming, but are also busy setting seeds.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7g9Arn9P2BczyX1DzF28SUIIiORGin6DViX_ubprPxPa3X4Jk_Z7H6l0pUkv6MWE1GqTiz8ONW6eOb8Q6W4Cb9wHz9G0-q1OjKyQRGFHmvec9aJbzmnJmuki6R1zcoVrYeRS6xGcxig7/s1600/Echinacea+Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7g9Arn9P2BczyX1DzF28SUIIiORGin6DViX_ubprPxPa3X4Jk_Z7H6l0pUkv6MWE1GqTiz8ONW6eOb8Q6W4Cb9wHz9G0-q1OjKyQRGFHmvec9aJbzmnJmuki6R1zcoVrYeRS6xGcxig7/s400/Echinacea+Morning.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I am collecting the seeds of Echinacea purpurea<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUMJx9jmxxrKo3xw4rI5phVbsBoKUcmNc2sacXBPlMRXqhtyeDru4alCkpk69O2xL71R0dg2Vw5rv_SfFQlFya_tNbPwW7OcvC_qvLX5NxwlKk1Jbt_uRoPn7RdgABbqZCHW7P0shKlWw/s1600/Echin+Tenn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUMJx9jmxxrKo3xw4rI5phVbsBoKUcmNc2sacXBPlMRXqhtyeDru4alCkpk69O2xL71R0dg2Vw5rv_SfFQlFya_tNbPwW7OcvC_qvLX5NxwlKk1Jbt_uRoPn7RdgABbqZCHW7P0shKlWw/s400/Echin+Tenn1.jpg" /></a></div>We have enough time to harvest the seed heads which will encourage the plants to make more beautiful blooms before the end of the season.<br />
Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-47116354807636938812011-07-08T15:36:00.000-07:002011-07-08T15:36:59.334-07:00Fresh Fig PreservesFig preserves are so common here, that I had not thought of sharing my recipe. I like to remove the small stem part of the fig, but some people prefer leaving it on the fig. <br />
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Fig Preserves<br />
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For every quart of fresh figs, I add two cups of sugar. I do this until all figs are measured. So my recipe is one part figs to one-half part sugar. I showly cook the figs and add a little fresh lemon juice to taste. I think this adds a nice touch to the flavor. Slowly bring this to a boil and let the figs cook on a low fire for about an hour or more. Ladel hot figs and syrup into sterilized jars. Enjoy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWCfHKR4oNGkMT2n6oDQCDmgShTL9UE_OKggsHhBq8iV4zYHAryZMw74yICHMF0qvlUB9ijh-pBe5PWAboD2yN0gR12xW2h3rvwqIJS1qrxnohNBpk1eOsk7DrliQqCN5Rnb1Us82w3Tj/s1600/Fig+Preserves1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWCfHKR4oNGkMT2n6oDQCDmgShTL9UE_OKggsHhBq8iV4zYHAryZMw74yICHMF0qvlUB9ijh-pBe5PWAboD2yN0gR12xW2h3rvwqIJS1qrxnohNBpk1eOsk7DrliQqCN5Rnb1Us82w3Tj/s400/Fig+Preserves1.JPG" /></a></div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-58110302879310317762011-07-07T08:50:00.000-07:002011-07-07T08:50:13.835-07:00July is Fig Time in South LouisianaIt is often said that the figs begin to ripen around July fourth in South Louisiana. I was very concerned about our crop since we had been experiencing a drought. Many of our figs were not as full as usual, but we are getting a decent harvest.<br />
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In order to harvest our crop, we get up early in the morning and pick some before the birds eat all of the ripe figs. We pick again in late afternoon. We have some for ourselves and some to bring to the Farmers' Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj526WT_Yr-Kf8WHZHRkomcOy1Tr8Px2pYnoNLwgD7H7K1ZEZYeWxPfm97lAt-W598jJXXzOOij-IUejhZMiGwPsb1zf2Vm2rnvEv-Y7HU0h9lsR-COTaUyQnodmp99uO_ftuGRxHVMHjED/s1600/Fig+Harvest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj526WT_Yr-Kf8WHZHRkomcOy1Tr8Px2pYnoNLwgD7H7K1ZEZYeWxPfm97lAt-W598jJXXzOOij-IUejhZMiGwPsb1zf2Vm2rnvEv-Y7HU0h9lsR-COTaUyQnodmp99uO_ftuGRxHVMHjED/s400/Fig+Harvest.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I love fig preserves and cook some with the whole figs and some with the figs chopped. We do have a tree that produces very large figs and I usually chop these. I personally prefer the chopped fig preserves. Often when filling the jars, I have a little left over syrup. I like to take this syrup and use it to make a pecan pie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6awn33mM-yuX4qpIU3c42FAkkPWlLkpYAVws3hGPP8nvF5EP8ztgFV53-sSII-y5mjS8GUD_-BTZho0huYnhEKvtPetE0K34Bfpj90KVehOIcHjB-Z-kBJKqUzRlDBG_im0nr1yb5hEJs/s1600/Pecan+%2526+Fig+Syrup+Pie1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6awn33mM-yuX4qpIU3c42FAkkPWlLkpYAVws3hGPP8nvF5EP8ztgFV53-sSII-y5mjS8GUD_-BTZho0huYnhEKvtPetE0K34Bfpj90KVehOIcHjB-Z-kBJKqUzRlDBG_im0nr1yb5hEJs/s400/Pecan+%2526+Fig+Syrup+Pie1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Gabrielle's Pecan and Fig Juice Pie<br />
