August is Half Over Already!

 Well the month of August is half way over already!  Where does the time go.  I hate to say this but I am so ready for Fall and cooler temps.  It has been so hot here lately.  The heat index around 105-107 and the humidity has been about 98%.  I like when it is around 68-70 degrees.  Oh well that is summer in the South!

Well I did something I have been dreaming about ever since I saw we had a snowball hydrangea bush in the yard, I made a hydrangea wreath!  Some of the hydrangeas have been turning greenish and pinkish from the original creamy white color.  Here is the results:

This is part of the bush the wreath hydrangeas came from.

I was excited to see that my moon vine was getting ready to bloom.  I have had 2 buds open so far.  This is a tradition I always did with my Nana.  She would plant the Moon Vine seeds in a pot, let it grow and when it was going to bloom she would call me on the phone to run down and watch it open with her.  You see the moon vine blossom starts shaking and unfurling very slowly.  You can watch the whole thing open if you have the time.  This all happens after dark.  

Moon Vine bud before it starts to open.

Moon Vine about 97% open.

The birds and butterflies have been very active this August.  I love to see the butterflies flitting around the flowers in my garden.  They especially love the phlox I planted.  I had also put a shallow butterfly/bee water dish out for them and the butterfly I have seen drinking from it quite frequently.  Here are some photos of the birds and butterfly:

Steve caught this photo of a male cardinal feeding one of his young ones on our planter.  He was actually feeding 2 young ones.  It was so adorable!

This is a Tahitian Sunset rose from my garden.

These gladiolus are from my garden and I just enjoyed them so much!  I love the color.  I hope the bulbs winter over and multiply, I would love to have alot more than 10 plants next year.

We had the shrubs trimmed in front of our house last week.  They were a bit overgrown and the crew who does our lawn came in and took care of everything so beautifully!

My orchids are blooming so much lately.  I have about 4 or 5 blooming now.  I really love this cute little one.  It is white with magenta inside the flower.  So pretty!

I have been noticing the sunsets have been so pinkish and bluish lately.  I guess because the time of year it is.  So beautiful the other night.

Sunset in our backyard.

I have also noticed a few of our maples trees changing already!  I love the coloring on this little maple we have in the front yard off to the side.

Lastly, Steve's nephew, Tony passed away in the middle of the night on Friday.  It was very sudden, he was 46 years old.  It was a shock to everyone that he had a heart attack.  He owned a gym and kept in great shape and ate so healthy.  We have the visitation on Friday night and the funeral on Saturday at a nearby church.  Tony's Mom is taking it very hard.  That was their only son and both Steve's brother and sister-in-law feel lost.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Everyone have a happy rest of the week.

Sherri