<br />
3 fresh farm eggs<br />
2/3 cup brown sugar<br />
1 cup fig syrup<br />
1/3 cup melted butter<br />
1 cup pecans<br />
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell<br />
<br />
Beat eggs thorougly with sugar. Add fig syrup and melted butter and mix. Fold in pecans. Pour into pie shell and bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes. Lower oven to 300 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. Cool before cutting. Enjoy!!Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-12421654270658662582011-06-04T11:36:00.000-07:002011-06-09T10:16:56.848-07:00Honey Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-KvNh6Se_ZvvrokVXLYPA0t2klrLpFA7eeD8GaVvdgV6fqqdxTFBBRBsmx8Ea6yj_GoSSUmPdBn5h_jT-qODoIox0VgUjBpGfXkzWq0ODllw96yiUWBd0_f3l8Ds5S4gBCH2hvw5vZXk/s1600/Rosemary+by+Pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="234" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-KvNh6Se_ZvvrokVXLYPA0t2klrLpFA7eeD8GaVvdgV6fqqdxTFBBRBsmx8Ea6yj_GoSSUmPdBn5h_jT-qODoIox0VgUjBpGfXkzWq0ODllw96yiUWBd0_f3l8Ds5S4gBCH2hvw5vZXk/s400/Rosemary+by+Pond.jpg" /></a></div>It has really been very hot and dry for South Louisiana in early June. <br />
Wildlife, such as the honey bee are enjoying our small backyard pond. We have a small biological filter, and they are able to sit and drink from it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySBiL-Qiyyp99PTx_ueDs9tCTp-dRLH7UJa1lkVc1yN5mJ7gSt98AH3Isw5B-Z3AKTn8qJ457KF7YQcBNvvh27G1FVbJSbE7xRQD4n29TdL8S_qdMWCLZFH409I1eZ9i_Lqc1Atw51V7c/s1600/Bees+drinking+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySBiL-Qiyyp99PTx_ueDs9tCTp-dRLH7UJa1lkVc1yN5mJ7gSt98AH3Isw5B-Z3AKTn8qJ457KF7YQcBNvvh27G1FVbJSbE7xRQD4n29TdL8S_qdMWCLZFH409I1eZ9i_Lqc1Atw51V7c/s400/Bees+drinking+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>My husband plants sunflowers and wildflowers every year. This photo was taken in an open field at our farm. When I viewed my photo on my computer, I was so surprised to see the honey bee. It is a pleasure to watch nature at work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2DvwFarAthfQ3YmHArcsWvsL-vTKu86mO86D6Na82vqTiirf3KqMl_nVB2yjpPvSGhz0fE37zhtaUQ21KD55JzR7c7FeA3He24RyD_Yvd2CAbtaaCaqQFcGdNHahP8xa4kimKswwASdu/s1600/Sunflowers+%2526+Honey+Bee+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2DvwFarAthfQ3YmHArcsWvsL-vTKu86mO86D6Na82vqTiirf3KqMl_nVB2yjpPvSGhz0fE37zhtaUQ21KD55JzR7c7FeA3He24RyD_Yvd2CAbtaaCaqQFcGdNHahP8xa4kimKswwASdu/s400/Sunflowers+%2526+Honey+Bee+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-60747829318121416312011-06-02T12:37:00.000-07:002011-06-02T12:37:32.505-07:00Cranes Nesting in South LouisianaThe weather is really getting hot and we are in the mist of a drought here in South Louisiana. I took my camera with me to our farm near Jefferson Island. My husband and I took a ride about a mile down the road to view the cranes nesting in the ponds at Rip Van Winkle Gardens at Jefferson Island.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dvqG6KqoYHJmqYnOlEqI1gp5vTVEaPa0jTRQVrO0uzpxIW-6UeAU703rJQrfkv6zcTuU5k6c9GkBEyydlmyyG7ZnXKFZuI6c3gMX-3hqL76k3GeynG7EuhzLVlf0bYCN3iu31cZSX-VJ/s1600/Cranes+at+Jefferson+Island+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dvqG6KqoYHJmqYnOlEqI1gp5vTVEaPa0jTRQVrO0uzpxIW-6UeAU703rJQrfkv6zcTuU5k6c9GkBEyydlmyyG7ZnXKFZuI6c3gMX-3hqL76k3GeynG7EuhzLVlf0bYCN3iu31cZSX-VJ/s400/Cranes+at+Jefferson+Island+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>We were fascinated by the colorful Roseate Spoonbill. They were nesting in pairs in the cypress trees. I wasn't able to get a very good photo, but this one, at the water's edge, shows its fascinating face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPbRgSMDiYqEV3ajrY1kLTN1Oc5MgMVDOyI4RdgH4onpg8jz0dR24TNpAEG_yWUJgJe9B7kp4V3GXvxgkYjoiBasrJBTkkHzVx5axn2P_IpeivDnbBhqyfBl6Hx-3dYc__sIVrCNPVLz/s1600/roseate+spoonbill+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPbRgSMDiYqEV3ajrY1kLTN1Oc5MgMVDOyI4RdgH4onpg8jz0dR24TNpAEG_yWUJgJe9B7kp4V3GXvxgkYjoiBasrJBTkkHzVx5axn2P_IpeivDnbBhqyfBl6Hx-3dYc__sIVrCNPVLz/s400/roseate+spoonbill+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>There are many different kinds of water birds nesting together. The varieties and colors were beautiful. Just what I needed to help lift my spirits!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR1v_q0ClG0gsIzgwoLnqdHK5kCSCZ5C2vlO87sT2WaIxX89rzG5BlfbYmuJzeKQF5RqNSOikweCfw2Bn8wfD7g2fqYt4dxRSJZLa77UETqO6sEmIMwBHqjl7yUmxQh93zyaBSTxn3vC4/s1600/White+Flying+Crane+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR1v_q0ClG0gsIzgwoLnqdHK5kCSCZ5C2vlO87sT2WaIxX89rzG5BlfbYmuJzeKQF5RqNSOikweCfw2Bn8wfD7g2fqYt4dxRSJZLa77UETqO6sEmIMwBHqjl7yUmxQh93zyaBSTxn3vC4/s400/White+Flying+Crane+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-64997686347459906982011-03-04T15:14:00.000-08:002011-03-04T16:18:11.473-08:00New Blooms - the Promise of Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pZ-YvWf8Kf_81nHYmPNJPu0xCp-d4A3oP7qiUD7hRnKS5kvHkJ6silgIvioMbMlAuBwf5ZDhjdgaqiMfzYSJpiCLOID9WL3Dor8XNrIVOSjFeMGgvS89foUXvHoMg_JCKvSzcZtK_wAg/s1600/Crabapple+Blooms.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pZ-YvWf8Kf_81nHYmPNJPu0xCp-d4A3oP7qiUD7hRnKS5kvHkJ6silgIvioMbMlAuBwf5ZDhjdgaqiMfzYSJpiCLOID9WL3Dor8XNrIVOSjFeMGgvS89foUXvHoMg_JCKvSzcZtK_wAg/s400/Crabapple+Blooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580368554190770466" /></a><br />We had plans for today to go out to the country and enjoy the early morning. There was a soft shower earlier in the morning, but stopped around 9:00. I took my camera to take photos. <br />The first photo is of the crabapple blossoms. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fNfyxvxfqcS4euv1hAycnYj3iH7qFbq2IkYte-ve8xYpwT2-b27-kcSfSzsZW5NzBhvN_VUHIC9fNW-PE-sE3_VH1NvV57yLztiLwEmj2oJPYxg-Hm9Ps46IPwdGZ8I27azkfhkVATGt/s1600/Sassafras+Blloms.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fNfyxvxfqcS4euv1hAycnYj3iH7qFbq2IkYte-ve8xYpwT2-b27-kcSfSzsZW5NzBhvN_VUHIC9fNW-PE-sE3_VH1NvV57yLztiLwEmj2oJPYxg-Hm9Ps46IPwdGZ8I27azkfhkVATGt/s400/Sassafras+Blloms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580370495749337970" /></a><br /><br />Our sassafras tree was popping with blossoms,<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvmB26O6mBqoCN-jeLu7bn2Pf9xtWrMHzx_nrOh6JwYVIx3dENHm2HKRV7kWB99039Gawal0FRbCdxZ-FJd-OKpcDWRocRbsKydQ3Hg-NkwcHOt9e3kPibInzHVy7TJdxfRbBcuy5Jssv/s1600/Pear+Blossom.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvmB26O6mBqoCN-jeLu7bn2Pf9xtWrMHzx_nrOh6JwYVIx3dENHm2HKRV7kWB99039Gawal0FRbCdxZ-FJd-OKpcDWRocRbsKydQ3Hg-NkwcHOt9e3kPibInzHVy7TJdxfRbBcuy5Jssv/s400/Pear+Blossom.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580375499404101602" /></a><br /><br />So was the pear.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-FrWACzAsROma13exsF7RsDb99m2-qJ78BDYAmcw_j2HS3lmcTeUgFgVWKwP06jU6pFcBxzNVO5ah7km8MwxRpamj-pA2LxyCGzqwjXBEIjWi3-ONrAhO8pQ2O1VgUaSrcTStXbhFgku/s1600/Blue+Bird+on+House.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-FrWACzAsROma13exsF7RsDb99m2-qJ78BDYAmcw_j2HS3lmcTeUgFgVWKwP06jU6pFcBxzNVO5ah7km8MwxRpamj-pA2LxyCGzqwjXBEIjWi3-ONrAhO8pQ2O1VgUaSrcTStXbhFgku/s400/Blue+Bird+on+House.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580374866038719874" /></a>The bluebirds were pairing and making nests in some of our bluebird nest boxes. I found it difficult to get close enough to get a clear photo, but this was the best. A redbud tree, in the background, is beginning to bloom.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF3rh87Y_BKR8ImnJHM4KxDUqWSq1wzZmjFRtOtLCGSkWVGwG3WQET3j3K6NhgbnAZ0D6RwXVIqGhb5QUCHvAaIbWSOBe8lvgqYzCyQqLUOVTKPBIRJmZtKssc1QbsDTh8xgQwiRfk6GR/s1600/Day+In+Field+of+Flowers.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF3rh87Y_BKR8ImnJHM4KxDUqWSq1wzZmjFRtOtLCGSkWVGwG3WQET3j3K6NhgbnAZ0D6RwXVIqGhb5QUCHvAaIbWSOBe8lvgqYzCyQqLUOVTKPBIRJmZtKssc1QbsDTh8xgQwiRfk6GR/s400/Day+In+Field+of+Flowers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580382777483540434" /></a><br />One of our daughters came to join my husband and I with her two young sons. We were interested in the bluebirds at the time, and we kept talking about them. Our five year old grandson was trying hard to pay attention to them, also, as I heard him quietly say to himself, "I am trying to see the birds, but I keep getting distracted by all of these beautiful flowers!"Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-72045334919823792632011-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:002011-02-20T14:51:43.169-08:00A Day In The Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBmnXG_XHOordMTkQjlSHJYSBwTskXP7J417oP8uoR5YOi7hlPNizROCdCqcWhhKWN-NxwZetnRkh8MgAL4DAWEtN9oU9lQDtWHOw_8VKYPDkTJ2TaAd1VJDKgtzYRxIZwTXN1FbNESYM/s1600/Daffodile+Orange+Center1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBmnXG_XHOordMTkQjlSHJYSBwTskXP7J417oP8uoR5YOi7hlPNizROCdCqcWhhKWN-NxwZetnRkh8MgAL4DAWEtN9oU9lQDtWHOw_8VKYPDkTJ2TaAd1VJDKgtzYRxIZwTXN1FbNESYM/s400/Daffodile+Orange+Center1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575907274925312130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKSKQw6FSAfltlhyJBX4_sqy46ico0S4T9gTSDiVEBAuFjTnXl-E6SmlWoAnrxlWO2j4-PCILrrFVxvd4LE7y2QFLEFmYirvr1YHdw8LbbXH0YwGN0bFL2CXNUd6f1WwYtZw7kCdDRyb8/s1600/Daffodil+Yellow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKSKQw6FSAfltlhyJBX4_sqy46ico0S4T9gTSDiVEBAuFjTnXl-E6SmlWoAnrxlWO2j4-PCILrrFVxvd4LE7y2QFLEFmYirvr1YHdw8LbbXH0YwGN0bFL2CXNUd6f1WwYtZw7kCdDRyb8/s400/Daffodil+Yellow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575902074681687618" /></a><br />The weather was warm today and a grandson and I went out to our country property to enjoy nature and take photos. The daffodils were blooming profusely.<br />A son arrived to join us and we went to check on our bluebird houses. We were surprised to find a pair working on their nest in one of the houses.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm1-8-egyCSUhVswds88U3wmUXEUQwvY3q0Yd-eAa8AjQweH4mG7vp5WIl7DCrpGgQLk4B77VLZl_GY_oHqIZGV17WkGXJ-LoRyif4l0msibmbqZ5Pjd0sTX3inhwvSN8QSR1FMpPYe-D/s1600/Bluebird+2011a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm1-8-egyCSUhVswds88U3wmUXEUQwvY3q0Yd-eAa8AjQweH4mG7vp5WIl7DCrpGgQLk4B77VLZl_GY_oHqIZGV17WkGXJ-LoRyif4l0msibmbqZ5Pjd0sTX3inhwvSN8QSR1FMpPYe-D/s400/Bluebird+2011a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575902868641319826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpwrEr2crPTJ6xIdKmSQNDco_Qkj9piN1ijWJ1mXzSzfVPVTnLz-0VE71wVhM3KzZRq4f_UJaoc6xTeXsYYSEcdcYs60RnJEODY7FBPJ1uZbrO3rpgRtql6LA1WZBOnvgscnyv5uWBRp6/s1600/Bluebird+with+Insect.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpwrEr2crPTJ6xIdKmSQNDco_Qkj9piN1ijWJ1mXzSzfVPVTnLz-0VE71wVhM3KzZRq4f_UJaoc6xTeXsYYSEcdcYs60RnJEODY7FBPJ1uZbrO3rpgRtql6LA1WZBOnvgscnyv5uWBRp6/s400/Bluebird+with+Insect.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575903774294410018" /></a><br />As the day continued, my husband, daughter and her husband, and son with his wife, along with seven more grandchildren joined us. It is nice to be outside, enjoying nature and the promise of Spring!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRI95hKPUnJjMnltcKimDGkZWLJHYrp-VoR3DQLqsN6018Yv5eR1JXLKITcC1nPtkb2_K2Ma_VLWHSUdXCYXTSUFDqVj2E1Zi0NyRxiwxuShOMBSnCv5u-H0sFevezHoYZbW0WFjKDdUd/s1600/Daffodil+2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRI95hKPUnJjMnltcKimDGkZWLJHYrp-VoR3DQLqsN6018Yv5eR1JXLKITcC1nPtkb2_K2Ma_VLWHSUdXCYXTSUFDqVj2E1Zi0NyRxiwxuShOMBSnCv5u-H0sFevezHoYZbW0WFjKDdUd/s400/Daffodil+2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575906378653717618" /></a>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-59879668187020235502010-09-02T10:27:00.001-07:002010-09-27T06:50:14.798-07:00Our Hibiscus Sabdariffa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOIzSw8EEhdnRBStbVByMQy1rWlPMHKCamqe81sqTMbRrHEEgF2tcNAkZoU0tMRm7kbvlzidd8HBr1FhPHqB1CLOChbAd-Tv_ybF_K8UHHRQs2WVwAc2v36UiwcbErcpV2bPzDVhLTybB/s1600/Sabdariffa+Leaves+-+Blooms+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOIzSw8EEhdnRBStbVByMQy1rWlPMHKCamqe81sqTMbRrHEEgF2tcNAkZoU0tMRm7kbvlzidd8HBr1FhPHqB1CLOChbAd-Tv_ybF_K8UHHRQs2WVwAc2v36UiwcbErcpV2bPzDVhLTybB/s400/Sabdariffa+Leaves+-+Blooms+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512378557985374338" /></a><br />It was only about ten days ago, in late August, when I went out to check our hibiscus plants to look for signs of blooms. The leaves were healthy, but still no signs of flower buds. Yesterday was September first, and I was so pleased to see that there were small buds covering most of the plants. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglba375MHan9lNHCOZHjzVYcOL9DRrvzE2eEr6_iVxDBwyjTD4BUaNnn3dCx1CBFqnORHkFOPeNdBnwciymYlDez1dKCAxsMlxvdIISb2X8HJePdOJ5xVcrRnfCXvb7pUfCY0ZRGGroRW/s1600/Sabdariffa+Leaves+-+No+blooms+(2).JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglba375MHan9lNHCOZHjzVYcOL9DRrvzE2eEr6_iVxDBwyjTD4BUaNnn3dCx1CBFqnORHkFOPeNdBnwciymYlDez1dKCAxsMlxvdIISb2X8HJePdOJ5xVcrRnfCXvb7pUfCY0ZRGGroRW/s400/Sabdariffa+Leaves+-+No+blooms+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512377936640807266" /></a><br /><br />Last year, we had one plant that had very narrow leaves, and produced very few flowers. The other plants had leaves that were much broader and were covered with blooms. I have a few plants this year with the same leaf look, and again few or no flower buds yet. The seeds all came from our last year's crop. It makes me wonder if I should possibly sort these plants out before planting. I will observe their production this autumn and take further notes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW_rh0At1U8K50TtzuSJSa67OV6yrJYHrzZH9bNhIhu0JsI0xzPOHxbqNZR2O0Zu_twQz1gm-RPiUBAAQ-uUR96OjBnwLjHObdXYB0GsH1wl0DT8WwSNIYs0hXA1DPFYif1Rbn1hIgb0X/s1600/Sabdariffa+-+Sept.1+(2).JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW_rh0At1U8K50TtzuSJSa67OV6yrJYHrzZH9bNhIhu0JsI0xzPOHxbqNZR2O0Zu_twQz1gm-RPiUBAAQ-uUR96OjBnwLjHObdXYB0GsH1wl0DT8WwSNIYs0hXA1DPFYif1Rbn1hIgb0X/s400/Sabdariffa+-+Sept.1+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512371763036601842" /></a>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-51325200993842785332010-07-31T12:00:00.000-07:002010-07-31T12:56:37.981-07:00Lemon Verbena Hydrosol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQGCOkLKMQVj01Cir_XnCORDd1RpuyHyd4YijzVEc8NkYLfuV-gqGhSa_Dic_oFwCMdcOY7NCzLrNyn8yTYkmnL7hPNq_cz4FNd3p5iy98WLOQSViJgcJA-Y9XG3uIbA6fUp9Ptb4LAxt/s1600/Lemon+Verbena+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQGCOkLKMQVj01Cir_XnCORDd1RpuyHyd4YijzVEc8NkYLfuV-gqGhSa_Dic_oFwCMdcOY7NCzLrNyn8yTYkmnL7hPNq_cz4FNd3p5iy98WLOQSViJgcJA-Y9XG3uIbA6fUp9Ptb4LAxt/s400/Lemon+Verbena+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500160751089833986" /></a><br /><br />Many of our herbs are enjoying the heat of our summer. This morning was a quiet one so I decided that it was a good time to harvest some of our lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora). The lemon verbena was rinsed and lightly air-dried and set in my wooden bowl to be weighed. I had a little over six ounces of the fresh herb. <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJwnwmMBahA_mg0cQV5BMJ-i_Fixe-Yt4Ri5kVVIDA9nP95K8kP0MFEAdGIT6VZupH4s93XL_7kttif25DAcC_HLXW3Ne120tdkQVdsxOU8a5Q7q2AcrKAvfC01dI9wOiMVi-rBAZ022w/s1600/Lemon+Verbena+Bowl+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJwnwmMBahA_mg0cQV5BMJ-i_Fixe-Yt4Ri5kVVIDA9nP95K8kP0MFEAdGIT6VZupH4s93XL_7kttif25DAcC_HLXW3Ne120tdkQVdsxOU8a5Q7q2AcrKAvfC01dI9wOiMVi-rBAZ022w/s320/Lemon+Verbena+Bowl+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500148681838026370" /></a><br />I love using my copper distiller to make hydrosols. After filling the distiller and turning on my stove, it was awhile before the hydrosol began dripping. The scent is wonderful and it is such a magical thing to watch. Lemon verbena hydrosol is said to be a powerful mental relaxant and stress buster. The essential oil is rare and very expensive. All of the scent of the herb is transferred into a liquid through the distillation process. The hydrosol is put into a sterilized container and refrigerated until needed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x1azNshcGi3hNcTIGESm1Fz48nJSbmVzefZ-mb6z4w4M9qq3vJcdzJ6jpTLq0YXJ1Oqe9GLVo3t3pPTbDZMxjdsdSeLjrlpZ3JcgCFvTA_6eWAt-gUD2NdY0e4hanfRiUNIKVu8LqFiN/s1600/Lemon+Verb+Hydrosol"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x1azNshcGi3hNcTIGESm1Fz48nJSbmVzefZ-mb6z4w4M9qq3vJcdzJ6jpTLq0YXJ1Oqe9GLVo3t3pPTbDZMxjdsdSeLjrlpZ3JcgCFvTA_6eWAt-gUD2NdY0e4hanfRiUNIKVu8LqFiN/s320/Lemon+Verb+Hydrosol" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500150484436360114" /></a><br />My lemon verbena plant is still very full and healthy and I plan to dry some for teas and make Lemon Verbena Jelly with some more fresh leaves at a later date. There will still be more for making additional hydrosol before summer's end.Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-85615659561863613072010-05-22T04:52:00.000-07:002010-05-22T05:16:03.933-07:00Lavender in South Louisiana<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDiqOr55pHTKCWMvFW0Sq33g1r1V7uuvLPHlCTLrTHlSRPepy2CepmT83UnffBNtx9xrLqYwOBEW4F1eo4n7CykAPnJkN_k-6tMYcNRKsVeVpZUUxkEvInYf8xpmXWMFZLXgc9TD57Fch/s1600/Lavender1+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDiqOr55pHTKCWMvFW0Sq33g1r1V7uuvLPHlCTLrTHlSRPepy2CepmT83UnffBNtx9xrLqYwOBEW4F1eo4n7CykAPnJkN_k-6tMYcNRKsVeVpZUUxkEvInYf8xpmXWMFZLXgc9TD57Fch/s320/Lavender1+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474064925791381538" /></a><br />Yesterday morning I began harvesting some of our English lavender buds. We have some difficulty growing lavender successfully here in the Deep South. Lavender is such a beautiful and wonderful herb, so it is a great pleasure to have some success with it here in our gardens. <br /><br />It was very relaxing and peaceful while I cut the flower stems in the early morning, right after the dew dried. I bundled them with rubber bands and hung them to dry in my herb room. It was a lovely sight, so I took a photo to share with you.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIqqTgWFeBHHCI-r-ZjT9Q9BYpM1H14QJkb5IGSWI9vuykBP4ZiJvgpqMj_0uRKFeh3m6-ZdUl8ifvwifM9LPql995yuX4F78mG_h5mIqVh1zGvZ6ROwlEFx1mfOr_4j6VxiFFX2gade_/s1600/Lavender+Drying2+Sharp+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIqqTgWFeBHHCI-r-ZjT9Q9BYpM1H14QJkb5IGSWI9vuykBP4ZiJvgpqMj_0uRKFeh3m6-ZdUl8ifvwifM9LPql995yuX4F78mG_h5mIqVh1zGvZ6ROwlEFx1mfOr_4j6VxiFFX2gade_/s320/Lavender+Drying2+Sharp+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474065335707120594" /></a>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-20873461708242980082010-05-08T05:28:00.000-07:002010-05-08T07:35:01.058-07:00Early May Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JxuvqQVyK-0JC_5nK1DaIEBeQs6ilicbaD78Uu7ng3u4hQjBAJEcd7D778ZYBnlL-6FKfX7G8-pJKYPern6eGcjQdAMmcwhhk03A5Ga0G2UCdnqZ9sfoBpv2-BgGvViwLuzGrwhYTvDM/s1600/Perfume+Delight+Rose+Cilantro.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JxuvqQVyK-0JC_5nK1DaIEBeQs6ilicbaD78Uu7ng3u4hQjBAJEcd7D778ZYBnlL-6FKfX7G8-pJKYPern6eGcjQdAMmcwhhk03A5Ga0G2UCdnqZ9sfoBpv2-BgGvViwLuzGrwhYTvDM/s320/Perfume+Delight+Rose+Cilantro.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468889389259163634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1w9yBJSrPMkuZ4Nk7JClWhfr94eoVsnno0MLltivWtlysnVmwQTy2kOppV3J7OTilLsxAw-RjD-exkiPfu1-tC_vnJ4Ju3MYQGy0kG34RVMHvlPmq4DbHQW4ku1FOpw6SpgigEK3_JqE/s1600/Rose+Cilantro.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1w9yBJSrPMkuZ4Nk7JClWhfr94eoVsnno0MLltivWtlysnVmwQTy2kOppV3J7OTilLsxAw-RjD-exkiPfu1-tC_vnJ4Ju3MYQGy0kG34RVMHvlPmq4DbHQW4ku1FOpw6SpgigEK3_JqE/s320/Rose+Cilantro.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468889016387266850" /></a><br />Here in South Louisiana, we have had a extra cold early Spring and a very dry April and early May. I just came face to face with a humming bird. He just hoovered near me as if to say "Please move. I am trying to feast on these roses."<br /><br />The cilantro has gone to flower and is so lovely and lacy. I love the look of my roses surrounded by these delicate white flowers. <br /><br />I was so surprised to see the beautiful white flowers on my tea tree. It has been growing in our garden for about five years and this is the first time that it has flowered.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOk1Fv2tVZzDHSVTRedp1Y5539pmVd8R95rPiaU4cOwNBUAC77krriWLyNs_p6tI5PL8HcTDymcxYkvwdJkPfZLkxraauCIUuCaCEC2qq5B4-Od88YGmucSRlZfxj44lAPbSL79UKz7WO/s1600/Tea+Tree+Flowers1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOk1Fv2tVZzDHSVTRedp1Y5539pmVd8R95rPiaU4cOwNBUAC77krriWLyNs_p6tI5PL8HcTDymcxYkvwdJkPfZLkxraauCIUuCaCEC2qq5B4-Od88YGmucSRlZfxj44lAPbSL79UKz7WO/s320/Tea+Tree+Flowers1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468890265932572818" /></a><br /><br />This is an exciting time of the gardening year. It is so inspiring to walk through the early morning garden paths and view any new surprises that a new day may bring. The plants and wildlife are flourishing with a little loving care from us.Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-65374830516684835322010-03-05T09:53:00.000-08:002010-03-20T05:51:59.159-07:00Pecans and Honey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ5B06RT-Xcn3CPfA55ItjDs3O4Y-0CHgci9wOp4e3oL20CMqOXMkrUSRBlGFhFwkNsjCHY7PzqltwHQfN1fK5Xl9KSqwaUTCumatM6zX62TWvAd30qLYk06c_lGliodoF6bzTq8Q1_Tl/s1600-h/Honeyed+Pecans+Sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ5B06RT-Xcn3CPfA55ItjDs3O4Y-0CHgci9wOp4e3oL20CMqOXMkrUSRBlGFhFwkNsjCHY7PzqltwHQfN1fK5Xl9KSqwaUTCumatM6zX62TWvAd30qLYk06c_lGliodoF6bzTq8Q1_Tl/s320/Honeyed+Pecans+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445210510905516082" /></a><br />As I was growing up, my family enjoyed many days of picnics and pecan picking on our grandfather’s country property. I remember the taste and scent of the honeycomb that he shared with us. Now that I am an adult, I continue to share and enjoy these things with my children and grandchildren.<br /><br />The pecan is said to be the only tree nut native to North America. Pecans have a rich history that goes back hundreds of years, but recent research conducted over the past decade has confirmed that pecans can be a healthy addition to the diet. <br /><br />There is new research that shows by adding just a handful of pecans to the diet each day, one may help improve his diet. The researchers suggest that this positive effect on the body is due, in part, to the pecans’ significant content of vitamin E – a natural antioxidant. Pecans contain different forms of vitamin E, which protects blood lipids from oxidation.<br /><br />Honey is one of nature’s energy boosters and is said to help build the immune system. It has been used over the centuries as a natural remedy. Here is a delicious snack made from nature’s delicious pecans and honey.<br /><br />Honeyed Pecans<br /><br />Ingredients: 4 cups of pecans<br /> ½ cup of sugar<br /> ¼ tsp of salt <br /> ¼ cup of honey<br /> ½ cup of water<br /> 1 tsp of vanilla extract<br /><br />Toast four cups of pecans in an 350 degree oven for three to five minutes. Watch carefully because you do not want to scorch the nuts. Boil the sugar, salt, honey and water, stirring often. Cook until 242 degrees F. Remove from heat and add vanilla and toasted pecans. Have wax paper ready, and stir until the mixture becomes creamy. Separate pecans and cool on wax paper. Enjoy!Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-17513206223864323772010-01-16T04:12:00.000-08:002010-01-16T04:50:21.964-08:00Our DadThese last five months, I have been very busy spending time with Dad. He was ninety and we learned this past summer that he had acute leukemia. These are times that I will always treasure. He was so appreciative for life and nature and everything that my sister and brother and grandchildren and myself did for him.<br /><br />He never lost his love for life and nature. Every weekend he looked forward to going to our country property, sitting outside by a fire, and looking up at the sky through the branches of our huge live oak trees.<br /><br />He was a very religious man and loved the outdoors. Last Saturday, he was very weak and passed from us that night at his home, with his children by his side. We will miss him very much, but still feel his presence and love for his family, friends and nature. I miss you Dad!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzYXUUA2zNFreaqme7ERWj-zFdixfHx40lhRBC9ptHq3rZd0cfEqCZVmr4nJS9mcmeIT9kJlXq3FqpYJx288upTljA_Q9DC8EswaTPkgOSG56uZdZdhUG7NUpy_s5S3djDUzw4FdYEbD0/s1600-h/FireOak+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzYXUUA2zNFreaqme7ERWj-zFdixfHx40lhRBC9ptHq3rZd0cfEqCZVmr4nJS9mcmeIT9kJlXq3FqpYJx288upTljA_Q9DC8EswaTPkgOSG56uZdZdhUG7NUpy_s5S3djDUzw4FdYEbD0/s320/FireOak+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427316546342194258" /></a>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-11184340309467691622009-09-23T08:31:00.000-07:002009-09-23T12:51:39.582-07:00Cajun Christmas Organic Soap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHdE30zY-dVNNRI9UCvA3ZTXHOQ2auHRJSczq-UxAXhASuS0fJ2Moq3Cd0nF7FhyLnv4rcmgVIO3XQxUtU_8QRjXl8OghZJrrga18nMDBPkyHghKo0r_mXrg0TFE2DwTJ8rtUdcsts1oS/s1600-h/Cypress+Seeds+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHdE30zY-dVNNRI9UCvA3ZTXHOQ2auHRJSczq-UxAXhASuS0fJ2Moq3Cd0nF7FhyLnv4rcmgVIO3XQxUtU_8QRjXl8OghZJrrga18nMDBPkyHghKo0r_mXrg0TFE2DwTJ8rtUdcsts1oS/s200/Cypress+Seeds+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384693220043485106" /></a><br /><br />We have just begun the autumn season and are anxiously awaiting the cool weather. Since I cure my soaps for many weeks, I realized that it was time to think about making that seasonal organic soap, made to celebrate this special place and time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgMM3EZVbNjHKqmxLWzLdNkwSaNuS9ccuxhlWwMWb-FFSJ91-ILNjo27qY6RYxHNAPc3xsltzOkCk9KoZKlyqvxJ1kkEX9CV_11vrvyDeZii3dZF40skc-Jx5h5mqz-FNO3WDlCHjFf8m/s1600-h/RedPep+1(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgMM3EZVbNjHKqmxLWzLdNkwSaNuS9ccuxhlWwMWb-FFSJ91-ILNjo27qY6RYxHNAPc3xsltzOkCk9KoZKlyqvxJ1kkEX9CV_11vrvyDeZii3dZF40skc-Jx5h5mqz-FNO3WDlCHjFf8m/s200/RedPep+1(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384690508470302786" /></a><br /><br />In the deep South Louisiana Cajun land, Christmas is a wonderful celebration full of joy and excitement. Our area is known for our sweet sugarcane and spicy peppers, such as Tabasco. This soap was made to celebrate our Cajun culture. Organic cane sugar and spicy essential oils add to the fun. <br /><br />We have the natural greens of our cypress trees and the bright red hot peppers. The problem with the cypress greens is that those trees will be bare and beautiful during our winter months. It was still fun to use them as decorations for my new Cajun Christmas Organic Soap. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV69YjMDVXEToEs6BmN7asrT8KWffsM8GXfpux0MaZMZTGh2TyeQChNkMsu-gtXQETjg5esz2EzMJazbChCblknxxjN4pJf-j2QxaqgC53id2Uzna8UO75-1yeo3WIUtVcUG2VycVLnuqh/s1600-h/Cajun+Christmas.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV69YjMDVXEToEs6BmN7asrT8KWffsM8GXfpux0MaZMZTGh2TyeQChNkMsu-gtXQETjg5esz2EzMJazbChCblknxxjN4pJf-j2QxaqgC53id2Uzna8UO75-1yeo3WIUtVcUG2VycVLnuqh/s320/Cajun+Christmas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384695672523621218" /></a>Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-37661400074357555102009-09-15T07:31:00.000-07:002009-09-15T07:42:33.234-07:00Hibiscus Sabdariffa Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD82BklxlKI-xxrG-1e1TJVcXjxxEYz67_KHjQu8kzz9_yQSLcDUQ8eN8pVvPV6400UflSVRuojBarJB0P-JzPlggK-UsxI3XTYSrVsPJOIAqtFLqhIg1wJ2uGIiwWY9OcbnhTFr0kG5d/s1600-h/HibSabHorizon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD82BklxlKI-xxrG-1e1TJVcXjxxEYz67_KHjQu8kzz9_yQSLcDUQ8eN8pVvPV6400UflSVRuojBarJB0P-JzPlggK-UsxI3XTYSrVsPJOIAqtFLqhIg1wJ2uGIiwWY9OcbnhTFr0kG5d/s320/HibSabHorizon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381704121148985282" /></a><br />It is almost the middle of September and most of our hibiscus sabdariffa plants are blooming profusely. Last month I was very concerned because of the lack of flowers and contacted Dr. Kit Chin from Southern Louisiana about it. He responded that the actual flowering should be coming in late August to September. Our plants are covered with fruit now!Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502658544573831359.post-28525293549913404892009-08-11T15:19:00.000-07:002009-08-12T05:34:22.043-07:00Fennel and Butterflies<blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0u0Apo29R_O0gaBnqgtE1Kvk_hZ6-WUA8uOUiGtcW2kLJvPPeKDU_pf9GSbzxFUtKI8zC5p1tJcthMLJhyphenhyphenG2-agfE-tP3a7AFNQOc75fAxYRTlDT4KFGOiEPcsh8oL7OjDwhGnJWyYVn/s1600-h/Swallowtail.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0u0Apo29R_O0gaBnqgtE1Kvk_hZ6-WUA8uOUiGtcW2kLJvPPeKDU_pf9GSbzxFUtKI8zC5p1tJcthMLJhyphenhyphenG2-agfE-tP3a7AFNQOc75fAxYRTlDT4KFGOiEPcsh8oL7OjDwhGnJWyYVn/s1600-h/Swallowtail.JPG"></blockquote></a>Right out of my dining area window is a very healthy fennel plant. We have been watching the black swallowtail butterflies busy around it. The plant is beginning to flower and set seed but the larva of the butterfly is feeding on it. I will share the plant with the black swallowtail, and hopefully, I will have seed left over to collect and save.
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<br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368835881858962210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcGfFB08l5ArbJ_9ZYl2ZajkZXKQ1VHUWhEG_aQtG9qT5TSbteFVvXzQKX3nDOloiTZ_gIOqW4HFeZZ9vOIgosjkV21VfNDNQrVWPVFN8WYLzeWhiz9B2askeccOsqXyLKfdNAeMKNW8W/s320/Larva+-+Aug+4+-+Black+Swallowtail+(2).JPG" />
<br /><div align="center">Here is the very young larva feeding on fennel.</div>
<br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368836588324647618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbyOc7U7unZte-OJWRhWyK8obGq5-vRxitrdlHJXYaORzgAL5_RgjYwESa7loYI4gY3FlFT9itBGY_y4o2aanwWjxYJlHFCw8umrx-g4v8PiAUKLG9-DaYlm-qTVYPMQtspZ7Pr_q9B0S/s320/Black+Swallowtail+Larva+on+Fennel+(2).JPG" /> The swallowtail larva continues to eat and grow.</div>
<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368839075944125794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0u0Apo29R_O0gaBnqgtE1Kvk_hZ6-WUA8uOUiGtcW2kLJvPPeKDU_pf9GSbzxFUtKI8zC5p1tJcthMLJhyphenhyphenG2-agfE-tP3a7AFNQOc75fAxYRTlDT4KFGOiEPcsh8oL7OjDwhGnJWyYVn/s320/Swallowtail.JPG" />The adult butterfly was busy today laying more eggs. I was unable to take a picture when she was completely still - a very active swallowtail!</p><p>
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<br />Gabriellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012577498185066997noreply@blogger.com2